Need a Collaboration between Knifemaker & Photon Micro-lights

[guncollector]

OK, we've all become accustomed to collaborations between the factories and the custom knifemakers.

I think it's now time for a cross-industry collaboration between a factory knifemaker and the makers of Photon Micro-lights to create an LED-enhanced tactical folder. Seems to me--examining my Photon II and CQC-7A--that it wouldn't take too much engineering to integrate the Photon II into the thumb-side scale... Heck, some enterprising individual or company could even devise an aftermarket replacement handle with integrated led light.

The way I figure though, given the economies of scale the big factories can provide however, the additional cost of the final hybrid product would be only be about $10-15, $20 at the most. The only drawback I can imagine is some slight additional bulk that'd I'd be willing to live with.

Yes, I've seen the SAK's with the LED's, and they're ok; but its no tactical folder nor is the LED terribly bright.

I think it would be just dandy to have an integrated tactical/emergency folder & effective LED light in one everyday carry package.

Anyone else think this may be a viable idea? Would you be interested in buying such a product? Or is this an answer in search of a question.

Ron (guncollector)

 

[Gatekeeper]

Excellent idea!

 

[Pergatory]

If you're looking at a manufacturer to do it, I'd bet it would be MOD.
Look the CQC 1 and CQC 2.
I'm sure replacing one of those gadgets with a light shouldn't be too much trouble

 

[Rob Simonich]

I put a couple photon's in some fixed blade handles and it worked ok, they shown out the front of the handle. More gimmick than anything. They are awfull thick for a folder, maybe they make some thinner version?

 

[guncollector]

-rob wrote

They are awfull thick for a folder, maybe they make some thinner version?

That's where the engineering comes in to reduce the total width of the Photon mechanism to just a little over the diameter of the LED iteself. I'm sure moving the battery to the middle of the handle will help in narrowing the design. I'm no rocket scientist, but I think it could be made to work and be quite reliable.

For now, I'll just have to experiment with gluing one on the a "beater" folder to test the concept... Any ideas for "beater" that would be more suitable than others?

Ron (guncollector)

 

[Gatekeeper]

Spyderco lightweight Delica, it's already nice and thin. However, be careful when you glue it so you don't destroy your capability to replace the batteries.

 

[guncollector]

Unfortunately, after toiling a few minutes over this, I think "battery accessibility" must be sacraficed in this study of ergonomics--as I want to have the Photon on/off button obviously facing outwards. A mid-handle battery-placment design could have a twist-off cover to expose the battery-well for replacement.

Therefore, for financial reasons, I think I'm going to have use something on the order of a Gerber EZ-out as my "test platorm".

Ron (guncollector)

 

[Gatekeeper]

Originally posted by guncollector


Therefore, for financial reasons, I think I'm going to have use something on the order of a Gerber EZ-out as my "test platorm".

Ron (guncollector)

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[Spark]

I just don't see the need for this. I've handled the Swiss Army knives that have the microlights built in and wasn't impressed with them... and you have to think "what exact purpose is this going to serve?"

Which way will the light face - towards the blade, or towards the handle?
Are you trying to light up what you are cutting? Why are you cutting something in the dark to begin with?
If you lose your knife, are you going to be without a light?
Are you going to be better served by combining these two items?

Personally, I'd rather have a $20 less expensive knife and keep my light seperate.

Kevin

 

[Gatekeeper]

SPARK...
Point taken. I'm simply a gadget junky. I only need ONE more. Really!

 

[guncollector]

Spark/Kevin wrote:

I've handled the Swiss Army knives that have the microlights built in and wasn't impressed with them...

Permit me to clarify regarding the SAK integrated-LED design...it sucks--more gimmicky than functional.

On the other hand, the Photon LED light has impressive power-to-size candle-power, reliability, and longevity (with lithium battery). Plenty enough light to navigate a pitch-dark room. If you haven't tried one, I recommend you do. I think you will agree they work quite well for their size. AND, just wait until Luxeon Star-models (the next gen. of LED) come out.

...and you have to think "what exact purpose is this going to serve?"

The primary purpose is to serve as a primary or back-up light in an emergency. If I always carry my folder (which I and many of us forumites do), then I would always have light. Since my SureFire E2 lives in my briefcase, the hybrid knife/light assures me light when away from my brief. The recent tragedies have reinforced the need to be prepared for any unseen eventualities--of which dark, powerless commercial towers and/or buildings seem imminently possible.

The secondary purpose, and the more likely, would be for mundane, everyday tasks like unlocking the door at night, combing under the car seats for those keys, etc..[/b]

The tertiary purpose would be to impress your friends.

Which way will the light face - towards the blade, or towards the handle?

I'm not an engineer, and mind you this is still in the conceptual phase; but I think ideally the LED should be arranged near the spine (offset to one side to avoid functional inteferrence with the blade) and forward-facing the blade tip to minimize the need for "re-gripping". The activator switch/pad would be in the best ergonomic position on the handle.

Are you trying to light up what you are cutting?

Possibly.

Why are you cutting something in the dark to begin with?

