And so it begins.... (My adventures into Alox!)

[Demel]

I admire those who know what their perfect SAK is.  I cannot for the life of me decide either so I carry a Swisschamp as a result  .  I love the diamond plate Ti scales 

It is a struggle, but that is part of the journey

[Willem85]

So I went through the entire thread for inspiration. I think I know the tool layout, but I got some more questions.

1. Is the cadet nail file usable as a screwdriver? Or is it too weak? Could you shape it like a big version of the classic SD nailfile?
2. Have you ever made a 93 mm with black scales, springs, liners, pivots and screws, but stainless tools? Would love to know if it looks as good as I think.
3. Did I understand correctly that you make the electrician blade yourself? So you could make a regular sheepsfoot.
4. In one post you were contemplating either the large blade serrated, or the small, and the other plain. What did you decide on and why?
5. You showed a graph of Ti color vs voltage. But there was no black in there. How does Fisher make their black Ti bullet pens? Can you make black Ti?

Thanks

[Willem85]

6. Regarding the bit driver in 93mm SAKs, could you make one that fits the bits I already own? Instead of using the Vic bit driver. No bit holder required.
7. What's the maximum number of layers in a 93 mm?

[windson]

I believe I just saw that two thin tools opposite the large blade are possible. Would combo tool and 93mm awl be possible to put on the same layer with the main blade? (in that case, I'd have my 'perfect' setup...)

[tattoosteve99]

5. Ti does not anodize black. The ones fisher does have a special coating added to it. I've tried everything I know and only a couple possibilities work. Have it zirc coated, dlc coated, cerakote. One other method works but that is one I'm still working on . Hope Syph doesn't mind me answering that one

[Willem85]

So they cheat. Thanks for answering.

[Syph007]

1. Is the cadet nail file usable as a screwdriver? Or is it too weak? Could you shape it like a big version of the classic SD nailfile?
I think that would probably work ok.
2. Have you ever made a 93 mm with black scales, springs, liners, pivots and screws, but stainless tools? Would love to know if it looks as good as I think.
Yes I have but cant remember what number build that was.  I have black scales and liners for 91s and 93s.
3. Did I understand correctly that you make the electrician blade yourself? So you could make a regular sheepsfoot.
Ive made some from 91mm main blades, but most of the ones I use are from electricians.
4. In one post you were contemplating either the large blade serrated, or the small, and the other plain. What did you decide on and why?
I would choose large serrated and small plain.  I rarely need a larger blade for normal knife work.  If you need a serrated blade for rope cutting etc, you'd want it big.
5. You showed a graph of Ti color vs voltage. But there was no black in there. How does Fisher make their black Ti bullet pens? Can you make black Ti?
I would bet black DLC.  Thats the best way to make a uniform deep black color.
6. Regarding the bit driver in 93mm SAKs, could you make one that fits the bits I already own? Instead of using the Vic bit driver. No bit holder required.
I am working on making one for 1/4 bits, but there are 2 issues.  its VERY wide, so I think Id do it like the 93mm saks do the marlin spike.  Making the hex cutout is not easily done with tools I have.
7. What's the maximum number of layers in a 93 mm?
There is no limit to the number, but what Ive learned is that if you go thick you need full liners every 4 or so layers to keep the frame strength up.

[Syph007]

I guess this thread is now mostly my adventures in Ti converted 91s... 

I got to tackle a new issue though on this build.  Can the phillisp be put on the back of the dual saw layer.  And yes, yes it can!

I milled some off each side though to thin it down. I kind of looks like a leatherman phillips now.









Snap is good too. I used a piece off a corkscrew as the filler to support the other spring not used by the phillips driver. 

And the rest of the pics...

[Aloha]

Thats a cool configuration.

[Toolslinger]

Pretty sweet mod Syph.

It's basically a Ti Ranger with the Philips in place of the fine driver. Very cool.

[zoidberg]

I guess this thread is now mostly my adventures in Ti converted 91s... 

I got to tackle a new issue though on this build.  Can the phillisp be put on the back of the dual saw layer.  And yes, yes it can!

I milled some off each side though to thin it down. I kind of looks like a leatherman phillips now.

(Image removed from quote.)

Fantastic work as always Syph. 

