Show off your Sak mod's!

[Corso]

Cool idea adding the compass to the lanyard. I love people thinning tool chests, it actually makes them usuable

It's just a tiny bit thinner than a Swisschamp now.

[PTRSAK]

Finally got this one assembled..  Climber-Lite

Plus scales

"simple" plus... Pin but no pen.

[nuphoria]

Wenger Tool Chest on a diet.  I removed the compass (re-used as a lanyard bead) and fish scaler.

Genius

[Sparky415]

Looks great. Wish I had some ebony to play with.

I’m keeping my eye on Ebay for a cheap piano to chop up 

[nuphoria]

[oreogaborio]

I've only got two mods so far, but here are both finished products side by side so you can see how I arranged the tools a little differently even though they had nearly identical tool selections.
 
My first... a "Jettsetting Manicure USB" with limited edition Magnolia scales for the girlfriend.
I realized later that this tool arrangement prohibits the use of a split ring. She wouldn't be able to fully extend the cuticle tool because the split ring would stop it about 3/4 of the way from full open.

 
And my second... a USB Rambler for the roommate.
You can see how I arranged the tools differently this time, only opening from two corners of the tool (well, three if you include the USB) to allow the use of a split ring but with this config the blade can close on it if you're not careful.

 
During assembly of each I instincively put the USB in the middle... Suppose I just liked the symetry I got with it there. What I liked MOST about the arrangement of this one was that I had the cutting tools on one side, screwdrivers on the other.
 
I think if I didn't sandwich the USB between the two tool layers I could arrange it so I'd have the opening symmetry of the Magnolia (opening from all four corners), cutting tools on one side, screwdrivers on the other, still be able to use a split ring AND not worry about the blade snapping down on it...
 
USB layer on top (or bottom)...
Scissors/Bottle opener (double thick layer, so it would get the split ring further away from the third layer)...
Blade/File on bottom (or top)...
 
If I end up building another one I'll use that layer arrangement, orient the tools so they open on all four corners like the Magnolia and see how I like that.  It might just be the ultimate arrangement

[jrp316]

@oreogaborio - When I built my alox Mini Tech, I ran into the same problem with the keyring tab for the USB; in my case, the nail file opens right against the tab and doesn't permit a keyring to be placed there. Like you, I also put my USB key in the center of the knife. I think if I do another USB knife, I'm going to grind off the plastic keyring tab and substitute a keyring spring instead. Are you planning anything for your alox scales yet?

[oreogaborio]

Yup, I've got a Minichamp on the way that I got cheap off ebay.  Gonna dress her in orange alox....

... maybe orange & blue alox, I haven't decided.   

Gonna miss the pen & tweezers, but I've got a regular Minichamp already so I figured I'd go form over function this time around

[jrp316]

Ah, you'll find a use for the pen & tweezers. My Mini Tech was made from parts donated by a Mini Champ. I've got some leftover parts as a result and I'm going down the route of building a Vagabond from them  .

[Dr Gonzo]

I've had this Mini Champ about 20 years, one of the scales was cracked so I thought I'd re-scale it
The wood came from an incense burner...not sure what it is, some kind of hard wood...smells amazing after all its years in use

[WiSAKfan]

invasion of the 58mms!

nice work fellas

[nuphoria]

Very nice too - maybe rosewood?

[PTRSAK]

Yeoman Mechanic

[jrp316]

Fresh off the bench, a 58mm Vagabond with the pen scale on one side:



Stay tuned for a how-to thread...

[stealth007s]

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I love the thickness of the scales on that SAK. What is the thickness?

[oreogaborio]

Ah, you'll find a use for the pen & tweezers. My Mini Tech was made from parts donated by a Mini Champ. I've got some leftover parts as a result and I'm going down the route of building a Vagabond from them  .

Meh, I've already got another 8 blade minichamp with pen & tweezers that will be remaining stock

[Dr Gonzo]

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I love the thickness of the scales on that SAK. What is the thickness?

4mm...I could sand them down further but I like them this way, I have quite big hands and bigger scales means better grip

[rickinFL]

The first.  Rambler with memory.  Pen scales from minichamp. 

[stealth007s]

4mm...I could sand them down further but I like them this way, I have quite big hands and bigger scales means better grip

That's a great thickness for scales IMO. I was thinking the same about the grip. If I ever get to do my carbon fibre scale mod on my Champ, I'll look for a thicker slab. All I've found so far is 2.5mm

[PTRSAK]

4mm...I could sand them down further but I like them this way, I have quite big hands and bigger scales means better grip

That's a great thickness for scales IMO. I was thinking the same about the grip. If I ever get to do my carbon fibre scale mod on my Champ, I'll look for a thicker slab. All I've found so far is 2.5mm

The great thing about composites Terry is that you can sand down one side of that 2.5mm slab, cut it in half and using the right glue (epoxy resin probably) laminate it into a 5mm thick slab. And it will be just as strong and the join practically invisible.

[stealth007s]

The great thing about composites Terry is that you can sand down one side of that 2.5mm slab, cut it in half and using the right glue (epoxy resin probably) laminate it into a 5mm thick slab. And it will be just as strong and the join practically invisible.

That's something I wouldn't have even thought of. Thanks Peter

[Outback in Idaho]

Spartan outfitted with Cherrywood scales of my own manufacture.

  Late to this thread but those scales & Vic logo are quite handsome. 

4mm...I could sand them down further but I like them this way, I have quite big hands and bigger scales means better grip

  If was an incense burner, could be Sandalwood. That wood does have a nice sweet smell to it.

[invitus]

just nice...got more pic on this sir?..thank you

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Just wanted to share my Alox trifecta.

[crackout]

just nice...got more pic on this sir?..thank you

Sure.

[invitus]

now u killing me...

[tattoosteve99]

The first.  Rambler with memory.  Pen scales from minichamp. 
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Nice work Rick!

[PTRSAK]

Temporary build of a Neo-Voyageur.  Pinned with salvaged center pins from 91mm teardowns.

Need to stop in and pick up a scissor spring tomorrow.



I wanted to build this up to get a feel for what it would be like. If I like carrying it I will continue on in my efforts to pick up a ribbed cadet.

[crackout]

I also tried to use replacement springs from 91mm models on my vintage 84mm scissors and had no luck. The cureld up part is too big to fit into the hole and the overall spring is too long preventing the scissors from fully closing. I ended up writing Victorinox and they sent me 3 84mm springs. Not sure if these were remaining stock from the old days or springs for Executives. But they're definitely neither 58mm nor 91mm.

Here's a comparison shot:




58mm spring, 84(?)mm spring, 91mm spring

[nuphoria]

I wouldn't kick that out of bed for eating biscuits!

[oreogaborio]

Temporary build of a Neo-Voyageur.  Pinned with salvaged center pins from 91mm teardowns.

Need to stop in and pick up a scissor spring tomorrow.

(Image removed from quote.)

I wanted to build this up to get a feel for what it would be like. If I like carrying it I will continue on in my efforts to pick up a ribbed cadet.

I... LIKE... THAT.