A Mild Signal Mod

[ilikepinkcrayons]

I might have some questions along the way, but I'm posting this mostly to keep record. After loosing my much beloved Juice XE6 (gift from my wife, and I miss that knife every day!) I decided to spend the $$$ on a Topo Signal (I kinda wish I got the Aqua version for ease of finding in the bottom of my backpack...oh well!). I like the Signal's focus on camping (hammer) and survival (whistle and fire rod), and the full-sized 1/4" hex driver is a great addition for road-side bicycle mechanics, but I think there is some room for improvement. I'd like to modify it to increase it's functionality without sacrificing it's value as a self-contained survival MT.

Requirements:
- Add an additional bit storage using Metro's bit holder (replacing diamond sharpener)
- Add reflective emergency signal (polishing one side of the blade to a mirror finish or swapping out the blade for a silver one)
- Add a chisel bit for the bit driver (grind a screwdriver bit down to a chisel point? I'd also consider a custom A10 tool steel bit since I have access to a heat treat kiln), stored in the Metro bit holder
- Relocate saw next to blade ()
- Add wood/metal file from Rebar (preferred, but may require more work) or Wave or Charge (easier, but no need for the diamond file)
- Add bit retention to 1/4" hex in hammer using the string technique, with a lanyard storing ~20-30ft of extra string
- Maintain all original functions except diamond sharpener (okay to modify, move, or combine existing functions)
- All "survival-critical" functions/tools must be self-contained on the knife. If it's not securely and conveniently attached to the knife, I WILL forget it at home or camp!

What do you guys think?

[ilikepinkcrayons]

As an appendix for the above post, here are some additional thoughts describing my direction:

Expected use cases (in order of importance):
1. Only multi-tool while backpacking/hiking
2. Supplement my bikepacking repair kit
3. Supplement my car camping kit
4. Supplement my bike assembly/disassembly kit four airline travel/remove assembly/disassembly
5. Everyday carry, usually in backpack but sometimes in pocket

Desirements (In order of importance) (it's okay to ignore these if there is very strong value):
- Keep the factory warranty by using reversible modifications only (example: replacing original can opener with a modified combo awl/can opener, then swapping back to the original for warrantee)
- Button compass bonded to side of frame somewhere
- Custom sheath(s) to store some or all future upgrades/accessories

Future Upgrades/Accessories (in order of importance)
- Modified T-shank saws to fit LM bit driver (using the cotter-pin technique. This method is "reversible", as opposed to the drilled-hole technique.)
- Emergency fishing kit
- Emergency trapping wire
- Emergency fire starting kit
- Bicycle chain breaker
- Bicycle tire lever
- Bicycle tube patch kit
- Selection of LM bits (especially for bicycle application)
- Selection of full-sized 1/4" hex bits (especially for bicycle application)
- 1/4" hex extension (full sized, for use with 1/4" hex in hammer or ratcheting box-end mentioned above)
- Modified 1/4" hex ratcheting box end wrench to fit LM bit driver ()
- Modified LM bit driver extender (or make from scratch) to be low profile (smaller outside diameter), only griping LM bits from the side with external retention ring (i'll have to get a concept drawing for this posted eventually, not even sure it'll work!)
- 1/4" hex-to-1/4" socket adapter (full sized, for use with 1/4" hex in hammer or ratcheting box-end mentioned above)
- Credit card style tool with open-end wrench sizes, designed to fit 1/4" hex and 1/4" socket driver similar to a crow's foot socket wrench (especially for bicycle application)
- Modified 1/4" hex-to-4mm hex bit adapter to fit LM bit driver

[ilikepinkcrayons]

Note to self: looks like the ST300 also has a nice wood/metal file, but again, requires modification to fit where the saw currently fits.

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[ilikepinkcrayons]

After a year and a half, I finally got back into this and have a few good things going.

I decided to swap the non-hammer-side handle with a Wave handle, which adds an additional "outer" slot so I can add a file. I also like the handy quick-release belt clip, which is neat for adding saw blades (I know I can do the cotter pin/t-shank trick, but this seems so much more secure).

I like how the Signal nests the awl into the same slot as the combo blade, so I am  trying to mimic that with the Wave handle. But since I prefer to have separate SE and PE blades, I'm putting an S30V PE blade where the combo would go, and a shorty SE blade where the awl would go.

I still want an awl, so I'm working on the combo awl/can-opener to replace the standard can-opener.

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