Project Skeletool almost done..... (WARNING: Pic Heavy)

[Shane769]

I shall drag this up from the depths for 2 reasons. One is to say bloody brilliant. The other is to ask, what's the current state of progress?

[evil510]

Hey gang. Evil here again, after a long hiatus. As for the current state of progress on Project Skeletool... it has been my faithful EDC since I left MTO a while back. That said, now that I am back, I want to complete the caribiner area so that I can call this project complete, however, I have other pending projects to square away frist. I should be getting another Skeletool back from Leatherman anyday now. So, who knows, if I find the spare time between everything else, I may create a version II of this project. I've had ideas for one for quite some time.....

~ evil ~

[thebullfrog]

Good to hear, been wondering where you ran off too.

[J-sews]

Welcome back Ev!

[Crouton]

So good to have you back, can't wait to see what you do next.

[sawman]

It just wasn't MTO without you.  Good to hear from you again 

[edcgear]

I really like those scissors... 

[evil510]

Hey gang, sorry a bit late on my replies.....

Good to hear, been wondering where you ran off too.

Thank you, bullfrog. Life happens.....

Welcome back Ev!

Thank you, Bob   

It just wasn't MTO without you.  Good to hear from you again 

Thank you sawman!     I did miss modding my tools.....

I really like those scissors... 

Thank you edc. The lack of scissors is often a deal breaker for me. They probably get used more regularly than any other implement on any of my tools.....

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Ok, now for a well overdue update. While the Skeletool has been one of my favorite multitools, I always felt the knife was too small in relation to the rest of the tool. Rather than feel like a plier-based tool with a decent knife, I wanted to shift the feel of the tool to a formidable folding knife with pliers, if that makes sense. I had quite a few different blade steels on hand to choose from. Since this is my every day tool and is frequently exposed not only to the environment but chemicals as well, I chose to go with S30V this time around. I have a (standard thickness) D2 version underway for my beater Skeletool that will be a direct-swap (other than straigthening the frame). In fact, I am revisiting my older projects and upgrading all of their blades. I hooked up with a third generation, family owned, heat treater that knows his craft. The good part is that he is willing to barter his services for mine. This time around all I had to do was airbrush a shirt for his kid lol. A win-win situation.....

~ evil ~
 


Here is the new blade that I shoehorned into my Skeletool compared to a standard Skeletool blade. The size difference is obvious. By bringing the cutting edge back towards the pivot bolt, it now has even more cutting area than a Wave/Charge. Thicker than any blade you'll find on other Leathermans, even a MUT, I had a few clearance issues to deal with. The frame was stretched, straightened and discreetly clearanced. I also had to do a minor re-shaping of the liner lock. Keeping true to the flow of the curves and design of the Skeletool, the new blade sports a similar profile.....



Here is the thumbstub that I created for this blade. Here you can see how the curves match that of the blade spine. The curved rear portion matches the curvature of the pivot bolt. I know someone had asked me about this before either on this or a different mod about my thumbstuds and how I keep them from turning. I figure this is a good a time as any to answer. In addition to the primary bolt holes, what you can't see are another set of holes drilled only partially through both surfaces. By installing a very small ball bearing the thumbstud is unable to rotate.....



Another view of the thumbstud. Here you can better see how the thickness and width taper towards the tip. Easily accommodating the full width of my thumb, it is by far the most functional one I have ever used to date, mine or otherwise.....



Yet another view of the thumbstud. Here you can see that I brought the primary bevel as far back as possible to maximize cutting edge.....



Here is the backside of the blade. Relief cut at bottom eliminates pressure from the nodule on the liner lock. On Leatherman liner locked blades, the nodule applies pressure/friction/resistance for 50% of the blade travel. This modification reduces that to 10%. The result is a much smoother and faster opening blade. It actually opens as well if not better than the folders I have. I will be doing the same process on all the new blades for my Wave and Surge.....



This photo does not do it any justice. I spent the better part of a day putting a crazy sharp edge on this thing. I am old-school and prefer to always hand sharpen my blades.....



My friend with a Skeletool came by. I flicked this out. The first words out of his mouth were Holy @!*#. I just had to laugh.....



Hell yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' about! With a nice solid thunk to it when it slams open, it feels like a real solid folder now. It's love all over again.....

[roguesw]

All I can say is WOW!! nice work Evil. Ive always wondered how much work it is to sharpen a blade from a blank?
I saw some 540cm steel blanks and wouldnt mind giving it a try.
Again great work!

[Dexter]

Beautiful! 

[sawman]

The way it should have been in the first place, IMO 

[Sazabi]

That's a really cool mod; massive blade on a small tool.

[Mr. Whippy]

Fantastic!  Highly functional and yet extremely artistic!  Absolutely amazing.

S30V blade...

[Vladimir]

Excellent!

[Gareth]

love it evil.   Any chance of seeing it closed as well?

[Threeme2189]

love it evil.   Any chance of seeing it closed as well?

My thoughts exactly.

Amazing work as always Evil!!!!

[evil510]

Thank you for your comments Rogue, Dexter, Sawman, Sazabi, Mr. Whippy, Vladmir, Gareth and threeme    I appreciate them 

~ evil ~

The way it should have been in the first place, IMO 

I totally agree. I always felt it should have had a larger blade to begin with....

love it evil.   Any chance of seeing it closed as well?

Added a few more photos in the closed position and a couple random shots.....

[AHB]

Amazing work Evil..   
If you ever decide to do a nailnick version, please drop me a PM.. 

[Threeme2189]

Awesomely Evil craftsmanship

But why no fancy Skele-holes?

[evil510]

Amazing work Evil..   
If you ever decide to do a nailnick version, please drop me a PM.. 

Thanks AHB  I'll keep you in mind should I ever make a nail-nick version. It would have saved me quite a few steps.....

Awesomely Evil craftsmanship

But why no fancy Skele-holes?

Thank you threeme. Few reasons, actually. First off, for me personally, from a design point of view, I never liked the half circle thumbhole Leatherman put on the original blade, especially in relation to the circular holes. The first blade I mocked up for this project, did have similarly placed holes, but didn't flow with this particular thumbstud as well as I had wanted. Also, some had thought, "hey cool, you modified a Leatherman blade" since it looked too similar. I wanted it to be unmistakeable and undeniable that this was a custom blade. I have a D2 version underway for my beater Skeletool and have been playing around with different hole designs that will compliment a different thumbstud than the one on this blade. Visually, IMHO, the blade looks a lot more stout and sturdy without holes, which was what I set out to accomplish with this particular project to begin with. Anyway, I hope this helps.....     

[tattoosteve99]

Oh shiny. Must have. Must use. Must get it dirty then shine it up again.

[MultiMat]

Yep that is my favourite Evil mod  .

I wish LM would make a SUPER SKELETOOL 

[Nikos]

Amen to that!

[J-sews]

Fabulous work Evil. That thumbstud must have been especially challenging.

[ironraven]

I can only stare in covetous awe. The new blade looks amazing, and it sounds like it feels good to. Sounds like you're down to the handles, pliers and bit holder for original parts.

If anyone from Leatherman is reading this, go to the boss, and tell him that whatever Evil wants, Evil gets, and hire this man.

[scrappy]

The charge is no premium tool compared to this

[David]

I`m almost speechless so......                        

[Nikos]

Now see if you can squeeze some ST300 pliers in there!

[edcgear]

This is waaaay to cool!! SUB ZERO!!

Hat down!! 

[rayraychil]

http://forum.multitool.org/Smileys/default/gimme.gif frikin AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++++++++++ why are u not part of the LM design/build team already love it to bits man.