How easy is it to add/replace SAK tools?

J. Doyle

J. Doyle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
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My favorite SAK is the discontinued executive. I'd like a new one. The classic size is too small.

I like the tinker format but scissors are by far my most used tool. I just today became aware of the small tinker.

Can something be removed to add scissors? The small blade maybe? Or one or both can/bottle openers?

I'd like something thin in that executive/ small tinker size and really only need blade/scissors/ tweezers.

Any suggestions?
 
I think your best bet would be to remove the opener layer to make space for the scissors. They’re much too thick to fit in the space occupied by the small blade, and they’re not krinked to one side like the small blade.

Are you planning to harvest scissors from a 91mm SAK, or something smaller? You might have to shorten 91mm scissors for them to fit an 84mm frame.

It’s too bad that Victorinox discontinued all of the 84mm models with scissors.
 
Alox money clip (74mm) - No tweezers (has blade, file, scissors)

Smallest one I can think of now that’s larger than the 58mm classics.
 
hsherzfeld said:
I think your best bet would be to remove the opener layer to make space for the scissors. They’re much too thick to fit in the space occupied by the small blade, and they’re not krinked to one side like the small blade.

Are you planning to harvest scissors from a 91mm SAK, or something smaller? You might have to shorten 91mm scissors for them to fit an 84mm frame.

It’s too bad that Victorinox discontinued all of the 84mm models with scissors.
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I have a decent pair of scissors from an old executive but I need a new spring for them.

I know a lot about making fixed blades and liner lock folders but know very little about slip joint/SAK construction and assembly.

I don't know if the scissors spring is interchangeable with other models or not.

I'm not opposed to a small tinker and adding scissors by removing something else.
 
J. Doyle said:
I have a decent pair of scissors from an old executive but I need a new spring for them.

I know a lot about making fixed blades and liner lock folders but know very little about slip joint/SAK construction and assembly.

I don't know if the scissors spring is interchangeable with other models or not.

I'm not opposed to a small tinker and adding scissors by removing something else.
Click to expand...
If you’re new to SAK modding entirely, you might find this link useful:

SAK modding guides, all in one place.

SAK modding guides, all in one place.
forum.multitool.org
 
I think you will find it a lot easier to remove layers than to add them. So find a knife that has everything you want and then remove the layers/tools that you don't want. With any luck you will be able to shorten and reuse the existing brass pins. Instead of trying to source the correct size of metric brass rod to make new pins.

You might look at the 85mm Delemont Collection of knives. They are made by Victorinox in the old Wenger factory in Delemont. Many of them have scissors. So it shouldn't be to hard to remove a layer or two, to get down to what you want. You easiest course would be to just buy another executive off of ebay or similar site. There are plenty of them there. You also might find the SAKWiki site interesting.

O.B.
 
J. Doyle said:
I have a decent pair of scissors from an old executive but I need a new spring for them.

I know a lot about making fixed blades and liner lock folders but know very little about slip joint/SAK construction and assembly.

I don't know if the scissors spring is interchangeable with other models or not.

I'm not opposed to a small tinker and adding scissors by removing something else.
Click to expand...

The scissor spring from the Executive is not interchangable with any other size. SAK tools are matched to a certain end of a certain spring and only rarely can be changed. To add scissors to a small Tinker you will have to find a scissor layer (tool and spring) of the appropriate size and add it in, whether you remove something else or not.

As a general rule, I tell people "If you have to ask how to do it, you aren't ready to try it." It isn't that difficult to do, IF you have some skill with tools, patience and you don't mind destroying a few knives along the way.
 
yablanowitz said:
The scissor spring from the Executive is not interchangable with any other size. SAK tools are matched to a certain end of a certain spring and only rarely can be changed. To add scissors to a small Tinker you will have to find a scissor layer (tool and spring) of the appropriate size and add it in, whether you remove something else or not.

As a general rule, I tell people "If you have to ask how to do it, you aren't ready to try it." It isn't that difficult to do, IF you have some skill with tools, patience and you don't mind destroying a few knives along the way.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the post.

I agree with you. I have plenty of skill using tools, even specifically for knifemaking, including fine detail.

But I have no clue what I'm doing or what to do with SAK's. And I'm not sure I have the time or desire to take this on, as cool as it would be.

Is there anyone that does this kind of work for hire?
 
Let me check my supplies and see if I have an 84mm scissor layer. I think I have a small Tinker to add to.
 
Well, I do have a small Tinker I could modify, but no 84mm scissor layer to transplant into it. The only 84mm scissors I have are in a Wenger, and I've never tried mixing the two brands. I think you'd be better served to pick up a used Executive off the bay.
 
Thanks for everyone's input. I appreciate it. Looks like trying to pick up a new executive might be the easiest/quickest option.

Though I might try a custom SAK mod someday when I need a project.
 
Sounds like you need a 84mm Golfer! Possibly with a Phillips swap, Pm me if interested
 
J. Doyle said:
My favorite SAK is the discontinued executive. I'd like a new one. The classic size is too small.

I like the tinker format but scissors are by far my most used tool. I just today became aware of the small tinker.

Can something be removed to add scissors? The small blade maybe? Or one or both can/bottle openers?

I'd like something thin in that executive/ small tinker size and really only need blade/scissors/ tweezers.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
The back executive is now selling on Amazon for $68.54 USD. Get 'em while they're hot. :))

Ed
 
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Oops, now it's up to $72.56 on Amazon. Only a modest 5.8% increase.

Ed61YgdzDrJdL._AC_SL1200_.jpg
 
Last edited:
But, then, why is it THE most expensive SAK selling on Amazon? It's a marketing mystery. :D

Ed
 
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