Soldier On! 2026

LoopCutter · **Reply #480 on:** February 27, 2026, 05:59:03 PM

Gary, this may sound crazy, but last spring I noticed my OPPIES were binding when opening from the high humidity as I would leave the windows open at night to enjoy fresh air, but a dampness was present.

So I tried a couple of things and best result, was letting a couple No8s and a No9 lay in the sun on the back patio.
Filled three shot glasses about half way with MINERAL OIL AND STOOD the tree knives with pivot down in each glass. Let stand about an hour, episode of what show I was streaming😏

Wiped them down, let sit overnight, and found that even today they open and close without much effort. I do the same with a couple others as well.

The Colorama models have not had to as I believe the finish on these handles seal the wood end grain very well also the blade channel.

PS: forgot to say, it was noticeable after the first three were done, the level on spirits in each shot glass was less than starting and I just recycled the remaining back into the container for future use.

IMR4198 · **Reply #481 on:** February 27, 2026, 06:49:35 PM

On the EDC-TV a week or so ago, Inky mentioned putting stag handled knives in mineral oil to soak when they got loose and rattled or whatever. Once the Soldier 30 day event passes, I will tell my most recent experiences with humidity and Opies. Might be a surprise in there somewhere? Stay tuned. Best wishes. G

WECSOG · **Reply #482 on:** February 27, 2026, 06:54:53 PM

Quote from: LoopCutter on February 27, 2026, 05:59:03 PM

Gary, this may sound crazy, but last spring I noticed my OPPIES were binding when opening from the high humidity as I would leave the windows open at night to enjoy fresh air, but a dampness was present.

So I tried a couple of things and best result, was letting a couple No8s and a No9 lay in the sun on the back patio.
Filled three shot glasses about half way with MINERAL OIL AND STOOD the tree knives with pivot down in each glass. Let stand about an hour, episode of what show I was streaming😏

Wiped them down, let sit overnight, and found that even today they open and close without much effort. I do the same with a couple others as well.

The Colorama models have not had to as I believe the finish on these handles seal the wood end grain very well also the blade channel.

PS: forgot to say, it was noticeable after the first three were done, the level on spirits in each shot glass was less than starting and I just recycled the remaining back into the container for future use.

My one Opy binds when the humidity rises, too. Only thing I've done is oil the hinge and it gets better again.

BPRoberts · **Reply #483 on:** February 27, 2026, 07:08:01 PM

I haven't seen it in person, but I have heard of humidity swelling Opis from enough people to believe it. All out of sorts on pics (with no good excuse like mysterious international travel), but I'll get evened out in the next day or two.

Tuisto · **Reply #484 on:** February 27, 2026, 07:28:22 PM

Quote from: IMR4198 on February 27, 2026, 03:57:57 PM

Thanks, Barry. Seems like everybody is going through something this week. I hope friend Tuisto can get the best possible outcome to whatever he has going on. Little problems, big problems.

Haha, thanks Gary! My problems are quite small compared to some other people at my university this week... (ooph). Apparently my Canadian SIN (Social Insurance Number, i.e. Canadian version of an SSN) got deactivated

which I didn't know was possible. And in order to get it reinstated I have to come to Canada and go to Service Canada (the govt dept responsible for SINs) and meet someone there to prove, basically, that I'm alive(!) and that I am the person I say I am. It's been a very bizarre process and equally confusing to me and the people at Service Canada.

WECSOG · **Reply #485 on:** February 28, 2026, 01:52:22 AM

Quote from: Tuisto on February 27, 2026, 07:28:22 PM

Haha, thanks Gary! My problems are quite small compared to some other people at my university this week... (ooph). Apparently my Canadian SIN (Social Insurance Number, i.e. Canadian version of an SSN) got deactivated which I didn't know was possible. And in order to get it reinstated I have to come to Canada and go to Service Canada (the govt dept responsible for SINs) and meet someone there to prove, basically, that I'm alive(!) and that I am the person I say I am. It's been a very bizarre process and equally confusing to me and the people at Service Canada.

Well that's just a SIN for them to treat you like that, my friend!

gustophersmob · **Reply #486 on:** February 28, 2026, 02:01:34 AM

Day 28:

Soldier with one of my favorite lights.

