Alox Explorer - has it been done??

[tosh]

I seem to have amassed a fair few versions of the venerable Explorer.

The Explorer was my first ever SAK.

Just wondered if it's possible to build a Alox version??

[hiraethus]

Yes, perfectly feasible.  I'm sure Syph, PTRSAK and tattoosteve have all done them, and papercut has had one made IIRC.  93mm would be a bit heavy on donor knives, as usual.  91mm more tricky because you'd need to make the scales but it's been done in the past, and syph is (I believe) tooling up to make 91mm alox knives at the moment.

[tosh]

Yes, perfectly feasible.  I'm sure Syph, PTRSAK and tattoosteve have all done them, and papercut has had one made IIRC.  93mm would be a bit heavy on donor knives, as usual.  91mm more tricky because you'd need to make the scales but it's been done in the past, and syph is (I believe) tooling up to make 91mm alox knives at the moment.

That's great news, thanks

I'll have a search to see if I can find past examples.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Explorer is my most bestest celly SAK.

I am ready lets the pictures flow.

[JAfromMn]

I had tattoosteve99 make me a Alox explorer a few years ago.

It lacked the back side tools .

It was a good worker.

I had a pocket clip put on it as well.

[Syph007]

Ive done a few like that, not very popular one for alox modding.  The version that drops the mag glass is very popular though.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I had tattoosteve99 make me a Alox explorer a few years ago.

It lacked the back side tools .

It was a good worker.

I had a pocket clip put on it as well.

Seriously Joel.

We going to drop a bomb like this and no picture? Tease.

(Image removed from quote.)

Nice Syph, I like how you went with the electricians blade.

[enki_ck]

The Syph007 Pioneer PhD is as close as it gets to the alox Explorer only loosing the mag glass and corkscrew compared to the regular Explorer. Here are the two compared in width.

[tosh]

Great pictures there 

But they're not technically Explorers if they don't contain the exact same tool loadout and in the correct order.

Can someone enlighten me as to what the main issue is in replicating the Explorer within Alox scales.

I've already found images of alox being adapted for the corkscrew layer. Also talk of a hidden pin?? But I think tattoosteve came back and said it could be done using the liners??

What else am I missing ??

Ideally I would want it as original as possible and using the old style mag layer - I really hate the new tacky cheap plastic version, and if possible with peened rivets too so it matches the other alox I have.

Not asking for much am I   

[enki_ck]

...What else am I missing ??
...

The thickness of the celidor scales compared to ALOX. ALOX scales are much thinner. Adding a corkscrew or phillips to the back, besides having to cut out the ALOX scale for them, makes the backlayered tool stick out by half of it from the edge of the scale and looks not so good.

[tosh]

...What else am I missing ??
...

The thickness of the celidor scales compared to ALOX. ALOX scales are much thinner. Adding a corkscrew or phillips to the back, besides having to cut out the ALOX scale for them, makes the backlayered tool stick out by half of it from the edge of the scale and looks not so good.

I got you - so is it not possible to use a spare liner as a shim to pad it out??
In my minds eye, I see silver alox Explorer but with brass liners, plus extra thick liner to pad out corkscrew layer with old style mag and peened rivets

[Syph007]

Thats an 84mm, which actually would be easier to make an alox version of than the full size SAK. HOWEVER, the scissors are as rare as unicorns, putting a phillips on that size is a pain in the ass, and no chance of putting in a toothpick, but tweezers might fit.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Ok let me break this down for you.

Step one: PM Syph and get put on the waiting list.

Step two: Wait for Syph to contact you saying it is your turn.

Step three: Have him make you a sweet 91mm Alox scaled Explorer.

Step four: Post pictures of your Aloxplorer on MTO so we can be jealous.

Easy peezy.

[tattoosteve99]

If you really want a Alox explorer then the best option is to find a Appalachian trail China made knife. The scales are aluminum. Then just swap everything out. 

[zoidberg]

Ok let me break this down for you.

Step one: PM Syph and get put on the waiting list.

Step two: Wait for Syph to contact you saying it is your turn.

Step three: Have him make you a sweet 91mm Alox scaled Explorer.

Step four: Post pictures of your Aloxplorer on MTO so we can be jealous.

Easy peezy.

What step are you up to Harley? 