I would be cutting thusly only involuntarily--in a situation without access to any other light source.

If you lose your knife, are you going to be without a light?

Maybe.

Assuming you always carry a lighting device (which I'm willing to wager that a large percentage of knife carriers don't), I ask, "if you were to lose your LIGHT, are you going to be without a light?". The answer is "no" if you had one integrated into your folder.

You see, the possibility of losing your hybrid knife/light shouldn't be permitted to invalidate the concept.

Are you going to be better served by combining these two items?

In terms of emergency use, very possibly the answer is "yes". In terms of everyday use--"maybe". It would depend if you carry a light on a regular basis, which I think many knife carriers don't. And, if designed properly, in no way would the integrated light interfere with the proper function of the knife. So, you're definitely no worse off.

Personally, I'd rather have a $20 less expensive knife and keep my light seperate

To each his own.

To me, the additional $20 for the light feature would represent only about a 15-20% increase in the cost of the average folder I buy. This is a price I am willing to pay to enhance my EDC knife with the functionality of a usable light. Heck $20 is the price I pay to carry a Photon in my pocket, which I'm much more likely to lose than my knife!

Sorry for the longwinded replies, just wanted to be clear on the concept. Hey man, also, it feels like being drilled by your college professor when you get questioned by the BF.com Owner.

Comments?

Ron (guncollector)

 

[Lone Hunter]

Spyderco Firefly was a small key chain knife with a red led on the end.Got one in my collection.I really would like to see a larger knife with a photon built in also.What a great rescue knife,"you can cut yourself or others free,and see your way out or signal for help". Two life saving pieces of equipment in one small package.

We may happily carry a lot of gear around,but John Q Public does not.Most of my co-workers carry a knife, none carry a light,except on the job when at night.

One option would be to hang a photon from a fob.Now it could ride next to the knife clipped to your pocket,or stick out the top of the pocket if you don't use the clip and serve as a means to draw the knife.

Sak are wildly popular beacause of all the features they contain.You could carry around 3 screwdrivers a bottle opener a can opener and toothpick a saw 2 knives ect.but people don't do that ,they carry one sak instead.It seems the more you can put in one package the more it appeals to many.

 

[guncollector]

Gatekeeper wrote:
I'm simply a gadget junky. I only need ONE more

Lone Hunter wrote:
What a great rescue knife,"you can cut yourself or others free,and see your way out or signal for help". Two life saving pieces of equipment in one small package.

I think Gatekeeper's and Lone Hunter's view exemplify the 2 sides of this well. Sure, a hybrid knife/light appeals to our "gadget"-guy side. But, it can be utilitarian in a novel fashion--like the adaptation of thumb-studs on folders--making us wonder how we "every got along without it?".

Ron (guncollector)

 

[Eric Blair]

I agree with Spark. Knives and lights are probably best kept seperate. If you're looking for a Light Sabre, I believe Toys-R-Us carries them fairly inexpensively.

Here's a Surefire M2 that I received from Spark last week, along with a Microtech UT6 that I scored at Blade West yesterday. Spark, the M2 and accessories arrived FAST. Thanks for the great service. The M2 is incredible.

BTW, now that our "friendly skies" no longer allow knives on planes, your best defensive piece will soon become a very sturdy flashlight. I have flown with the SureFire M2 since all of the terrorist crap hit the fan, and nobody questioned the M2 other than one airport security creature who asked me to activate it in order to prove that it's "just a flashlight". No problemo.
A blinding flash from a Surefire will certainly buy you a few seconds in order to crush a terrorist's skull with it.

 

[guncollector]

Eric wrote:
I agree with Spark. Knives and lights are probably best kept seperate. If you're looking for a Light Sabre, I believe Toys-R-Us carries them fairly inexpensively.

Nice knife and SureFure [see above photo].

Light Sabers...hmmm...that's a bit of a cheap-shot.

If there's confusion, let me reiterate that I DO NOT advocate a single-LED light as a SureFire replacement. If you ALWAYS carry your SureFire, good for you. If you don't own one, get one and carry it with you ALWAYS if your occupation/lifestyle permits.

But, it bears repeating, most knife carriers I know don't carry a SureFire (or any light for that matter) with them everyday--while they do, by definition, carry a knife.

If in an emergency, with your SureFire "down" due to battery or loss, wouldn't you find a usable LED light on your trusty folder useful?

Just a thought.

Ron (guncollector)

 

[J. MacDonald]

While I carry several knives and lights most of the time (Cold Steel Med Combo blade Voyager in right front pocket, Al Mar Cash Clip money clip in same pocket with money and Leatherman WAVE in briefcase. MiniMag in briefcase and Inova Microlight on keys in pocket) as well as a couple computers (Laptop in briefcase and Palm/Clie in pocket).

I think an integrated light would be cool in an EDC, as long as it was still a top quality knife. The key would be to make it reasonably sized, waterproof and have a power switch which would be hard to activate accidentally (could cause much pain in a tight situation) while being intuitive to access.

I'd buy one if it wasn't stupid money.

jmx