WECSOG · **Reply #487 on:** February 28, 2026, 01:26:30 PM

IMR4198 · **Reply #488 on:** February 28, 2026, 01:54:00 PM

Day 29

I might finally have to discard my well broken in Wranglers. Some of the holes in the seat region have gotten a little too obvious. They have been used doing yard work mostly, anyway. The sad old things are lying on the floor of the mudroom. I started to put them in the can, but decided to let them lie down a while. I thought about just washing them and keeping the things for chores. It is nice to be able to go to the store for instance without having to change jeans which would not be possible now. I think there is probably a 108mm sized worn spot in the right front pocket. Trooper would always ride in that one. Pop it in and it would instantly snuggle down in its usual location.
I have carried the Trooper so much, that this challenge wasn't really a challenge at all. The back springs seem so much firmer than before since I started carrying other model SAKs so much in the last couple of years. Might just carry an L-Man for a while after this challenge.
Another photo. This was the man in the horse photos. Best wishes. G

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WECSOG · **Reply #489 on:** February 28, 2026, 03:00:37 PM

Interesting video that just came up in my feed:

https://youtu.be/wCVLid4-uIE?si=N0wslJ_BYgpJJHdH

Barry Rowland · **Reply #490 on:** February 28, 2026, 03:16:22 PM

I love my Opinels for sure my friend! Actually, I need to check on mine. I love the plastic handles because they aren't affected by much of anything. I spent some time at Bragg, but long after the horses left

This is a normal February calendar wise. I have the badge so this will be it for me too. Thanks to Dan for finally making me break out the RAF Hunter! I hope things are going well with him too. I'll check back on everyone here and see how things are going

Quote from: IMR4198 on February 27, 2026, 03:57:57 PM

Thanks, Barry. Seems like everybody is going through something this week. I hope friend Tuisto can get the best possible outcome to whatever he has going on. Little problems, big problems. Losing some sleep and fighting the covers all night doesn't amount to much of anything. Some people on here are facing some big problems that can't be solved by taking a nap after lunch.
Barry, I know you are one of the Opinel gurus here. With all the rain, I decided to check on my Opies and see how the moisture was affecting them. I will put my observations in a boring post after the Soldier challenge (at least my portion) is finished. I had to look up whether this February was a 28 or a 29. I came back with 28 for an answer.
The photos are from 1941 at Fort Bragg, NC. The Army still had horses in their field artillery units there. Best wishes. Gary

gustophersmob · **Reply #491 on:** February 28, 2026, 04:45:06 PM

Day 29:

Another strop before going into the last two days of the challenge (for me).

BPRoberts · **Reply #492 on:** February 28, 2026, 06:18:45 PM

Make ups

D+26

Tightened a dresser drawer screw.

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D+27

~ 1 month pocket wear check. You can definitely see some, particularly on the back. I suspect a lot of this is from the week or so I carried it with the pocket clip. In the end, I found it not particularly helpful and removed it.

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IMR4198 · **Reply #493 on:** February 28, 2026, 07:04:50 PM

The outdoorsman in WECSOG's video is using a 111mm with the small serrations on the main blade. To those of you that have that sort of SAK, do you like the way the smaller serrations cut compared to the very aggressive teeth on something like a L-Man? Best wishes. G

Barry Rowland · **Reply #494 on:** February 28, 2026, 07:48:14 PM

I do Gary. They cut very clean and stay sharp.

WECSOG · **Reply #495 on:** March 01, 2026, 02:59:55 AM

I like the small serrations as compared to larger serrations. But, I still prefer the microscopic serrations of a plain edge.

So, I guess the smaller the serrations, the better!

Tuisto · **Reply #496 on:** March 01, 2026, 11:21:17 AM

I'm still here! I stropped the Soldier today. i'm back home again now! Day 25

IMR4198 · **Reply #497 on:** March 01, 2026, 02:28:14 PM

Day 30

Mission completed. Company Echo parachuted into the designated site, which turned out to be a brewery in Hamburgerstadt. The troops captured said objective by surprise and proceeded to destroy the valuable resources on site. One soldier, a Corporal Tuisto, was feared lost when he fell into a large vat. He was mostly unharmed but couldn't complete a series of tests comprised of walking a straight line heel to toe while singing "Oh Canada." Later we got the communique that the war was already over. The townspeople of Hamburgerstadt all came out to greet us with open arms and a roast pig while carrying empty buckets, pitchers, and steins to help dispose of the captured stock from our objective.
Seems like there was a mini-challenge for today. Favorite candy which might or might not be similar to items in an MRE. Hmmm? Well, I never buy candy. I don't really like it much, except for chocolate. There isn't a piece of candy on Werecoyote Trail. So, what to do? Improvise.
Last day of the challenge (for me) shows Trooper with a pop tart. Pop tarts are packed with MREs and these have little candy sprinkles on top. The sprinkles are mostly decorative, but do help to increase the caloric content some. I finished off several cases of MREs last winter. Anyway, there were cinnamon flavored pop tarts in every pack.
I will see if the powers that be will give me a 30 day badge for soldiering with a GAK. I am curious about how many will forge ahead for another 60 days. Au revoir to all the members who were on the challenge. Best wishes as always. Gary (IMR)

