Sharpening an Opinel #8?

W

Wrace

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Sep 29, 2005
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Received my first Opinel, a #8 in stainless.

It was to start off life as a desk drawer knife replacing the crkt folder currently serving that duty, used mostly for opening letters and an occasional package. Later to be moved to field duty outdoors (thus the stainless).

This Opinel cannot open a letter, it just tears everything all to heck.

So I need to sharpen it and I have two options at this time.

Sharpmaker with diamond rods but no UF rods.

Lansky deluxe kit (not diamond)

I've been using the sharpmaker the most because I have mostly spydercos as daily use knifes.

Which of these two systems would be most suited for the Opinel?

Thanks
 
Gently use the Sharpmaker white rods. You should get good results quickly. Your Opinel may actually respond nicely to stropping, since I suspect a burr they didn't wipe off at the factory.
 
The factory edge angle on yours is probably pretty 'thick', as both of mine were when I bought them (one each, in 'carbone' and stainless). Good news is, the blades are pretty thin grinds, and it doesn't take much to re-bevel or thin out the edge a bit. If it were me, I'd use the Lansky kit you have, to do that. I'm assuming you're comfortable with using the Lansky?

On the chance that maybe a burr or wire edge is just getting in the way, you might first use your Sharpmaker to see if it can clean that up. If you don't see a fairly quick improvement in maybe 10 passes or less on the Sharpmaker, then I'd assume the edge angle is the problem, to be fixed with the Lansky, as previously mentioned.

Since you have the diamond rods on your Sharpmaker, you might even be able to re-bevel with those (I'd use the 30° 'back bevel' setting), if you're more comfortable using it. The thin grind of the Opinel should make that job easier.


David
 
I just did this same re-bevel to one of my old Opinel Carbones - and it made all the difference in the world. The factory edge is fairly durable, but way too thick. I put a 30 degree main bevel on it, and finished up with a 40 degree micro-edge bevel. It is screaming sharp now.

TedP
 
The Opinel I have stropped up pretty well. I would agree a bit of thinning is in order. Pretty steep angle when new.
 
I'd use the Sharpmaker and just make sure your stones are clean before you begin. Shouldn't take tremendously long to thin out that edge--they sharpen very easily.
 
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