Opinel Knives
Picked up a used Opinel #12 at a Flea Market this morning. Took it home cleaned the blade with flitz, and made an "ATTEMPT" to sharpen the blade. What the heck? kind of steel do the Frogs use in making these blades? For a knife that sells new for around $20, never ran into this kind of thing before. The carbon steel the blade is made of, absolutely resists sharping.
Anybody have any tips for sharping Opinel knives, with out using powter tools,i.e. flat grinding wheels, belt sanders etc.?
Anybody have any tips for sharping Opinel knives, with out using powter tools,i.e. flat grinding wheels, belt sanders etc.?
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Hey Rufe-
I have a set of carbide "files" called Eze-Lap Diamond Hone and Stone. Got them from www.brownells.com .I bought them years ago to true and bevel the edge on some early Buck knives. They shape the edge prior to final stoneing. I use water as a lubricant...
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
BTW they are extremely usefull for all type surface work..0 -
I am surprised you had a problem sharpening an Opinel that you attribute to the blade steel being too abrasion resistant. Blade steel is commensurate with knives' prices -- low.
Is it possible you're having a problem because the edge is nearly gone, and you're forced to create another one to sharpen?
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Parenthetically, several years ago Cold Steel manufactured twist lock knives in several sizes and shapes. Apparently they did not sell, for I bought five of them for about $5.00 each on close-out, including a belt sheath I do not use.
These are the finest folding knives I've ever owned, for using. Four parts, three moving, including the handle. Best blade shape I've used so far. The only flaw I find in the design is that it is not a quick, or one-handed, opener. For a using knife this is no big deal.
Kershaw also sold made-in-Japan twist locks several years ago. These were on the market about a year. Their twisting lock mechanism apparently was not well made.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. Jonathan Swift0 -
i had to skin and bone out a bull elk w/ a 3.5" opinel last fall, as i had lost my skinning knife on the hike up...i am not looking forward to doing it again, but it did get the job done w/ a sharpening or two(i've blocked that part out of my memory)during the 4hr. "operation"... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Lance
I am surprised you had a problem sharpening an Opinel that you attribute to the blade steel being too abrasion resistant. Blade steel is commensurate with knives' prices -- low.
Is it possible you're having a problem because the edge is nearly gone, and you're forced to create another one to sharpen?
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You "DIDN'T" answer my question! I didn't ask you about the Cold Steel knives you've owned. Or the knives Kershaw has sold in the past. I what to know if you ever sharpened a Opinel by hand, without power tools?0 -
Hello, I have several Opinels either Carbon steel or Inox. Carbon steel is better, it keeps the cutting edge for longer. Get a Norton Black India or Arkansas Oil stone and you can keep the sharpness all the time with this quality abrasives. Use mineral oil at the same time. Luck!
Breech0 -
Hello, I have several Opinels either Carbon steel or Inox. Carbon steel is better, it keeps the cutting edge for longer. Get a Norton Black India or Arkansas Oil stone and you can keep the sharpness all the time with this quality abrasives. Use mineral oil at the same time. Luck!
Breech0
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