Opinel Handle Remodel.

[cudgee]

Would like to show what is achievable by anyone with basic wood restoration knowledge and basic knife knowledge. I have always liked tinkering and fixing things and how things work. Reading a lot of the posts here about members knife restoration i have been just so impressed with their work. Having been in lockdown, strict lockdown for the last 41/2 months i decided to have a go at my first knife restoration of sorts to fill in some time. It is very basic, but i have an opinel no. 7 which is a very handy knife and a great slicer in the kitchen, but i looked bland, it has the normal stock standard beech wood scales, and i thought i could make it look better. Here is the result, and it is a huge improvement on how it originally looked, hard to tell in photos, due to my lack of photography skill, but the wood pops, with all the little fissures really standing out. So anyone out there who wants to have a go at knife restoration, just have a go. Start with small projects, it is enjoyable, you will learn and you will be surprised what you can achieve.

[XX Case XX]

That looks very nice. It's been my experience that Opinel wood looks "flat", no shine to it. Kind of like a car that's never been waxed. Your's looks really good now. I like it. Well done.

____________
Mike

[doglegg]

Looks good cudgee. Really enhanced the wood grains.

[herbva]

Really nice job Cudgee! Now you have a very special, super nice Opinel. I've always been impressed by the steel in those knives. Be careful, I sense that you are well on your way down the rabbit hole of knife restoration addiction!

[cudgee]

Really nice job Cudgee! Now you have a very special, super nice Opinel. I've always been impressed by the steel in those knives. Be careful, I sense that you are well on your way down the rabbit hole of knife restoration addiction!

I have an appointment at the Rehab Clinic this morning.

[glennbad]

Looks great!

[Colonel26]

Very good Cudgee. It looks better than the one I did.

This is a #12 that I modded. I made it an EO, rounded the handle, sanded it smooth, then I used a torch to add some color, and sealed it with some WATCO dark walnut danish oil. While I was at it I removed the ring and the blade, sanded the opening for the blade so that it moves freely, reinstalled the pin, and sanded the ring. Now I can moved the ring easily and can flick the blade open one handed.

And, while I was at it, I reprofiled the balde to make it a drop point.

[cudgee]

Good stuff Colonel, i like the idea of darkening the wood, you have given me some ideas. It is amazing what one can achieve with a bit of creative thinking, i only used stuff that i already had, so it cost me nothing, just my time, but got a lot of enjoyment doing it. You take care in these uncertain times.

[Rossr]

Looks very nice and well done Cudgee. It's a slippery slope soon more tools bigger projects etc etc. I couldnt agree more though it's amazing what we can do and learn when we try. Long as you are happy with your results and efforts that is all that counts. Enjoy the journey you will find many like minded people to help you along too. Many right here on the forum too.

Ross

[cudgee]

Looks very nice and well done Cudgee. It's a slippery slope soon more tools bigger projects etc etc. I couldnt agree more though it's amazing what we can do and learn when we try. Long as you are happy with your results and efforts that is all that counts. Enjoy the journey you will find many like minded people to help you along too. Many right here on the forum too.

Ross

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, and to everyone else who has commented. Do to space restrictions i am limited to the tools that i can have, but i am going to experiment and try different tasks, it is not just the final result, there will be stuff up's, for me it is just about tinkering and learning. Ever since i was a kid, i have always been a tinkerer, with lots of encouragement from my dad. I just like making and fixing stuff, plus in my older age if have no doubt it is good for your mind and keeps the brain functioning. So thank you to everyone for all your comments. Have a good Thanksgiving day and enjoy whatever you are doing.

[Colonel26]

Good stuff Colonel, i like the idea of darkening the wood, you have given me some ideas. It is amazing what one can achieve with a bit of creative thinking, i only used stuff that i already had, so it cost me nothing, just my time, but got a lot of enjoyment doing it. You take care in these uncertain times.

That’s what I did. I just used the things I had on the work bench. Opinels are fun. They’re like a blank canvas and can be made into just about whatever you want them to be.