A little different than my last Spydernox build. This is going to be a complete "how to:" with a custom internal storage layer. Didn't really think storage on a 58mm was needed, just wanted to see if I could. Seems to have turned out well. Anyways, lets get into it.
Supplies: Mini Champ, Spyderco Ladybug Gen1, Brass Sheet 0.064" and 0.093" thickness, and 1.5mm Brass Rod.
Let's start with the scales. Use a liner from any 58mm Vic and trace the outside diameter and the pivot holes. Then use a center punch to mark the pivot holes for drilling.
Next, use a 1/16" drill bit to drill the pivot holes.
Pivot holes drilled, cut the rough shape out, then I went to the belt sander to get to the final shape.
Then smoothed the edges and rounded them off. Also used a larger drill bit to counter sink the pivot holes for peening the 1.5mm brass rod pivots.
Continued to sand the scales, starting with 80 grit and worked my way up and then polished with a dremel and polishing compound.
Now let's start with the custom storage layer.
Drew on a piece of paper what I thought might work. Cut out the paper (with SAK scissors of course) and super glued the paper pieces to some 0.093" Brass Sheet. Center marked where the pivot pins would be.
Drilled the holes where the pivot pins go and a hole where a spring for the storage lid catch would go.
Cut out the rough shape and then off to the belt sander I went.
Got the shape I wanted, then proceeded to test fit everything.
Ended up sanding and filing some more to get closer to the final shape. Took a spring for a Vic scissor, folded it on it's self and put it in the slot I made for the spring. You can probably start to see how this is going to work now.
Next I did the 1.5mm brass rod pivots. Mounted them in a vise wrapped in leather.
Using a small hammer start peening one end until you get something like this. Do this four times.
Test fit the rods into your scales.
Now lets disassemble the mini champ. Start by center marking in the middle of the pivots. Drill into them just enough to not run into the bushings (in case you ever want to make something with traditional scales, save the bushings.)
I've been using an old 2x4 with 4 holes drilled to use as a jig of sorts to punch out the pivots.
Using a small punch and hammer, knock out the pivots.
If you did it right, you will have not damaged the bushings.
Mini Champ disassembled.
I then went to work on the Spyderco Ladybug blade.
Cut a small piece of 2.5mm brass rod to peen into the pivot hole. We are going to create a new pivot hole.
Using a small hammer start peening that brass rod into the pivot hole.
File off the excess brass.
Get a Vic blade and mark where you want the new pivot hole to be and then drill it out.
Then insert a piece of 1.5mm brass rod in the pivot of the Spyderco blade and a Vic blade, then using a sharpie, mark the shape of the blade onto the Spyderco blade.
Using a belt sander, get it to the shape you want. Don't get the blade too hot, you don't want to mess with the heat treat. Keep a bowl of water next to you.
Final shape and cutting edge grind (single grind).
Next up is the saw made from the ruler. Put the ruler next to a 91mm saw and mark where your first cuts will be.
Using a dremel, carefully cut slots into the ruler, don't go too deep, use the triangle file for final depth.
Now go with the dremel at an opposite angle, in between the cuts you made and make your cuts.
Mount the ruler into a vise and take your triangle file to make the final cuts. Follow the angle of the dremel cuts you made.
Test on a piece of wood. Good to go!
Final profile of saw and after polishing.
Now start assembly. Start by putting the 1.5mm brass rods that you peened earlier, into the first scale. Then the first liner and then the first layer of tools and springs and next liner.
Next layer was the custom storage layer.
Next layer was the saw, nail file, small blade, and normal blade.
Now put on the the other scale and cut the 1.5mm brass rods down till you have about two liners worth of thickness and begin to peen the ends of the rods down.
Do a final polish and your done!
Donations
Community Links
