VIROBLOC info
Originally, the Opinel knife had four components: the blade, the fixed ferrule, the rivet and the haft. The fixed ferrule was needed to firmly rivet the blade to the haft. In 1955, Marcel Opinel, who had been working on improving the safety of the knife, invented the Virobloc® system. He added a rotating ferrule which slid onto the fixed ferrule, closing the groove and thus locking the blade in the open position. The idea was simple enough but hard to achieve. In the 90s the Virobloc® system was modified to lock the blade in the closed position. At first. it was only used on a few models, but then was included on all models in 2000
VIROBLOC Safety ring 1955
Invented in 1955 by Marcel Opinel, the Virobloc safety ring is fitted to all folding knives from No. 06 onwards. The Virobloc is made up of two parts: a fixed part and a sliding part. All versions show the knife size like “N° 08” for example, both on the fixed and sliding part.
Pre 2006 (no slot, top and below)
1955 - 1995
From 1955 - 1995 the No.08 blades could not be locked in closed position but it was possible to lock the blade in open position by either turning the ferrule left or right.
Some early versions are stamped also with SGDG, pic below
1995
Locking the blade in open position by either turning the ferrule left or right.
New option of locking the blade in closed position. In the 90s the Virobloc® system was modified to lock the blade in the closed position. At first it was only used on a few models, but then was included on all models in 2000.
2000
Forty years after its invention by Marcel Opinel, the Virobloc ® is modified in 2000 on all models with a second security, called transport safety, which secures the blade in the closed position. In addition to locking the blade in the open position (safety of use), it is now possible to lock the blade in the closed position (safety of transport).
Reads VIROBLOC PATENT on the rotating ferrule.
2005
Locking the blade in open position only possible by turning ferrule clockwise now.
In closed position the blade locking option remains.
Reads VIROBLOC BREVETE and the knife size No. on the rotating ring.
Reads No.xx and DEPOSE and the fixed ring.
2006
Reads No.xx and PATENTED on the fixed ferrule.
Stainless steel ferrule starting 2006 and it rides now in a slot (shown below)
Reads MADE IN FRANCE and the knife size No.xx on the Virobloc (rotating ring).
