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Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: 17Chap on May 24, 2007, 05:01:38 PM

Title: My Awl is bent
Post by: 17Chap on May 24, 2007, 05:01:38 PM
I picked up a used Swisstool and both the small screwdriver and the awl have a slight bend.  The screwdriver is more gnarled than bent. The awl is bent at the tip.

Can I tap this thing back straight on my trusty vice or will it snap.  It's not bent much (I know, this thread is worthless without pictures.) and is a lot more useful bent than broken.  The screwdriver is probably not bent enough to mess with.

Any ideas?

17Chap
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: supratentorial on May 24, 2007, 07:32:13 PM
I picked up a used Swisstool and both the small screwdriver and the awl have a slight bend.  The screwdriver is more gnarled than bent. The awl is bent at the tip.

Can I tap this thing back straight on my trusty vice or will it snap.  It's not bent much (I know, this thread is worthless without pictures.) and is a lot more useful bent than broken.  The screwdriver is probably not bent enough to mess with.

Any ideas?

17Chap

J-sews works in a machine shop so hopefully he'll have some advice for you.

I wouldn't mess with bending the awl.  A photo would help give me a better idea of the problem but maybe just grinding a new point would fix it???

You might also consider just grinding down the top of the gnarled flat driver.  It may even improve it's performance--I've heard of people grinding down new drivers on new SwissTools so that they fit better and slip less.  I've heard others comment that a roughly ground surface might promote rust but I haven't seen any evidence that its a problem.
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: J-sews on May 25, 2007, 04:51:08 AM
Yikes, that's a tough call there! Leave those bent tools alone, or try to bend them back straight? I agree with Supratentorial on the screwdriver. If it's messed up too much to use, reshaping it on a grinder or a sharpening stone would probably be the best bet.

As far as the awl blade goes, I'm wondering if you might as well go ahead and try bending it back into shape. The metal must be somewhat pliable, otherwise it would not have bent in the first place.

Worst case you might have to send your SwissTool back to Victorinox for a little warranty work.
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on May 25, 2007, 08:47:42 AM
As long as you bend it SLOWLY it shoud be fine i would have thought :)
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on May 25, 2007, 12:15:39 PM
Do it slowly and carefully, but remember that Victorinox will cover all repairs necessary- all you have to do is send it in to your local office.

Def
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: 17Chap on May 27, 2007, 09:50:21 PM
Thanks for all the input folks.

I took my small hammer and tapped the awl back to shape and sharpened it carefully with a stone.

The small screwdriver was a bit different.  I tried to peen it back with my hammer but it didn't really do much except leave peen marks.  I reprofiled it with a vary small file and a couple of stones.  It is as close as my old eyes can make it.

Thanks to all. :multi:

Chap
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on May 27, 2007, 11:00:59 PM
I,m glad it turned out alright mate :)
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: J-sews on May 28, 2007, 01:49:19 AM
Indeed, I always like a happy ending!  :)
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: theycallmejoe on May 31, 2007, 12:22:34 PM
Lucky. Tried to straiten mine by tapping it with a hammer on my old vice and it snapped clean off. :( I won't try that again :oops:
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: J-sews on May 31, 2007, 01:34:56 PM
Howdy Joe! (mind if I call you Joe?)  ;)

Did you then send it back in for warranty replacement?
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: supratentorial on May 31, 2007, 03:51:13 PM
If not, send it in to Victorinox for replacement and let us know how it goes.  I haven't heard much feedback on the Victorinox warranty repair/replacement system--not many broken SwissTools show up on these forums.
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: theycallmejoe on May 31, 2007, 11:11:50 PM
It was fairly bent and already had lost a bit at the top before I tried to straiten it, so I was was asking a bit by trying to straiten it. In the end I still could not close it properly so I had to grind a bit off it just so what was left of it would close properly.
I think I have had the tool about four to five years (maybe a little less not sure now). Anyway sent it back, waited about a week and then rang them. They said the the tool was unrepairable and replaced it with a brand new item. Even got a brand new sheath. They've got me as a life customer now. :) 
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: J-sews on June 01, 2007, 01:13:56 AM
Man o man, you can't beat service like that!
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: 17Chap on June 01, 2007, 05:41:22 PM
Excellent!  I'm pleased to know they are there and ready to service what I buy!  :grin:

Chap
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: theycallmejoe on June 02, 2007, 02:16:27 AM
Excellent!  I'm pleased to know they are there and ready to service what I buy!  :grin:

Chap

Yep, there No1 as far as I'm concerned.  ;D
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: Dunc on June 02, 2007, 11:42:28 AM
Joe what country do you live in ? Did you send it straight back to switzerland or send it to a dealer /importer . Which model swisstool was it Standard , X or RS . Sorry about all the questions  ::)

dunc
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: theycallmejoe on June 02, 2007, 11:29:26 PM
Joe what country do you live in ? Did you send it straight back to switzerland or send it to a dealer /importer . Which model swisstool was it Standard , X or RS . Sorry about all the questions  ::)

dunc

No worries with the questions Dunc. I'm from Australia. It was quite easy, Just went on the web, Googled Victironox ( www.victorinox.ch ). Clicked on "global" and and followed it to the Australian importer. Sent them a quick e-mail. Had a reply within 10 minutes and it was in the post inside the hour. As I was saying I could not ask for better service. Cheers, Joe. ;)
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: theycallmejoe on June 02, 2007, 11:46:15 PM
Funny thing is, since I've got the new one I don't want to use it as it looks so nice I'm affraid I'll mark it.  ;D
Title: Re: My Awl is bent
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on June 03, 2007, 06:32:49 PM
Yeah that happens alot.  That's why I like to buy used ones from Felinevet and eBay.  Much easier to use a tool or knife that's been used already!

Def