Stiff Opinel

[Celt_Ginger]

I have reciently got a stainless steel Opinel with an olive wood handle, and it looks great. the only problem is that it is such a tight fit, it's almost impossible to open the thing without tearing your fingernails off. It really needs pliers to open, which kind of defeats the purpose. does anyone know of a way to make it open a bit easier?

 

[Stew]

It's one of the 'features' of an Opinel! When it gets wet it'll be stiff & when it dries out it'll go really loose....

 

[mr dazzler]

Yeah thats exactly right, in fact mine is so loose now I have to make absolutely certain its locked shut as it is prone to opening while in my pocket. I think the constant sweling/shrinking eventually ruins the "locking" mechanism. It is normally always in my pocket but even leaving it in the shed overnight swells it a bit tighter. Great steel though

 

[decorum]

This may help if your blade is too tight (or too loose) when there's no moisture problem:
http://www.opinel-musee.com/uk/idx_couteau-uk.htm

Edit: On checking, this link doesn't send you to the exact page to get the information you'll need to click on 'Smooth functioning' on the page links panel.

 

[Bernie Garland]

i prefer mine stiff

 

[Earlyturtle]

This may help if your blade is too tight (or too loose) when there's no moisture problem:
http://www.opinel-musee.com/uk/idx_couteau-uk.htm

Edit: On checking, this link doesn't send you to the exact page to get the informqtion you'll need to click on 'Smooth functioning' on the page links panel.

And for those who don't want to make the jump:

"1. If the safety ring is difficult to turn, slightly pull apart the two lips with circlip pliers.


2. If the safety ring turns too freely, remove it with a pair of circlip pliers, then tighten it back again using flat nose pliers and then readjust it on the assembly collar.

3. From time to time, put a drop of vaseline oil between the two collars.

4. If the blade opens too freely, it should be tightened back again. In order to do this, remove the safety ring (see step 2) then place the head of the rivet on a metal surface and rivet the other end by gently hitting it with a hammer until the right amount of tightening has been achieved.
Readjust the safety ring by tightening it again, if necessary, in order to obtain the desired level of functioning. (see step 2).

5. If the blade is difficult to open inspite of "le coup du savoyard" (knocking the end of the handle on the edge of the table), without doubt this is due to humidity; dry the knife on a radiator and lubricate the main joint with liquid wax or vaseline oil.

As a general rule, never leave the knife in a humid environment."

Mike

 

[Toddy]

This will probably send the purists screaming at me ,but WD40 it. Mine spends half it's life wet and muddy, then it gets cleaned, WD40'd and dried out on the radiator then back in my pocket.
It stays closed but it pulls open easily. I use it for food prep at times too, I just give it a really good wipe first.

The WD stuff seems to seep into the wood and sort of stabilises it......actually it seems to act like PEG does for the wood the turners use.....that might be better than the WD40 'cos PEG is supposedly safe for food use.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[mjk123]

One thing I did with my Opinels is to cut out/sand out a bit of the handle to expose a bit more of the spine. Then you can grab the spine with index finger and thumb. Or use a coin instead of your finger nail.

Great knives though.

 

[JDO330]

The link to the Opinel web site was interesting, especially the musium. Im going on holiday to Annecy in France next year so I think I will pay it a visit as it doesnt look too far away...

ATB, Jon.