SAK tool mods?

furry · **on:** December 29, 2009, 04:23:49 PM

Hi everyone.

Been lurking for a while and this is my first post.

Been carrying a SAK since i was 14 on and off (off when at school), so quite a while.

Started with a climber (lost

)

Currently the owner of:
camper
Huntsman
work champ
Handyman
Compact (the result of joining SOSAK)

Also awaiting a Spirit plus with ratchet (as a result of lurking on here

)

My questions, if you'll indulge me, are:

1. What mods have people made to the tools as fitted to their SAK? I have done a few (as seen on SOSAK), such as filed the screwdrivers flat, clipped the pen blade, filed the twezzers to a point and filed the shaft of the hook for striking a firesteel. i have, in the past, fitted DIY wooden scales to my huntsman, but found i missed the twezzers.

2. I have seen referance to using the hook on a compact to help the use of the pen; any ideas on how this may work? i may be being bone on this one

Many thanks in advance.

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:55:57 PM

Welcome to the forum Furry, you'll see a couple of other SOSAKers here as well (and a good number of other Brits).

The only other tool mod I've done is to re-profile the small blade into more of a Wharncliffe shape.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:22:44 PM

Welcome to the forum mate

I've not really modded any tool's, but would be keen to see your efforts

furry · **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:33:52 PM

Thanks for the welcome fellas.

I'll get some phots up when i can work out this infernal electrickery!

I have also sharpened the inside of the can opener - for cutting parcel tape (hate getting that gunk on the main blade) - and 'kissed' the awl with a file to make it a bit more pointy

.

Both the above are also from the SOSAK site.

Thanks again

ICanFixThat · **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:59:04 PM

Welcome to the Swiss Forum!

It looks like you've already been quite active.

For the pen/hook just try it, open the hook and then place the pen in the liners where the hook would rest, close the hook back down, obviously it won't close all the way because you have the pen in there, only now the hook is really holding the pen solid. Adjust how munch length of the pen is in the layer and how far the hook closes. Now you have a large pen to grasp, the tip is sticking out very similar to the retractable pen on the 58mm models. Besides jholding a writing easier, when you set the pen down it is easy to find and you can leave it in there some time while you use other tools on the knife and then go back to using the pen.

You've probably heard of the 1988 ''Swiss Army Knife Handbook' book by Kathryn Kane that talks about some simple mods for the tools. Sounds like you're well on your way though.

You've probably seen the inside of the early 93mm knives that are filed for use as a scraper, that would probably still work on the somewhat thinner 91mm openers. I need to do the Canopener one for the packing tape, because I totally agree I hate tape on my blades, so I actually use a box cutter most of the time for packages.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Zed · **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2009, 08:06:40 PM

welcome and i look forward to seeing your mods, must admit i never use the hook on my climber so would be interested in seeing it when its done,

paul

furry · **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2009, 08:24:40 PM

Thanks again.

Icanfixthat: Ah, of course. i was trying to hook it inside the hook DOH! wasn't thinking like that; i was being bone, cheers fella.

I haven't read that book (would love to) but a few of the mods were posted on the SOSAK site.

I'll have to dig the camera out over the next few days

thebullfrog · **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2009, 09:57:16 PM

I had atually never heard of the can-opener-as-package-opener mod before. That is a really damn great idea.

Bill.H · **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:42:39 AM

Quote from: thebullfrog on December 29, 2009, 09:57:16 PM

I had atually never heard of the can-opener-as-package-opener mod before. That is a really damn great idea.

A while back someone mentioned doing that as a Ty-Rap (ziptie) cutter, I keep meaning to do that. It could have lots of uses.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:40:45 PM

Recently I saw a Phillips ground into a marlinespike...I believe it was done on an OHT.

Craig · **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:56:12 PM

Welcome to the forum. We need more Brits on here

DaveK · **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:17:58 AM

Quote from: Craig on December 30, 2009, 06:56:12 PM

Welcome to the forum. We need more Brits on here

I would suggest that is a matter of opinion

Greetings furry - I hope you find the path to enlightenment! The only mods I've done myself have been with stock Vic parts, I don't really have the tools or the confidence to start chopping stuff myself.

Gareth · **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:20:01 AM

Quote from: DaveK on December 31, 2009, 01:17:58 AM

Quote from: Craig on December 30, 2009, 06:56:12 PM
Welcome to the forum. We need more Brits on here

I would suggest that is a matter of opinion

Greetings furry - I hope you find the path to enlightenment! The only mods I've done myself have been with stock Vic parts, I don't really have the tools or the confidence to start chopping stuff myself.

