Byrd Wings Slipit Lefty conversion

[landwomble]

Got myself a Byrd Wings slip joint last week, and realised it was impossible for lefty to open with one hand.
Luckily, I found you can convert it!

Relatively straight forward, although bear in mind the pivot pins aren't perfectly cylindrical - they have a tiny flat on one side and match up with a similar flat on the bolsters. I failed to notice this and had to dremel them flat after attempting to tap them through with a hammer!

Quite pleased with the result.

The knife is good - not as easy to open as my Spyderco UKPK but takes a he'll of an edge. I can literally shave with this one after a sharpen and strop with autosol and an old leather belt...

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[kirk13]

Nice job!

[Farmman]

Nice one. I did this with mine too.  However I must have put it together about 5 times before finally doing it so that it was a leftie open.

[landwomble]

Nice one. I did this with mine too.  However I must have put it together about 5 times before finally doing it so that it was a leftie open.

Haha, yes. A lot easier the 2nd time you do it...!

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[Gareth]

I got to play with Farmman's one earlier this year and it's a great mod for us lefties. 

[Jamie_M]

That's the main reason I hadn't bought one, may have to give this a try.

[landwomble]

That's the main reason I hadn't bought one, may have to give this a try.

It's pretty straightforward.  Torx 6 (I think) for the pivots, and a crazy small Torx for the scales.  You need to remove one side of the scales as there's an additional small Torx there that holds the backspring.
For the small Torx I used the eyeglass screwdriver from a SAX - a small flatblade *will* work on these and they aren't all that tight.

Start on one side, remove the pivot screws and push a small screwdriver into the hole left by the screw, inside the hollow pivot pin, to remove it.  Notice that there's a flat on one side which matches up with a flat on the bolster...I missed this first time!

Undo scales and on one side you'll find the middle Torx screw for the backspring.  When you've got this, open both blades, and lift off the top bolster.

Each blade has a brass washer on each side. Don't lose it!

Pull the blades out, and then lift up the backsprings.  Whilst you're at it, rub the springs and scales on some wet and dry to clean them up and make sure they're nice and flat.

Reverse the backsprings and refit - I found it easiest to attach the washers to the blade with a dab of silicone grease to hold them in place.  It's much easier to refit if you do it with both blades clicked open.
When done, align the pivot pins with the flats and tap back in and screw back together.

Great knife, it's not as smooth as my Spyderco UK Penknife, but it's really appealing.  I keep playing with it, and a decent sharpen and strop has got it shaving sharp.

The blade design's really clever on this knife - the Byrd's head profile also works as a great handgrip when one blade is shut and you're using the other.  Very nicely designed...!