Octane mod

[Tsquare]

I am considering a mod on the octane tool to remove the outside blade layer and make a very thin tool that has a pocket clip.  It appears that one the pivot pin is loosened on that side of the tool that it can all be removed.  The only thing I have not worked out yet is if the pivot pin is too long can just cut it down or will I have to rethread it.  If the threads go deep enough it should work if not I may have to cut new threads in it after shortening the pin.  Has anyone considered this mod yet?

[Tsquare]

Well I made a trade with Zack for an octane. Just got it in the mail earlier today so I tried the mod just a little bit ago and it was much easier than I thought that it woud be. I used a torx t-8 and removed the pin on the blade. To my surprise the screw holding it had the spaced made as part of the screw. The blade, lock bar, and outer colored cover pulled right off.  The best part is that screw only served to hold the blade functions in place, even with the pin out the other layer stayed in place. I am not sure why but I like. Of course this would be no good without pictures. They will be below. The quality is a little low but you can see the idea. 

[Tsquare]

picture one

[Tsquare]

Now after remove the blade layer

[Zack]

can't see any pics

[Tsquare]

They were working before the forum upgrade earlier.  I am not sure maybe it is just temporary.

[J-sews]

Pics are working for me

Do the screwdrivers still work on the side where you removed the blade pivot screw?

[ari6126]

Did you just create a bladeless Octane? I might have to get one and add it to http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,15711.0.html

[Tsquare]

Yes J-sews the pin is hex shaped on the end where the blade pin attached so it cannot spin freely and the screwhead on the other side keeps it from falling apart.  I am not sure how it does this as I did not remove the other pin but it appears that it does not affect the performance of the tools. 

[Tsquare]

ari6126, sounds good to me a bladeless octane.  I just did not like the uneven look and feel of the blade being there.  I am jus glad the mod was as simple as just removing one  pin.   

[dbnyc]

I did this mod to my Octane tonight.  I read this thread before buying the Octane and being able to go bladeless was a factor in my purchase, due to NYC knife laws.  The recent crackdown on retailers has got me worried about walking around the city with my Octane clipped to my pocket so I finally decided to do the mod tonight.

I have a #8 torx but it promptly stripped the screw head, so I went and got my universal bolt remover, a 7" vice grip.  This had no problem but further dinged up the screw head and gouged up the aluminum side cover.  I see what looks like blue Loctite on the screw threads which explains the difficulty.  So beware if you're thinking of doing this that it may be a one-way operation, or at least isn't a clean & pretty one.  (You may be handier with tools than I am however...)

I'm sorry to lose the stylish red blade cover but the tool now is super skinny and really does just disappear in the pocket.

The only problem is that the blade backstop, a bent tab of the handle body that sticks out below the pivot, is left poking out of the side of the handle ready to tear up my hand when I reach into my pocket.  I'm thinking I may really make this a one-way mod and grind the thing off.  I'll carry my new skinny Bladeless Octane tomorrow and see how it feels.

Thanks to Tsquare for the original idea and for posting about it!  Pictures tomorrow.

-db

[markn951]

If anyone is wondering about the law in question, it's this:

It's illegal if it is a

5. "Gravity knife" means any
   knife has blade which is released from the handle or
   sheath thereof by the force of gravity of the application
   of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in
   place by means of a button, spring, lever, or other
   device. [Note: In NYC, and potentially in other NY
    jurisdictions, this definition is construed to apply to
   ANY folding knife with a blade that locks open. ]

That's just ridiculous.

[dbnyc]

Here's my Bladeless Octane.  You can see a before picture here in my other mod thread http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,20597.msg386253.html#msg386253



Here's the bits.  Screw, washer, lock bar, blade, blade cover.  You can see the mess I made of the blade cover with my vise grip.  Also note the little bump at the bottom inside corner of the lock bar.  That fits into dimples on the other side of the blade for the blade detent and half stop (next picture.)



The other side of the bits.  You can see the dimples in the blade, the larger is for the closing detent and the smaller for the half stop.  You can see the tabs on the blade cover and the lock bar that fit in the slots in the handle.  I forgot to put the washer in this picture.



And here's the blade backstop poky bit that I'm thinking of removing, definitely presents a hazard in the pocket.  Sorry about the lint, I'll remember to clean things up before the big photo shoot next time.

[sawman]

Remind me not to move to NY... 

[markn951]

Remind me not to move to NY... 

+1, will do   

[Nikos]

Cool mod. Add another handle to the tidbits and you have a nice linerlock folder.

[dbnyc]

Well I decided I'm not going to put the blade back on so I chopped the blade backstop tab off to make it safe to use my pocket again.  Gerber should make a NYC version of the Octane with scissors instead of a blade there.