Yeah, but you do a nice line in wooden scales.

sardauker · **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2009, 08:32:54 AM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 29, 2009, 07:59:04 PM

ù

You've probably heard of the 1988 ''Swiss Army Knife Handbook' book by Kathryn Kane that talks about some simple mods for the tools. Sounds like you're well on your way though.
ù

welcome, Furry.

I've never heard of that book before. I do now, after googling.
now I have to read it.

(damn!)

Magnus · **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:12:10 AM

Quote from: sardauker on December 31, 2009, 08:32:54 AM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 29, 2009, 07:59:04 PM
ù

You've probably heard of the 1988 ''Swiss Army Knife Handbook' book by Kathryn Kane that talks about some simple mods for the tools. Sounds like you're well on your way though.
ù

welcome, Furry.

I've never heard of that book before. I do now, after googling.
now I have to read it.

(damn!)

all I can say is, bloody 'ell

sardauker · **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:40:46 PM

used, Paperback, 104 pages, "This book may or may not contain highlighting, writing, or other various markings and/or show normal wear.", 67-89£.

I'll wait for the ~~scan~~ movie.

furry · **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:00:22 PM

Yea, i googled that book too and saw the price, hence the post

Another one i did today was to take the file to the keyring holder, to give a bit of a point (not too much); might be useful to break car windows. Haven't had a chance to test it but should work similar to that on the rescue SAK.

Haven't seen that one on the net, but the thought occurred to me.

When i dig out the camera i'll post some phots (need to work out how as well).

Happy new year everyone!!! (i'll say it now, 'cos i'll be baggage later

ICanFixThat · **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2009, 05:46:28 PM

I paid a lot less for mine, and I almost got one very cheap on ebay a couple months back, but I let another bidder have it since I already had a copy. I've been meaning to do a cover scan for the wiki, I better get on that.

Keep an eye open, hopefully they will show up.

shadeone · **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2009, 07:22:03 PM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 31, 2009, 05:46:28 PM

I've been meaning to do a COMPLETE scan for the wiki, I better get on that.

there. I fixed it for you.

sardauker · **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2009, 07:32:43 PM

Quote from: shadeone on December 31, 2009, 07:22:03 PM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 31, 2009, 05:46:28 PM
I've been meaning to do a COMPLETE scan for the wiki, I better get on that.

there. I fixed it for you.

Scanning no more published books is perfectly in the google books policy, I read on Wired.

(ok, ok, I know, but I had to try)

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2009, 08:44:47 PM

Those of you who are expecting a Modder's bible in the Kane book will be in for a disappointment. Most, if not all of the mods have already been discussed and surpassed here, at SOSAKonline and in the SOSAK Forums.

At the time it was published for $5.95 + $1.50 s&h it was one of only two dedicated books on SAKs

ICanFixThat · **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:11:16 PM

I agree, it's just a fun book to have a read, it's not going to reveal any secrets.

I don't think scanning the full book would be legal, I'd need to get permission for that. However, I may ask for permission since at this date it's content does not have a huge commercial value, and the book is out of print. I might look into that as it would be just a fun addition to the SAK history on the wiki to have this book in digital form.

ICanFixThat · **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2009, 11:51:36 PM

Updated book covers on the wiki.
This is one is a funny book, great to have around to calm down those who just don't know what to make of your collection.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2010, 03:48:09 AM

For those of you that have them...is your copy signed? Just curious to know if all of them were.

furry · **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2010, 08:28:37 AM

Quote from: shadeone on December 31, 2009, 07:22:03 PM

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 31, 2009, 05:46:28 PM
I've been meaning to do a COMPLETE scan for the wiki, I better get on that.

there. I fixed it for you.

Santos · **Reply #25 on:** January 02, 2010, 02:58:33 AM

Heres one that i got in a damaged fodder sak lot.

it looks like the notch yhou see on the smalle sheepfoot electritians blade, in fact it is such a clean curve that it might be genuine and then poorly sharpened after (the edgeis fairly clean but one section is rough/chipped)

Santos · **Reply #26 on:** January 02, 2010, 08:06:51 AM

So in a fit of restlessness i attacked a 84mm's can-opener with the angle grinder. Making a hobo version of this

aka Technician fine screwdriver
but then again this doubles as a flat phillips.

I have been thinking about this for a while, mainly cause it seems silly to have an opener layer when you have a combotool. It would be suited for recessed screws. I am going to sharpen the natural groove left over with a dremel so i have a scraper edge for sharpening sticks/pencils or shaving flakes of tinder.. making it technically a combo-tool

and i would like a round of applause for actually remembering to use the macro function on my camera.