Artifact Mod (Shardifact)

[Crouton]

I've had the artifact for a while and I like it, but I just don't need the blade.  I nearly always carry a Leatherman Wave and I always carry a SwissCard in my wallet so I always have a blade and just don't need to carry a third.

A recent thread also made a bit paranoid about the blade on the Artifact.  The blade being an Exacto blade is very sharp, and given the way the blade deploys on the Artifact it just seems like an accident waiting to happen.  Recently I was showing it off to a co-worker who opened it and I was actually nervous while he did it that he was going to injure himself.

So I decided to mod the Artifact.  Interesting there are actually 11 parts that have to be assembled to make an Artifact including washers.  All in all I think the Artifact is a good tool at a great price ($10 US at target).  Although I think the Atwoods are neat I just can't justify the prices they go for.

Here are the pics of my mod.

[Gareth]

I like the contrast you got by cleaning off the coating and getting the black lettering to really stand out, very cool.    I don't have one of these but I agree that the blade seems to be a bit superfluous and perhaps dangerous.   


Good mod. 

[Neil]

Don't blame you.  A very sensible mod.  I might have been tempted to keep the driver though.

Neil

[max6166]

Nice job! 

[ecfiffer]

looks really nice.   i agree, i would have kept the driver.  dont know how good it would have been but hey its still something i would have kept.  just me thought.  wicked good job bro!

[hawkchucker]

Nah you did good dumping the driver. That damn thing did more damage to me than the blade ever did. Totaly uncomfortable to use use the tool as a scraper.

[Crouton]

Actually the Phillips driver was usable although it required quite a bit or pressure to use.  Also when using the Artifact as a prybar the driver is very pointy and make using it as a prybar difficult.

During the mod I tried to create a thumb sized pad for leverage when attempting to pry.  I also have another phillips driver on my keyring so I don't need another driver.

Aesthetically I tried to soften most of the line and get rid of the angles which gives it a more organic look so the driver had to go.  

Truth be told I did this because it was Sunday, I was bored, and I felt the need to use a belt sander, bench grinder and Dremel tool.

Overall I am happier with the tool now although I'm not quite finished with it.  I will also go buy another prybar just to have a non-modded one.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good job fella

[Pacu]

send those pics to Gerber and let em know they are missing out on $$

love the name shardifact

[max6166]

send those pics to Gerber and let em know they are missing out on $$

+1! 

[Pacu]

Wonder if one could fill in the knife area with bondo or jb weld when smooth it out with a dremel or belt sander?  Maybe cover the area with marine coating to balance out any colour differences.

[AndyTiedye]

Does anyone have a spare LM bit driver lying around (the kind that is in the Wave and Charge)?
Mounting a bit driver in place of the blade would be interesting.

[Crouton]

Does anyone have a spare LM bit driver lying around (the kind that is in the Wave and Charge)?
Mounting a bit driver in place of the blade would be interesting.

Now that is a great idea.

[Benner]

That would be great!