The LM Panache - LM DIY Updated Flair.

[Metropolicity]

Hey All,

I am at it again, this time with a bit of a frivolous project. For months now, I've been trying to get myself a LM Flair via eBay or whatever. Fruitless.

Then I had a thought, why the hell am I not making one? Updated with a outside opening tools and stuff.

So, this is the thread is to document the build of the Panache, a suitable synonym for the Flair, using a LM Wave or Charge for the donor body (depending on the design).

The current Flair has:

Combo Straight/Serrated knife
Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard-wire Cutters
Extra-small Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Large Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Scissors
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
8 in | 20 cm Ruler
Corkscrew with Assist
Cocktail Fork
Spreader Knife

I figure I can include the following features:

OHO Serrated knife for cutting bread
OHO Standard knife for food prep
Outside opening cork screw with pivot assist
Outside opening cocktail fork
Inside spreader knife
Scissors
Bottle opener
Can opener
BIt driver?
Flat bit driver?
Standard plier head
experimental: a jar opener assist (rubber band or something)

I am pretty excited to make this, I entertain friends a lot and I would actully make use of such a crazy tool.

Time to source the parts, go to the drawing board and start using the word Panache more often.

[MultiMat]

A tactical cocktail fork OOCF

The Panache sounds a bit interesting mate 

[Metropolicity]

OOTCF!!

[trouthunter]

Awesome idea.  Can't wait to see the results.  Post lots of picks so we can monitor the progress.

[Metropolicity]

trouthunter, of course!

That how I work and how I can track my progress.

I'll even resize them so MultiMat can see them

[AHB]

trouthunter, of course!

That how I work and how I can track my progress.

I'll even resize them so MultiMat can see them

Good man.. 

[MultiMat]

trouthunter, of course!

That how I work and how I can track my progress.

I'll even resize them so MultiMat can see them

  .
Modern internet is coming to Oz , it is just going to cost us BILLIONS & take many years to build  .
Our internet speed gets reset tomorrow  .

[Metropolicity]

You mean you Internet has been ramped down? That makes no sense.

In Panache news, I hope to be gathering materials tonite and tomorrow. This mod shouldn't much, not since I made my Mjnolnirman.

[MultiMat]

I am not sure if it is a Aussie phenomenon but it is called having your internet service 'shaped' when you exceed your monthly down load quota your service gets slowed way downnnnn. To be fair it is better than what a lot of the big Aussie ISP's do, charge big bucks for your excess data over your quota.
I will have to change our plan shortly , having a almost teenager armed with a ipod & PS3 goes through 20GB in no time 

[Metropolicity]

I took apart a cheap SAK knockoff to get the corkscrew bit and disassembled a stainless corkscrew assist. Cut off one of the walls of the assist.

My sander suddenly stopped working today so I couldn't grind the raw hack sawed edge down. I'll be using the back spring from the SAK to tension the corkscrew.

Herr are some pics of the mock up. I am pretty sure that a Wave will be the donor body, even tho I have 8 Charge TTIs I just can't bring my self to mod one. (some very snazzy eBay lots) Maybe I'll change my mind later.
I do like the idea of having a S30v knife for food prep.





The corkscrew assist will slide into the file slot, and the file removed.

[Metropolicity]

I broke down and decided to use a Charge TTi as the donor body. The Panache deserves the finest LM. Also, cutting food with a S30v is going to be fantastic.

Ground down and fitted the corkscrew assist. It fits perfectly inside the file slot, no need for that.





I haven't figured out how to pivot the corkscrew yet, also a backspring to tension it. I have a larger corkscrew that may get the spot, but I'll focus on the rest of it.



Fits nicely when open.



And as a bonus, the assist makes for a great finger choil/rest when using the knife. And great thumb rest when using the serrated blade (say, I am cutting a baguette)



I also made a fork out of the saw, a little grinding, filing, sanding and polishing produce it. And just for MultiMat, a little jumping for it's "tactical" OOTCT (outside opening tactical cocktail fork) status. It's also to give the food on the end of it, a little something to grab hold onto.







I used the little notch that the saw had originally because it makes for a simple way to access and open the fork. I may make a little brass thumbstud, returning the gold "bling" linage from the Flair.





Butter knife is next and trying to engineer the corkscrew and backspring.

[Metropolicity]

A little bit of bling.

I had to do a little experimenting, the steel that the saw is made from must be hardened, so my first attempts at drilling a pilot hole were fruitless. So I took my mini butane torch, blast the spot till it went Cherry red and let it air cool.

A normal TiNi HSS bit went through it like butter.

Then I chucked up a tiny brass (bling!) screw and milled a tiny step for some friction on the thumb stud. Then cut to length and peened it into the new 1/8 hole.

