Saw + Awl

[BradGad]

Hello, I'm new to the site, as you can see. I've carried a SAK religiously for decades, but never done any modding. I think I'm going to take the plunge.

Queston: I never see anything behind the saw blade. Would it be possible to put an awl there? To the naked eye, the layers look to be the same thickness.

Thanks

[WiSAKfan]

welcome to the forums my friend.

many modders, including myself, will be more then happy to help answer your questions.

the problem isn't just a matter of it being the same thickness but the shape of the back springs.

take a look a this pic from one of the sticky threads:



now this is an alox and there are no back tools, but this shows the back spring.

so in order to use the saw and awl on back you'd need a back spring with the bend to accommodate the back tool.

i've used a saw in place of the main blade, which has a spring set up for the cork screw so it is possible.

unfortunately replacing corkscrew for awl is not a direct replacement, some modding has to be done.

best of luck to you   

[BradGad]

unfortunately replacing corkscrew for awl is not a direct replacement, some modding has to be done.

Thanks WiSAKfan. Actually, I don't want to replace the corkscrew... the corkscrew is a must have for me.

My gotta-have features are knife, saw, screwdriver/bottle-opener, corkscrew, and key ring. I'd just love to get to that in a two-layer knife. Three layers is fine for me 95% of the time, but really not when wearing suit pants, dress slacks, or summer-weight shorts. When I'm wearing these, I'm out of my element, and it's when I'm out of my element that I most value having my SAK with me.

What I really want is a Vic 3.3311, like this: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35979.msg579502.html

Camper has these five features, but it's three layer. Compact, Spartan, Lumberjack, and Waiter are one or two layers, but each lack one of the crucial blades.

If I'm going to build it, I thought I'd ask if there's any way to use the real estate behind the saw blade. I'd like to put an awl there, but it's not a deal breaker.


 

[Syph007]

I put an awl under the saw no problem.  I just removed a little bit of material from one of the liners so the awl had room.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,5287.msg650157.html#msg650157

[BradGad]

Ah... good news, Syph. Thanks.

A follow-up question then....

Is there any way, or any source, for getting a 91 mm combo tool other than cannibalizing a Compact?  As you know, they tend to be pricey.

Conceivably I could go the other way, and look for an 84 mm saw, but I'd prefer 91 mm for this knife, and Lumberjacks come dearer than the Compact.

I've read that you can use the 84 mm combo on 91 mm knives, with the knick riding a little lower. I'm trying to build my grail SAK here, so I don't want that compromise.

A 3.3311 with an awl and yellow plus scales... that would be my grail knife. She can wear black plus scales for a while if needed.

[Syph007]

Ya Ive been buying compacts for combos and scissors.  Its the cheapest source unless you can find a used compact cheaper.

[WiSAKfan]

i wasn't aware there was a saw layer with a back tool on a SAK knife stock.

all of mine have back springs like the one shown in the pic i linked too, with no spot for a back tool.

Syph007, did you end up using a different spring?

here would be another pic showing how the spring is flush to edge with no space in saw layer:

[Syph007]

I buy swiss champs for parts.  The saw layer on those has a fine screwdriver as a backtool, so the spring is different than on most other models.

[WiSAKfan]

opps yes you are right that one does.

that would be the one for him to get to make this mod.

the 84mm combo tool nick difference looks like this



to me it's not worth tearing apart a compact for, when a bantam is cheap on ebay, but that's me and i understand everyone has different wants...the more power to them

[Syph007]

And just to be 100% clear these tool layers...



Have these back tools...

[Syph007]

Ive never actually tried the 84mm combo on a 91mm, but that pic illustrates well the difference in how it sits.  It is also a very very tiny bit thinner 0.004 inches by my calipers, not enough to matter though.  The only thing I wondered was whether is has the same snap. I think it should be fine, but again, just never tried.

[WiSAKfan]

women tell me i'm not the most sensitive guy  but i can't feel any difference in snap between the 84mm combos i've used over the 91mm one on my compact.

you have to drill the hole of the tool out a bit too.