Converting a pocket knife

[Butch_Speer]

Has anybody here converted an Opinel pocket knife to a carver. They're inexpensive & hold a very good edge.The blade itself is beveled & not flat. Just wondering.

[Buffalo Bif]

Have not done so yet, but they are on my radar. I like both the folding and locking features. Handle wise, the #8 looks good, blade wise maybe a #2 or so.
Google carved opinel you will see some unbelievable work.

[Butch_Speer]

Bif,
My biggest concern was getting it opened after converting. Won't be much blade to get a hold on to open.

[Big John]

Shouldn't be much of a problem. I've converted several locking pocket knives with no difficulty in opening.

[Buffalo Bif]

Like you said in first post, they are not very expensive. I say go for it, and let us know how it turns out.

[Robson Valley]

Go for it, Butch. You might need a pair of needle-nose pliers to grab the blade but? Show us all, I might need to do that, too.

I just reground the 1/2" NAREX skews ($24.50/pr @ LV) from 25 to 20 degrees. Really nice result, very good steel, carving sharp. I need to start some new carvings to have more fun working with them.

[Big John]

You got me cuorious, Butch.
Found an Opinal at the sporting goods store and think I'll give it a try myself.
No backspring, but might have to cut out a pinch area, just in case.

[Jeff Bailey]

I have one converted for me by Allen Goodman. It works great! As far as opening it... Allen just ground a notch into the handle so that you can still get to the blade with your finger nail. I did one myself, made the blade even more pointed, made a new fingernail nick with a cut off disk and then used a rotary sander to put a half moon in the handle to reach the blade.

[Butch_Speer]

I guess I'm going to break down & give it a try!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Butch, please posts some pictures when it's done.

Dave