First SAK mod idea / attempt - Please help

[Tarheelpwr]

So, I’m kicking around the idea of a Yeoman type mod.  I love the explorer, but I’d like to put it on a diet.

This will be part of my EDC, so I’ll have other blades. So, my ideas are:

Combi tool / in line awl
Scissors
Mag glass / in line Phillips
Hook and cork screw rear

I have extra + scales, so I’ll toss those on.

So,

1) are those combos even possible in a 91mm chassis?
2) is there any source for a combo tool and inline awl separate from buying a tool to tear apart?
3) any US based modders to check out if I get cold feet doing it myself?

[lazar]

Are you wanting to do away with the blade and small blade to replace with the inline awl and Combo tool?  Might work

[magentus]

I'm not sure the in line awl and combi tool will sit opposite each other as they are both 'opposing' tools for the main blade.

I learned recently that aliexpress are selling the 93mm in line awl!
   https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007413572578.html?spm=a2g0n.detail.storeRecommendH5.1.37bb2c75eerGEo&gps-id=storeRecommendH5&scm=1007.18500.300835.0&scm_id=1007.18500.300835.0&scm-url=1007.18500.300835.0&pvid=26d450d1-f855-4198-bba6-6545cd04ae67&_t=gps-id:storeRecommendH5,scm-url:1007.18500.300835.0,pvid:26d450d1-f855-4198-bba6-6545cd04ae67,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238116%232002&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%222%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%228500%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%2121.99%2116.49%21%21%21210.00%21157.50%21%40211b628117510102927325508ebbab%2112000040651212788%21rec%21UK%213190550348%21X

[lazar]

With the combo tool being thinner than the main blade, a washer will be needed, if you placed the washer on the side nearest the outside, everything may fit and clear the awl.  I've done it with other tool and even did it with the awl in an 84mm build.  May have to modify the spring a bit.

[Tarheelpwr]

Thanks! I was hoping to do away with the main blade, but wasn’t sure on putting the awl in its place.

I checked with Dan over at blade bridge customs and he recommended against it.

If we talking modifying springs, that’s a bit beyond my comfort level.


Good tip on Ali Express. It’s priced about where I would have expected.


Side question - since there are enough layers, is it possible to add the rear awl with the other tools I wanted?

[AzteCypher]

SAKParts.com also has it available.

https://sakparts.com/products/93mm-knife-punch-reamer-0-8271-0-8201-aftermarket-tools-sak-parts

[Tarheelpwr]

Awesome. That site is more like it. Just need to sit on a few ideas and see if it makes sense to buy a tool and take apart or just order a few tools.

[Tarheelpwr]

Is the combo tool on the bantam/waiter the same as compact?

[lazar]

Is the combo tool on the bantam/waiter the same as compact?

No, it's a little bit smaller and the pivot hole is smaller as well.

[Tarheelpwr]

Thanks. I discovered sakwiki as well.

[Tarheelpwr]

So, after playing around a bit, I’m not sure what I think about the combo tool. The chances of me needing to open a can, are probably one in 1 million. But, having a thicker pry  tool and the regular cap lifter would be nice.

So, can I replace the small blade with the cap lifter directly, or are thicknesses different?

[MadPlumbarian]

Well this should be a interesting mod, this is one mod I did using a compact, I added the saw and switched out the corkscrew for the Philips, so in your case leave the corkscrew and the saw layer would be the Philips/magnifying glass, so the only part you’d have to worry about is the combo and what to put with it,,
JR 

[Tarheelpwr]

Agree. That’s similar to what I’m looking for. In my case, I’m looking to just put the explorer  on a diet if possible.

Replace small blade with cap lifter and remove the can opener layer completely.  I also want to make sure I arrange the layers so the hook will allow the t-shank tools to be used through the key ring.

But, since the combo tool is a good bit thinnner, I wasn’t sure if it’s a simple drop in. Both explorers appear to have the older style slightly thicker main blade.

Also noticed the awl is on the opener layer. Can I move the awl to the remaining layer, or do I lose a rear tool if I only have 3 layers?

[MadPlumbarian]

The problem is the combo tool/awl, yeah you want to loose the layer so the awl is going to have to move to the upper deck which won’t fit, yet I looked a few thing around, here’s two of mine, the one is that custom yet the other is a normal pioneerX, as you can see the awl is across from the blade, which in your case might work by switching the combo over to the blades side and installing the awl where the combo is, the only diff is since it is a alox the blade is a little thicker, so you might have to sand part of the awl down,, that and the awls are diff, I must say the alox ones are 10x better to punch or make a hole!
JR

[Tarheelpwr]

Sorry, I detailed my own thread in different directions. Here’s the toolset I’ve decided on.

Main blade / cap lifter
Scissors
Glass / online Philips

Rear is where I had the question.  Can I keep all 3 rear tools in 3 layers, or will I have to choose between the hook and rear awl!

This is assuming I can use the cap lifter opposite the main blade?

[MadPlumbarian]

It all depends on the width and shape of the back springs, whether or not the tools on top and bottom will blend, like the blade/combo = corkscrew, scissors = hook..
JR

[Tarheelpwr]

Got it.  So, there’s normally no rear tool for the mag glass layer. Illl have to look and see if the awl spring   work on that layer.

[MadPlumbarian]

Here’s a pic of two diff breakdowns, one with no backside tools vs one with, that spring makes the diff for everything, now they look the same in width but a Philips vs scissors is a big diff, thus why you have to have equal width tools, like the Philips/mag, now I have no use for a mag so I custom made a diff one but used a clasp instead, the one above that one was custom made by someone else on here,, here’s another pic to show a setup, so long as the top tools are the same as the back and line up, it’s a puzzle but it’s sooo worth it in the end, having that perfect arrangement of tools!
JR

[Tarheelpwr]

Perfect. Thanks so much!  I think I “know” what I need to know. Basically, I just have to take the plunge and play around now.

[MadPlumbarian]

Have fun and best of luck! Just remember if you have any questions this is the forum to ask, I might not know but I’m sure someone on here will, just ask!
JR

[lazar]

Here’s a pic of two diff breakdowns, one with no backside tools vs one with, that spring makes the diff for everything, now they look the same in width but a Philips vs scissors is a big diff, thus why you have to have equal width tools, like the Philips/mag, now I have no use for a mag so I custom made a diff one but used a clasp instead, the one above that one was custom made by someone else on here,, here’s another pic to show a setup, so long as the top tools are the same as the back and line up, it’s a puzzle but it’s sooo worth it in the end, having that perfect arrangement of tools!
JR

I like that 93mm build!  What spring did you use for the Inline Phillips and Openers?

[MadPlumbarian]

I like that 93mm build!  What spring did you use for the Inline Phillips and Openers?

That one I had custom made, that combo is his design so idk, of course I couldn’t even tell you what I even used, lol, as for who I’ll have to dig it up, unless someone else reads this and knows,
JR

[ComboTool]

I like that 93mm build!  What spring did you use for the Inline Phillips and Openers?

The inline Phillips facing openers uses two opener springs in opposite orientations. I think this mod was pioneered by Syph007 (check his "adventures in Alox" thread for more details).

[MadPlumbarian]

That’s the one, like I said I’m sure if someone reads this they should know, 
JR