Tim Kelly Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I have a new Opinel and it's really difficult to open as it's such a tight fit to the wood. Does anyone have any tips for loosening them up a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Bit of oil, if it's a carbon steel blade you will need to oil it a bit anyway long term to keep the rust away. They get more slack with use, like shotguns. Never known one be really tight tho... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks, I tried oiling it a bit, but I think the oil went into the wood and swelled it, It seems even harder to open since oiling! Have to use my leatherman to open it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks, I tried oiling it a bit, but I think the oil went into the wood and swelled it, It seems even harder to open since oiling! Have to use my leatherman to open it! That's not right I've had loads of Opinels and never seen that, the hinge isn't rusted is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 No, it's brand new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bavarianbrit Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 No, it's brand new. Take it back to the shop. The sale of goods act should cover it. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Take it back to the shop. The sale of goods act should cover it. Martin Ditto, having to open it with a pair of pliers? Whatever next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 The shop I bought it from is miles away, unlikely to be going that way again any time soon. Wondering if candle wax or something might lubricate the joint without swelling the wood? Otherwise it's going to be sitting on the sofa opening and closing it all night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I believe the trick is to tap the back of it on something and the the blade opens easier. I looked at a new opinel recently and all the blades were really stiff. Just put a dab of oil in and keep opening and closing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Otherwise it's going to be sitting on the sofa opening and closing it all night! Huh huh huh....huh huh huh.....huh huh huh...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 It'll free up with use. Until it does just tap it on a hard surface to open it - I've never had one I couldn't open up by tapping on a table or on the side of my boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 (edited) don't oil it ***! oil soaks in and swells it stick it on the radiator, it will fall open overnight! if you want to protect it leave it open standing in ordinary distilled vinegar overnight. gives it a nice matt blued effect Edited June 28, 2012 by Bewsher500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 It'll free up with use. Until it does just tap it on a hard surface to open it - I've never had one I couldn't open up by tapping on a table or on the side of my boot. The mood you're in you shouldn't be talking about knives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 you will need to oil it a bit anyway long term to keep the rust away. FAOD when I said oil it I didn't mean oil the wood. Just a tiny wipe on the blade to keep the metal in good nick. I've been doing that for years with no issues. In fact the only issue I had was with one I didn't oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 As said before try leaving on a radiator or in a very low oven (70 C) until the wood shrinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 No oil use a sunny windowcill to warm it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 It's hot enough today, but still tough to open. I see an evening on the sofa followed by a trip to casualty to sew some fingers back on in my future! Putting it on the radiator is a genius suggestion, I bet your house is roasting if you've still got the heating on! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted June 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Sussed it! I put a screwdriver into the gap at the hinge end and twisted it to lever the metal collar open a bit, that seems to have freed it up nicely. I think either the wood was a bit too tight or the metal collar had been crimped on a bit too enthusiastically. All better now. I suppose if you had an opinel that was too loose you could easily put the collar in a clamp and crush it a bit to tighten it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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