Wooden body/frame knives variety (Opinel style)

[Sazabi]

My first wood frame folder, and I like it.  Thanks for the tip dks!

Looking forward to hearing your thought on the Old Bear.

Is that a reflection near the edge?

Yes, the grind is a bit convexed near the edge, and that's what you're seeing there.  I'm waiting on some new sharpening equipment to arrive, so it might be a while on any thoughts from use.

I can wait

How difficult is it to unlock the knife with the rotating latch?  Is it easy to use with short-cut fingernails?

[NutSAK]

How difficult is it to unlock the knife with the rotating latch?  Is it easy to use with short-cut fingernails?

Hello Rex! 

The lock was a bit tight when I received the knife, but after playing with it for a few days, it has reached a good level of "break in".  It can easily be manipulated with the right-hand thumb while holding the handle.  I'd say it's just about "right", actually, because you want the lock to stay where it's put.  The stiffness of the blade hinge is perfect as well.  There is no lateral blade play at all, and it's smooth and easy to open.  Fingernails are not required here, as the blade can easily be pinched to swing open.  I've had the thought that they could save some money by leaving out the knick but I suppose it would be appreciated if the wood were to swell considerably and stiffen the hinge.

The only complaint I might make is that the blade is not centered in the brass ring.  In other words, there is more wood on one side of the blade than on the other within the ring.  Complaining about this would really be nit-picking, however, because overall my thought is that the knife is of exceptional build for the price and that minor detail will not be noticeable at all in use.

[dks]

It is an unusual knife.

[Sazabi]

How difficult is it to unlock the knife with the rotating latch?  Is it easy to use with short-cut fingernails?

Hello Rex! 

The lock was a bit tight when I received the knife, but after playing with it for a few days, it has reached a good level of "break in".  It can easily be manipulated with the right-hand thumb while holding the handle.  I'd say it's just about "right", actually, because you want the lock to stay where it's put.  The stiffness of the blade hinge is perfect as well.  There is no lateral blade play at all, and it's smooth and easy to open.  Fingernails are not required here, as the blade can easily be pinched to swing open.  I've had the thought that they could save some money by leaving out the knick but I suppose it would be appreciated if the wood were to swell considerably and stiffen the hinge.

The only complaint I might make is that the blade is not centered in the brass ring.  In other words, there is more wood on one side of the blade than on the other within the ring.  Complaining about this would really be nit-picking, however, because overall my thought is that the knife is of exceptional build for the price and that minor detail will not be noticeable at all in use.

Thank you for the feedback, it is an interesting knife.

[kkokkolis]

What was that Opinel style knife with two blades?

[kkokkolis]

Anybody listening? Hello?

[dks]

if you mean the ones with knife and fork, they are Portuguese, Martins and MAM.

I do not see one with two blades

[kkokkolis]

There is an Opinel style wooden frame knife with two blades, a normal one (yatagan I think) and a serrated one, one on each end. I've seen it here, 2-3 years ago.

[kkokkolis]

André Verdier's Robinson or Splash Côte à côte





Apparently it is plastic, not wooden. Where could I find one?

[firiki]

^^^ Mmm, quite interesting this one!

[kkokkolis]

I can't find one. I'll buy used if any member has it.

[dks]

Another one that I ordered a while ago, Palles slipjoint, wooden frame.

Apparently it is a weapon....    

Spanish style, but it seems to be made in China. Costs about $6


Good value for money, has a halfstop, sharp blade

[dks]

and I also got a medium (8cm) Old Bear knife

some comparison pictures with an opinel No8 and the Large old bear knife

[Ron Who]

I can't find one. I'll buy used if any member has it.

They are manufactured by Lacosa. There's quite a few of them on French eBay.