Other tools for the handle slots?

JM2

Basic Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
2,163
So what other tools are available for the handle slots? I don’t use the toothpick at all and don’t use the tweezers often.

I’m also not familiar with anything else that is available either factory or after market.

I might add, I’m interested in both the standard size (tinker) and the small size(classic) replacements.
 
Last edited:
The only thing I know of is the Firefly fire starter, which can replace the toothpick (on some SAK sizes).
 
Someone on here sharpened a strip of steel into a toothpick and rolled the end up to make a fingernail catch.

I also saw somebody post lock picking tools made in a similar fashion.

There is also a 3D printed metal toothpick for sale in the Shapeways marketplace.

You can modify the existing tweezers from their standard flat tip geometry into a more precise angled tip by grinding or sanding them.

You can convert the toothpick slot into a small storage compartment by cutting the back of the toothpick off and using it as an end cap.
 
Fire Ant and Fire Bug tinder and ferro rods are the only alternate tools I've heard of.
I don't know if I'll try them. Can get a bunch of BIC lighters and bottle of Zippo lighter fluid or charcoal starting fluid for a bunch less $$.
 
The first and most useful upgrade to SAK scales is the Plus scales (available various places online, such as Ebay and Etsy) and ballpoint pen (sold by by Victorinox and also available elsewhere online, often in combination with Plus scales). I've added Plus scales and pens to all of the SAKs that I carry.

I understand OP's desire to make their SAK more useful, but my question is this: if you don't find the tweezers and toothpick useful, what would you find more useful?
A sewing needle?
A bobby pin?
A lock pick?
A tiny fire starter?
Mechanical pencil lead?
Blowgun darts?
A very small diameter drill bit?

That's about all that I can think of that would fit in the T&T slots of any SAK.

Fire Ant and Fire Bug tinder and ferro rods are the only alternate tools I've heard of.
I don't know if I'll try them. Can get a bunch of BIC lighters and bottle of Zippo lighter fluid or charcoal starting fluid for a bunch less $$.
Agreed. Those tiny fire starters are an interesting concept for a way to carry an emergency fire starter, but for me, they're not worth replacing the tweezers & toothpick. I can count on zero fingers the number of times that I have been caught unprepared in the wilderness in my 27 years. I guess I don't spend enough time in the great outdoors.

I am envious of anyone who leads a life exciting enough that they need a tiny ferro rod or lock pick with them at all times.
 
Thanks for the replies. A pen would be more useful than anything else mentioned or that I can think of.

It is a might pointless I spose. I’m just curious as to what’s out there.
 
Just to be clear, the Plus scales have an additional slot on the back scale for the pen. It doesn't replace the tweezer or toothpick.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JM2
I always have another knife for digging splinters. But I suppose there will come a day all I have is a blunt tipped sak and I’ll be up splinter creek.

I hate splinters. I’ve had my share being a carpenter. Sanded my fingernail down to the quick the other day “on accident”. I’d rather have had a big fat splinter. At least then it quits hurting once III dog it out.
 
Last edited:
Big needle same sort of length as the pen like a sewing machine needle with an eye in the top, good for sewing, thorns and splinters.

As
My dad was a machine fitter, occational blacksmith, and regular metal turner / machinist. He was also a country boy.
As family we regularly hunted walking staffs or sticks in blackthorn hedges, and brambles for jam or jelly.

Splinters / swarf or thorns, the auld lad dealt with them all. A sharp metal cocktail stick, apair of tweezers made from a hacksaw blade and a 35mm film tub filled with magnesium sulphate.

I guess we need thicker scales....
 
There's the Pen.
I made a pin tool for a sim/sd card slot and for CD/DVDs that don't open from a paper clip for mine
 
I always have another knife for digging splinters. But I suppose there will come a day all I have is a blunt tipped sak and I’ll be up splinter creek.

I hate splinters. I’ve had my share being a carpenter. Sanded my fingernail down to the quick the other day “on accident”. I’d rather have had a big fat splinter. At least then it quits hurting once III dog it out.
I was apprenticed as a cabinet maker when I was about sixteen, ona quiet day we started racing belt sanders across the floor. One hit the end of its cable and like a leaping salmon hit in me in the happy pack, it took me about 5 minutes to get off the floor. My boss found out what happened a laughed till his upper denture fell out. I'd rather have had a splinter too.
 
Back
Top