Poorman's "ALOX" Swiss Army Knife, part 1

[@Synthgunner]

This is my favorite channel.

[@matthewtaylor3301]

I always watch your videos when I see you've posted something new.

[@karikovacs3824]

Glad you are back for good. Great mod. Thanks.

[@radityowg1973]

Very interesting results, but i wondered if you can smooth out the edges a little bit so would feel nicer when you hold it tightly 👍

[@MeZillch]

Good point. You could file the rivets or round them with a ball peen hammer but then there's no going back to the use of side scales if you change your mind. I think some people apply aftermarket nuts and bolts to replace the rivets in some cases.

[@wjf213]

Very cool mod. I wonder if you could do some thing with the steel liners so they don't look so bare? Maybe some how add or engrave or etch a ruler on each side using a patina or some thing? I've been trying to fit a plastic hollow Q-Tip shaft inside the tooth pick slot. I seal both ends of that plastic shaft after I've filled it with potassium permanganate for extreme emergency back up water treatment. I can find a plastic bottle anywhere to use as a container, but having a way to treat water on the go in an extreme emergency with just my EDC is what I was trying to achieve, and also not worry about shelf life of the treatment method. I was trying to hot glue one end close with a small piece of heavy nylon thread in the shaft to be used as a sort of pull tab. I also couldn't find anything to use as a cap after I cut open the other end of the shaft, so I won't lose all my PP. In that shaft, I can have enough PP to treat A LOT of water in an emergency. Maybe have a piece of duct tape on the handle to use as a cap or some thing??? I don't know. Maybe you could figure some thing out like this and post a video? I know PP isn't the best, but it has an almost indefinite shelf life and a little treats a lot and it's better than nothing and ALWAYS with me. Keep up the great work.

[@MeZillch]

I wish I had the manual dexterity to nicely etch in a ruler to the metal but I don't. For PP tube area I'd think a short but much fatter straw could be glued into the empty corkscrew area maybe?

[@wjf213]

@@MeZillch That's not a bad idea. I actually made a suggestion to SAK to replace that cork screw on some models and make a small fold out vial or tube to hold pills or maybe a cotton ball or micro fishing kit, anything really. I think that would be much handier than a cork screw for 90% of SAK owners. I also suggested that a small ferro rod and striker to be a replacement option for the tweezers and tooth pick, and since the ferro rod would be rather thin and prone to breaking, I said mold a groove in the plastic handle for the ferro rod to lay in for support while being stuck with the striker. It's an extreme emergency type of thing, but with fire and water, that's half the battle, and it's always with you and that's the other half of the battle.

[@DaliwolfBacon]

It is very interesting to me that you did this. About 4 years ago I took the scales off my Swiss Army knife and did something similar. I painted mine black though. Cool Video!

[@MeZillch]

Yes, I also thought about applying layers of tape: glow in the dark, reflective, camo, etc.. I bet lots of people have done things like us but to the best of my knowledge this is the first YT video on it. Thanks for your comment!

[@grannieannie1371]

@@MeZillch hmmm I'm looking at my new Walker bought to fit into an Altoids tin. Ordered some reflective tape yesterday. Very interesting.

[@MeZillch]

The Walker is as nice a saw as you'll find for tin dimensions, much better durability than a wire saw for example, although it is limited to small tasks, not chopping down big trees. My mod makes it even smaller.

[@grannieannie1371]

@@MeZillch that's what I'm thinking. Serendipity I got the Walker Thursday and ordered some reflective tape and some glow in the dark tape yesterday then I saw you video today. The Walker would be super skinny and very cool. Might have to take the scales off and test it. I've done that before lol. Not too hard.

[@grannieannie1371]

@@MeZillch are you on Twitter when my tape arrives from the slow boat from China I'll send you a picture. Or can I do that through KZbin. I love the teeny tiny functional stuff. Making an everyday Altoids tool set next.

[@StarDarkAshes]

You could skin it with a wrap from one of the skin companies like D Brand Skins. Cut it to shape and then you got a super custom Victorinox. I may try it.

