Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: Grant Lamontagne on April 06, 2018, 10:59:05 PM
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You think you know about modded ALOX? Some time ago I told you all about a pioneer (no pun intended) in the Modding Hall of Fame named Bill (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,74749.0.html), and some of you knew him, many of you didn’t. Well, here’s another name you probably don’t know, but you wish you did- Scott Kiser.
Scott used to post in the old SOSAK forum over on Knifeforums, and I got to know him reasonably well, and we worked together on a few projects, including at least one to benefit our good friend Felinevet Tim (http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2006/162-mod-contest). If you have any idea what I am talking about, then you probably knew him better as Knifecoop.
Back then ALOX modding was very new, and most mods were relatively simple scale mods- fancy woods carved out and applied in place of the simple cellidor slabs, but Scott wanted to take things further. He wanted to make a SAK that was truly his, and to be honest, I haven’t seen anyone do anything like this ever since.
Now, thanks to a trade, I have one of my very own to share with you, and so, I would like to take this moment to introduce you all to….
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Victorinox/Old-School-Farmer/Old%20School%20Farmer%20%282%29.jpg?m=1523048040)
The Old School Farmer
These were not inexpensive mod jobs, but Scott used to sell them through his website at the Knife Co-Operative. I know a few people that had them, and I would imagine most of them still have them as this would not be a knife they could replace easily, if ever. In fact, they are so rare that I even forgot they existed until this most recent trade, where it was offered up amongst a pile of other things.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Victorinox/Old-School-Farmer/Old%20School%20Farmer%20%283%29.jpg?m=1523048060)
When I saw it, I knew instantly what it was, and I simply HAD to have it. Thankfully the person I traded with is someone I trust, which is good because anyone even slightly shady could have taken me for a whole heck of a lot!
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Victorinox/Old-School-Farmer/Old%20School%20Farmer%20%284%29.jpg?m=1523048060)
Basically it is a Victorinox Farmer model done up with horn handles and nickel silver bolsters in the style of the Traditional American slippies like Case, Queen, Imperial, Schatt & Morgan etc, only with Victorinox parts and quality mixed in.
(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Victorinox/Old-School-Farmer/Old%20School%20Farmer%20%281%29.jpg?m=1523048060)
And, it is basically unused- I don’t think the previous owner, who has had it for approximately ten years (around the time Scott was active!) ever did much with it.
But now it’s here, and it’s mine… all mine…. My precioussssss
Def
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That is a beatiful SAK!
Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk
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Wow! That's a beauty!
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Awesome mod! Lucky sod!
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Awesome find buddy, those things are hard to come by!
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
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Great knife with a great story!
Thanks for sharing.
:salute: :tu:
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Wow! What a beauty! :like:
Congrats on owning such a sentimental treasure. :cheers:
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Great looking knife!
Here's another old Knifecoop piece, a Recruit Old School.
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Def, that looks like a fantastic knife. Well done, you! :drool:
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:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
Man that thing is beautiful!
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That would be a great knife even without the Vic parts. :like:
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True craftsmanship.
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:drool: :gimme:
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a talented modder :salute: :like: :like:
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Sweet !
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Nice to see craftsmanship at it's best :drool: :like: :like:
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I love it!!
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The Old School Farmer
Def
Congratulations on the acquisition!
That is a really good looking knife Grant! :like: :tu: :tu:
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Great looking knife!
Here's another old Knifecoop piece, a Recruit Old School.
Cool knife ColoSwiss! :like: :tu: :tu:
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That is beautiful. Too bad you can’t get them now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Great looking knife!
Here's another old Knifecoop piece, a Recruit Old School.
I should have known you would have one!
I know Terry (NutSAK) has one, and Inky has two or three, but those are the only ones out there that I am aware of.
That is beautiful. Too bad you can’t get them now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I'd just be happy knowing where Scott is these days, and letting him know that I wish him all the best in whatever he's up to. :tu:
Def
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Here's a couple more from Knifecoop
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Wow :dd: Those are awesome :o They are the best of both worlds to me :like: They fill the trad folder niche and the quality of Vic niche :gimme: :like: :like: Someone needs to start this type of modding up again and they would do great at it :ahhh :tu:
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That is a crazy-awesome mod. Wow.
:tu:
I kind of waffle on whether or not I like bolsters on knives. My first pocket knife was a little Buck with brass bolsters. So, some of them I like, some I don't. The stainless bolsters on this thing look amazing.
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Wow :dd: Those are awesome :o They are the best of both worlds to me :like: They fill the trad folder niche and the quality of Vic niche :gimme: :like: :like: Someone needs to start this type of modding up again and they would do great at it :ahhh :tu:
I would imagine there is a crap load f work involved in these, which I assume is why it didn't catch on with the larger modding community. Some of the guys out there that claim to be SAK modders can't even peen pins properly, so I can't see them going to the effort to work the bone and bolsters properly either.
