What now?

[Vidar]

So this work got seriously side railed due to Covid, and I had to take on another project which has kept me more than busy ever since. Now that one is expected to throttle down some the next few months, and I'd like to get this product line advancing again.

The tools above, and 2 not mentioned, are in various state of development from functional steel prototypes to plastic mocks to still ongoing work in the CAD system.  Thus they don't start here on equal footing with regard to work be done or finishing time and cost. Still, I'm quite interested in which ones seems more interesting to you? (Up to 3 votes).

[Farmer X]

I voted for the pocket-sized bolt cutter. Engineering both the pocketability and the requisite strength in one package would be quite the challenge, methinks.

[Vidar]

Yes, there is a limit to how much can be done with the bolt cutter head itself, at least with a reasonably priced steel head. It can't be really hardened further to save weight either. This thing develop serious pressure so a notch can mean a chip in the eye - thus toughness over hard and brittler. (Same logic as most hammers and chisels I believe). Hence the head is limited to 8-9mm to keep it pocketable.

[Vidar]

So, based on the rather tiny descriptions, the SAK knife with proper screwdriver seems to be the one talking to people. I quite happy with it myself, so it makes sense. There is a manufacturing process for a specific nasty part to work out but that is more a cost than feasible question.

It was mostly made a few years ago and all tools and knife are currently locking. With the increased legal restrictions on locking knife and pointy objects I might have to look at a non-locking option too.

I've attached a silhouette drawing of it with the knife out to give some impression of it without giving away too much details at this point. It is less of a typical SAK knife, but hopefully still looking civil - I do not want a tactical or aggressive look to it. It is pointy though, so not sure I succeeded there? The handle is 96mm closed, and it currently carries up to 10 double sided bits inside. Holder for both 1/4" and 4mm precision bits. Thickness is a pocket and hand friendly 18.5mm.

[SteveC]

 

[pfrsantos]

Like the shape of blade and handle. How does it open? Nail nick? I'd love a front flipper, got me a couple and just love how streamlined the knives are.

 

[Vidar]

That is good to hear. The handle was the starting point as I think a good grip is important. The height/ width proportions are nice, and inspired directly from various handle proportions of normal knives and ergonomic references. There is a slight finger recess for the front finger when using the knife to increase grip, and the handle itself is slightly bigger on the business end towards the knife. That helps avoid slipping the grip forwards onto the blade. (Old red Mora knives were infamous for just that, and having experienced the problem I think it is one better avoided).

Currently there is a hidden nail nick as backup. I'm thinking of removing it for totally for clean lines, but we will see. Main opening is moving the lock button, and the blade is then free  to move with a slight brake on it. With the legal environment for knives growing rather difficult many places I might have to redesign to force two hand opening like say a classic SAK or even remove the locking action. Not really happy about that thought, but I do want it to be street legal most places.

When the is knife closed all of it goes into the handle. The backside of the blade follows the curve of the handle. I think that is pretty clean and no hard edges in the pocket.

[pfrsantos]

Regarding the lock mechanism (or absence thereof), I'd say to limit the number of components. The less they are, the less probability to have something break/stuck. Take Opinel, Mercator or Douk-Douk. Less than a handful of pieces and still manage to have a locking blade or a quite secure (if not locking) blade, in the Douk-Douk.

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Vidar]

Regarding the lock mechanism (or absence thereof), I'd say to limit the number of components. The less they are, the less probability to have something break/stuck. Take Opinel, Mercator or Douk-Douk. Less than a handful of pieces and still manage to have a locking blade or a quite secure (if not locking) blade, in the Douk-Douk.

Reducing number of components is good advice in general, and especially different ones. The lock locks firm, but the laws and regulations varies between countries. Even the interpretation of rules seem to change at moments notice. Not the most predictable long term environment. Maybe it is an option to make those particular parts modular to allow different locking solutions with the rest being the same. That will likely be a challenge to work out smoothly, but doesn't seem entirely hopeless at first look at least.