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Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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SAK Mods! Post your pics, questions and ideas
- Thread starter Spikediesel
- Start date
I reshaped the pen blade to a straight edge coping blade which I find more useful. It’s still a work in progress but i will post final result at the end of the week (
)
)just some final finishing left, but basicly finished. I am very happy with the weight of the titanium liners since the wood is pretty heavy...
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
- Messages
- 1,727
A few recent builds
The quest to make my "perfect" SAK continues...
This time it's another variation of the 5 layer Ranger model with a dedicated Phillips driver being added to round out the tool set.
This build has a more standard set of compromises than my previous build had. The bottle/can opener layer has been removed and replaced with an inline Phillips layer, while the awl has been moved over to the back of the metal file layer, and the secondary knife blade has been replaced with a combo bottle/can opener tool.
The Phillips layer was placed on the outside in order to maximize the reach of the Phillips driver in tight spaces. The usual fix has been applied to prevent the end of the Phillips from striking the sideplate when the Phillips snaps to its closed position.
Top to bottom: corkscrew, awl, chisel, hook.
The Phillips layer has no back tools slot, so there's no room for a 5th back tool. A choice had to be made between sacrificing either the awl, the chisel, or the small flat "dolphin" screwdriver. I chose to keep the chisel and the awl.
The liner next to the chisel also had to be modified with a small cutout to provide access for the chisel's nail nick. This modification wouldn't have been needed for the "dolphin" screwdriver, since that tool's nail nick sticks out above the liners.
This is an end-to-end shot of the custom SAK next to a brand new unmodified factory built Victorinox Ranger. They are almost the exact same thickness, but the custom built SAK is just a little bit thicker.
This build was a lot less work compared to my previous build. Both builds had basically the same goal, but I think this latest one makes a lot more sense. I still like my previous build for its uniqueness though.
This time it's another variation of the 5 layer Ranger model with a dedicated Phillips driver being added to round out the tool set.
This build has a more standard set of compromises than my previous build had. The bottle/can opener layer has been removed and replaced with an inline Phillips layer, while the awl has been moved over to the back of the metal file layer, and the secondary knife blade has been replaced with a combo bottle/can opener tool.
The Phillips layer was placed on the outside in order to maximize the reach of the Phillips driver in tight spaces. The usual fix has been applied to prevent the end of the Phillips from striking the sideplate when the Phillips snaps to its closed position.
Top to bottom: corkscrew, awl, chisel, hook.
The Phillips layer has no back tools slot, so there's no room for a 5th back tool. A choice had to be made between sacrificing either the awl, the chisel, or the small flat "dolphin" screwdriver. I chose to keep the chisel and the awl.
The liner next to the chisel also had to be modified with a small cutout to provide access for the chisel's nail nick. This modification wouldn't have been needed for the "dolphin" screwdriver, since that tool's nail nick sticks out above the liners.
This is an end-to-end shot of the custom SAK next to a brand new unmodified factory built Victorinox Ranger. They are almost the exact same thickness, but the custom built SAK is just a little bit thicker.
This build was a lot less work compared to my previous build. Both builds had basically the same goal, but I think this latest one makes a lot more sense. I still like my previous build for its uniqueness though.
This is my latest build with liners from 
. Brass liners and exposed brass pins with scales in elk/moose-horn. Tools from a Spartan with reshaped pen blade to a coping blade.
My initial plan was to make the scales as white as possible, but once I saw the natural patina I went with enhancing it instead.
I do find all natural cracks and dents charming, they tells me a story of the adventures this elk/moose had during the year that he wore his crown.
. Brass liners and exposed brass pins with scales in elk/moose-horn. Tools from a Spartan with reshaped pen blade to a coping blade. My initial plan was to make the scales as white as possible, but once I saw the natural patina I went with enhancing it instead.
I do find all natural cracks and dents charming, they tells me a story of the adventures this elk/moose had during the year that he wore his crown.
StuntDouble
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2004
- Messages
- 2,413
That looks beautiful! Great work!
No pictures, but I just now finished peening together a copycat build of this custom SAK (link).
I saw it while browsing through that topic and I knew right away that I had to make a copy of it for myself.
It's very simple. It's basically just a Scientist with a file and awl added to it. At first glance you might wonder what's so great about it, but the more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense as this sort of ideal min/max ratio of thickness to overall functionality. Pick nearly any setting, and having just those exact three layers will cover you really well. It's not going to be the ideal toolset for everything you might want, but it will at least cover almost anything you might need in a pinch. It's very well balanced, and the metal file really rounds it out well since it can saw through metal, plastic, or wood.
So yeah, I was so impressed with that person's custom SAK that not only did I copy it, but I also felt the need to talk about how great I think it is.
Oh and I also made sure to build it with a corkscrew that works with the pen trick.
'Cause you gotta have the ability write comfortably! 
I saw it while browsing through that topic and I knew right away that I had to make a copy of it for myself.
It's very simple. It's basically just a Scientist with a file and awl added to it. At first glance you might wonder what's so great about it, but the more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense as this sort of ideal min/max ratio of thickness to overall functionality. Pick nearly any setting, and having just those exact three layers will cover you really well. It's not going to be the ideal toolset for everything you might want, but it will at least cover almost anything you might need in a pinch. It's very well balanced, and the metal file really rounds it out well since it can saw through metal, plastic, or wood.
So yeah, I was so impressed with that person's custom SAK that not only did I copy it, but I also felt the need to talk about how great I think it is.
Oh and I also made sure to build it with a corkscrew that works with the pen trick.
'Cause you gotta have the ability write comfortably! 
LSUisSEC
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2020
- Messages
- 1,304
What size pivot barrels did you use? Did you have to drill out the tools and where did you get them if they were already the proper size?A few recent builds
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
- Messages
- 1,727
The pivot barrels are all 1/8” diameter and all the tools are drilled to accommodate.