I think matching the liner cutout to the scale shape at the end would have been a nice visual touch and improved the access.

Ever thought of flattening the pocket clip screws a little?

[Monrogue]

Nice job Syph!

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

[Syph007]

Fantastic work as always Syph. 

I think matching the liner cutout to the scale shape at the end would have been a nice visual touch and improved the access.

Ever thought of flattening the pocket clip screws a little?

Ive never thought much about the screws on the clips, I just use what comes with them. I suppose I could use countersunk flat head type though.

I like the idea of matching the scale shape good call.  It was a bit ad hoc anyhow as I was building it, then realized there was no way to open it, so I had to make that cutout.

[AimlessWanderer]

On the one I've just done, I opened the curve of the liners up slightly so it's accessible from the end, however mine is captive both sides, so opening the corkscrew first doesn't help like it does in this one.

Just as an aside, I've got an old Sheffield knife which has the rebate all the way along to house a corkscrew, phillips, awl, and something else (forgot) It kind of makes me wonder if you need any of that liner wall there or if you could open it up to follow the entire scale cut out, not just the end profile (it's the knife that gave me the inspiration to put both c/s and Phillips on my mod)

[Huntsman]

Love that latest mod Syph - Brilliant/inspired/fabulous execution as always....
Good ideas from 50 + Z on the liners ....

And will stop the perennial MTo Cs vs Ph arguments - Have both....   
This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !! .....

So do we now know the mystery tool you were working on? - That we were all going nuts about, a page or so ago...
It's the mid knife backspring Phillips ??

Or is it the bit driver you mention above?....

Or yet another wonder idea???

[zoidberg]

Love that latest mod Syph - Brilliant/inspired/fabulous execution as always....
Good ideas from 50 + Z on the liners ....

And will stop the perennial MTo Cs vs Ph arguments - Have both....   
This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !! .....

So do we now know the mystery tool you were working on? - That we were all going nuts about, a page or so ago...
It's the mid knife backspring Phillips ??

Or is it the bit driver you mention above?....

Or yet another wonder idea???

That wasn't it, you'll know when you see it. 

[tommywp]

This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !!

Huntsman - I'm curious as to which is which (in your humble opinion of course). I've never had an SAK with either, but always include the technicians driver back tool when thinking about my perfect 91mm (speculating that it will be really handy)

[Huntsman]

That wasn't it, you'll know when you see it. 

Oh no more suspense - I can't stand it!!

This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !!

Huntsman - I'm curious as to which is which (in your humble opinion of course). I've never had an SAK with either, but always include the technicians driver back tool when thinking about my perfect 91mm (speculating that it will be really handy)

Aha Tommywp - I was wondering if anyone would pick me up on that!! 
As you say this is just MHO - And I don't want to fire up the backtools debate again - They are a little tricky to use - But better to have them, than not - IMHO!!

However to me, the redundant one is the screwdriver - As you pretty much have this SD on the can opener - and it's inline!!

The chisel, to me, is the unusable one - When working with a chisel, you are usually pushing the chisel along some wood and this just does not work for a T-held backtool.
It is supremely sharp! And of course, as with all SAK tools, you can always find a use for them - eg as a small, pointy, cutty, scrapy thing. However these actions can be covered by other tools (eg the awl) - So by that token it is also redundant!! 
I just dont think it's a great chisel - 

[windson]

I guess this thread is now mostly my adventures in Ti converted 91s... 

I got to tackle a new issue though on this build.  Can the phillisp be put on the back of the dual saw layer.  And yes, yes it can!

I milled some off each side though to thin it down. I kind of looks like a leatherman phillips now.

(Image removed from quote.)

Fantastic work as always Syph. 

I think matching the liner cutout to the scale shape at the end would have been a nice visual touch and improved the access.

Ever thought of flattening the pocket clip screws a little?

Or... Even more elegant, you could countersink the whole base of the clip and have just the clip itself emerge from the scale, this would also allow the knife to ride deeper in the pocket and eliminate the snagging and the deepest position.

[tommywp]

That wasn't it, you'll know when you see it. 

Oh no more suspense - I can't stand it!!

This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !!

