One Thing I Really Wish I Could Do With a SAK...

[FiL Wisneski]

Cut guitar strings.

Seems simple enough, the but Victorinox scissors don't cut it. And neither does the crimper on the pliers.  I know there's a video on YouTube showing different ways to cut wire with a SAK, but none of then are appropriate for cutting guitar strings that are still attached to the guitar at both ends.

  - FiL

[rebo2]

The wire cutter at the joint of the pliers (all the way down for max torque) won't do it?

[Padre]

Yeah, probably too strong, unless you mind a mess. Can you notch the guitar string with a file?

[Fortytwo]

I can't seem to find it right now but someone added a wire-cutting notch into a pair of Victorinox scissors by sanding a small round hole closest to the rivet. I think it was just a matter of using a small diamond bit in a Dremel and clamping down on it with the scissors. I don't know if it would work for guitar-string though.

[FiL Wisneski]

The wire cutter at the joint of the pliers (all the way down for max torque) won't do it?

Well duh, I never opened the pliers up far enough to notice that notch!  That might work for the non-wound strings.  Thanks!

  - FiL

[Fortytwo]

Since I've been wanting to try the mod out myself and have everything handy I'll go ahead and try after dinner.

[Tomcat_81]

Does anyone know if the ex-wenger nailclippers would tackle strings ? I suspect they might be too soft ( and never to be used on your nails afterwards) ...

[JamesJ]

I used the wire cutter on the pliers 2 days ago but this was a high E. I'm curious how far it will go, could maybe be modified to accept larger strings

I get used SAKs where it looks like somebody tried to cut wire (or guitar strings) with the scissors and there's notches and dents. The mod mentioned above seems cool. A non SAK enthusiast friend of mine saw the Radioshack Electrician 84mm and commented that it "doesn't even have a wire cutter"

There is that Leatherman Squirt ES4. Been thinking about getting that as a travel wire cutter/stripper, but not sure how the cutting edges would hold up against steel strings.

[Fortytwo]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

[JamesJ]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

[Mizedog]

Wow.  When I saw your first post I thought there was no way; even with 8s.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[eddie1115]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

[Syph007]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

Those notches are very useful.  I make them with a 1/8 inch cylindrical diamond bur.  The inside sufaces need a fine stone rubbed against th email to de burr and then they will operate smooth.

[MacGyver]

Cut guitar strings.

Seems simple enough, the but Victorinox scissors don't cut it. And neither does the crimper on the pliers.  I know there's a video on YouTube showing different ways to cut wire with a SAK, but none of then are appropriate for cutting guitar strings that are still attached to the guitar at both ends.

  - FiL

Hi, if you don't mind my asking but, why would you want to cut guitar strings with your SAK and risk messing it up? You can get a cheap small wire cutter for that. I have a small wire cutter in all my guitar cases and bigger ones on my tool chest. I would never use a SAK for something like that.
What i use the SAK for when i change the strings on my Strat's for example, is the bottle opener to make a little kink on the end of the string past the tremolo saddles to make a straight angle to help with tuning, or to push the string loops together on the tuning post, and the toothpick to put lube grease on the nut and tremolo saddles to reduce frition during tremolo use. The rest of the stuff i might need i use proper tools.

[FiL Wisneski]

Hi, if you don't mind my asking but, why would you want to cut guitar strings with your SAK and risk messing it up? You can get a cheap small wire cutter for that. I have a small wire cutter in all my guitar cases and bigger ones on my tool chest. I would never use a SAK for something like that.

I'm hoping to reduce the number of tools I need to carry around.  I do have some wirecutters in one of my instrument cases, but I play a lot of different instruments and I don't always have that case with me.  But I generally always have a SAK with me.

  - FiL

[Fortytwo]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

Those notches are very useful.  I make them with a 1/8 inch cylindrical diamond bur.  The inside sufaces need a fine stone rubbed against th email to de burr and then they will operate smooth.

