Opinel for fishing knife

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sirupatespecial

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Oct 16, 2013
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I'm planning a saltwater fishing trip soon and I wanted some opinions. 3 day trip and I'll be wading some, probably a lot. I don't have many, really none, small stainless folding knives and I wonder about carrying the Opinel #6. I'm concerned about is getting and staying wet and the wood swelling. I've soaked it down a couple of times with mineral oil.

What do ya'll think?
 
Their "Slimline" would be perfect for a fillet knife.
Funny, I went looking today for said Opinel with no luck (I wanted a #12 Slimline).
From what I have read, their Inox (SS) are better slicers/fillets, with their carbon (Carbone) types being the better all arounder (bushcraft ect.).

I guess I will have to order the one I want online.
There are a couple of videos on Youtube on how treat an Opinel after water usage (humidifier in a Tupperware container).
Great way to store Opinels IMHO.
 
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I went swimming/floating/canoeing with a carbon 8. It was in my flotation vest and completely submerged, and wet for hours. It was fine. Not too hard to open. That knife has never been soaked in oil. Just a drop of oil on the joint now and again.

Stainless would be even better. I'm a big fan of their stainless. It is great steel in my experience. I have 5 or so in carbon, and only one stainless. The stainless is my favorite. I will be getting more stainless. I don't think there is any advantage to the carbon, besides the patina and age it takes on. The stainless seems to hold an edge longer, I can get it just as sharp, if not sharper, and it has not stained and does not impart flavor.
 
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Bigfattyt said:
I went swimming/floating/canoeing with a carbon 8. It was in my flotation vest and completely submerged, and wet for hours. It was fine. Not too hard to open. That knife has never been soaked in oil. Just a drop of oil on the joint now and again.

Stainless would be even better. I'm a big fan of their stainless. It is great steel in my experience. I have 5 or so in carbon, and only one stainless. The stainless is my favorite. I will be getting more stainless. I don't think there is any advantage to the carbon, besides the patina and age it takes on. The stainless seems to hold an edge longer, I can get it just as sharp, if not sharper, and it has not stained and does not impart flavor.
Click to expand...

I have the carbon 6 and started using "Panef" Graphite oil on the "joint", and it has done wonders for the smoothness.
"Seals out moisture", and "Superior Waterproof lubricant" listed on the tube itself.
I believe it, it has worked some miracles on cheaper folders that I own, totally smoothing out how it opens, and a great general long lasting lube, great stuff!
It is messy though, so keep a rag handy to wipe off the excess.
Drop here, drop there is all it takes.
 
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I've used Opinels around water and in very humid places (I live in a city with awfully high humidity), sometimes the wood swelled and it was impossible to open them. So I started to take them apart, lightly sand the handle and then give it a few coats of linseed oil (or something similar). It only takes a few minutes (let it dry between each coat of oil) and it solves any swelling issues I've encountered so far.

It wasn't necessary on all of my Opinels, some needed it and others didn't. I guess it depends on how well the handle was sealed at the factory.
 
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