Huntsman - I'm curious as to which is which (in your humble opinion of course). I've never had an SAK with either, but always include the technicians driver back tool when thinking about my perfect 91mm (speculating that it will be really handy)

Aha Tommywp - I was wondering if anyone would pick me up on that!! 
As you say this is just MHO - And I don't want to fire up the backtools debate again - They are a little tricky to use - But better to have them, than not - IMHO!!

However to me, the redundant one is the screwdriver - As you pretty much have this SD on the can opener - and it's inline!!

The chisel, to me, is the unusable one - When working with a chisel, you are usually pushing the chisel along some wood and this just does not work for a T-held backtool.
It is supremely sharp! And of course, as with all SAK tools, you can always find a use for them - eg as a small, pointy, cutty, scrapy thing. However these actions can be covered by other tools (eg the awl) - So by that token it is also redundant!! 
I just dont think it's a great chisel - 

Thanks huntsman. I've hypothesized that the back tool screwdriver would be super useful for recessed screws on toys etc, but I've never proved it for myself. Always interesting to hear others' opinion.

[Toolslinger]

That wasn't it, you'll know when you see it. 

Oh no more suspense - I can't stand it!!

This, I believe, is a much better option than the backspring fine screwdriver and chisel  - One of which is redundant, and one pretty much unusable !!

Huntsman - I'm curious as to which is which (in your humble opinion of course). I've never had an SAK with either, but always include the technicians driver back tool when thinking about my perfect 91mm (speculating that it will be really handy)

Aha Tommywp - I was wondering if anyone would pick me up on that!! 
As you say this is just MHO - And I don't want to fire up the backtools debate again - They are a little tricky to use - But better to have them, than not - IMHO!!

However to me, the redundant one is the screwdriver - As you pretty much have this SD on the can opener - and it's inline!!

The chisel, to me, is the unusable one - When working with a chisel, you are usually pushing the chisel along some wood and this just does not work for a T-held backtool.
It is supremely sharp! And of course, as with all SAK tools, you can always find a use for them - eg as a small, pointy, cutty, scrapy thing. However these actions can be covered by other tools (eg the awl) - So by that token it is also redundant!! 
I just dont think it's a great chisel - 

Thanks huntsman. I've hypothesized that the back tool screwdriver would be super useful for recessed screws on toys etc, but I've never proved it for myself. Always interesting to hear others' opinion.

I personally like the back side technician driver. I've used it on smalls recessed screws on kids toys and even as a stand in for a small allen key on bathroom fixtures. The can opener would never have reached due to the curved blade for cutting cans. One of the reasons I made my Troublemaker mod was to include the driver on the backside of the file which you don't get unless you have the saw and file layers together.

I agree that the chisel is next to useless and I've never found a good use for it. Did debate trying to grind it flat to make another flat screwdriver but decided I didn't need it.

[Syph007]

The chisel is an aweful tool, and quite sharp too.  It's opened up my fingers on more than one occasion.

[Syph007]

An alox mod today!

[SAK Guy]

Wow........

[windson]

An alox mod today!

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I got myself an Explorer today, but I was lusting for something like the above. Looks great! What's the turnaround time for a custom job on that level, Syph?

[Syph007]

An alox mod today!

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I got myself an Explorer today, but I was lusting for something like the above. Looks great! What's the turnaround time for a custom job on that level, Syph?

Oh about a week or two right now if its for something ive got parts for.   Still waiting on black scales to come back from anodize.

[windson]

An alox mod today!

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I got myself an Explorer today, but I was lusting for something like the above. Looks great! What's the turnaround time for a custom job on that level, Syph?

Oh about a week or two right now if its for something ive got parts for.   Still waiting on black scales to come back from anodize.

Thank you; I'll email you in the next weeks.

[HarleyXJGuy]

An alox mod today!

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Alox Woodsman, so nice.

[Syph007]

I finally got around to ordering some mokume since Ive got more Ti scale blanks coming in next week for 84, 91 and 93 mm mods with the cross cutout.  I wanted some more options other than brass and aluminum to fill the cross with.

I couldnt decide so I ordered both the classic and white mokume, examples here on the knife scales.  Should look interesting as the cross inlay I think. 

[HarleyXJGuy]

Interesting is an understatement I am thinking.

What about a whole scale in Mokume? Now that would be "interesting".