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Thread: Opinel clean up

  1. #1
    Woodsman Pootle's Avatar
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    Opinel clean up

    As the title suggests, Not really a mod, more of a clean up. But I took the varnish off my old no. 8 and oiled it up. Mainly because I find varnish quite uncomfortable on handles with prolonged use.
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    I didn't take a before shot, but you all know what an Opinel looks like, and you can guage the improvement by the state of the blade!
    Got me thinking though, why put varnish on a handle? Does anyone else find it uncomfortable or have I just gone soft since moving into town?

  2. #2
    Natural Born Bushcrafter Valantine's Avatar
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    I agree about varnished wood and looks a nice oiled finish there.
    What oil did you use ?

  3. #3
    Ent FishyFolk's Avatar
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    What to do when these get stuck...they tend to do that when not in use for a while....
    Victory awaits the one, that has everything in order - luck we call it
    Defeat is an absolute consequense for the one that have neglected to do the necessary preparations - bad luck we call it
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  4. #4
    Bushman Blood's Avatar
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    Ha, strange this pops up. I moded mine last night. Sanded off the varnish and logo and reshape do the butt end to make it sit nicer in the palm.
    Winter is coming

  5. #5
    Woodsman Pootle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Valantine View Post
    I agree about varnished wood and looks a nice oiled finish there.
    What oil did you use ?
    I used walnut oil. Just 'cause I had some in the kitchen cupboard, so it was sort of free. Smells nice though.

  6. #6
    Woodsman Pootle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FishyFolk View Post
    What to do when these get stuck...they tend to do that when not in use for a while....
    This one never goes more than a week without some use. I've got a no. 10 in my tool box that is never used. I've unstuck it a few times with brute force, pliers and oil, only for it to sit in the box and get stuck again.

  7. #7
    Ranger OakAshandThorn's Avatar
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    Most people who are serious about their tools don't like varnish or shellac...because when your hands sweat, they stick to the coating, and you end up with horribly sore blisters. Also, the varnish tends to cause shrinkage problems down the road because it seals-off moisture in the wood, especially with axe helves. Bare wood with a light coat of oil applied every now and then is the tried-and-tested method.
    My blog, New England Bushcraft

    "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
    ~ Abraham Lincoln

    "Be prepared, not scared."
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  8. #8
    Heres the mod I did to mine, buffalo horn handle.

    [IMG][/IMG]
    [IMG][/IMG]

  9. #9
    Ranger OakAshandThorn's Avatar
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    Wow - that looks slick!
    My blog, New England Bushcraft

    "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
    ~ Abraham Lincoln

    "Be prepared, not scared."
    ~ Cody Lundin

  10. #10
    Bushman Blood's Avatar
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    Very snazzy! How did you carve out the slot for the blade to slot in?
    Winter is coming

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