Opinel - locking ring

[Biddlesby]

Will buy an opinel soon. I have some more questions, in addition to my earlier thread.

- In order to make a spark with a firesteel does it need to be carbon rather than stainless?
- Locking ring: with or without?
- I'm a bit confused about the range of opinels - google hasn't yielded much. I quite like the drop-point one merely because of aesthetics, but what are the advantages and disadvantages over the more traditional model in your opinions?


Many thanks.

 

[ArkAngel]

I have an older opinel (number 8 i think) It has the carbon blade that produces a good shower of sparks from a firesteel. Although as has been mentioned before on here it is more down to the angle of the back of the blade than the material that produces sparks.
Locking ring, i would say with as it does provide a degree of security when using. However do then be aware that in the eyes of the law it will be classed as a "fixed blade" knife and subject to the appropriate laws (like you will need a reason to be carrying it)
As for blade design i can't comment much as i have had my opinel for over 10 years and not looked at the range recently.

 

[spamel]

I have a No 8 and they are easily modified, as many people will agree. There is no reason why you can't get the bog standard Opi and then if you decide on wanting a drop point blade, filing the point down. It doesn't take that long, and with a small drill bit and a bit of metal tubing if you like, a lanyard hole can easily be added. People have added thumb studs and totally reshaped blades to all sort of designs, the options are endless. Also, if you screw it up, who cares. They are cheap and easily replaced, but they are good and not to be under estimated!

 

[Westnorfolk]

I have had opinels for over 20 years, got my first on a school day trip to france. always 7 and 8's and have always been very happy. try this link

http://translate.google.com/transla...://www.opinel.com/FR/index.htm&hl=en&lr=&sa=G

or

http://www.opinel-musee.com/uk/idx_musee-uk.htm

i have never had one close on my fingers and have used it for most things from starting a car to opening a tin of beans. did have a number 6 break on me once, i think its just to thin for anything other than cleaning a pipe (fathers)

best thing is it's so cheap you dont get upset if its lost.

 

[Biddlesby]

So a locking ring, then . Does this one have a locking ring? http://couteaux-courty.com/cgi-bin/wv2k/panier.cgi?langue=fr&database=base&action=view_product&productID=1580&category=17

Thanks for everybody's comments. I think I will get a stainless version - if they produce sparks just as well - purely so it's better protected from rust.

have a No 8 and they are easily modified, as many people will agree. There is no reason why you can't get the bog standard Opi and then if you decide on wanting a drop point blade, filing the point down.

What about the handle shape on the No 8? Do you think it's better or worse than the bog standard one? - it'd be good if I could find a shop that sells both but so far no luck.

I'm hoping to mod my new opinel a bit, too.

 

[spamel]

There was a link somewhere about Opi modification in France. They do all sorts to the handles, you wouldn't believe it! I've seen Gargoyles carved into the handle so that the whole handle becomes the gargoyle, not just a side, and the one I liked best was a fish jumping from the water. I'll try and find the link for you as the pictures are amazing!

Edit: Take a look over on British Blades. This is the link, check outpost number 10. The site is in french, but the pictures need no translation!