All Opinel wooden-handle knives are not designed to be washed in the dishwasher. it's an addition of the modern days. So the handle of the knife was made tight enough that the knife doesn't open by itself in the pocket. Open Opinel locked Ring Lock. But then if you are used to tactical folders, you might find these knives a bit hard to open. Many people do not know how to close a framelock or linerlock. Its razor sharp blade made it a performer much like the Opinel. May 18, 2005. Improve the opening of the knife. I had a very difficult time opening the blade and had to force it the last few cm's … The wooden handle on your OPINEL can expand and make it difficult to open the blade. Tap sharply on a hard surface … In addition to locking the blade open (safety while in use), it is now possible to lock the blade closed (safety on the go). Official website of Opinel USA. That’s expected, as they are traditional blades after all. With a homogeneous appearance, Heat and moisture will cause any wood to swell which will make the knife hard to open at times. May 5, 2007 #4. Improve the blade opening. From France, our beech is hard, durable and easy to work. He added a rotating ferrule which slid onto the fixed ferrule, closing the groove and thus locking the blade in the open position. . To me, it's an all around work knife that I can use hard, and does not cost a lot to replace if it breaks. The Opinel is designed so that when it becomes wet just sharply tap the end that rises to a point on a hard surface and the blade will lift sufficiently to allow you to open the knife. On the new Opinel you can lock the mechanism when the knife is closed. F bewsher500 Turn the rotating lock to free the groove. 22,644. I find the Opinel will do anything in the way of cutting that has to be done. Before the locking mechanism had a notch only for the open position (on the top of the ring). If you haven’t used your Opinel for a long time, the blade may also stick to the handle. As wood contracts and expands due to humidity it will hold the blade tighter or looser, this is why the function of your Opinel is not always consistent. The idea was simple enough but hard to achieve. … It is a great little knife. Turn the rotating lock to free the groove. In 1955, Marcel Opinel, who had been working on improving the safety of the knife, invented the Virobloc® system. 1,196. I handed my buddy a closed locked Opinel. However, when it arrived it was way too tight. Same thing happens when I hand people a Boker Toplock,almost break nails trying to open it LOL. Blade: 12C27 Sandvik Stainless Steel Handle: Beechwood Beech is the most commonly used wood for the manufacture of Opinel handles. With low costs and a hard working edge these blades are almost perfect. Carbon steel has a higher carbon content to the steel and is a little softer. It is the Stainless (Inox) version with Bubinga wood. When I carry my Opinel, I don't carry another knife exept my little Victorinox classic that is always on my keyring. | Joseph Opinel designed his first folding knife in 1890, creating a tool that is as robust and functional as it is simple and beautiful. Humidity, atmospheric condition and the wood used for the handle can all affect the folding mechanism of your Opinel. I have only ever had to sharpen them once. Opinel Knife Tuning and Mods: I recently purchased an Opinel No6. If you are having trouble opening your Opinel, try the Coup du Savoyard®, a tried and true tip that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Rat Finkenstein Gold Member Gold Member. This makes sharpening easier, but it is inversely, easier to dull. But would it be great if there is a way to open it with one hand? The stainless on both our knives, mine gets much more use than hers, is still stainless and shiny. He tugged on it pretty hard before I snatched it back. Oct 20, 2006 . May 5, 2007 #3. lotoblades. . Why is my Opinel folding knife sometime difficult to open? From his workshop at the foot of the French Alps, Opinel forged a cult classic. Opinel suggests carefully hand-washing and immediately drying the blade with a soft, dry towel.