How To Tell?

[JNieporte]

Is there a way to tell whether the scales on a SAK are hollow or solid, other than removing them? I want to make a small hole for the straight pin, but it seems I can only do this on the hollow scales and I don't want to pry off every set of scales I own if it's not necessary.

Also, if I want to cut a slot for the pen, will the stock scales work, or are they too thin? I think the Plus scales area little thicker to allow the pen to slide in and out.

[lowtech]

i dug out some scales to compare. The Plus scales seem to be thicker bay the same amount of Cellidor which is covering the Pen´s slot, so basically this slot is as deep as a standard scale. I would doubt taht you can fit it into a standard scale.

Solid scales will accept the pin, the plus scales are solid (except for the slots), yet have the pin slot.
Older hollow scales do not have enough material on the inside to hold a pin.
I do not know a way to tell hollow from solid scales. sorry.

[Northern Geek]

Are plus scales really solid these days?

I've got a few unused ones at home that I got from Tom earlier this year.. could've sworn they weren't solid.. but I haven't looked at them for quite some time now however.

[J Mackrel Jones]

24. The Officer can write
Any of the Officer models that has a toothpick or tweezer can have
an SAK pen instead of the T or T: Remove the T (or T). Hold the knife between
the jaws of a vise, padded with cardboard, so the plastic scale will
not bulge away from the liner when the bit goes in. Send a twirling drill bit
down the T or T hole, keeping the bit against the liner. All Vic pens, long
(91mm knives) and short (58 mm Signature I and II), are .09” or 2.2mm
wide; a 3/32 (or a #41 = .096”) bit works. If you are installing a long pen
the bit will be too short and you will have to remove the scale and finish
the groove with a knife or other tool; snap or glue the scale back on (see
Repair 11).
The SAK Owner's Manual