how can I get the tools to come out more easily?

C

cognitivefun

Joined
Oct 24, 2004
Messages
1,032
I have purchased a Swisstool Spirit, a Swisstool and a LM New Wave. The New Wave is easiest to get the tools open. The Swisstools remind me why I always hated SAKs...I bite my nails and I can't resort to nails and these suckers are hard to open.

I half opened them and lubed them with Mobil One but still they aren't easy to open.

Do you have suggestions? I am thinking of sending them in to see what can be done. They are very hard to use the way they are which sorta defeats the purpose.
 
Ahh, now I see why it was so hard for you to open the individual tools. I tried opening mine without using my fingernails and it was nearly impossible. If you put your nail in the little groove on the SwissTool it opens with no problem and I have very short nails and it still works easily. You must be biting your fingers off along with your nails because it doesn't take much at all to get it in that little groove. I would suggest that you still bite all of your nails except on the finger that you would use to open the tools with and let it grow out just long enough to open them with.
 
Bodieism said:
I would suggest that you still bite all of your nails except on the finger that you would use to open the tools with and let it grow out just long enough to open them with.
Click to expand...

Great idea! LOL!!!

:D
 
I have the Trailmaster One handed opening and I only take out easily the blade the other tools are so dificult to take it out.

I have enough nail size because I used to play guitar but it is hard to open it anyway.
 
In the good old days they made special things for this, you can make one from a steel washer. Check if the edge will fit in the nail nick, if not just file a section thin enough to fit.

Hold washer between thumb and index finger, put in the nail nick keeping part of your thumb on the spine of the blade to prevent slipping and open the blade enough to grab it with fingers and finish opening.

You can put a string through the washer and tie it to a lanyard hole or ring on the tool or knife to keep it handy.
 
I too hate opening with nails. However I have met few SAKs (one 20+ years) old that I could not loosen.
1. Wash in soapy water (dish soap) with a toothbrush opening and closing all tools.
2. Open and close all tools many times in the water.
3. Rinse in hot water.. open close tools in hot water.
4. Dry well.
5. Use White Lightning/Tuff Glide/Militec in/on all pivots and joints. (they all work well).
6. Work the tools open and closed a 50 times while applying lube in #5.
7. If tools are tough to manipulate, clamp a vice grip on them and work a great deal even with a little side motion.
8. lube one more time and wipe excess.
9. Should function good as new (or better).
10. Sharpen blades well.
(You should avoid using vice grips on a blade you want to keep pristine)

This works great for SAKs and should do well for the swisstool also.
You should need very little nail pressure and there should be a significant SNAP when closing.

Tip 1: If you use a blade much more than the tool, get an inexpensive small folder (like a spyderco) that has a hole or stud for one hand use.
(or a charge or wave)
Tip 2: A SOG powerlock (or similar tool) has implements that are all locking. The tension can be adjusted to be loose, but the the tools still lock tight in the open position. My powerlock is like this and I never need a nail, just a finger/thumb pinch. Also, the sog pliers is one handed... plug over.

ramble ramble ramble...
 
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