HEEEELLLPP!! To repair or not to repair???

[tinkertailor]

Hey all,
I'm a new one on this forum, though I've been lurking since '08. I'm the proud owner of a Super Tinker that I was given for my twelfth birthday eight years ago. I love this thing. The only time I don't use it daily is when it gets swallowed by the couch cushions and I can't find it, and on those days I'm a mess because the thought of missing or hurting this thing makes me want to cry. In the great state of California, there really isn't much I can carry for self-defense legally. At all. And being a 5'4, 105-pound young woman really doesn't tend to make me feel safe walking around in public, so I have taken to holding my knife in a fist with the screwdriver poking out between my middle and ring fingers. It probably wouldn't help me if I was attacked (see abovementioned height and weight and gender), but it helps me get through my life and it's legal.
But now this thing is hurt. I, uh, I boiled it. Genius, I know. It had some sort of substance in the scissors that had hardened into a congealed mass that wouldn't open for anything and I did my usual warm water soak followed by a toothbrush and the bottle opener still wouldn't open up. So I, in all of my infinite wisdom, decided to completely forget every SAK care forum post I've ever read regarding hot water and the iconic red scales. I got a pot simmering, let it cool until the bubbles were gone, and chucked my baby in there. Five minutes later, I remembered that it was bad but it was all too late. The iconic, shiny-but-scratched scales are now a matte, faded ghost of their former selves. And they're cracked. And my heart is broken. So now's the question: do I repair or not?
I've had my eye on a more adult knife with bigger functions for a while and just haven't bought one. I could see myself with an explorer or a ranger, maybe a swisschamp... *drool*. But sending it in, hoping that Vic thinks this is under warranty, and then getting a new replacement knife sounds bad. I love this knife, it is special to me. I take pride in it. Or at least I used to before I boiled the poor thing. Replacement scales sound like something my dad (who has had his SAK for 35-40 years) and I could do. I need to do more research and maybe find a friend with a press that might be able to put the scales back on ~properly~. Or I could keep this knife as a backup or whatever and spoil myself rotten with a pretty new knife, secure in the knowledge that I won't boil the damn thing.
What have you done with your sentimental SAKs? What the hell do I do??

[Corwyn]

1 - Hi
2 - Just buy new scales and replace the old. Should cost a couple of dollars and can be fitted by hand - might need a gentle vice or pliers action.
3 - Victorinox will definately fix it. If on the repair form you tick "sentimental value" they're sure not to replace it.
4 - This shouldn't stop you from getting another, more complex sak. A SwissChamp would be nice.

[enki_ck]

Welcome

Just get new scales for it as postage to send it to warranty would cost more and they might replace some tools.
You don't need a vice, and if you use pliers, USE PADDING between the scales and the scales.

And then buy a new sak or two, your old faithfull needs company.

[Aloha]

Welcome,  I'd first suggest pepper spray vs SAK for personal protection.  Secondly the guys are spot on with you being able to just replace the scales.  So did the much clear away after the boil?

[Crow]

Welcome. Great that you finally decided to join in.

You just should replace those scales. I think Syph007 had few for sale at trade forum... Maybe you and your dad could make your own scales for it. That would make it more special to you.

And yes. You should get more SAKs...

[AimlessWanderer]

Welcome aboard  that's a long time to be lurking, glad you eventually decided to say hello 

I'd love to offer you some unique insight, but everyone before me nailed it first. Swapping scales is EASY! Check out Felinevet on EDCSource (link at top right hand corner of the screen) for replacement scales and great deals on other SAKs.

Is the knife back working otherwise?

You are allowed to own more than one SAK you know  Different days lend themselves to needing different toolsets, so keep hold of the Super Tinker for light carry days, and only lug that Swisschamp (or whatever) around when you think you'll need the extra capability 

[Fattsgalore]

Welcome.  We've all been there. Just wanting to clean or fix something then things go TOO FAR. Next thing you know your weeping cradling it in your arms like it's your buddy who just took shrapnel to the forehead...It happens.

This is just an opportunity for change.

Anything in particular (tool wise or scale color/style) you may be interested in? Whatever it is chances are I know where to find it for a fair price.

[Zed]

Welcome    as said above,replace scales,the craftsmans a good handy sized sak,but the swisschamp is   

[kirk13]

I'm with the guys here! Changing scales is super easy,there should even be a thread here somewhere showing you how to do it!

I also agree you can have more than SAK. An Alox Pioneer or Farmer is a must have,Explorers are great and then there's.....

[AimlessWanderer]

I'm with the guys here! Changing scales is super easy,there should even be a thread here somewhere showing you how to do it!

