Use and care of pocket knives

Opinel folding knife care and use

Wood is a living material that is sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. As a result, the wooden handle of your Opinel may swell slightly, the slot tightening and jamming the blade. If your Opinel has not been used for a long time, the blade may also stick to the handle.

If you find it difficult to open your Opinel knife, an ancestral gesture handed down from generation to generation will help you: "Le coup du Savoyard"!

Source: opinel.com

Steps to follow for a successful coup du Savoyard :

  1. Turn the ferrule to release the slot.
  2. Hold the knife by the handle: the ferrule is in the palm of the hand, the slot is downwards and must not be covered by the fingers.
  3. Strike with a sharp blow against a hard surface (a table, for example - be careful to avoid fragile surfaces, as this can mark the surface!)
  4. The impact releases the blade and it opens easily.

With this simple gesture, connoisseurs are able to get rid of even the most stubborn Opinel...

If the blade remains too hard to open or close :

First of all, make sure the handle is dry.

Place a drop of lubricant above the slot, and manipulate the blade of your Opinel by opening and closing it several times.

Reapply lubricant if necessary, then wipe off any excess.

And don't forget :

- Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity

- Wipe blade clean after use

Source: opinel.com

Care and maintenance of the Swiss Army Knife (SAK)

  • Cleaning

    Run tools back and forth under warm water until they move easily. Once your knife is completely dry, place a small drop of oil between the heel of the tool and the spring. We recommend that you never wash your pocket knives and other multi-purpose tools in the dishwasher!

  • Knife lubrication

    The choice of knife oil depends on a number of criteria. For example, some oils provide satisfactory protection, but do not lubricate sufficiently, and may even impair the functions of the pocket knife. Food legislation must also be taken into consideration.

    We recommend Multi Tool Oil, a neutral-smelling, neutral-tasting multi-purpose oil. It has good resistance to ageing, good anti-wear and anti-corrosion properties. It is also food-safe.

    Source adapted from: victorinox.com