Question about Opinel and similar knives

[King_Gorilla]

I don't own an opinel knife but I have always wanted one.  I like how the locking ring mechanism works.  It is so simple but also effective. 

I have been wondering for a while now, Do you think that it would be possible to make a folding knife with the same kind of locking mechanism from an Opinel, that also opened with a flipper? 

I don't think it would be difficult to put a hole in the frame for the flipper tab to stick out of, but I wonder if it would still flip open since the flipper tab would most likely need to be just below the locking ring.  (which I fear would be too low)   

[comis]

I think you could easily retrofit a custom made blade with flipper tab in Opinel chassis, but it probably will flip quite lazy, reason being:


1) There's a usually friction between the wood and the blade, and
2) In order for a flipper blade to function properly, it needs the right amount of detention to keep the blade tugged in before deployment, but locking ring on Opinel won't offer that.

If one hand opening is desirable, maybe an opening hole(which Opinel is offering via the outdoor survival model) or a thumb stud is probably easier to implement, without altering the entire knife to something totally different.

[Echotech]

I’ve got a few opinels and really like them, use one in the kitchen every day

Check out Sam Lim’s mods, think they’ll give you some good ideas

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,30307.msg2157273.html#msg2157273

[comis]

I’ve got a few opinels and really like them, use one in the kitchen every day

Check out Sam Lim’s mods, think they’ll give you some good ideas

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,30307.msg2157273.html#msg2157273

 

Good link, always love Sam's work.

[Sam Lim]

I hear someone calling me..

Flippers are fun to play with definitely. I dun have many of them.. Only a leatherman with the blade launcher and I enjoy that very much.

Opinels from my pretty short experience, they are sensitive to temperature and humility changes. These factors affects wood handles directly especially when they are in direct contact with the blade itself, causing them to be tight or loose at times. When tight, it will definitely not swing out fully. When loose, I am sure the blade will hit the viro block and bounce back as the lock is manually operated, there's nothing to catch the blade.

So, short answer is no.. I dun think it will work.. But I still enjoy playing around with Opinels... Most of mine are one hand operatable. They are so fun to work with.

[King_Gorilla]

Thanks for the link.  Those look fantastic. 

[cody6268]

I used to often say I hated flippers--but, I have a CRKT M16, all three of the Kershaw Onion folders (Chive, Leek, and Scallion), and a Buck Vantage. I like the Buck the best, as it's non-assisted, silky smooth, and super-fast opening.

[King_Gorilla]

I used to often say I hated flippers--but, I have a CRKT M16, all three of the Kershaw Onion folders (Chive, Leek, and Scallion), and a Buck Vantage. I like the Buck the best, as it's non-assisted, silky smooth, and super-fast opening.

I was given the Leek as a gift and I really like it.  I carry it several days a week. 

[pfrsantos]

That Fortel knife deserves some more showing off. Thanks for letting us know about it.

 

[King_Gorilla]

That Fortel knife deserves some more showing off. Thanks for letting us know about it.

 

I think it is pretty cool, I would certainly like to get my hands on one.  I particularly like that they put the two metal spike things on it.  I imagine you could use it to hold a steak in place while you cut it with the massive blade.