Spyderco Lava for new clothes

[STR]

This one is here for me to rid the body of the stainless and reinstall black linen micarta scales to both lighten it up in the pocket and thicken it some to make it a better fitting user for the owner. First one I've tried. So, as always the disclaimer. You never know what is lurking inside one you have never seen the insides of before. This may or may not work. Lets hope it does though.

STR

[gonkd2c3]

I'm about to do the same to a Navigator, and Dragonfly and a Delica. Always the unknown.
Lets see pics when your done.

[Tohatchi NM]

Micarta's a good idea. The Lava is a bit heavy for its size.

[STR]

Made a little progress today. Took a bit more than it has on others to get this one apart but I finally muscled it. Here we have step one on our way to new clothes.

So far its cost me one of my favorite little flat head screwdrivers to get this far.

STR

[Vivi]

Thanks for the pictures of the internals. When I held a Lava at the store, I thought to myself, "That looks like it would of been a tricky lockback to engineer."

[bell]

Looking good STR. After removing those pesky SS slabs it should be downhill. Please include cost of that nice flathead screwdriver in the bill.

[STR]

No problem Jay thanks. I am waiting on black linen that I had to order since I was out of it basically. I'll have it shortly. In the mean time I'm working on some other things until it arrives.

STR

[gonkd2c3]

I have broken so many of those little screwdrivers, the design at that partof the handle is really week. Take it back to Sears, they have replaced all of mine, no questions asked.

Do you drill out those pins, or just Punch them out?


Brad

[STR]

I tried to replace it. Sears here where I live no longer sells the little individuals so unless I wanted a whole pack I have to mail it back now. Forget that! I'll go elsewhere first.

As to how. When I know the old scales like these stainless ones are going to be trash afterwards anyway, I don't do much more than put on my kevlar gloves, open the blade and lock it and then stick my big flat head work horse screwdriver in between the scales where the blade normally sits with the blade closed and give it a nice twist. Sometimes it takes several to pop them apart but I usually have my way and one side will give. After that it comes right off. No drilling necessary.

STR

[STR]

Got to the part to test fire the lock and spring action today. It passed all expectations so its on to the finish line.

Here we have some rough in shots of it opened and closed. The black linen was just dropped off earlier by UPS so it was perfect timing.

Jay as you can see from the pic I had to pick a place to put a separate new pin to support the rear spring holder/spacer. The old lanyard sleeve acted as a pin and did what that new pin up by where you wanted me to modify the folder is now sitting. I may still be able to cut in a small dimple there for your pinky yet. We'll get there in the next few steps.

STR

[bell]

Looking soo good STR. This little folder was "iffy" but seems to have good ergos and user potential. With your craftmanship and artistic skill it will be a winner. Keep the pics coming.

[STR]

Well Jay it is coming along quite nicely here. This is really going to be nice for you I think. I am going to elect to pass on the proposed choil idea in the back though. Looking at it in relation to where I had to put my new pin and the point of the blade when its closed I think its best to leave it alone on that part.

Once I fashion a clip I like for this model since I've not done one it will finished. I am debating with myself now on that.

Weight as shown here is 1.6 ounces. So already compared to the 3 ounces it once weighed its a good reduction for you. The clip won't add much to that at all. I am sure the pocket clip will be tip up carry as factory but I am just trying to make up something small enough to look good on this folder.

STR

[bell]

Good looking little critter and appears rock solid. Thanks for the pics.

[STR]

Oh yeah. The lock up is exactly the same as it came. This is a pretty good modification for a novice I'd say. The holes are already very close to 1/8" size when you take the knife apart. So close that its a very effortless zip through with a 1/8" carbide to slightly enlarge them once you get everything off and separated piece by piece. The only hole that you have to drill from scratch is in the rear spacer which didn't appear to be any harder than about a 45 or so on the Rockwell scale if my guess is accurate. I am fairly sure a cobalt would have drilled the rear spacer but you would have to have a carbide for the blade for sure.

The lock up is solid just as it was from Spyderco and the weight reduction and wider grip makes for what appears to me to be a great alternative set of clothing for this folder. Pics don't do it justice for how it looks either. The black linen has a classier more upscale look to it in my opinion than the black canvas. Being such a small folder its quite rigid with just the Micarta by itself also.

You will be pleased with this one. I'm with you on the blade and what to do with it but you could indeed sharpen a pencil or open mail, cut tape and packages open and stuff like that around the house and not too many knives with this small a blade will sport a grip this good. I like it. So much so that I may have to hunt me down one to do for myself one day.

STR

[bdws1975]

Nice job STR.

Looks awesome.

Brett

[bell]

Can not wait to have it in hand. I will find a use for this small blade.

[STR]

Ok this one is done Jay. Looking and functioning fine I might add. I like!

STR

[bell]

If you like it that is high praise. Great job.

Jay

[Tricod22]

Looks good to me.

-Brad

[jaislandboy]

nice job STR