Multi-tool custom blades

A

akrifleman

Joined
May 11, 2022
Messages
8
I've done my best to search the forums before posting, so my sincere apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

I've struggled to find where somebody can get a custom blade built for a multi-tool. I'm an avid mountain hunter, and I've struggled to find a blade that will last skinning and quartering. Yes, I realize selecting the best knife for the job is usually the answer, but when you can only put 50# of gear on a supercub, you are very limited in what you can take. I see guys try to steal blades from similar tools of the same brand, but I'm trying to figure out if a custom maker can build a matching blade with a high end steel. I realize 420HC isn't the worst stuff in the world, but I'd really like to carry something that can finish an elk, bear, or sheep in situations where quartering and de-boning are required.
 
akrifleman said:
I'm an avid mountain hunter, and I've struggled to find a blade that will last skinning and quartering.
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akrifleman said:
I'm trying to figure out if a custom maker can build a matching blade with a high end steel. I realize 420HC isn't the worst stuff in the world, but I'd really like to carry something that can finish an elk, bear, or sheep in situations where quartering and de-boning are required.
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First the good news. I believe what you are looking for is a scalpel holder. I have seen custom SAKs made with scalpel holders before. There is a youtube channel run by a custom SAK maker who has showcased a couple of them. I'm sure someone will tell you what it is. Since the channel is directly related to his business, I won't give the name because I don't want to risk getting in trouble for advertising.

With a scalpel holder you can replace blades when they wear out, and you can even use small bone saws which are designed to fit onto the same scalpel holder.

Now the bad news. The custom SAK maker I'm talking about has a huge backlog of work, and you will have to try to get into a very long wait line IF your request is accepted. We're talking a minimum of maybe 6 months, perhaps even a year. It's been a while since I've looked.

You'll find that's the situation with any proven, reliable, talented custom SAK maker. They all have massive backlogs. Looking at the situation, I've just given up. I'd be more likely to try to make one myself at this point.
 
I've got the patience for long term orders. Much of my equipment was a 6mo-2yr process. I currently use a multi-tool and a scalpel holder with a built in folding blade made by a very well known hunting/scalpel blade company signature series by a well known TV personality & guide. Pushing those two concepts together is quite the idea. It got me thinking however - I suppose I should know what I do and don't need. I imagine one skinning, one solid, one saw (pelvis), pilers, and a bit driver. I imagine it is best to just provide the list of needs and let the custom guy pick the best platform?
 
To avoid wasting time, I think you should already know what you want before you contact the modder you want to go with. If there's going to be any back and forth discussion, it would most likely be about figuring out minor details. The custom modder/builder I mentioned earlier has a website with information about various options and what they do and don't offer. It's also loaded with a ton of examples of previous builds which were done for past customers. I think that would be a good place to start, even if you don't intend to end up using that particular custom SAK builder. It will still give you a lot of good ideas about what's possible.

I'm sorry that I can't just give you links. You should be able to find the guy on youtube and from there you will easily be able to locate their website and contact information.
 
A.L. said:
Leatherman Charge with S30V? No modding needed.
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Charge+TTI. Only the clip point is S30V. The serrated/gut hook blade is 420HC. I haven't used the saw blade (I don't know what stainless steel LM used for it) on bone (haven't been hunting since I got the tool), just long dead dry pine branches.

The Charge+ has a 154CM blade and I believe aluminum or G10 covers, depending on the model. (TTI has Titanium covers)
View attachment 1816311
(removed from diy chain lanyard for the picture)
 
Charge+TTL looks like it would be an update to my Wave+, but as afishhunter points out, still falls a bit short. I was really hoping a custom with just the *needed* could keep the weight down. 8.5oz is still plenty. I'd still call this my best out of the box now bet so far. So far, it is my "non-custom option A"


Still, the responses from everyone have been amazing. Feel like I've dropped down a rabbit hole into a new world.
 
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tiguy7 said:
Not easy to clean, but it is the only multi tool that I know of with a ZDP-189 blade.
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I'm fine with the multi-tool part. I mean that for mountain hunting, you have to care about every ounce like it is life itself. But, you need to be able to skin, debone, cut a pelvis and a chest plate, tighten your scope/spotting scope/etc when it gets loose, and pliers for all those other wierd little situations. If you carry all those things, the weight is way to high. So a thick SAK type knife better have exactly what you need, or you've lost oz on food or something else important. We cut our toothbrush handle in half to save oz. Point being, having a heavier knife is fine, but it better have the exact set of tools, that keeps you from having to spend oz somewhere else.
 
akrifleman said:
I'm fine with the multi-tool part. I mean that for mountain hunting, you have to care about every ounce like it is life itself. But, you need to be able to skin, debone, cut a pelvis and a chest plate, tighten your scope/spotting scope/etc when it gets loose, and pliers for all those other wierd little situations. If you carry all those things, the weight is way to high. So a thick SAK type knife better have exactly what you need, or you've lost oz on food or something else important. We cut our toothbrush handle in half to save oz. Point being, having a heavier knife is fine, but it better have the exact set of tools, that keeps you from having to spend oz somewhere else.
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I am all over weight reduction for back packing and cycle camping. You can build custom SAK’s even skeletonizing the handle, but they aren’t particularly easy to clean. Something like a Buck Selector or a Havalon Exchanger lets you use many different blades with one handle.View attachment 1816401View attachment 1816402
 
tiguy7 said:
I am all over weight reduction for back packing and cycle camping. You can build custom SAK’s even skeletonizing the handle, but they aren’t particularly easy to clean. Something like a Buck Selector or a Havalon Exchanger lets you use many different blades with one handle.View attachment 1816401
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LOL PITA to clean just seems to be part of mountain packing. This along with that Guy McVer posting seems to be the direction. for the most bang. I didn't even know this stuff existed before! As I'm reading not only for this specific need, I'm so glad I joined the community.


