Swiss Army Knife Wood Scales Modification

I began this collection by seeing if I could make some replacement scales for an old, beat-up swiss army knife (SAK) that had been kicking around my house for years. I was successful enough that I kept at it.

The Process

The source for most of these knives is auctions of NTSA forfeitures from people trying to pass through airport security with the knife in their possession. The quality of the tools in the knives I receive range from no (or barely) noticeable signs of use to extensive evidence of use and wear.

When I receive the knife, I remove the original plastic scales. It then gets a bath in warm soapy water along with a good scrubbing using a stiff-bristled plastic brush. After milling, crafting and installing the new scales,  I apply a drop of light machine oil to the pivot points to insure smooth action. The final step is the use of a sharpening steel to put a very fine edge on them, unless the knife has it's original, unused factory edge.

I do not include the tweezers and toothpicks  in my knives because I prefer the cleans lines of the scales with out them. I am currently working on a process for milling the slot that will accept them in the event someone wants me to fit a knife they own with new scales that include these tools.

Quality and Price

The prices for my knives are based on the quality and quantity of the tools. I use a 5 point scale for rating this quality (Most of my knives are in the 3 to 4 grade of quality.):

4- New or like new. In excellent condition, with factory edge on the blade. Clean and tight, with no tool action or snap issues. The blade edge is original from the factory.

3- Some noticeable wear but still a quality knife.  Clean and tight, with smooth tool action and snap. The blade will have a factory, or near factory edge.

2- A good knife.  Clean and complete. Clear signs of use, with possible stiff tool action or snap issues. Most likely has been sharpened multiple times.

1- Everything is there and it all works. The tools show extensive signs of use. The tool action may be stiff and/or not 'snap' like it should. Blade has been sharpened multiple times. This grade of knife was probably used very day.

0-You’ll never see these because they end up in the trash can.

Contact/Purchase

If you are interested in any of the knives in this blog, they can be purchased via PayPal. Be sure to identify the knife by Size, Model, and Wood type.

All prices include shipping within the continental US.

If you don't have a PayPal account, contact me via e-mail and we can make arrangements for payment. 

My e-mail (and PayPal) information is spresho [at] comcast.net (just replace the [at] with @ to bypass this bot security measure).

• Go to the the Small (58mm) Models page