[@ketch_up]

One potential issue with using the plastic scaled knives without the scales is, although it's just plastic, it does add a degree of strength. Do you find that without the plastic the exterior liners squeeze somewhat under use?

[@MeZillch]

No, not really.

[@fanofrunbot9771]

This guy is a genius! He should be making his own EDC kits or working for the military making escape & evasion SERE kits. Lets ask him to put his ideas in a "Deadly Skills" type illustrative book.

[@nasaspaceprogram8290]

Use the can opener instead of the knife blade for taking the scales off

[@MeZillch]

You might have to get it started with a knife but that idea sounds good to me! Thanks.

[@nasaspaceprogram8290]

@@MeZillch I used that method for removing my huntsman scales

[@sg3071]

I am thinking of adding somehow a nail file to my Climber or Huntsman. Since you are very smart and creative person. maybe you have some ideas?

[@jacobsanchez5276]

MeZillch, PLEASE CONTINUE MAKING VIDEOS!!!

[@MeZillch]

OK. Poorman's "Alox" PART 2 will post within the next few days, BTW.

[@DinoDrawer]

Hello! I want to buy a pocket multitool, but I can't decide which should I choose: Micra or Squirt. Could You help me? Which one is better?

[@MeZillch]

I like both. Here's an idea: Buy both for cheap on ebay to decide which you prefer and then if you decide the used one isn't good enough buy a new one of the one you prefer.

[@DinoDrawer]

Okey! Thank you!

[@name5949]

Hello there pal did you see the new victorinox farmer x I was thinking you just might be interested in it just a thought by the way what is your favorite Swiss army knife? Are what is the one you just like to edc or use thanks again pal please keep posting 👍

[@MeZillch]

The Farmer X looks nice. For EDC I usually carry just the Minichamp or Vagabond in "Poorman's Alox" form on my keys for urban journeys. For pocket carry I am partial to the Compact because it is the smallest with full size scissors (I think Vic scissors are the best). For desk use, where I don't care about bulk/weight, I use mostly a Swisschamp but I also have a couple of Cybertools.

[@MeZillch]

@@name5949 Currently for EDC I use the 58mm MINI Champ on my keychain. I rarely carry 91mm SAKs on my person unless hiking/camping because day to day in the city I like to travel light. No bag, breifcase, jacket, etc.. I find the 91mm Compact actually is better for EDC use but even that's more bulk than I usually can justify so just the MINIchamp is the goto daily for me at the moment!

[@name5949]

@@MeZillch thanks for your reply my friend and a fantastic little EDC for the city please don't stop making those Swiss army knife/multi tool videos because I find them very interesting thanks again buddy 👍🏻

[@jacobsanchez5276]

The tweezers are a MUST to keep! Just file within the corkscrew and it retains them without the need for the scales. To keep dust out of the tools, fit a long, skinny ranger band over the entire edge of the multi-tool.

[@g.victorpaulson8836]

