Who has put keys in a SAK? I want to do it but am looking for examples

[dieck]

Title says it all.  Now that I've put my keys in a leatherman Micra, I want to try to put a set in a SAK.  4 Keys... Anyone done this?

[DaveK]

I haven't, but it sounds like a great idea. I reckon it would be trickier than the Micra mod though, as the backsprings would require a much tighter degree of grinding I guess.

It's theoretically possible I guess, but the keys would need to be very close to the depth of the backsprongs you used. If you could get hold of a load of backsprings like use don the phillips / magnifying glass layer, that could work.

But then there's the length of the keys, as I assume you envisage 2 keys in each layer?

[Benner]

I haven't, but I mentioned the idea many months ago and hoped someone would give it a try. 

[Neil]

I'm sure I've seen this done before but can I find the link, nope 

Neil

[dieck]

I'm thinking a medium sized SAK would allow me to have two keys per layer.  Now I need to decide on what kinfe to start with.  Are there any genuine SAK's that have metal scales?  I'm not big on the plastic.

I haven't, but it sounds like a great idea. I reckon it would be trickier than the Micra mod though, as the backsprings would require a much tighter degree of grinding I guess.

It's theoretically possible I guess, but the keys would need to be very close to the depth of the backsprongs you used. If you could get hold of a load of backsprings like use don the phillips / magnifying glass layer, that could work.

But then there's the length of the keys, as I assume you envisage 2 keys in each layer?

[Benner]

ALOX SAK's are probably what you are after.

Search for Victorinox Soldier or Farmer.  Those are the most common.

[jzmtl]

Must be easier if you just forget backspring and make keys hold by friction. Keys don't really need backspring anyway, probably makes them a pain to get out if anything.

[DaveK]

Must be easier if you just forget backspring and make keys hold by friction. Keys don't really need backspring anyway, probably makes them a pain to get out if anything.

That's a fair point. You'd need some kind of "stopper" maybe, to stop them appearing out the other side when you close them. And maybe use screws instead or rivets to hold it all together, so that when they inevitably wear and loosen up, you could increase the tension.

[AndyTiedye]

Could one grind a relatively useless tool (like the fish scaler) into a key?

BTW, the fish-scaler works as-is as a key for these locks: