Hints and Tips thread.

[Landrew]

Not sure why any newer knife would use a bail. It seems like a completely outdated idea.

Retro is the new, new thing. 

Like the way they changed the cut on the pockets of nearly all men's pants to the old 40's retro style?  Every time you sit down everything slides out of your pockets. Lost my precious Victorinox Scientist that way, after carrying it for 20 years.


No thanks. Some things went out of fashion for good reason.

[colt 1911]

Wire stripping. Open the driver and main blade.
Insert wire into notch and close driver.

Close main blade

Rotate Sak around wire a few times
While holding Sak pull out the wire.

[kkokkolis]

Nice. What if the distance between the wire stripper and blade is 1km (approximately)? We need a Swischamp methodology too.
But for slim SAKs that's very nice indeed.

[nuphoria]

That's brilliant - I had never figured that out at all!

[MARIOS7319]

Very clever. 
Thanks for the info.

[WiSAKfan]

Not sure why any newer knife would use a bail. It seems like a completely outdated idea.

Retro is the new, new thing. 

And IMO the main reason the put a keyring on now is because it's cheaper to make.

Besides, a bail is much more comfortable in your pocket.

i would say more comfortable in hand too.

[colt 1911]

Split ring open an hold

[Northern Geek]

The can opener is pretty handy for removing staples as well.

[Wootz]

 

[Outback in Idaho]

(Image removed from quote.)
 

Luv it! 

[Outback in Idaho]

Bit driver



Orange Peeler



Corkscrew Pen



Package Hook Pen



Mini-Driver Compass



Knife Compass - Can Opener magnetized with north polarity, bottle popper magnetized with south polarity, suspend via a thread or cord. It works, believe it or not.

[J Mackrel Jones]

This improvised use too is covered in The Swiss Army Knife Owner's Manual:
"Test this out before you leave home and make sure which end of your knife points North. Engrave a simple arrow on the scale, or an N on a tool of the North end. How to magnetize a whole knife? Readers?"
The above SAK crossbow photo by the way is from the same book - "Not an owner's manual originating with the manufacturer."  Note the glove for safe firing.

[kkokkolis]

One can adapt a 6mm Hex bit adaptor for use with the Philips screwdriver. It works for both the old (blue) and new (red) types of drivers. You just fill the tube with some elastic material, rubber or foam, and then stick the driver inside. Now you can use any 6mm bit.
I'm still researching for a way to use X-Akto blades, preferably with a thin SAK (Cadet, Spartan, Climber etc).

[crackout]

I was wondering if the old combo tool I got here is actually worn down at the tip of they really changed the design over the years.

[J Mackrel Jones]

Two different designs.

[colt 1911]

One can adapt a 6mm Hex bit adaptor for use with the Philips screwdriver. It works for both the old (blue) and new (red) types of drivers. You just fill the tube with some elastic material, rubber or foam, and then stick the driver inside. Now you can use any 6mm bit.
I'm still researching for a way to use X-Akto blades, preferably with a thin SAK (Cadet, Spartan, Climber etc).

wonder if the leatherman adapter would work. Have you had any problem with the foam or other material breaking up ? great idea 

[kkokkolis]

No, not yet. I took the foam from a cheap plastic pen. The rest of the foam is used as a container for 3 cybertool's bits. I have a slight play and I'll keep my eyes open for a more dense material but it works as it is. In fact the XLT doesn't need this adaptor (I have 7 double bits already) but it would be highly functional for a Swisschamp or a smaller SAK with inline Philips.
I wonder too about that Leatherman adaptor. A full Bitset costs 35€ here and it would be easy to buy it if I could justify using it somehow with a SAK.

[colt 1911]

No, not yet. I took the foam from a cheap plastic pen. The rest of the foam is used as a container for 3 cybertool's bits. I have a slight play and I'll keep my eyes open for a more dense material but it works as it is. In fact the XLT doesn't need this adaptor (I have 7 double bits already) but it would be highly functional for a Swisschamp or a smaller SAK with inline Philips.
I wonder too about that Leatherman adaptor. A full Bitset costs 35€ here and it would be easy to buy it if I could justify using it somehow with a SAK.

I will try it when I get home and let you know.

[kkokkolis]

Thanks.

[colt 1911]

Thanks.

Well no go on the bit adapter, or any of the Gerbers.

[kkokkolis]

One could make a far more functional sling with the 2 cybertools of the XAVT perhaps!

[colt 1911]

The fish scaler makes a great pumpkin carver for the little ones during Halloween.

[firiki]

I haven't played with a fish scaler yet but I'm sure it has some uses built in it.

So does the multi-purpose hook : you can extend it to facilitate your grip on the SAK when using saws, scissors or even screwdrivers. It's barely noticeable but I find it very practical during prolonged use. Works with both hands as well. Voila.

Cheers

[Outback in Idaho]

  Not sure if was mentioned yet, the flathead/bottle popper & the Phillips lock-in temporarily when used on the Wenger S557. These tools press into the springs when bearing down on a screw. This safety feature keeps the tools from folding over during use, then pop back out to normal when the force is removed.

  Quite a unique feature.

  Lubricating these scales is most interesting due to the tight fitting. Initially applied force, then applied some oil in the tiny spring opening. Just worked that tool on a vertical object to get the lubricant inside.

[Wootz]

Fishscaler on a Waiter makes a tasty picknick SAK 

[colt 1911]

I haven't played with a fish scaler yet but I'm sure it has some uses built in it.

So does the multi-purpose hook : you can extend it to facilitate your grip on the SAK when using saws, scissors or even screwdrivers. It's barely noticeable but I find it very practical during prolonged use. Works with both hands as well. Voila.

Cheers

it's magnetized

[Taxi Dad]

it's magnetized

I've heard this before, but mine doesn't seem to be 

[colt 1911]

it's magnetized

I've heard this before, but mine doesn't seem to be 

you can rub the tip in one direction on a strong magnet about 50 times, that should work for ya.

[Taxi Dad]

so it's not a factory setting?

[colt 1911]

The Fish Scaler tool is a multi-purpose fishing tool only available on some 91mm knife models. The ridged bottom edge of the tool is the fish scale remover. The tip is a "U"-shaped fish hook disgorger used to safely remove a hook from a fish's mouth. The tip is magnetized on some versions, empirical evidence suggests those models manufactured prior to 1985.

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