Magnifier question...

[Sheradin]

In an indirect acknowledgement of impending middle age, (Okay, a few years ago but I'm in denial...) I am looking for the smallest Vic or Wenger with magnifier without going the custom route, or boutique shopping. (SB Yeoman) I see the Vic Explorer, which looks nice, at four layers if I recall. What are my other options without carrying my Swisschamp everywhere?    Thanks in advance...

[jazzbass]

Looking for new only? Thinnest is the SB Yeoman like you say. Explorer is the thinnest currently available, and after that is the Champion, the CT Lite, then Swiss Champ. Those are the only new ones available from Victorinox that I can think of right now.

Used wise, Passengers, Scientists and Yeomans show up a lot.

Custom - well, the sky's the limit.

[s1xty7]

Big fan of the Scientist.  I really wish they still made some of these excellent tools (Scientist, Yeoman, Apprentice, etc) or had a customs shop.  What's a few bucks for a custom when you can have it setup exactly how you want, not just the magnifier?  Does that sound like justification to anyone else? 

[AimlessWanderer]

I think one of the Wenger Juniors has a mag glass in a fairly slim knife too.

 Personally though, I've gone for the fresnel lens in the wallet routine. Works a treat.

[Etherealicer]

Something a bit out of the box, but I use the Swisscard nailcare. Although my eyes are still pretty good I found it helpful from time to time.

[Sheradin]

Thanks for all the responses! Good food for thought. I like the slimmer Yeoman,  scissors are a plus, I may have to keep an eye out for a used one. 

[magentus]

Thanks for all the responses! Good food for thought. I like the slimmer Yeoman,  scissors are a plus, I may have to keep an eye out for a used one. 

Sheradin, have you considered buying an Explorer and then removing what you don't want? The Explorer is a great knife, but also pretty easy to mod with minimal experience and tools. Because you'd be reducing the tools you can even reuse the same pins to put it back together again.

Having done a couple of celidor mods I can attest to the ease and it's very satisfying to have made exactly what you want. Also, the celidor scales hide all sorts of mistakes!

[sLaughterMed]

Thanks for all the responses! Good food for thought. I like the slimmer Yeoman,  scissors are a plus, I may have to keep an eye out for a used one. 

Sheradin, have you considered buying an Explorer and then removing what you don't want? The Explorer is a great knife, but also pretty easy to mod with minimal experience and tools. Because you'd be reducing the tools you can even reuse the same pins to put it back together again.

Having done a couple of celidor mods I can attest to the ease and it's very satisfying to have made exactly what you want. Also, the celidor scales hide all sorts of mistakes!

I concur, cellidor modding is super easy. Its even easier if you are only removing layers. Just need a drill, a ball peen hammer (many use 1 and 2oz hammers, but I used an 8oz one to great effect), a file (or SAK/multi with a metal file) and if you dont have an anvil, a big hammer and two clamps works a treat (just prepare to make the big hammer unpretty). Then you pop off the scales, drill out the rivets on one side (dont damage the outside of the bushings, unless you plan on gluing scales to the SAK afterwards), pop the rivets off (pry the liner.  If it isnt pretty easy, more drilling is required. If your drill bit is too large, prepare to bend a liner), remove layer, put back together, file and whack pins with hammer (after putting bushing back on). Done!

Do it!

[magentus]

Thanks for all the responses! Good food for thought. I like the slimmer Yeoman,  scissors are a plus, I may have to keep an eye out for a used one. 

Sheradin, have you considered buying an Explorer and then removing what you don't want? The Explorer is a great knife, but also pretty easy to mod with minimal experience and tools. Because you'd be reducing the tools you can even reuse the same pins to put it back together again.

Having done a couple of celidor mods I can attest to the ease and it's very satisfying to have made exactly what you want. Also, the celidor scales hide all sorts of mistakes!

I concur, cellidor modding is super easy. Its even easier if you are only removing layers. Just need a drill, a ball peen hammer (many use 1 and 2oz hammers, but I used an 8oz one to great effect), a file (or SAK/multi with a metal file) and if you dont have an anvil, a big hammer and two clamps works a treat (just prepare to make the big hammer unpretty). Then you pop off the scales, drill out the rivets on one side (dont damage the outside of the bushings, unless you plan on gluing scales to the SAK afterwards), pop the rivets off (pry the liner.  If it isnt pretty easy, more drilling is required. If your drill bit is too large, prepare to bend a liner), remove layer, put back together, file and whack pins with hammer (after putting bushing back on). Done!

Do it!

Sorted! Cellidor mod 101.

You HAVE to do it now! 

[Sheradin]

Honestly hadn't considered it, fantastic thought! Thank you, off to the 'Bay...   

[sLaughterMed]

Honestly hadn't considered it, fantastic thought! Thank you, off to the 'Bay...   

Another convert! Down the rabbit hole you go...

[magentus]

Honestly hadn't considered it, fantastic thought! Thank you, off to the 'Bay...   

Yayyyyyyyyy!