Follow up Q. I'm an end user, and my knowledge just dwarfs you guys. When it comes to steel, I only know what are reported to be the new "wonder steels". How does a guy pick the right steel? I have a blade that is nothing more than D2, but because of some spin friction edge they put on it, I can do an entire bear without sharpening. Outside of the hype, what kind upper tier blade will survive Alaska wet, and still last an entire animal? I see many forums talking about various metals and how they are great for this and that, but those graphics that show these various Venn type diagrams, but that makes sense to an expert. What is the stuff that will flat out be tough and sharp, and be washed in a glacier creek? I'm careful to dry, but that can be tough sometimes. Or is the scalpel holder best for a knife rookie? (I only know how to sharpen with a particular brand of sharpener that uses a belt right now) (ZDP-189 and M390 are the ones I hear most often?)
 
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How about Benchmade altitude? That thing seems to take literally no space at all so you could squeeze it in no matter how tight your setup is. Dedicated knife with super steel, easy to clean and maintain. Then pair that with whatever multitool that you like.
 
A.L. said:
How about Benchmade altitude? That thing seems to take literally no space at all so you could squeeze it in no matter how tight your setup is. Dedicated knife with super steel, easy to clean and maintain. Then pair that with whatever multitool that you like.
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My current setup is an Argali, the Wave+, and a Shockey havalon, and sometimes outdoor edge lite and flip and zip if I'm close to vehicles. So, I pretty much already did the best I think I can do off the shelf. Just felt there may be room for improvement, particularly with the multi-tool. My goal was to roll the Argali/Wave/Shockey into a single unit at the same weight, ditching the extra oz. So, it isn't like I don't have tools for today, and the reason I'm able to be patient about getting to my ideal.
 
akrifleman said:
LOL PITA to clean just seems to be part of mountain packing. This along with that Guy McVer posting seems to be the direction. for the most bang. I didn't even know this stuff existed before! As I'm reading not only for this specific need, I'm so glad I joined the community.


Follow up Q. I'm an end user, and my knowledge just dwarfs you guys. When it comes to steel, I only know what are reported to be the new "wonder steels". How does a guy pick the right steel? I have a blade that is nothing more than D2, but because of some spin friction edge they put on it, I can do an entire bear without sharpening. Outside of the hype, what kind upper tier blade will survive Alaska wet, and still last an entire animal? I see many forums talking about various metals and how they are great for this and that, but those graphics that show these various Venn type diagrams, but that makes sense to an expert. What is the stuff that will flat out be tough and sharp, and be washed in a glacier creek? I'm careful to dry, but that can be tough sometimes. Or is the scalpel holder best for a knife rookie? (I only know how to sharpen with a particular brand of sharpener that uses a belt right now) (ZDP-189 and M390 are the ones I hear most often?)
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If you have a Knives of Alaska Friction Forged D-2 blade, you are way ahead of the curve. It should perform similarly to ZDP-189 and can be sharpened on Corundum (Al2O3) or Carborundum (SiC) stones. Just don’t chop bones with it as the HRC (Hardness Rockwell C scale) is around 65-68.View attachment 1816733
 
tiguy7 said:
If you have a Knives of Alaska Friction Forged D-2 blade, you are way ahead of the curve. It should perform similarly to ZDP-189 and can be sharpened on Corundum (Al2O3) or Carborundum (SiC) stones. Just don’t chop bones with it as the HRC (Hardness Rockwell C scale) is around 65-68.View attachment 1816733
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Beautiful knife btw.

I do have several. They are amazing (the KOA/DiamondBlade). I'd upload the "family photo" if I knew how. Seems like that makes the ZDP-189 a good choice for a mod then.

I primarily use the KOAs for trapping. I have a couple bear cubs, and a defense survival knife for a hatchet backup/camp knife, and a wolf. Ironically, I rarely use the wolf, because typically when we are doing moose, bears, or caribou... I have the surgicals and a 4 wheeler.
 
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akrifleman said:
Beautiful knife btw.

I do have several. They are amazing (the KOA/DiamondBlade). I'd upload the "family photo" if I knew how. Seems like that makes the ZDP-189 a good choice for a mod then.

I primarily use the KOAs for trapping. I have a couple bear cubs, and a defense survival knife for a hatchet backup/camp knife, and a wolf. Ironically, I rarely use the wolf, because typically when we are doing moose, bears, or caribou... I have the surgicals and a 4 wheeler.
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ZDP-189 is a great steel IMHO, but it seems to be getting phased out. Grab it while you can. It is more corrosion resistant than D-2 although F/F D-2 is supposed to have better resistance to corrosion than regular D-2.
 
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