Do I need a vice for installing new scales?

[fivesense]

No, collecting knives is vice enough... 

I'll do my first SAK "mod" later this week when I take off the factory cellidor and put on translucent Plus scales on my Explorer. Many of the videos demonstrating this process recommend completing the process with a vice.

Outside of using a bench vice (which I don't have) what is a good hand vice to purchase? Or do I even need one? Would "flattening" the scales between two books be too ridiculously ineffective?

Thank you for the suggestions.

[pfrsantos]

I have swapped some scales. I just press them in place by hand, firmly. Never had a scale falling off.

[MacGyver]

I have swapped some scales. I just press them in place by hand, firmly. Never had a scale falling off.

Wow... If you can get the scales to sit perfectly flush with the liners (no gap at all, anywhere) just by pressing them in by hand than...   

While a vice is not essential, from my (little) experience you need something to squeeze/press them in at the rivet points that enables you to apply slow and continuous pressure, hold it there for a while and then slowly relief pressure. Check for gaps between the scale and the liner, if there is any, repeat the process until you get no gaps, or as little as possible. 
It does take quite a bit of pressure go get the job done properly

[kkokkolis]

I did it by hand, several times. I put it on the table and push down with my wrist.

[twiliter]

Anymore I just use a C clamp with a doubled over microfiber cloth, works fine. Press them on by hand first, then tighten over each of the pins, but only until you can't see daylight between the scales and liners. 

[fivesense]

Anymore I just use a C clamp with a doubled over microfiber cloth, works fine. Press them on by hand first, then tighten over each of the pins, but only until you can't see daylight between the scales and liners. 

Thank you- I'll take a look at my clamp/vice options at my local hardware store. I'm glad to know it is likely a simple process.

[twiliter]

Anymore I just use a C clamp with a doubled over microfiber cloth, works fine. Press them on by hand first, then tighten over each of the pins, but only until you can't see daylight between the scales and liners. 

Thank you- I'll take a look at my clamp/vice options at my local hardware store. I'm glad to know it is likely a simple process.

And probably cheaper than you might think! 

[magentus]

Yeppers  - I've just got a couple of little G-Clamps that I use. Couple of quid from Lidl's I think.

[fivesense]

Anymore I just use a C clamp with a doubled over microfiber cloth, works fine. Press them on by hand first, then tighten over each of the pins, but only until you can't see daylight between the scales and liners. 

Thank you- I'll take a look at my clamp/vice options at my local hardware store. I'm glad to know it is likely a simple process.

And probably cheaper than you might think! 

I'll toast to that! 

[fivesense]

I ended up picking up a 3-inch clamp on vice for $20. I can use if for plenty of projects and it's moveable so that's a nice option. I picked up some felt on a roll- it's got adhesive so I can cover the jaws to make sure I don't mar the scales. They should arrive later this week so I look forward to giving it a go!