Bro I love your videos! Like you, I am constantly looking at everyday items and thinking about how to re-purpose things. Lately I have been looking at some rectangular yogurt cups that we get and wondering how the hell to use them! I have implemented several of your hacks and mods in my own kit, particularly using drinking straws as storage tubes...I found that the very large 'bubble tea' straws are perfect for storing AAA batteries (which I try to use exclusively in all my gear), and I use moleskin foam squares between the batteries if stacking them. The other hack I learned from you is using the plastic photo/card wallet insert leaves for organizing stuff...brilliant! Especially useful for first aid items like bandaids, gauze pads, alcohol pads, etc. For some fun, I found this list online: Alternate uses for the corkscrew! #28 should probably be #1! Also, someone suggested using it to remove the cotton wadding from pill bottles... 1. Opens corked bottles (duh!) 2. Untie knots. 3. Pry the battery out of a cell phone. 4. Screw it into a wall and hang your coat on the SAK. 5. Staple remover. 6. Smooth out the hole you just made with the reamer. 7. Clear clogged faucet sprayer. 8. Bicycle tire valve tool. 9. Holds the micro screwdriver. 10. Pick gravel out of tires. 11. Rip open a blister package. 12. Ice pick. 13. Mark a pilot hole. 14. Clean mud out of shoe soles. 15. Knot the end of a cord. Thread it through the corkscrew. Handle. 16. Pop balloons. 17. Aides in sewing. 18. Clean mud out of sprinkler heads. 19. Push used snare wire through it, to straighten out the wire and remove coils or kinks. 20. Pulls the drain plug out of a tub. 21. Open the corkscrew and screw it tightly into a broomstick-thickness stick. Now open the blade. Tie it securely. Survival spear for fishing. 22. Hang the SAK from a piece of cordage from the ceiling. Plumb bob (I have the middle of the handle marked on one mine). 23. Corkscrew + a metal lid = a filter or wire mesh for cooking. 24. Carry a chunk of C4. 25. Pull frozen shoestrings tight, or help loosen them. 26. Helps get the innards out of a squirrel. 27. Gets the candle stub out of a candle holder. 28. Start fights on multitool forums. 29. Remove the fuel filter from a lawn mower. 30. Although the new corkscrews are 4 turns, you can use them for range estimation. 31. O-ring remover for your flashlights. 32. Pry out partially-exposed nails. 33. Tighten the apron strings on a wrestling ring. 34. The inside diameter of the corkscrew is 1/4". I'm sure you know what you can do with this. 35. Open just a small hole in a coconut. 36. Lift stuck items out of boxes. 37. Fish the tape out of a clogged VHS tape. 38. Remove patches from a flintlock gun. 39. Remove the inside of a shotgun shell, making a blank. Remove the wad and powder too. 40. If you don't want the mini screwdriver, the corkscrew can hold a ferro rod. 41. Tap a tree for sap. 42. Undo zip ties without breaking them.

[@MeZillch]

Thanks. Glad you like my channel. I can't say I never use it however the cork screw is used so infrequently by me I always go for the Philips head alternative SAK when it's available.

[@knurled1]

You should round off the pins more to prevent snagging. Must admit that I've had the same thoughts about removing the scales, nice to see the achievable results 👍

[@MeZillch]

Thanks. That's probably a good idea if you are sure you want to stay that way, but the extra lip is part of the "snap" which keeps the scales on, if you decide to return to scales.

[@reidoldfield8847]

Can I take off the scales of a model with the electronic features, such as the Traveller and install the special scales on another model? Traveller scales -> Super Tinkerer Thanks.

[@MeZillch]

I have never owned one with the electronics so I don't know. My EDC electronics are my Casio Pathfinder watch: solar powered, atomic, barometer/altimeter/compass/thermometer, timer, stopwatch. 5 alarms, etc..

[@sg3071]

Even though I did all this before with my Imperial knife and some other knives, I liked the video VERY much! The only thing, I would not remove the corkscrew. Thank you and good luck!

[@arthuralles1412]

When I take my sak scales of I warm up the places that have contact with the pivots with a bic lighter. I did it when I took them of and they didn't want to stay in their place. It worked well.

[@antkiem]

Great idea! Thank U.

[@saldomino1639]

Great Video ! I bet you can hardly feel it’s in your pocket great Mod !

[@MeZillch]

"It's wafer thin."

[@2371Anita]

I love the look! But doesn't it hurt when using it?

[@MeZillch]

Nope

[@b.t.8709]

Check out the Pioneer X for a standard Alox with scissors, they came out in 2016. Runs about $35 bucks for silver scales. Blue/Black alox scales from DLT Trading for $45.00.

[@nasaspaceprogram8290]

What do you recommend as a new edc knife/multitool

[@MeZillch]

In a nutshell I think Leatherman makes the best pliers, Sanrenmu makes the best knives [I can afford], and Victorinox makes the best scissors. . . so you need all three!

[@MartinBrabi]

Man, you are genius! I like the (steam)punk look!

[@MeZillch]

I like steampunk too (and they are lower maintenance).

