Lots of newbie questions

[Mayhemmayo]

Hi

My first post.

I had a look through the search function, but couldn't find answers. I've got 4 questions, that I could use some expert advice on.

I've been looking into trying to build my own SAK with all the bits I want on it. Basically a swiss champ with a cybertool driver.

1. Then I spotted that you can get a Spartan with a serrated blade in the US and thought that had better go on as well. I can't figure out how to get one in the UK, though. Any ideas?

2. Anyway I spotted that the London flagship store hinted at being able to build your own knife there. I could only find a few bits on here about it, and it sounded like you can only build a Spartan (still cool). Can anyone confirm if you can build whatever you want, or only a Spartan, if at all?

3. Is it worth trying to build my own, and buying all the doner knives, or should I just save up for an XLT?

I've already got a champ and a cybertool 41 and can't bring myself to take them apart, so it would mean buying new to destroy/create.

4. I EDC a farmer with a nite ize hip clip, which is great, and no bother. Also the champ or CT41 off a belt clip tucked into my pocket when I'm at work or I have baggy enough trousers. Sometimes in the belt pouch. Is the XLT too big for that? I quite enjoy having the weight at my side. Makes me feel useful and manly.

Thanks in advance, Sorry if they are noob questions.

[Myron]

Hi Mayhem,

Welcome to MTo!  I don't know the answers to all your questions, but I wanted to welcome you and contribute what I could. 

First, you'll get better and faster answers to your modding questions if you post them over on the Mod Squad forum.  Lots of pro's over there who would be glad to help.  But here are my answers to your other questions.

1. Post a WTB thread here on the Tools Needed forum asking for a North American based member to buy you a serrated Spartan and ship it to you.  Folks do that here for each other all the time.

2. I think the only knife you have the option to build yourself at the big Vx stores is the Spartan. 

3. I'd save up for an XLT, unless you just want the fun and learning experience of building your own.  You'll make the same mistakes every beginner does your first couple of tries, but you do learn a lot and it's fun.  If you don't already have them, you should plan on a drill press, centering bits, vise, small ball peen hammer, and maybe a very small punch/drift.  Everything else you should have.

4. Only you can answer this question for yourself.  From what you say, it sounds like you'd enjoy carrying a XLT though.

Good luck!

Myron

[Reinier]

Hi, and welcome!
These are not noob questions IMHO

1: You could try the trade section here on MTo. Or ask an American member to buy one for you and then forward it.
2: Just Spartans I'm afraid
3: I may actually be cheaper to just get an XLT
4: I think it's too big to be carried in a pocket. The matching belt pouch may be more confortable.

[kirk13]

Hi and welcome!

I take it you're here in the UK?

To answer your second question,yes,it is only the Spartan you can build at the Vic store

To answer your first question,you might find the serrated 91mm blade in the UK,but you will have to search! If my memory serves me,the model with that blade is the Weekender. Somebody smart will be here soon to correct me!

To answer your third question,it'll maybe be cheaper to buy the big brick. You used to be able to buy SAKs second hand on Ebay in the UK which cut the cost of modding ,but alas,no more.

To answer your fourth question... never handled an XLT

You might want to advertise in the trade section for donor knives,but I'd offer a word of advice,having done a few mods,start with a smaller test piece,maybe three or four layers,like a Huntsman Slim,or a Yeoman

[Wspeed]

I think your questions have already been answered 
But welcome to 

[Mayhemmayo]

That's great, thanks for the help.

I'll keep looking for the Weekender. Who doesn't need one of them?

I'm still going to go and make a Spartan once when the madness is all over, I thought it was too good to be true. Has anyone done it? Will my kids manage it too? 6 and 9 years old?

Perhaps I'm getting a bit ahead of myself building a massive knife on my first try. I'll try doing some smaller ones first. I'd only spend a million £'s on doners then mess it up.

I'll save and get an XLT it might not be super practical, but it's big and looks cool. Love me a gadget.

Thanks again for the help.

[kamakiri]

There are new Serrated Spartans on US ‘bay last I checked. Just gotta find a forwarder. They are also likely 2.0mm tangs but not sure. Could be 2.4mm

Older 2.4mm and 2.7mm specimens are harder to come by, but also available in Picnicker and the original Outdoorsman models.

[ulzhan]

Hi,

the XLT is usable. I have one since 2017. It's heavy but you get almost all tools which are available on the 91 mm range.

[Mayhemmayo]

There are new Serrated Spartans on US ‘bay last I checked. Just gotta find a forwarder. They are also likely 2.0mm tangs but not sure. Could be 2.4mm

Older 2.4mm and 2.7mm specimens are harder to come by, but also available in Picnicker and the original Outdoorsman models.

Great info, thanks.

[Mayhemmayo]

Hi,

the XLT is usable. I have one since 2017. It's heavy but you get almost all tools which are available on the 91 mm range.

That's it! I'm saving!
£££$$$£££

[Thunderpants]

There's a slightly longwinded video showing how to build your own Spartan here:

http://jeroensvictorinox.blogspot.com/2013/11/self-assembled-spartan-brunnen.html

I'm not sure if they have the same machine in the London shop but I'd imagine it's something similar.

[Simyo]

If you were interested I just put a used xlt up in the Facebook groups for $130.  I don’t know if you hit 5 posts yet in order to be able to pm, if not feel free to contact me through the other methods in my profile, 

Welcome to the mto party man, I’ll try to answer all of these as many others have as well.

1) most people here are a friendly and willing to help others out, just ask and I’m sure someone will be more than helpful to send one your way.  I think they’re around $20 on amazon.  I could do it if you were interested.

2) in the Vic stores it’s a spartan, maybe a tinker but definitely only those two layers.

3) I always support building or having what you want built to support your needs.  If you don’t want to chop your champ and 41 than get an xlt and if your not using some of the bits than chop it and remove what you don’t want.

4) it’s a bit heavier and thicker than a 41, but it’s still something that you could carry.  It weighs in at 247.2g and it’s 42.45mm thick.

[Mayhemmayo]

If you were interested I just put a used xlt up in the Facebook groups for $130.  I don’t know if you hit 5 posts yet in order to be able to pm, if not feel free to contact me through the other methods in my profile, 

Welcome to the mto party man, I’ll try to answer all of these as many others have as well.

1) most people here are a friendly and willing to help others out, just ask and I’m sure someone will be more than helpful to send one your way.  I think they’re around $20 on amazon.  I could do it if you were interested.

2) in the Vic stores it’s a spartan, maybe a tinker but definitely only those two layers.

3) I always support building or having what you want built to support your needs.  If you don’t want to chop your champ and 41 than get an xlt and if your not using some of the bits than chop it and remove what you don’t want.

4) it’s a bit heavier and thicker than a 41, but it’s still something that you could carry.  It weighs in at 247.2g and it’s 42.45mm thick.

Boom! Just PM'ed you. Thanks.