I also agree you can have more than SAK. An Alox Pioneer or Farmer is a must have,Explorers are great and then there's.....

..... and if anything goes wrong, this ^^^ is the man to blame! We even have a special emoticon for the purpose....





You'll not need it for the scale swap, but after you've been here 12 months and you find you have more SAKs than fingers and toes......

 

[Sparky415]

How to...

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,12903.0.html

And where to buy them

http://www.edcsource.com/store/FELINEVET-SWISS-ARMY-KNIFE-STORE/?limit=80

Good luck 

Lurking since 08 

[sawman]

I'd pop some new scales on that baby and bring it back to life.

Welcome to MTO

[strmliner]

Welcome,  I'd first suggest pepper spray vs SAK for personal protection.  Secondly the guys are spot on with you being able to just replace the scales.  So did the much clear away after the boil?

Welcome aboard TinkerTailor, and +1 to what Aloha stated:

Pepper spray for protection, not a small SAK (or really, any knife...have you ever seen what people look like after knife fights?).  And it sounds like a scale replacement...something you can do yourself or send to SAK to do.  Let us know if you need a hand or info.

[comis]

Welcome to    Do enjoy your stay!

Just another vote to replace scale, since it is sentimental.  Also, don't hesitate to checkout new SAKs, there are so many variations of it that one must fit your need/fancy. 

[Weasel]

Put some new scales on it will be fine then, most of my saks have had new scales all put on by hand.
If you want another sak I'd recommend a craftsman,swisschamp, or Ct41. Three very useful
Saks.

[tinkertailor]

Welcome,  I'd first suggest pepper spray vs SAK for personal protection.  Secondly the guys are spot on with you being able to just replace the scales.  So did the much clear away after the boil?

Yo!
I also carry pepper spray, forgot to mention that in the post. Friend of mine attended a ladies' self defense party and bought me a can of pink pepper spray at my request. Because it's for women, dont'ca know?
I'm not sure what you're asking here beyond that... Is that second part some sort of SAKnights lingo I'm missing? 

[enki_ck]

Welcome,  I'd first suggest pepper spray vs SAK for personal protection.  Secondly the guys are spot on with you being able to just replace the scales.  So did the much clear away after the boil?

Yo!
I also carry pepper spray, forgot to mention that in the post. Friend of mine attended a ladies' self defense party and bought me a can of pink pepper spray at my request. Because it's for women, dont'ca know?
I'm not sure what you're asking here beyond that... Is that second part some sort of SAKnights lingo I'm missing? 

Replace the "much" with "muck" and read again.

[Aloha]

Thanks Enki  . 


@Tinker, it was a mistype. I wondered if the SAK after boiling came out clean? 

[Syph007]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

[detron]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

great offer, but if tinkertailor is willing to wait until my package from you arrives, I will be happy to provide one set for free.

tinkertailor,  if you are interested in this, let me know, and I will let you know once my scales from Syph007 arrives.

no cost to you,  I will just need a mailing address sent to me in a PM, 

[tinkertailor]

Welcome.  We've all been there. Just wanting to clean or fix something then things go TOO FAR. Next thing you know your weeping cradling it in your arms like it's your buddy who just took shrapnel to the forehead...It happens.

This is just an opportunity for change.

Anything in particular (tool wise or scale color/style) you may be interested in? Whatever it is chances are I know where to find it for a fair price.

ATM I'm a broke college student, so I was thinking maybe a gently used 'next level' knife, something that I can do more stuff with. I've been pretty creative with my beloved Super Tinker, but there hasn't been much for me to use it on recently and it's only been used for craft projects. Best embroidery scissors I've used are on that knife, and I've used $40 scissors with semiprecious stones in the handles..
I looked at felinevet and I like their selection and prices for knives, but I think ten bucks for scales is a bit, err, steep. I like the red color since I'm a ditz and have lost this thing around the house innumerable times. Yellow's cute, though. I really adore the florals they have on their flower cutting knives... Mmm, that mint green! I wish there was a way to get a sturdy enough scale so that I could paint on it, or have a friend paint on it for me. Any sort of paint is going to get chipped off, though. Carving is an art form I haven't gotten into... Maybe I should so I could carve one in a nice wood and have a truly unique SAK.

Although if you're using it right, every SAK is unique, ammiright?

[tinkertailor]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

great offer, but if tinkertailor is willing to wait until my package from you arrives, I will be happy to provide one set for free.

tinkertailor,  if you are interested in this, let me know, and I will let you know once my scales from Syph007 arrives.

no cost to you,  I will just need a mailing address sent to me in a PM,

Oh my god. This is so kind of both of you.
I knew I picked the right forum to join and ask... Dedicated knife forums seemed so macho and, Idunno, just not human enough. I'm not crying with happiness. Nope. *sniff sniff*
Detron, I sentcha a message. Syph007, you're awesome!
This community is INCREEEEDIIIBBLLLEEE.
 

