Custom SAK in Cocobolo and Carbon Fiber

U

UnknownVT

Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
2,575
A SOSAK member posted a SAK he had customized

If you have access to SOSAK here's the link:
SAK Dressed up in Carbon Fiber & Cocobolo

by KnifeCoop

As soon as I saw it, I covetted one, and got in touch with Knifecoop asap to get one cutomized.

The customized Victorinox Camper model arrived today and I think the pics can speak for themselves -

CustCamper.jpg
CustCamper2.jpg



--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
Looks great...

...but won't the CF "bolsters" get beat up pretty quickly?
 
That is really cool! I've always wanted to get a SAK done with Micarta scales.
 
Vincent,
Excellent timing! I just ordered a Cocobola Camper (minus carbonfiber) from that same member, but with toothpick and tweezers! :eek: Well, now I know how pretty she will look when I get mine!!! :D

Thanks Vincent!! ::Ecstatic::
-Kevin
 
Planterz said:
...but won't the CF "bolsters" get beat up pretty quickly?
Click to expand...

Don't know....
CF has been around long enough, and at least has a reputation as a "premium" knife handle material for its durablity (and obviously lightness).

So I would have thought that CF bolsters would take a beating much better than the wood itself.

Still I just like the looks - a kind of fusion of ancient and modern
(sorry to go all lyrical there :D )

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
UnknownVT said:
Don't know....
CF has been around long enough, and at least has a reputation as a "premium" knife handle material for its durablity (and obviously lightness).

So I would have thought that CF bolsters would take a beating much better than the wood itself.

Still I just like the looks - a kind of fusion of ancient and modern
(sorry to go all lyrical there :D )

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
Click to expand...

Actually, I would think the wood would hold up better to scratching and the carbon fiber would hold up better to "denting." The CarbonFiber scratching shouldn't be a problem for you Vincent. I have seen those little "sock" type things you use to carry your scientist, and that should keep the carbonfiber in good shape and out of harms way.

If scratching does come onto the carbon fiber, talk to a maker about how to resand the CF scratch's out. Just wear a face-mask! :eek: :footinmou :eek:

So is the Camper going to replace your Scientist for EDC, or is it going to be your outdoor's SAK?
-Kevin
 
Morgoth412 said:
So is the Camper going to replace your Scientist for EDC, or is it going to be your outdoor's SAK?
Click to expand...

I chose the Camper for customization for a few reasons -

I didn't already have a Camper model.

It was one of the most compact models with the amazing woodsaw and the corkscrew,
as well as Phillips capability in the form of the small screwdriver tip on the can-opener.

Also since the customization in CF and cocobolo did not allow for the tools inlet into the handles -
the Camper was more suitable since it normally comes only with the standard toothpick/tweezers -
whereas the Scientist or Yeoman that I EDC come with in addition the ballpoint pen and pin -
so a handle that did not inlet those tools would be a real retrograde, for me.

Since I spend most of my time in a city, the Scientist is much more suitable as my EDC,
I doubt if it will be replaced anytime soon......

The Camper is much more of a collector's item for me -
but when I do lighter outdoor-sy stuff I may well carry it in pocket,
otherwise it'd be the WorkChamp on a belt sheath, and/or a fixed blade.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
UnknownVT said:
I chose the Camper for customization for a few reasons -

I didn't already have a Camper model.

It was one of the most compact models with the amazing woodsaw and the corkscrew,
as well as Phillips capability in the form of the small screwdriver tip on the can-opener.

Also since the customization in CF and cocobolo did not allow for the tools inlet into the handles -
the Camper was more suitable since it normally comes only with the standard toothpick/tweezers -
whereas the Scientist or Yeoman that I EDC come with in addition the ballpoint pen and pin -
so a handle that did not inlet those tools would be a real retrograde, for me.

Since I spend most of my time in a city, the Scientist is much more suitable as my EDC,
I doubt if it will be replaced anytime soon......

The Camper is much more of a collector's item for me -
but when I do lighter outdoor-sy stuff I may well carry it in pocket,
otherwise it'd be the WorkChamp on a belt sheath, and/or a fixed blade.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
Click to expand...

Makes sense to me.