Def
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these SAKs are really top notch, as Poncho said they combine the best of both worlds :tu:
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Wow :dd: Those are awesome :o They are the best of both worlds to me :like: They fill the trad folder niche and the quality of Vic niche :gimme: :like: :like: Someone needs to start this type of modding up again and they would do great at it :ahhh :tu:
I would imagine there is a crap load f work involved in these, which I assume is why it didn't catch on with the larger modding community. Some of the guys out there that claim to be SAK modders can't even peen pins properly, so I can't see them going to the effort to work the bone and bolsters properly either.
Def
They are definitely among my top ten favorite saks. He pinned them, I mean peened them I mean nailed em'.Properly :think:
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Here's a couple more from Knifecoop
Those are really cool inkster! :like: :tu: :tu:
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Been a long time since I have seen a Knifecoop mod. Such works of art.
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Been a long time since I have seen a Knifecoop mod. Such works of art.
Yeah, it really is something.
I have never been a big fan of traditional slip joints but these really appealed to me for obvious reasons.
Wherever Scott is I hope he knows how much his work is appreciated!
Def
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A stag SAK. My eyes almost popped out of my head!
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Imagine seeing that 15 years ago when SAK mofdimg was barely a thing!
Def
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Here's a couple more from Knifecoop
Those are really cool inkster! :like: :tu: :tu:
Yes, i really liked em. :cheers:
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Imagine seeing that 15 years ago when SAK mofdimg was barely a thing!
Def
More to the point, who's going to do them for us now 15 years later? :)
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It's awesome that you were able to score such a beautiful example of Scott's work Def! :tu:
Here is some documentation that you might want:
This is the detailed documentation that accompanied my Soldier mod: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ek1jwjycl7orc44/Old_School_Victorinox_Soldier.pdf?dl=0
This is a snapshot of his website from the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20100513043649/http://knifecooperative.com/
Pics of my '05 Knifecoop Oldschool Soldier:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/29612244585_56f45198c1_k.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/29531456551_bdb7f0228c_k.jpg)
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One other thing to note... My Soldier has Scott's initials and either a date or serial number engraved at the top inside of one of the frame pieces. You might want to check yours for more info.
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Beautiful knives! :salute:
I didn't notice (or had forgot) that anyone had done these before, and I have been steadily collecting materials to attempt this very concept myself, but with mitred joints between scales and bolsters, and with scale tools fitted too. I think I've sussed out the methodology for them now, and hope to have at least one done by Christmas.
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Al, be sure to see the PDF document above. It's has very good details on doing the mod.
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For some reason, my phone won't let me grab it. :think: i'll try again with my laptop
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For some reason, my phone won't let me grab it. :think: i'll try again with my laptop
OK. Let me know if there are issues with the document and I'll try to correct the permissions.
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OK, Got it! :tu: (I just needed to use the laptop)
His methodology is quite different to what I'll be doing. I'll not be able to use soldering or adhesives like he did, as I'll be creating the channels in each scale components for the scale tools, and I won't be able to risk solder or glue flowing into the tool voids. This means that I'll have to use a purely pinned construction method. I will be picking up on some old tips from the Sheffield knife industry though, which will help secure the various components, such as ensuring all pins that aren't pivot pins are not perpendicular to the body of the knife. The mitred joints should also help the bolsters lock the materials in, so there's more than just the pins holding the wood/horn scales on.
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Hello Everyone,
It's Scott aka Knifecoop. Those Old School SAKS bring back some memories, thanks for posting them!
Def (Grant), pinged me about the thread last night. Life sort of got in the way and I took a break from modding SAKS for about 10+ years. I still have all the parts and tools as well as my Victorinox collection. After seeing your kind comments, I might mod a few this winter once things slow down a bit. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the Old School mods in my collection. I dug out this early mod I did with Mammoth Ivory bolsters and ebony handles (aka Ebony & Ivory).
Thanks Again,
Scott
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Hello Everyone,
It's Scott aka Knifecoop. Those Old School SAKS bring back some memories, thanks for posting them!
Def (Grant), pinged me about the thread last night. Life sort of got in the way and I took a break from modding SAKS for about 10+ years. I still have all the parts and tools as well as my Victorinox collection. After seeing your kind comments, I might mod a few this winter once things slow down a bit. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the Old School mods in my collection. I dug out this early mod I did with Mammoth Ivory bolsters and ebony handles (aka Ebony & Ivory).
Thanks Again,
Scott
Damn, that looks great! Good thing the boss managed to get you out of the woodwork. Hope you can spend more time here!
:cheers: :tu:
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:iagree:
I’m afraid that I’m too new to know you, but your work looks awesome! :salute:
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Hello Again!
NutSAK was commenting about engraving on the inside of the frame, typically I engraved my initials J.S.K. and the date in most of the mods I did. Those stag soldiers and amber bone recruits were my favorites. That bone on the recruits was early 1930's bone from Cattaraugus.
Thanks!
Scott
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Nice work Scott!!
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Great to see you made it here Scott!
It's been great reconnecting with you after all these years!
Def
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Welcome back Knifecoop/Scott
Great to reconnect - I love this mod ........ and all your work :tu:
Hope you stick around and create some more masterpieces for us !! :think:
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:iagree:
I’m afraid that I’m too new to know you, but your work looks awesome! :salute:
Same here & looking forward to seeing more of this!