I did make a pass over with my DC4 sharpening stone. The problem seems to be how the cutting edges try to press against each other (as they should for clean cuts). When they aren't guided by the other blade for the length of the notch there's a tenth of a millimetre or so of overlap. As I said, if done with a bit more care and closer to the pivot this problem shouldn't be there.

[MacGyver]

Hi, if you don't mind my asking but, why would you want to cut guitar strings with your SAK and risk messing it up? You can get a cheap small wire cutter for that. I have a small wire cutter in all my guitar cases and bigger ones on my tool chest. I would never use a SAK for something like that.

I'm hoping to reduce the number of tools I need to carry around.  I do have some wirecutters in one of my instrument cases, but I play a lot of different instruments and I don't always have that case with me.  But I generally always have a SAK with me.

  - FiL

Ok i understand your point  If you can mod the scisors or pliers for that it would help, but i still think you will have trouble with the wound bass strings depending on what gauge of strings you use. If you can have a small cutter per case or take one with you when ever you play a gig it's always preferable IMHO 

[NorCalJim]

Although I understand that the thrust of this thread is what can be accomplished using an SAK (specifically, cutting guitar strings), I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to modify & maintain our SAK to a greater extent than is currently possible.

I watched a YouTube video showing a Victorinox representative at a trade show building a knife using a very impressive machine so I appreciate the complexity involved and think Victorinox's long-standing and proven approach is optimum from a business and support point of view.  But moving away from this realistic approach of producing "closed" systems that don't lend themselves to user modifications, how cool would it be have Torx fasteners? I would also imagine retail sources for the individual SAK tools and easy availability of SAK scales. Realistic? Probably not. Although better availability of SAK scales would be realistic and appreciated.  As it is, ebay seems to be the only place to find scales such as the traditional red scales.

This is something I wish I could do with an SAK. 

[Mizedog]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

I feel ya on that.  I miss my 5er. Of course,  the current set of strings on work horse Jazz have been there for years.
Back in the 80s, when I was all over Satriani and Vai licks, and gigging for money,  I'd change strings every week on at least two guitars.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[kaput]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

That's precisely what I used on my bass strings last time I restrung. Worked perfectly with no problem. 

[eddie1115]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

I feel ya on that.  I miss my 5er. Of course,  the current set of strings on work horse Jazz have been there for years.
Back in the 80s, when I was all over Satriani and Vai licks, and gigging for money,  I'd change strings every week on at least two guitars.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, I liked the 5-er as well, to the point that I restrung my P Bass as BEAD, with flatwound strings, which I don't plan on changing for years  

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

That's precisely what I used on my bass strings last time I restrung. Worked perfectly with no problem. 

Haha, after I typed that, I wondered if someone would point that out   For what it's worth, I keep a string winder/cutter in my gig bag.  But I also make sure to bring the Rebar (or Wave w/ Rebar head) with me when I play.   

[MacGyver]

Although better availability of SAK scales would be realistic and appreciated.  As it is, ebay seems to be the only place to find scales such as the traditional red scales.

This is something I wish I could do with an SAK.

You can get scales (classic cellidor and others) on various sites other than ebay for good prieces. I can't remember any one by heart but I'm sure some one will post some links here 
I usually buy my scales directly from my country's Vic rep. Last time I was there I bought about 10 pairs for 91mm and 5 for 84mm for about 0,80€ a pair, among other parts too 

[Fortytwo]

Although I understand that the thrust of this thread is what can be accomplished using an SAK (specifically, cutting guitar strings), I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to modify & maintain our SAK to a greater extent than is currently possible.

I watched a YouTube video showing a Victorinox representative at a trade show building a knife using a very impressive machine so I appreciate the complexity involved and think Victorinox's long-standing and proven approach is optimum from a business and support point of view.  But moving away from this realistic approach of producing "closed" systems that don't lend themselves to user modifications, how cool would it be have Torx fasteners? I would also imagine retail sources for the individual SAK tools and easy availability of SAK scales. Realistic? Probably not. Although better availability of SAK scales would be realistic and appreciated.  As it is, ebay seems to be the only place to find scales such as the traditional red scales.

