SAK with bail...

[Helvetica Bold]

Has anyone tried modding a bail on to a modern SAK? Just keep thinking a celador scale is likely to crack as you peen
 the pins tight but maybe a brass or copper scale would be easier....?

[Huntsman]

Hmmm - Maybe not - As, of course, the older SAKs with bails had Celidor scales - Although those ones would be of the solid variety

However the modern ones are still solid at the attachment points.

I'd give it a go - Peening always involves very gentle (and patient !)  tapping with the hammer - So it should be ok

Although, as you say, with metal or Micarta scales there would be no worry at all

[kamakiri]

Has anyone tried modding a bail on to a modern SAK? Just keep thinking a celador scale is likely to crack as you peen
 the pins tight

I have. Done quite a few for ‘restomods’. It’s the main reason why I got into making them as reproductions of the original styles, but in custom widths for whatever I made. I show some of the bail making in my intro thread from a couple of years ago. And there’s a ‘Vintage’ restoration I did last October(?) that I posted about in the vintage owners club thread. That got a replacement reproduction shackle.


 

but maybe a brass or copper scale would be easier....?

That would be easier. The issue with using a modern scale is that it’s thin in that area, and there’s a fair amount of space between it and the bushing (if you use them). So something needs to be done to support that area or cover it with something like a washer (which I’d never do). A washer/spacer was used on some of the original staghorn scales with shackles to help clear the surface irregularities of the staghorn.

[Helvetica Bold]

Great, I’ll take a look at those threads - handy reference. 

[Helvetica Bold]

Hmmm - Maybe not - As, of course, the older SAKs with bails had Celidor scales - Although those ones would be of the solid variety

However the modern ones are still solid at the attachment points.

I'd give it a go - Peening always involves very gentle (and patient !)  tapping with the hammer - So it should be ok

Although, as you say, with metal or Micarta scales there would be no worry at all

Just deciding what I’m going to put them on now...!

[samek]

Some of mine:











Samek

[Helvetica Bold]

That’s some great inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

[Mike 56]

Very nice work