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
- Messages
- 1,727
Climber/Electrician
6AL-4V Titanium scales, liners and screws
6AL-4V Titanium scales, liners and screws
Here's something a little different. I call it a Mr. Postman . I made this little 58mm Swiss army knife just for opening letters and packages from the mail.
The Mr. Postman has a package opener, a pen blade, scissors, and a retractable ink pen. It has no key ring attachment because the key ring would just get in the way.
It's easy to build a 58mm Swiss Army knife without the key ring attachment. The key ring loop is part of one of the springs, and all of the springs are interchangeable, so all you have to do is just avoid using a spring with a key ring loop on it when you assemble the knife.
The colors of the Mr. Postman are the same as the United States Postal Service colors.
I've had the idea for this SAK for a long time. The name "Mr. Postman" was inspired by a hit oldies song (wikipedia) which was later covered by the Beatles (youtube).
. I made this little 58mm Swiss army knife just for opening letters and packages from the mail.
The Mr. Postman has a package opener, a pen blade, scissors, and a retractable ink pen. It has no key ring attachment because the key ring would just get in the way.
It's easy to build a 58mm Swiss Army knife without the key ring attachment. The key ring loop is part of one of the springs, and all of the springs are interchangeable, so all you have to do is just avoid using a spring with a key ring loop on it when you assemble the knife.
The colors of the Mr. Postman are the same as the United States Postal Service colors.
I've had the idea for this SAK for a long time. The name "Mr. Postman" was inspired by a hit oldies song (wikipedia) which was later covered by the Beatles (youtube).
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Cool little build with the colorsHere's something a little different. I call it a Mr. Postman
The Mr. Postman has a package opener, a pen blade, scissors, and a retractable ink pen. It has no key ring attachment because the key ring would just get in the way.
It's easy to build a 58mm Swiss Army knife without the key ring attachment. The key ring loop is part of one of the springs, and all of the springs are interchangeable, so all you have to do is just avoid using a spring with a key ring loop on it when you assemble the knife.
The colors of the Mr. Postman are the same as the United States Postal Service colors.
I've had the idea for this SAK for a long time. The name "Mr. Postman" was inspired by a hit oldies song (wikipedia) which was later covered by the Beatles (youtube).
You gave me a little laugh as I read how to get rid of the key ring attachment
I thought you were going to describe how easy it is to grind or file it off, but instead you need a completely new spring from another knife 
Hickory n steel
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2016
- Messages
- 19,922
Has anybody made a rambler with the pointed nail file over the SD nail file and the SD ruler in place of the blade ?
I'm still on a quest for my perfect 58mm and the most ideal way to go without the blade.
At first I thought the jetsetter was perfect but after trying the rambler it reminded me of how useful the small SD tip on the nail file is.
I'm still on a quest for my perfect 58mm and the most ideal way to go without the blade.
At first I thought the jetsetter was perfect but after trying the rambler it reminded me of how useful the small SD tip on the nail file is.
Yeah... actually that was the first custom 58mm SAK that I ever made... except the pointed file was in the blade position and the SD ruler was in the file position.
It currently rides on my key chain.
Here are the crappy pictures that I took of it:
The nail nicks on all 4 tools line up exactly so that nothing is blocked from access or overlapped. It's like they were made to be put in that exact configuration. Too bad I never took any pictures with the tools closed.
The way the nail nicks line up looks strangely perfect.
Hickory n steel
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2016
- Messages
- 19,922
I'd love to be able to have a cellidor version of this if I could.Yeah... actually that was the first custom 58mm SAK that I ever made... except the pointed file was in the blade position and the SD ruler was in the file position.
It currently rides on my key chain.
Here are the crappy pictures that I took of it:
The nail nicks on all 4 tools line up exactly so that nothing is blocked from access or overlapped. It's like they were made to be put in that exact configuration. Too bad I never took any pictures with the tools closed.
I don't know if I could pull it off though, or if it would be worth the cost to make.
The cost (in theory) is only the price of one used Minichamp, which has all of the parts required for this build. But this is assuming...
1. that you don't accidentally ruin any of the tiny brass bushings while drilling out the rivets of the minichamp or while peening the custom SAK together
and
2. that you can successfully reuse the same brass pins from the minichamp to build the custom SAK
and
3. that you are able to carefully remove and successfully re-use the same celidor scales from the old minichamp on the new custom SAK
So,
If 1. fails, then you'll need to take apart a secondary donor SAK for extra bushings.
If 2. fails, then you'll need to buy some 1.5mm diameter brass rod.
If 3. fails, then you'll need to buy a set of new scales (or use the scales from your secondary donor SAK).
If you've never done this before then I would just assume failure on all 3 counts and factor that in to the total cost. That way you'll have some room to surprise yourself and end up saving a few bucks in your total budget.
First get the minichamp, then worry about having a secondary donor SAK for extra bushings (you may or may not already have one that you could use for this). Start the project. Order the extra brass rod only if you end up needing it, and lastly you can worry about the scales when you get to that point. Try to reuse the old scales if you can, but you should expect to need to buy new ones because I find that 58mm celidor scales can't be reused as easily as the scales of larger SAKs can. Besides, you'll probably want to add a nice set of new scales at that point anyway, just to show some extra pride in what you accomplished.
LSUisSEC
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2020
- Messages
- 1,304
View attachment 2004439First sak. Had to do something about the blade. The scales will be next
BlindMouse2of3
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2008
- Messages
- 1,583
How do I get one of these in my life. That is a work of art.Another Micarta/Ti Compact Tinker
Edit: I found where you post them. I will follow and see if I win the lottery on catching one for sale first
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