This is something I wish I could do with an SAK.

I would point out that there are a couple of people doing this on a regular basis, most noteworthy is of course Syph007 who posted in this topic. His work over in the Mod section is really cool and he's been very helpful to those who wish to follow his excellent example!

[FiL Wisneski]

The wire cutter at the joint of the pliers (all the way down for max torque) won't do it?

Happy to report that for a set of extra-light electric guitar strings, the wire cutter notch in Vic pliers was easily up to the task.  Thanks again to rebo2 for pointing out that it was there.  What a noob I am!

  - FiL

[NorCalJim]

I would point out that there are a couple of people doing this on a regular basis, most noteworthy is of course Syph007 who posted in this topic. His work over in the Mod section is really cool and he's been very helpful to those who wish to follow his excellent example!

Thanks for the tip!  I enjoyed looking at the available information.

[JamesJ]

I'm pretty much 'loyal' to victorinox knives out of preference and nostalgia, and they are quality items...but if they were to make something similar to the Böker tech tools (but still made in Switzerland), where you can take them apart and change out implements (due to damage/wear OR for a different tool) that would be AMAZING. Cuustom lengths of internally threaded pivots would be needed, and perhaps more standardization of layer widths to allow 3rd parties to make custom tools.

We've all seen or own 93mm alox with torx screw conversion...but that's a lot of work and there's not individual tools for sale. I don't wanna take modders out of business of course, but who doesn't love Legos and wanna pick and choose their own layers and tools for an easily assembled custom SAK? Once you've got a torx screw mod, you still have to drill out the holes to size in each tool. You could have one or 2 sets of scales and just change out tools for the day, remove blades when regulations require etc.

As for the guitar strings thing, as well as cycling, I've never seen a multi tool for those pursuits that was as elegant and quality-feeling as SAKs. Some of the cycling ones may be titanium, but they are hard to manipulate around the cables and spokes and so forth, I've found separate allen keys work better for me and I just bring a chanl breaker with spoke wrech notches in it (taken off a Crank Bros MT). I've had Roadie Wrench and Guitool and they were clunky and didn't hold up well. Never tried the topeak alien though. Looks like it would be odd to hold.

[sLaughterMed]

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

I feel ya on that.  I miss my 5er. Of course,  the current set of strings on work horse Jazz have been there for years.
Back in the 80s, when I was all over Satriani and Vai licks, and gigging for money,  I'd change strings every week on at least two guitars.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, I liked the 5-er as well, to the point that I restrung my P Bass as BEAD, with flatwound strings, which I don't plan on changing for years  

Ok, so I did it quick and dirty and probably a little bit farther away from the rivet than optimal and it does "stick" where the two cutting edges meet since there is now a notch there. On the good side is that the problem should be lesser if the notch was done further in and the fact that that part of the scissors won't engage during normal use anyway (the spring doesn't open it that far). And it does cut guitar string! I didn't cut much so I can't speak of how well it will last or if it will take damage from this but it cuts.

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Now try bass strings 

Haha, I play with a low B on my bass; might as well try cutting through rebar

That's precisely what I used on my bass strings last time I restrung. Worked perfectly with no problem. 

Haha, after I typed that, I wondered if someone would point that out   For what it's worth, I keep a string winder/cutter in my gig bag.  But I also make sure to bring the Rebar (or Wave w/ Rebar head) with me when I play.   

Huh, who would have thought there were so many other bass players on this site. Last time I restrung my Laguna, I want to say I used my Kick actually.

[MacGyver]

I also play the bass, but since its not a primary instrument I don't change strings often, but for those is has to be a good wire cutter 
Glad to see so many felow musicians here on this site too   
I think musicians and sound guys tend to be good sak users, in the days I giged a lot I've lost track of the times I used my sak for cable servicing, cutting, striping and whatnot... Between keyboards, guitars, ocasional bass, stage monitors and desk... Good'ol days...