First-time changing/upgrading scales.

[El Corkscrew]

There once was a man named Peter who lost his SAK to a Screener...

The stars aligned for me this past week and I found a pre '05 (Rostfrei Stamp) Climber on that auction site for a great deal.  The tools were in like-new condition but the scales were in pretty rough shape, peeling off, and stamped with the name of an unlucky man who apparently only used his SAK to level the table.... and to donate to TSA.  (TSA = The Swiss Army?!?!?  Coincidence???)

I personally love black scales, I love black plus scales even more. So, I had a spare set waiting for just such an occasion.  The Climber has always been one of my "top 5" but often loses to the Compact for me because I love having that pressurized pen in there.  You see where I'm going, I ditched the old scales and replaced them with the black plus scales.  This was my first time replacing scales on a SAK, and I probably didn't follow SOP but it got done.  Peeling the old scales off was easy as there was already a little space in between and one of the scales was peeling at the end. Getting the new scales on tightly without a vice was a little more challenging, after a lot of pushing it against the table (wrapped in a soft cloth) there was still a tiny gap so I ended standing on it!  This is probably not recommended but I used flat-bottom boots and put most of my weight, about a buck eighty, on it. After that there was no gap and all the tools still opened and closed tightly with a good snap.    I'm pretty happy with the results.   Anyone else have a scale-tale to share? Pro tips? Anyone want to tell me I shouldn't stand on my SAK?  I mean, that sounds like it's a thing: "Don't stand on your SAK"   

[jaya_man]

I normally use a small bench vice... otherwise pounding on it with our fists also helps


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[Guardian]

Nice job

I've used a bench vice but also wrapped the warmed up knife in a towel and beaten it with a rubber mallet  !    Well, it worked

[Barry Rowland]

  Great job and sharp Climber!  Timely in that I've scales on the way to do a replacement, too, as I've never done it before.  Luckily I have a vice downstairs

[Gareth]

Nice job

I've used a bench vice but also wrapped the warmed up knife in a towel and beaten it with a rubber mallet  !    Well, it worked

Just don't use a claw hammer.

[Gareth]

Oh and "don't stand on your SAK" is definitely a thing.

[MacGyver]

Just posted this on the "What did you use your Sak on today?" thread, but it was appropriate here too.

Changing scales on a couple of new backup Tinker´s today 
It takes patience on the vice to get the new scales flush with the outer liners, to give it a factory look. And when you tighten, you have to let it sit for a bit before you slowly relief pressure on it. Don't forget that plastic (cellidor) has some elastic proprieties, when you use pressure to fit it, you have to you tighten and hold it there for a while so it sits and then very slowly release the pressure. If you press and release instantly they will spring up a bit and there will be some gaps between the scales and the liners.

P.S.: Oh... and before you ask... Yes, they are all red. I'm a real sucker for the classic red scales and probably always will be

[El Corkscrew]

Nice job

I've used a bench vice but also wrapped the warmed up knife in a towel and beaten it with a rubber mallet  !    Well, it worked

Great job and sharp Climber!  Timely in that I've scales on the way to do a replacement, too, as I've never done it before.  Luckily I have a vice downstairs

I normally use a small bench vice... otherwise pounding on it with our fists also helps

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice job

I've used a bench vice but also wrapped the warmed up knife in a towel and beaten it with a rubber mallet  !    Well, it worked

Thanks everybody!   Love my new Climber plus.  It shall be my go-to for a while...  I can feel my other EDC SAKs getting jealous already. 
 I didn't think about warming it up, seems like that would definitely help.

Oh and "don't stand on your SAK" is definitely a thing.

Haha!  How did I guess? 

[El Corkscrew]

Just posted this on the "What did you use your Sak on today?" thread, but it was appropriate here too.

Changing scales on a couple of new backup Tinker´s today 
It takes patience on the vice to get the new scales flush with the outer liners, to give it a factory look. And when you tighten, you have to let it sit for a bit before you slowly relief pressure on it. Don't forget that plastic (cellidor) has some elastic proprieties, when you use pressure to fit it, you have to you tighten and hold it there for a while so it sits and then very slowly release the pressure. If you press and release instantly they will spring up a bit and there will be some gaps between the scales and the liners.

P.S.: Oh... and before you ask... Yes, they are all red. I'm a real sucker for the classic red scales and probably always will be

There is something infinitely classic and simple about red Tinkers.  My father gave me my very first SAK at age 8 before a fishing trip.  It was a Tinker.

[Guardian]

Nice job

I've used a bench vice but also wrapped the warmed up knife in a towel and beaten it with a rubber mallet  !    Well, it worked

Just don't use a claw hammer.

No. I keep that for when things don't go as they should!