[@JayHarrisonGoogle]

Nice work!!

[@dcordry]

Good job!

[@archer125]

I thought I was the only one who did this 👍😁

[@MeZillch]

Yes, in part of the video that hit the cutting room floor I mention that this is such a simple thing I can't possibly be the first. Great minds think alike!

[@yurrev]

But with the rivets protruding out, wouldn't it be kinda uncomfortable to use?

[@MeZillch]

They are comfortable to use and actually offer more grip, useful in wet conditions.

[@erikramaekers63]

love the scissors didn't know they are self sharpening.

[@MeZillch]

I used to say of key chain tools: "If Leatherman had scissors like Victorinox there'd be no reason to carry anything other than a Leatherman"

[@dududu5189]

I thought original Wenger SAKs and more recently the Victorinox Delmont range had the self sharpening scissors.

[@rhino5419]

Great mod. I am in France and regularly use the cork screw on my forester sak but i wish they did more small models without the cork screw. As you say, it adds to the width and is more or less a 1 use tool. Good health and stay safe

[@simonh6371]

I worked out that only actually maximum 30% of SAKs have a corkscrew, if that. Basically 20% are 58mm, which don't have corkscrews. 20% are 111mm like the Forester but only half of them have corkscrews, others have Phillips like the Trailmaster, or Soldier which I have, or the Sentinel with no backtools. So max. 10% corkscrews so far. Of the medium size - 60% of all SAKs - one third (20%) are alox so no corkscrews. Leaving 40% medium celidor but remember some are 74mm and 84mm, only one 84mm - the Waiter has a corkscrew and none of the 74mm have it. Most are 91mm but all of the 2 and 3 layer have variants with Phillips e.g. Spartan/Tinker, Camper/Hiker and even some thicker ones have Phillips like Tinker Deluxe, Fieldmaster, Angler. So roughly half of the 40% medium sized SAKs which is 20%, plus 10% (the 111mm)s, total 30%. I own 5 SAKs but only 1 (Climber) has a corkscrew, 2 have Phillips, one is 58mm, and 1 an alox.

[@rhino5419]

@@simonh6371 Wow. That is a lot of calculation. Another thing to take into acount is the fact that i only buy from shops where i can see and touch the knife. Also i live in France where they only seem to stock knives with corkscrews. I have the Atlas, Huntsman, climber. Which all have corkscrews, and the SD classic, excelsior single blade and sentinel 2 hand opening. These do not. But a huntsman with a philips instaed would be handy. I will have to look through the catalogue which i admit i have not done for a while. It probably exists. The 3 without have all been bought since that first comment was made All the best.

[@simonh6371]

@@rhino5419 I live in the UK where we rarely if ever see knives or multitools in shops, at least not in London. So I order online and my knowledge of Victorinox products is from youtube vids and browsing online, I'm a bit of a fanboy I suppose and have learnt quite a lot about them. The Huntsman with a Phillips instead of a corkscrew is the Fieldmaster. You may find it for a good price by looking online, although to be honest I think it's good if you can support physical shops by buying from them.

[@rhino5419]

@@simonh6371 I know you have a lot of problems in the UK now. I am English but have lived in France for over 30 years now. I used to buy knives in Skegness and Lincoln when i came over to visit but now those shops have closed. Here i can buy and own any knife i wish BUT all edc carry of any knife is illegal. At least in the UK it is under 3 inch and slipjoint. Here even that could get you arrested. I do carry SAKs as they frighten no one and the police are tolerant as long as we are discrete and dont do stupid things. Most shoe repair shops and some newsagents sell Saks though the choice is fairly limited. Most newsagents sell Opinels and Chinese laguiole copies. A lot of mall ninja knives in tourist shops but for big name knives i would have to go online. They are even more expensive here than on Heinie Haines. Lol. I will have a look out for the fieldmaster, Thanks. Do you watch Paddy's Potato Peelers Hes shows some great stuff, or for SAK stuff i watch Felix Immler. All the best.

