A cool, classic knife

[Mycroft]

When I was in the U.K. I picked up and Opinel Knife (No. 6), they are very simple and great for everything. Here is a good artilce on them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinel I highly recomend one, and they are well worth the ten bucks for a piece of history, a classic, and utility.

 

[Flitcraft]

I've always admired them- but does the blade lock in place or not? I've never ben able to figure it out from the advertising.

 

[BellyTank]

I'm an Opinel fan- posted about them here before-
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=2840&highlight=opinel
-message #15 onwards.

And YES- the blade locks open. There is a 'ramp' on the collar which tightens up against the blade when you twist it. Maybe it's difficult to understand but it's there. They're a good knife for using rather than staring at- sharpen it up and use it up- they're so cheap and cool.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=OP12

B
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[gdkenoyer]

...does the blade lock in place or not?

touch the link Mycroft provides, about halfway down the page it shows the "locking ring" in use:

"The locking ring is twisted to secure the blade in position"​

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Opinels are great. The best thing about then is though they're cheap they use a decent grade steel for the blade and you can get the RAZOR sharp. A friend of mine proved this to me by sharpening my opinel for me and then shaving with it! They're nice and lightweight if you're thinking of taking them on hiking trips as well. All around a great camp knife.

 

[Mycroft]

Opinels are great. The best thing about then is though they're cheap they use a decent grade steel for the blade and you can get the RAZOR sharp. A friend of mine proved this to me by sharpening my opinel for me and then shaving with it! They're nice and lightweight if you're thinking of taking them on hiking trips as well. All around a great camp knife.

I was acually considering the shaving part a few days ago and this summer since I grew a beard and I could not shave it easly, it took 3 or 4 blades eventially.

 

[feltfan]

pocket assist knife

What do you guys recommend in a pocket (or "jack") knife?
I'm looking at "assisted openers" which is, I suppose, as fast
a draw as you can get when switchblades are not legal.

What I want in the knife is:

- safe to put in my pocket
- looks good (I don't like these plastic or cut-away light weight jobs)
- quality blade
- locking blade
- fast to draw
- not terribly expensive

I don't need bells and whistles- I have Swiss Army knives.
Just a single, not particularly long, quality blade.

 

[Mycroft]

The knife we are discussing seems good for you, but it doesn't have assited opening. I will keep looking.

 

[The Wolf]

Holy cow, Feltfan, you ARE picky

I'm looking for one like Feltfan described also. Maybe with a screwdriver or tool besides the blade but period looking. You know, as long as guys looking around. Oh, but mine doesn't have to be an assissited opener. I'm used to being slow these days.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Mycroft]

I'm looking for one like Feltfan described also. Maybe with a screwdriver or tool besides the blade but period looking. You know, as long as guys looking around. Oh, but mine doesn't have to be an assissited opener. I'm used to being slow these days.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

Look for some from WWII army, navy, or OSS, but I look for you as well.

 

[feltfan]

I've been called picky before...

If I weren't interested in the assisted open and lock blade,
I'd probably be looking for a vintage jackknife. I have a couple
of nice ones, but I'd hate to lose them. On one of the sites
listed above I found these, which I like:

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/queen/

I also like the size and look of these:

http://www.knivesplus.com/katz-kz-mccw.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KZBUSS

The Bears seem like a bargain:

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BC299R

None are assist, of course.
If anyone has personal experience with the Katz or Queen
knives, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

 

[Mycroft]

If I weren't interested in the assisted open and lock blade,
I'd probably be looking for a vintage jackknife. I have a couple
of nice ones, but I'd hate to lose them. On one of the sites
listed above I found these, which I like:

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/queen/

I also like the size and look of these:

http://www.knivesplus.com/katz-kz-mccw.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KZBUSS

The Bears seem like a bargain:

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BC299R

None are assist, of course.
If anyone has personal experience with the Katz or Queen
knives, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

You know you could get one of those Bandit things that is a thumb stud basiclly for eaiser opening.

 

[feltfan]

You know you could get one of those Bandit things that is a thumb stud basiclly for eaiser opening.

Bandit thing? Thumb stud?
Sounds like the making of a bad porn film.

You have a web site with pictures of that knife?
Does it look okay?

Any experience- do they really open with one hand?

Thanks.

 

[The Wolf]

I was just kidding about you being picky

I get the Smoky Mountain Knife Works catalog from time to time. It has the Bandit- One Hand Opener for $4.99. Their phone number is 1-800-251-9306.

Thanks for the links. Those a nice pocket knives. I have collected some. I like about a three inch knife, just a couple blades with a nice handle. Jigged bone handles or "ivory" are nice. The bigger knives and multi-blades play havoc with my pockets.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[IndianaGuybrush]

Awesome, assisted opening, sharp blade, smooth action : CRKT

 

[Absinthe_1900]

If one is patient, you can find anything from antique to modern knives here:

http://bladeauction.com/phpauction/

 

[Alan Eardley]

Opinel

I agree with everything said about Opinels (cheap, sharp etc.) but anyone considering one should be aware that the blade is not particularly robust. I wouldn't use one as a woodsman's knife, even though the bigger ones look the part. In my experience the blade won't stand up to prying, splitting or chopping wood (wear eye protection if you want to try this out). Great for carving or whittling, though.

Alan

 

[BellyTank]

Just found mine...

Unpacking the last few moving boxes...

A useful, simple, sophisticated and inexpensive knife-

This is the 9cm, 3 1/2" blade model- useful for the pocket and the lanyard looped around the belt keeper means I don't lose it...
I removed the 'Opinel' from the handle.

B
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[Mycroft]

Nice, how did you put the layard on?

 

[BellyTank]

Well Mycroft- just as it looks my good Man- easy as pie and twice as fast.
I drilled a hole in the handle, strung a piece of leather thong through- took the two ends and tied a knot- shame I didn't make a neater job of the hole...
If you put the thong through your belt keeper and pass the knife through the loop, it makes a dandy lanyard- long enough to get it hanging in yer pocket is good. Nice to not lose things...

I can't get over how cheap these little beauties are- maybe I'll buy one with a larger blade soon-
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