A not very sexy feasibility study

O

Oregon Duck

Joined
Sep 21, 1999
Messages
137
Hello:

I carry multitools and SAKs all day long at work as primary "blades" because they are more versatile than any of my locking folders which become just weight hanging in my pocket.

My question is this: How feasible would it be to build a great tactical/utility folder with a reversible pocket clip that on the butt end had a fold away hexagonal tool bit adapter. Oftentimes people who only have a knife on them really want to use it as a screwdriver or other tool. This concept seems "do-able" from my perspective.

What do all of you think?

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Real artists ship--Steve Jobs
 
The closest to that would be the Spyderco Spyderwrench. There are photos on their forum. And I believe it should be available very soon.
 
I don't want another damn "Transformer" like contraption. I want a tactical folder with something usable on the other end. Dual ended pocketknives have been around for the better part of two centuries now and I fail to see why, except maybe for conservatism, why one ennd of the tool can't be a great locking knife only, and the other a usable tool or tool adapter instead of more blades for crying out loud.

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Real artists ship--Steve Jobs
 
If you are going to use bits anyway, it might be better to have a simple 1/4” hex fitting milled into the butt end of the folder instead of having the adapter fold out. If you give yourself just a little extra room, you could make it a ratcheting driver.

I am not a big fan of the Rube Goldburg School of Design.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
stjames,

That is a practical consideration about milling the hex receiver into the butt end. This would retain the clean design lines of the knife and allow for the tools to only be carried when and if one expected to use them. I don't think it as an overly complicated design when compared to the SAK, LM, or Spyderench. Do you know of anyone who'd give such an idea the once over?

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Real artists ship--Steve Jobs
 
So, a ½” deep ¼” hex shaft with a magnet embedded to secure the bits on the butt end of a locking folder. If you take a typical frame for a 4” folding knife and used a 3” blade, you should have more than enough room and still have a very serviceable tool. Accommodating the ergonomic concerns of gripping the tool reversed with the blade closed to deploy the driver end would be the real trick. A ratchet would help, as you wouldn’t have to adjust your grip when using the driver, but would complicate the matter.

I am at a loss as to whom to get to build it.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
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