Check out the stickies in the mod section - very useful, and we're all here to help if you need any advice. 

 

[Caranthanus]

Honestly hadn't considered it, fantastic thought! Thank you, off to the 'Bay...   

Another convert! Down the rabbit hole you go...

[Sheradin]

Okay, folks. I've got an explorer on the way. My plan, if feasible, is to remove the opener layer and replace the small blade with a combo tool. The small blade and combo tool APPEAR to be interchangeable- am I on solid ground here? (Nail nick on same side, they feel to be the same thickness without me breaking out a micrometer, pivot looks to be in the same place... )

[sLaughterMed]

Okay, folks. I've got an explorer on the way. My plan, if feasible, is to remove the opener layer and replace the small blade with a combo tool. The small blade and combo tool APPEAR to be interchangeable- am I on solid ground here? (Nail nick on same side, they feel to be the same thickness without me breaking out a micrometer, pivot looks to be in the same place... )

Yeah,  they are interchangeable. I vote you harvest from a Compact, and claim the special hook from it for the Explorer mod as well

[Sheradin]

Thanks for the confirmation. Just picked up a used Bantam donor too, and have a Compact here that I like and carry on occasion now! I see a small drawer full of leftover parts in my future...    I guess if you build up a few , you start making oddball "extra" knives.

[strmliner]

Okay, folks. I've got an explorer on the way. My plan, if feasible, is to remove the opener layer and replace the small blade with a combo tool. The small blade and combo tool APPEAR to be interchangeable- am I on solid ground here? (Nail nick on same side, they feel to be the same thickness without me breaking out a micrometer, pivot looks to be in the same place... )

Sheradin, you're on the right track!

The suggestions previously provided about reading the Stickies at the top of the Mod forum will serve you well.  And, if you have questions and get lost in the reading, just ask in this thread or start a new thread in the Mod forum...there are many who will weigh in with suggestions, helpful hints and new ideas.

While you're waiting for your "new" Explorer to arrive, get yourself a small bit of pin stock (2.5mm) and find the donor knife for the combo tool you'll need.

Good luck with your Mod and remember...this site is worthless without pictures! 

[Sheradin]

No worries, pics as it comes together... 

[Mizedog]

Subbed, and very interested!

Sent from my iRULU X11 using Tapatalk

[Mizedog]

I have an old Waiter, but it's an 84mm and not sure that would work.

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[Sheradin]

Well, my combo tool donor Bantams have arrived, as has the Explorer. Bantams were priced right, one's blade is pretty harsh, so it will be the donor and the other one will go in the collection. Explorer is a Christmas gift from the Wife, so unless  I can smuggle in another one, I'm on hold until then. Gives me time to read the modding threads! 

[sLaughterMed]

Well, my combo tool donor Bantams have arrived, as has the Explorer. Bantams were priced right, one's blade is pretty harsh, so it will be the donor and the other one will go in the collection. Explorer is a Christmas gift from the Wife, so unless  I can smuggle in another one, I'm on hold until then. Gives me time to read the modding threads! 

Cant wait to see how it goes!

[nervium]

scientist, swisscard, ok

[Zed]

Its one of the reasons i carry my champion and swisschamp and explorer rather than my craftsman as love the mag glass,as sometimes i forget my glasses and need too see something small,very handy item to have 

[tattoosteve99]

Make sure you measure the thickness of each one. Sometimes the combo tools can be a different thickness than the blades. It has happened to me more than once. If you need any help we are here.

[Sheradin]

Mod success, pics to come! Thanks to the stickies, and the encouragement here... Took a new Explorer, and took the blade/corkscrew layer out. Re-peened without a problem! Got expert confirmation on using a bit of epoxy to tighten things up on my one scale. (Thank you!) I now have a package hook where the corkscrew was... with exposed backspring. Pics to come, I'm at work with no camera.

My one remaining question (Okay, two...    )- Does anyone have or make 91mm scales that would cover the corkscrew cutout? And are there sources for the proper brass stock for new pins?

Thank you to everyone in advance, pics tonight...

[Sheradin]

Pics as promised. Bladeless explorer.     The parcel hook sits where it belongs when the tools are closed, by the way.

[Sheradin]

The good news is I answered one of my own questions with some more research, and have a bunch of appropriately sized brass rod inbound.   

[Fortytwo]

The good news is I answered one of my own questions with some more research, and have a bunch of appropriately sized brass rod inbound.   

I would propose a pair of wooden scales, if you have a band saw at hand you can buy woods in larger pieces and cut them thin otherwise I propose some searching for second hand wooden trays and the like. I've done it by first cutting the general shape of the scale out. Then making holes to match the rivets, gluing them on and finish the work by sanding it down to match the liners. Other who are more secure about their handiwork may finish the scales before gluing.

[sLaughterMed]

Looks great Sheridan! Nice mod, any chance you can take pics of it next to your other SAKs?

Someone made custom 91mm scales with a 3D printer a few weeks back. I bet with some slight modification you can 3D print some without the cutout.