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gustophersmob · **Reply #498 on:** March 01, 2026, 03:06:29 PM

Day 30:

Last day for me. Life’s demands are in the way, so I must bow out here and let the more adventurous pursue the 90-day prize.

WECSOG · **Reply #499 on:** March 01, 2026, 03:39:58 PM

D+29

Sub-mission: Sweet Treat

M&Ms and Soldier on the hood of my M-1008 CUCV.

BPRoberts · **Reply #500 on:** March 01, 2026, 03:46:11 PM

D+28 (I'm not just going to be able to use the date+1 anymore and I bet I'm gonna mess that up before the week is out.)

Some light maintenance, and my usual one month review.

This is my third round on a scout/camper pattern challenge. For a basic 4 blade layout, I don't know that I've seen anything beat a Pioneer/Sturdy Boy/'61, and that includes some that're much more expensive. The alox scales look, feel, and hold up better than the delrin and other plastics you usually see on non "collector" scouts, and thick tools (combined w/ Vic's slightly soft and very stainless) really live up to the Sturdy Boy name. While I love me a good CLAW opener, I'm okay with trading it off for the extra driver tip. In fact, I think I use the small driver on the CO more than the larger on the CL. And, as we've awl realized, that awl is unbeatable as a poker, a scribe, or simply a secondary blade that you don't have to worry about.

Can you get a perfectly good scout knife for $20? Yes. Will it be as functional or as durable as a Pioneer? No.
Can you spend $400 on some stag handled collector's piece? Yes. Will it be as functional or as durable as a Pioneer? No.

BPRoberts · **Reply #501 on:** March 02, 2026, 02:43:38 AM

D+29

Peanut Chews were (according to the manufacturer) originally developed as a ration bar during WWI. I can see it. The peanuts give it some protein. It's kind of like a proto-HOOAH! bar.

Similarly, they're "unofficially" vegan, since the dark chocolate contains no milk.

Most importantly, they're tasty.

Since they got bought out by Just Born they've expanded a bit, so you can now find them more easily outside their native Philadelphia. Highly recommend if you've never had one.

Tuisto · **Reply #502 on:** March 02, 2026, 06:33:20 AM

Day 26: The Soldier is helping me frantically meet my deadline for a paper I'm co-authoring. Here's the Soldier with the standard historical grammar of Old Icelandic (~Old Norse). This is actually the fabled fifth ed. of Noreen's grammar. It's technically just the fourth edition reprinted without any changes, but reprinted in Verlag Niemeyer's grey cloth binding.

IMR4198 · **Reply #503 on:** March 02, 2026, 11:56:54 AM

Day 31

I'm putting in for a little overtime. I finished my 30 yesterday and applied for my badge. No badge yet. They might be waiting on a shipment. Seems like a couple of friends are still plugging along and finishing up. Internet network problems here and connection problems with MTO. How about another photo? No? Well, I am going to do it anyway. Best wishes. G

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IMR4198 · **Reply #504 on:** March 02, 2026, 12:01:51 PM

30 day Soldier badge just popped up. Congratulations to all the members who already had the 30 day Soldier badge. I hear they might be worth something. The new badges might be made in China. That was what I heard.... Could be a rumor.... Okay, I made it up. Best wishes. G

IMR4198 · **Reply #505 on:** March 02, 2026, 02:01:59 PM

I was piddling around outside. Picking up some stuff. Too nice to stay in. I saw my pole lopper was jammed up with wood chips, etc. Out came Trooper and I tried using the screwdriver end of the combo tool to dig out some stuff. Fail. It just jammed up. All the residue was too tight. Dirt, wood chips, compressed leaf fragments. I folded the combo/saw back up and popped out the awl. Immediately a different story. The awl had the whole thing cleaned up in a jiffy. Nice point and sharp edge. Poke. Scrape. Dig. Perfect tool for the job. I have used the awl a bazullian times already. Just not on the lopper. Now I just need to sharpen the blade on the lopper. Best wishes. G
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