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Not Old School but another one of my old mods from around 2008, my CadetX. Did you know that with a bit of work you can tie a Reeve lanyard and it makes a great place for a toothpick for the Alox knives.
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Did you know that with a bit of work you can tie a Reeve lanyard and it makes a great place for a toothpick for the Alox knives.
Cool tidbit, I did not know that, and I want one! :like:
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Hey Scott! Great to have you around again. :cheers:
My Oldschool Soldier is still one of the most prized pieces of my collection.
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
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Not Old School but another one of my old mods from around 2008, my CadetX. Did you know that with a bit of work you can tie a Reeve lanyard and it makes a great place for a toothpick for the Alox knives.
That is interesting...I could see the fire rod slipping into there. :tu:
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
My vote goes for ironwood.
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
My vote goes for ironwood.
Get another SAK, do both!
:pok: :pok: :tu: :tu:
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
My vote goes for ironwood.
Me too! :tu:
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
My vote goes for ironwood.
Get another SAK, do both!
:pok: :pok: :tu: :tu:
on second thought, This is the answer! :D
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My vote goes for ironwood.
:iagree:
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Hello SAK Friends,
You've convinced me, it's been several years since I built any Old School SAKS. So I've purhased the materials, and procured a donor Pioneer X. I am planning to build an Old School Pioneer X "Compact". This knife will have the blade, awl, scissors and keyring. It will have a new frame and bolsters along with either Ironwood or Stag scales. Please hele me decide which scales. I've attached a picture of some of the the raw materials and parts.
Thanks!
Scott
Another one for ironwood. I love the browns and black! :tu:
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Stag and ditch the keyring. :tu: :like:
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A work in progress, The Old School Pioneer X "Compact". For this one, I used some old stag I had on hand and kept the keyring. I'm using a new process to join the bolsters to the frame so I'm carrying this one. Still have some finish work and polishing to do. The next one will be Ironwood, also I'm considering doing it with a Titanium frame and bolsters.
Stay tuned & Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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A work in progress, The Old School Pioneer X "Compact". For this one, I used some old stag I had on hand and kept the keyring. I'm using a new process to join the bolsters to the frame so I'm carrying this one. Still have some finish work and polishing to do. The next one will be Ironwood, also I'm considering doing it with a Titanium frame and bolsters.
Stay tuned & Happy Thanksgiving to all!
:like:
That's very pretty!
How do you join the bolsters to the frame? I've always assumed they were soldered on, but have no idea if that's true.
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Excellent work knifecoop :like: :tu:
Look forward to see your next project :popcorn:
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How do you join the bolsters to the frame? I've always assumed they were soldered on, but have no idea if that's true.
I attended the first Americian Bladesmith Society School Folders Class 12 years ago. The Mastersmith (John Perry MS) teaching our class used a spot welding system to attach bolsters to his knives. Recently, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire one of those systems. It provides a lot of flexability in attaching bolsters to frames and seems to provide a strong bond to the materials. I welded the nickel silver frame and bolsters on this "Old School Compact" X. I intent to carry and use this knife to test the bonds and see how this works out. Also since it's been over 10 years since I built an Old School SAK, I wanted to make sure the knives will hold up.
Thanks for asking!
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How do you join the bolsters to the frame? I've always assumed they were soldered on, but have no idea if that's true.
I attended the first Americian Bladesmith Society School Folders Class 12 years ago. The Mastersmith (John Perry MS) teaching our class used a spot welding system to attach bolsters to his knives. Recently, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire one of those systems. It provides a lot of flexability in attaching bolsters to frames and seems to provide a strong bond to the materials. I welded the nickel silver frame and bolsters on this "Old School Compact" X. I intent to carry and use this knife to test the bonds and see how this works out. Also since it's been over 10 years since I built an Old School SAK, I wanted to make sure the knives will hold up.
Thanks for asking!
Thanks for the explanation :cheers:
How did you attach them before you were able to weld them?
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I used silver solder, it's another tried and true method.
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Hello SAK community,
I wanted to share another Old School SAK mod that I recently completed. This is a Pioneer that has a titanium frame and bolsters with ironwood scales. I have to say the titanium frame makes a nice lightweight package it only weighs 0.5oz more that a standard aluminum frame pioneer. However, I will also say the TI frame is much more difficult to work and shape than the nickel silver or stainless frames.
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Excellent work knifecoop :cheers: :like:
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Excellent work knifecoop :cheers: :like:
:iagree: Looks great :like:
Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk
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Oh wow :o both of those new mods look awesome Scott :drool: best of both world right there :dd: Glad to see you back and can't wait to see what all you come up with :like: :like: :popcorn:
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Oh wow :o both of those new mods look awesome Scott :drool: best of both world right there :dd: Glad to see you back and can't wait to see what all you come up with :like: :like: :popcorn:
+10
:tu: :tu: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Wonderful work. Really enjoying seeing it. Great that the forum persuaded you to get back into your creations after so many years!