Tadah!







So now the fork has been upgraded.

It's now the OOOHOTCF (outside opening one hand open tactical cocktail fork!)

[Metropolicity]

I blizted along today and fitted the cork screw into place. I haven't profiled the Ti scale so it sits inside the tool. I'll get to that later (probably tmr).

My first time working with Ti, glad I did a bunch of research before hand, it's gummy and weird. Nothing like I've worked with before.

I have plans to make a back spring but I am not sure it needs it, but better safe than sorry.

It also occurred to me that since the fork has such a long tang, it could be used to spread stuff, so it is one less thing I have to fab.



Doesn't look like a backspring now, I have to grind it down. It's a spring from the SAK knockoff bent into shape, I am trying use the sidewall on the inside of the slot a backspring tensioner.





I don't know what else to shove in this tool.

Suggestions?

[tattoosteve99]

You have a fork. Why not add a spoon or spork.

[Metropolicity]

Thought about it.

Not much room anywhere for a spoon, let alone a fork.

I am trying to see if I can find a source for an engraver who will do vector work. Brass plate would be very fitting, again given the linage of the Flair. I made up a name plate to go on the fork handle scale.

Here it is! The Panache! (mock up..that is)

[MultiMat]

Yep that fork does look a lot more tactical than the Flair's  .

Have you given the fork a go yet mate .
How did it perform as a Pâté spreader 

Looking good mate 

[Metropolicity]

MultiMat,

I haven't used the for yet. With MTO being down for 2 days, I tried to see what else I could do.

Took some photos, polished up some parts, and made a thumb/grip plate out of some brass for more gold bling!

I want to see what else I can make for it before I give it ago.

Here are some pics.

I ground and profiled the corkscrew backspring.









Snaps in place super nice.

Here's the grip plate. Works in tandem with the corkscrew assist.

[Metropolicity]

As with every MPC custom.

The Panache Glory Shot.

I want to get that name plate made soon.

[Metropolicity]

The big test!

The S30v sharpened cuts really well, as it should even without sharpening. It's pretty hard cheese and I did it one handed.



Now to use the fork to pick up the cheese and consume. Again, the fork performs as it should.



Here is some peanut butter, and spreading onto a cracker.







I am going grocery shopping tomorrow, I'll pick up a baguette and that will answer one of the questions I've had kept to myself: will the gut hook get caught on the bread when slicing?

[bushidomosquito]

That's a nifty mod. You should send some of the parts off for gold plating.

[Metropolicity]

The answer to the question of weither or not the gut hook would get caught the 'bread' knife on the Panache is a resounding no.

I got a nice baguette today and it was happily disassembled by the Panache's serrated blade.



I am off to see if I can find a length of brass chain (maybe a cheap bracelet) to make a classy lanyard. I was trying really hard to figure out where the hell I would put the lanyard hole. You must be thinking...but there are two spots for lanyards. Wrong.

I love the pocket clip, so the pocket clip stays. Spot one taken.

Spot two is taken by the backspring for the corkscrew. I really don't want to make another backspring so I can extend the backside of the spring into a lanyard clip spot. I'll see if I can sandwich a plate or something or drill a hole into the pocket clip.

[Metropolicity]

Bachelor party.

Pre party dinner. Cut the steak with the knife and ate most of it with the fork. Amazing. I think I'll still make a brass spike/fork on the inside.

[Metropolicity]

Did some fabbing today.

Brass thumstuds on all the blades and the OOOHOTCF:









A larger prong brass for on the inside, replacing the small bit driver (kind of useless for this tool):







I still have to figure out how to attach a lanyard. I got a length of nice brass chain and some food related trinkets.

[J-sews]

I still have to figure out how to attach a lanyard. I got a length of nice brass chain and some food related trinkets.

So you are using both of the openings for the removeable lanyard loop/pocket clip, but it seems like you could just grind down the titanium boss on the backside of one of the other handle scales and "make" a third spot, right...?

[Metropolicity]

That's a fantastic idea.

I'll do that right now..or really soon

[J-sews]

You'll need to lathe up a little spacer/bushing too of course.

[Metropolicity]

I have a OEM bushing from this build, I had to remove it to attach the backspring, I'll just move it. Methinks the lanyard should go on the side without the fork so it's less awkward to use.

Brilliant!

[tattoosteve99]

Hey you could make a spoon and fork that's removable like the saw blades?  Then keep it in the pouch.

[Metropolicity]

That was my next step!

I have to find a very wide shanked spoon and do such a thing.

[tattoosteve99]

How about the old military spoon-knife-fork set. The used them with the old stainless steel mess sets.