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1. Red Antler 2. Red antler and Black Horn 3. Cow Horn
Red Antler Combo (Brass and fibre inserts topped with Abalone shell)
Roe deer + Horn eye (Snakehead)
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(matches Damascus bladed knife)
Red Antler Sections
Leather Firesteel Carrier (dual pocket)
Red Antler (nuthead)
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These are based on an idea of my mate Gary which I expanded on. Very fiddly to make and no room for mistakes when drilling the antler.
When I have the time and inclination I'll do some in wood as I'm sure they'll turn out very nice.
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Imagine having a complete matching set of knife handle and firesteel holder, whether it's in antler, wood or horn.
I now have such a set and it really looks the biz... |
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Firesteel and Sharpener Papoose
This was tricky job, but I managed it and am very please with the result - it seems such a logical step to combine a firesteel and a small sharpening steel together.
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...and this one is for my son in Oz.
I haven't quite figured out how to incorporate a whistle yet as I'm trying to keep the overall size as compact as possible - but I'll most probably figure something out eventually... |
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FIRESTEEL & SHARPENING STEEL POUCH
This pouch forms part of a Damascus Talisman knife set as can be seen opposite.
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Once I finished making it I felt that I overdid it a bit bearing in mind its end use! Still, it's going to be unique in the extreme... |
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Custom Opinel No. 10 in Red Deer Antler
I'm no good when confronted with a plain looking knife, regardless of how good it might be, hence my Opinel No. 10 ending up with antler scales over a dyed handle. The sheath is made from Reindeer leather...
It's a damn good knife for the money, but it's worth bearing in mind that while these type of Opinel knives are superb cutting tools, there is only one fixing point for the blade.
Speaking from personal experience with scars to prove it, I strongly suggest that you do not apply undue pressure or use the knife in a forceful manner lest you want the blade to break and/or the locking ring flying off and the knife closing on your fingers!
As for any knife, if you use it carelessly you risk an injury...
This one is in the process of being completed. It's in Amboyna burl as the man wanted a class act, so he's getting it...
...and now it's completed to my satisfaction.
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Firesteel and Opinel 8 Combo in Black buffalo Horn
This one belongs to Gary Wale from Bearclaw Bushcraft. He even put it on his Blog: http://bearclawsbushcraft.blogspot.com/
Firesteel and Opinel 8 Combo in Red Deer Antler
These two combos are destined for two close friends when finished. Black Buffalo Horn seems to be a great favourite with folk and not just with me...
This one is for Frank. Yet another one in Amboyna Burl, which is proving the Exotic hardwood of choice so far.
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The Opinel 8 and Firesteel combo in Afzelia Burl
Some people have problems opening the blade out (me included) as it's too far in within the handle for them.
The solution is to hollow out the handle where the nail notch is to allow the fingers more room to grip the blade properly.
This one is in Red Deer Antler and has a Sharpening steel included
This one is in Black Buffalo, always a safe bet!
And this one is again in Buffalo Horn, but somewhat variegated this time.
Good quality Purple heart starts off like this, but with handling and bright sunshine it mellows into a nice deep reddish/brown in time. The change in colour can be delayed by using Car wax polish that has an anti UV additive in it.
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My own Opinel - as colourful and unconventional as me...
Here is the one side...
and here is the other side... I love it!
Alas it soon got 'pinched' by one of my Pals...
Number 8 Combo in Elm Burl
You'll see that I've exaggerated the hollow where the nail groove is on the blade - it's because I've got fat fingers and hardly any nails to speak of as they keep getting ground down!
Here is an unusual Opinel in that it's a non-locking one! This little combo is in Elm Burr and in a prototype sheath as I wanted to include the striker for the simple reason that as this one doesn't look it's best to use the striker.
The striker is neatly tucked away in its own pocket.
I did this experiment thinking that one can legally carry such a Combo because it's now no longer a Lock knife as defined in Law. But, the No. 8 is just over 3" so it's back to the Drawing board...
I went to quite a bit of trouble removing the locking ring and extracted the blade pin without damaging the knife. Then I drilled a bigger hole and inserted a thicker s/s pin to strengthen what is arguably the weakest spot on the Opinels. The overall result is OK, but...
Number 10 Combo in Red Narra
This Combo is made with Red Narra, scales. This wood is very similar in many respects to Snakewood, although the figuring tends to vary from swirls to blotches. Takes a very nice finish.
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Here is my set of three Opinel 'Number 13' folders
The photo above left shows the two Inox #13. Above right are the two Inox ones and a Carbon one with a #8 Inox one for size comparison. I acquired the two Inox ones whilst Holidaying in Malta from a farmers' Co-operative shop. I was reliably informed that the #13 is a well used tool in Malta and not just a gimmicky folder.
As can be seen from the photos I couldn't help myself customising one of the Inox ones and as it turned out, I was fairly satisfied with the result. Once the sides where trimmed down - always the trickiest part - I proceeded to rebuild the sides with stacked Acrylic blanks that are commonly used for turning pen bodies. I wish I took some photos of when the whole thing looked a right mess before I started the stock removal process. Anyway, I can assure you that there's next to no room for error and it took me a while getting it looking as shown in the photos.
I'm sure that this sort of thing will not appeal to many knife enthusiast. For some, however, seeing a nice customised Opinel makes them drool and covetous even!
I was fortunate to come across two new Inox #13's and straight away I decided that one of them will be customised and turned into something unique. I'm now happy to share my pleasure with those of you who like Opinels in general and customised ones specifically.
In my view I've succeeded because I achieved what I set out to do. To fellow Opinel enthusiasts, I let you be the judge as to whether I did OK...
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I have a soft spot for the Opinels...
It's nice to be able to take a humble practical object and embellish it to such an extent that it then becomes something that is inherently more desirable for some people to own. I'm all for variety and a bit of the unusual, and why not!?
I've tried two ways of making the necessary changes to the Opinel. The first was to take the knife completely apart and make the handle in whatever material from scratch. I failed to do this on two counts; I damaged the metal fittings and, it takes ages to work the handle in one piece and fit it back perfectly as a direct replacement. Just as you think it's all coming together nicely some bit breaks off and so it goes, time and again. Results in lots of frustration and bits and pieces of the knife flying all over the place as I hate being beat! Anyway, I had bigger fish to fry, so I haven't tried again since, but I have a cunning plan for when I do...
The second method, and so far most successful, was to take stock off the handle and replace it with new material. This method also proved more beneficial in that it actually strengthened the knife laterally. Although I try to blend the new material into the original shape, I do tend to live a bit of a swell on either side so that the knife fits better in the hand.
I have some more ideas to try, but it's having the time to do it all. It's fiddly work too and there isn't any room for mistakes; it's got to be right first time or that's an Opinel ruined!
I've been told, on several occasions, that my little creations are too pretty to be used. What a shame! I'm going to have to start making ugly knives! Pretty or not, none of my knives get any preferential treatment; they all get used (and sometime abused) for what ever job needs to be done at the time. So what if they get scratched or lose their shine!? It's not easy for any knife to remain pristine after doing some bit of hard graft. As long as the knife is cared for properly before putting away, that's it - what else is there to do...
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