[detron]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

great offer, but if tinkertailor is willing to wait until my package from you arrives, I will be happy to provide one set for free.

tinkertailor,  if you are interested in this, let me know, and I will let you know once my scales from Syph007 arrives.

no cost to you,  I will just need a mailing address sent to me in a PM,

Oh my god. This is so kind of both of you.
I knew I picked the right forum to join and ask... Dedicated knife forums seemed so macho and, Idunno, just not human enough. I'm not crying with happiness. Nope. *sniff sniff*
Detron, I sentcha a message. Syph007, you're awesome!
This community is INCREEEEDIIIBBLLLEEE.
 

MODS,  is there a minimum post count before PMs are allowed?  I did not get the PM from tinkertailor

[detron]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

great offer, but if tinkertailor is willing to wait until my package from you arrives, I will be happy to provide one set for free.

tinkertailor,  if you are interested in this, let me know, and I will let you know once my scales from Syph007 arrives.

no cost to you,  I will just need a mailing address sent to me in a PM,

Oh my god. This is so kind of both of you.
I knew I picked the right forum to join and ask... Dedicated knife forums seemed so macho and, Idunno, just not human enough. I'm not crying with happiness. Nope. *sniff sniff*
Detron, I sentcha a message. Syph007, you're awesome!
This community is INCREEEEDIIIBBLLLEEE.
 

we will get this worked out tinkertailor,  but if not, I am sure there are other ways to pass your mailing address to me.
remember, I still do not have my Scales from Canada yet (remember customs can delay things sometimes),  but as soon as I get them,  they will be on the way to you.

[detron]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

with my offer to tinkertailor, I was not trying to under-cut you.  but I know the shipping from me would be cheaper, and I only bought 5 sets to offset the shipping cost to a more favorable cost. 

[Aloha]

@Detron she needs 5 post to PM if I'm correct 

[Lynn LeFey]

Hi, and welcome to the boards.

In the last few years, I've gone through a TON of SAK models, looking for the right one. If it weren't for the fact that my eyes are going bad, and I sort of NEED the magnifying glass on the Explorer, I'd still be carrying the Super Tinker.

And, by the way, I did a scale swap on it, to give it stay glo scales. So, if the other offers fall through on scales, I have a used set of red ones (not new and factory, but perfectly serviceable) that you can have.

You can get SAKs with more tools on them, but the Super Tinker is a pretty sweet-spot tool. I tried the Deluxe Tinker, and didn't like the SAK pliers. For almost the same added weight, you can get a Leatherman Style PS, which is a MUCH better pair of pliers. My opinion, of course.

The Explorer is nice, as I said above. I do prefer the in-line philips to the backside one.

But, overall, I think the Super Tinker is a good pick.

[Syph007]

I was just unloading 60 sets of scales last week. 

If you cant find any anywhere else, you're welcome to a couple sets for the cost of shipping to the US from Canada which is $5.

Super tinkers rule BTW.  Its the most popular 3 layer sold in north america, according to NA Vic dealers. 

Cheers 

Syph007,

with my offer to tinkertailor, I was not trying to under-cut you.  but I know the shipping from me would be cheaper, and I only bought 5 sets to offset the shipping cost to a more favorable cost.

Yep I figured someone from the US could help out as shipping is probably pretty cheap for you.    Thanks man!

[Scoon]

Hi Tinkertailor,

I'm fairly new here too

Just wanted to say on the topic of self defence, don't underestimate carrying your SAK like that. Although I would recommend also carrying pepper spray, a SAK could make a difference.

You see, there's so much focus on completely disabling or wounding the attacker. People talk about guns, stopping power etc and it leaves you with the impression that you need to completely blow them away in order to save yourself. You don't necessarily need to defeat the attacker completely, just give yourself enough time to get away. Holding the SAK in your fist will strengthen your punch a great deal, and leaving the screwdriver poking through should leave a nice puncture wound in your attacker. If you put up a fight, and if don't stop punching, it will make a difference.

It may not be the best possible defence, but it may give you the time you need to escape, which is key. I wouldn't rely on it completely, but I'd say that it's definitely not a complete placebo. And good on you for being proactive about protecting yourself

[Lynn LeFey]

And it could also break your hand when the philips collapses. Sorry to say, I don't think it's the best idea.

That being said, if you have to punch someone, then 'best idea' has already taken a walk, and even a broken finger is possibly preferable to other options.