Sidekick Knife

[Adam5]

I bought a Sidekick with issues off of eBay. As it turned out, the main issue was that the backspring for the plier head was broken in both handles. This led me to scrap my original plan for the MT and instead convert it into a knife (another knife  )

Without the backspring, any tools put into the plier head end of the handle will flop around. I first glued a piece of rubber in the handle to provide some detent for the tools. However, it appeared to me that the rubber would not hold up. What to do? 

If you have ever examined a Sidekick or Wingman, you may have noticed that the piece of metal in the tool end of a handle that serves as the backspring for the tools is removeable. Since I have an unused second handle with that removeable backspring, I decided to modify the plier end of the handle so that I could insert the spare backspring. This required cutting and removing some metal from the back of the handle, creating a notch inside of the handle, and modifying the backspring just a bit:


Sidekick MT and Sidekick knife

I also removed the remaining bit of backspring and the rivet that held it in place, and filled the hole with epoxy

After the modifications, I determined the tools to install in the knife. The Sidekick serrated blade, the straight driver, and a can/bottle opener (I like bottle openers  ) went into the modified end, and a Leatherman Phillips driver went in the other end:





The Phillips work well with the square to hex adapter that comes with some Chinese MTs:

[Adam5]

I used ferric oxide and vinegar to create my own BO finish on the scale and the frame:




One small issue remains. The pocket clip is missing the piece that keeps it from rotating back and forth. Haven't solved that yet.

Here is the knife with the other knives I have constructed:

[Poncho65]

Excellent work modifying that backspring

That is the thing when buying a broken tool on eBay  you never know exactly what may broken  Good way to turn lemons into lemonade though

Love the finish that you gave it as well

[Sam Lim]

I used ferric oxide and vinegar to create my own BO finish on the scale and the frame:

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

One small issue remains. The pocket clip is missing the piece that keeps it from rotating back and forth. Haven't solved that yet.

Here is the knife with the other knives I have constructed:

(Image removed from quote.)

SO much things happening on the last pic. 

[King_Gorilla]

 

[Adam5]

Thanks everybody!   

Hopefully Pauldmmwc enjoys using it when he receives it. He chose it after coming in 2nd in my GAW.

[Adam5]

Sidekick Knife II





Acid etched the tools and frame to create a diy BO finish, then stone washed them by putting the tools in a cup with pebbles and shook the cup for a minute. The stone wash is not showing up as well after I applied some 3-in-1 oil on the knife, but you can somewhat see it in the third picture.

[Poncho65]

That is looking really great

[Adam5]

Thank you, Poncho 

[PitCarver]

That's a fine job.

[Farmer X]

 

[kamakiri]

 

Pics look good to me 

[Adam5]

Thanks guys 

[SteveC]

Nice job Adam, looks great !   

[rishardh]

Love that finish. Nicely done Adam5. I did the single handle Wingman mod a few years ago and had to use an extra washer and adjust the friction to keep the tools from flopping. Your solution is way better and will try it some day