I'm not much of a tinkerer type(not much use for screwdrivers) and I love the outdoors. Thats what makes the Camper my ideal SAK.

BTW, I asked for Cocobola minus the CF so I could get the tweezer and toothpick. Tweezers on SAK's are something I wouldn't want to go without. Just removed a splinter before with them! :cool:
-Kevin
 
Morgoth412 said:
I would think the wood would hold up better to scratching and the carbon fiber would hold up better to "denting."
Click to expand...

I'm almost certain that CF will resist scratching much better than any wood - afterall CF is carbon fiber weave embedded in epoxy/Phenolic - like Micarta - instead of using paper/linen/canvas - it's carbon fiber weave ...
does it now sound just that bit tougher to you guys? :D :rolleyes:


Morgoth412 said:
BTW, I asked for Cocobola minus the CF so I could get the tweezer and toothpick. Tweezers on SAK's are something I wouldn't want to go without.
Click to expand...

I'd agree - for my EDC the tools in the handle - especially the "plus" addition of the ballppoint pen - are essential for me,
another reason why this more outdoors custom Camper can't be my EDC - nice as it is.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
UnknownVT said:
I'm almost certain that CF will resist scratching much better than any wood - afterall CF is carbon fiber weave embedded in epoxy/Phenolic - like Micarta - instead of using paper/linen/canvas - it's carbon fiber weave ...
does it now sound just that bit tougher to you guys? :D :rolleyes:

I'd agree - for my EDC the tools in the handle - especially the "plus" addition of the ballppoint pen - are essential for me,
another reason why this more outdoors custom Camper can't be my EDC - nice as it is.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
Click to expand...

Well, Idk about the tech stuff buddy, but I have had a Carbon Fiber Delica for a little bit, and a Buck 110. I can say I made quite a few scratches on my Delica, and not many (practically none) on the 110. Go figure. ;)
-Kevin
 
Oh, and you probably know this, but Carbon Fiber has two popular finish types. The polished and matte (sp?) finish. The matte finish is alot less likely to get all scratched up. Which is the Camper?
-Kevin
 
Morgoth412 said:
Matte should hold up good to scratching. The Delica is polished.
Click to expand...


even polished steel scratches easily -

If wood was taken to a very high polish, it too will show scratches much, much more easily -
as anyone with highly polished wood furniture can tell us.

Matte or satin finshes show scratches less - simply because the finish is "scratched" already :D

PS - check your PM over at SOSAK/KnifeForums :p

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
UnknownVT said:
even polished steel scratches easily -

If wood was taken to a very high polish, it too will show scratches much, much more easily -
as anyone with highly polished wood furniture can tell us.

Matte or satin finshes show scratches less - simply because the finish is "scratched" already :D

PS - check your PM over at SOSAK/KnifeForums :p

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good explanation to me. ;)
-Kevin
 
If I could just use that little smiley poking the other one with a stick like on SOSAK that is what I would put here and say that's what I feel like you are doing to me! ;)

Shame on you Vincent, testing to see how much I can take before I die from the anticipation! :footinmou :p
-Kevin
 
Thanks for all of the kind comments about the "dresser" SAKS. I really enjoy working on them and have several unique projects in mind, if I only had more time...

I've been carrying a prototype dressed up Spartan for a while. While you can and will scratch the CF and ding the wood, a quick dressing with #0000 steel wool will clean things up nicely. I typically put a matt finish on the CF as it wears better than the shiny coating. As stated before, be sure to wear protection when working CF as it is very nasty.


Thanks!
Scott
 
Last edited:
Nice knife, the bolsters look pretty cool , I think both carbon and cocobolo are good material for handles and should hold fine.

A bit off thread, A few weeks ago I went to my local Charreria shop to get some boots and belt. They had some gorgeous customized SAKS, Swiss Champs and Classics with hand tooled metal scales and matching fobs, some were monel metal, some were blued steel. The price was kind of high for my taste though (about $180 U.S. for the Swiss Champs, or they would put them on my own SAK for about $100 U.S.). they had the slots for pick, tweezers and pen and the shop owner said they were not glued on but snap-on like originals.

I wish I could show a picture, to get some idea check the second picture I posted on this thread, the scales are similar to the large monel metal horseshoe buckle on the newer looking belt:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301789
 
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