[HarleyXJGuy]

Ok let me break this down for you.

Step one: PM Syph and get put on the waiting list.

Step two: Wait for Syph to contact you saying it is your turn.

Step three: Have him make you a sweet 91mm Alox scaled Explorer.

Step four: Post pictures of your Aloxplorer on MTO so we can be jealous.

Easy peezy.

What step are you up to Harley? 

 

I am on the step where I come to NZ and smack you in the mouth.

[zoidberg]

Ok let me break this down for you.

Step one: PM Syph and get put on the waiting list.

Step two: Wait for Syph to contact you saying it is your turn.

Step three: Have him make you a sweet 91mm Alox scaled Explorer.

Step four: Post pictures of your Aloxplorer on MTO so we can be jealous.

Easy peezy.

What step are you up to Harley? 

 

I am on the step where I come to NZ and smack you in the mouth.

[PTRSAK]

Here's one type. An Aloxplorer





Here one that is more of an Alox Explorer.  These scales are hand made (grooves filed by hand) and took many many hours. They take the place of side liners and scales, same as on an Alox knife. It has the Awl and Corkscrew, but has a pre hook pair of scissors.
This means that the only tools missing are T&T.
If I had access to a mill I would have cut slots for them and used side liners.

[tosh]

Now that is just 

Absolutely stunning

Amazing work there PTRSAK

[Psych]

Sorry to drag out an old topic, but does anyone know what backspring is being used for the inline philips / mag glass layer on the 93 mm versions of these explorer mods?

[PTRSAK]

Sorry to drag out an old topic, but does anyone know what backspring is being used for the inline philips / mag glass layer on the 93 mm versions of these explorer mods?

I used a 93mm blade layer spring in the green Aloxplorer, some minor tweaking was needed to get the position and snap acceptable for the mag and phillips.

This was pretty heavy on donor knives. It needed;
a vintage Pioneer Settler for the scales, main blade and clip point small blade;
a Pioneer Solo for the backspring for the scissors layer;
a regular Pioneer for the blade backspring for the Mag/Phillips layer and the openers layer;
and an Explorer for the actual Mag and Phillips.

If I was ever going to sell it (I'm not) it would take well over $200 to pry it from my hands.

[Psych]

Sorry to drag out an old topic, but does anyone know what backspring is being used for the inline philips / mag glass layer on the 93 mm versions of these explorer mods?

I used a 93mm blade layer spring in the green Aloxplorer, some minor tweaking was needed to get the position and snap acceptable for the mag and phillips.

This was pretty heavy on donor knives. It needed;
a vintage Pioneer Settler for the scales, main blade and clip point small blade;
a Pioneer Solo for the backspring for the scissors layer;
a regular Pioneer for the blade backspring for the Mag/Phillips layer and the openers layer;
and an Explorer for the actual Mag and Phillips.

If I was ever going to sell it (I'm not) it would take well over $200 to pry it from my hands.

Luckily, I already have enough donors. I was just concerned that the blade spring might be slightly too thin for the inline Philips/mag layer.

Thanks for your reply!

[Syph007]

Yep a blade layer spring works just fine.  Better it a hair too thin then a hair too thick.   If its too thick the spring gets pinched by the liners and the action is bad.  Alot of stock springs are thinner than the tools they operate on for that exact same reason. 

[strmliner]

Now that is just 

Absolutely stunning

Amazing work there PTRSAK

Absolutely agree...great stuff PTRSAK!   

[HarleyXJGuy]

If I was ever going to sell it (I'm not) it would take well over $200 to pry it from my hands.

So are you saying it is for sale and we are just negotiating at this point?

[Simyo]

Now that sylph has his tormach maybe we can do a new thicker scale that has pockets milled out similar to the cellidor scales that will be thick enough for the backside tools and you could also have pockets for the toothpick, tweezers, and pen.  I'm down for the cad work if you need help on the project.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Now that sylph has his tormach maybe we can do a new thicker scale that has pockets milled out similar to the cellidor scales that will be thick enough for the backside tools and you could also have pockets for the toothpick, tweezers, and pen.  I'm down for the cad work if you need help on the project.

I am not sure if it is appropriate but this makes my man parts happy.

[sir_mike]

I would carry an alox Explorer if i had one!  It is my favorite sak and is my normal EDC sak.