Customized SAKs

[UnknownVT]

Here are some SAKs customized for me by KJ Lewis of SC.
KJ was featured in one of the Knives 'XX books edited by Ken Warner (unfortunately he no longer does this work)

He used to just replace the handles using an aluminum compatible epoxy. But I convinced him that he should inlet the tools in the handle. After quite a bit of discussion about the subtilties of the tools in the handle - KJ rose to the challange and the Vic Scientist that I EDC was the very first he made with all the tools in the handle.

If you think the tools in the handles are "easy" pinch the handles on a Victorinox SAK real hard over the toothpick, and try to extract it, without easing up on the pressure... now tell me why it won't come out?

Details of the customized SwissChamp:

Details of the 2 Scientists I had modified (#1 the lower one with the SackUp is the one I EDC)

The "stag" is actually ivory paper Micarta scored/scorched to look like premium stag.

Finally one of KJ's finest works - the Waiter - but no tools in the handles - so the "stag" patterning could be fancier:

--
Vincent

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

 

[cpirtle]

Very cool.

I've been meaning to gut a SAK and customize it myself just have not had the time. I thought it would be nice to swap some tools around as well for my own ideal configuration.

I'm planning on doing one in CF with dual pinched bolsters.

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by cpirtle
I've been meaning to gut a SAK and customize it myself just have not had the time. I thought it would be nice to swap some tools around as well for my own ideal configuration.

Thanks cpirtle.

Here's a good write up about customizing SAK handles:

Customizing a Swiss Army Knife by Michael Yoh

Also rev_jch gave some good advice in his post in the thread in the Blade Discussion Forum -Here

As for moving tools around - I would be very interested if this was possible - as I have always thought that the fitting of SAKs was very precise - the torque/pressure/tightness had to be just right for them to work so well and for so long.

Also some of the tools always seemed to be paired/coupled - for example that ubiquitous multi-purpose hook thingy seems only to be on the back of the scissors.

The magnifying glass seems to be coupled with the in handle Phillips driver - and for years I wondered if some other tools could be substituted for the mag glass - until creeping age and eyes made this an almost essential aid

KJ Lewis used to modify/grind the profiles of the tools to make them easier to access/extract - which I thought was really more for the cool look. I'll see if I can post one of his photos of a customized SAK with modified tools.

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Thanks.

 

[Don Luis]

Vincent,

I feel I owe you a picture of my jigged SAKs, so here´s a couple of them, the top is a Wegner to which I also replaced the fish scaler with a saw. Next is a Victorinox with some ugly blue martks,these are because I broke off a bit of the handle and fixed it with molded epoxy, then tried to hide the patch with blue acrylic paint, as you can see it didn´t work too well as most but not all of the paint wore off.

I took the liberty of including two non-SAKs that I jigged, one is an Opinel with rounded butt and lanyard, the other is a cheap camper to which I replaced the scales the same way I´ve done with SAKs, this ones are in simple hardwood which I treated with black leather dye, then painted over with a permanent marker and applied some varnish.

Sorry I haven´t kept any SAKs with replaced scales.

The Hohner B-flat harmonica is there only because it reminds me of a joke from another thread LOL.

 

[UnknownVT]

I feel I owe you a picture of my jigged SAKs
<snip>
Opinel with rounded butt and lanyard
<snip>
The Hohner B-flat harmonica is there only because it reminds me of a joke from another thread LOL.

Don,

Thank you so much for posting those interesting looking knives.

I think the jigging seems to work marginally better on the Wengers because of their logo/badge - as the red surrounding the Swiss Cross is enamel and different looking to the red plastic - whereas the Vic scalloped shield is embedded metal in the plastic itself - which looks better when the knives have new polished handles.

The rounded butt on the Opinel works for me - I may have to try that myself.

The opposite of B(e) Flat is B(e) Sharp - unforTUNEately - there is no such note as B#... perhaps that's why musicians aren't that sharp

--
Vincent

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