[@simonh6371]

@@rhino5419 I'm subscribed to Paddy's Potato Peelers as well as Felix Immler. I think I don't see knives or multitools in shops because I live in London. I have no doubt that they are in shops in more rural areas, but camping or outdoor shops. I don't think I've ever seen knives in newsagents or petrol stations. Tbh I don't mind the knife laws, I can carry a non-locking SAK or Bokerplus or a lot of other good choices, I don't need a locking blade or fixed blade unless I'm camping in which case it's okay as I have good reason. The only one I'd like, but can't carry, is an Opinel, as with the ringlock it's illegal, even if it's just a tiny 2cm blade. 20 years ago I bought an Opinel in Birmingham and carried it in my pocket without realising it was illegal lol, before that I had a cheapo framelock in my pocket. I didn't have internet back then so I didn't know that those were illegal. I think nowadays a lot of people in the UK think that even SAKs are illegal to carry in the city but that doesn't bother me, I know which paragraph to quote (Section 139 Criminal Justice Act) if by any chance any policeman thinks I shouldn't be allowed to carry it.

[@torpilo]

Well, the Compact is not a good candidate.. you could buy an alox for that money, and also you lose to many functions, but good job with that Ranger.

[@MeZillch]

To the best of my knowledge a poorman's Alox Compact is currently the skinniest way to get the tool I most care about: 91mm scissors.

[@torpilo]

@@MeZillch Well, the skinniest way would be the Swiss Card, or even better the scissors alone by a small mod. attached to your key-chain (would be great to see a video about that..). Have a nice day!

[@MeZillch]

@@torpilo I think you might have missed the "91mm" part in my post. This means the scissors which come with 91mm length Victorinox SAKs. Not all scissors are created equal and I find these to be quite good.

[@torpilo]

@@MeZillch It appears this turned into a polemic, which was not my intent. Obviously you can use whatever scissors size you like, by purchasing replacements, or use them from a second-hand/damaged product, and even by removing a layer from an unused sak.

[@MeZillch]

@@torpilo Removing the outer scales of a Compact to make it a "poorman's Alox Compact" is a trivially easy mod anyone wanting a skinny pair of FULLY FUNCTIONAL 91mm Vic scissors can undertake, whereas "removing a layer" of another SAK, as you suggested, is a complex procedure only some people with specific tools, skills, and specific replacement rivets (Victorinox does not market) can undertake (if they wish to reassemble the remaining knife). I get the distinct impression you are unaware that simply extracting a set of 91mm scissors from a SAK does NOT get you what you need. It doesn't work. The way the scissors are used on 91mm Vics RELIES on holding the main SAK body in your grip and then activating the scissors with your thumb. An extracted set of 91mm scissors is worthless because it has no body to hold on to. This grip prevents the scissors from flopping over when they hit a resistance or "load". Another even more common option to prevent "flop over" is to provide full size circular grips on the scissors such as these (note their name, "functional"): www.amazon.com/715132-Sheath-Smallest-Functional-Scissor/dp/B01CYVDX6U Tiny scissors without an "anti-flop over" grip (even when quite sharp, like Vic are, compared to True Utility), work poorly. Example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jF6reIJ_jtNpaM0

[@superbird6176]

Everyone gets a poor man's alox knife after the plastic breaks off...

[@TylerSnyder305]

I like the toothpick and tweezers on my Vic, but a lot of people don't care and will buy Alox.

[@jacobsanchez5276]

Same here.

[@grahamparr3933]

I would think you lose some of the rigidity and sturdiness by doing this🤔

[@MeZillch]

Not in any appreciable way. The scales are just thin strips of plastic and quite flimsy/flexible. It's the body'steel construction which gives it its strength.

[@jeruelpizarro7479]

Nice one! 🇵🇭

[@itimmy101]

I just realized you changed your name by 1 letter 👍👍

[@yukselari6831]

I took the scales off the "Bantam" and keep it in my wallet. You would never know it's there.

[@MeZillch]

Yup. Thin is in! My de-scaled Compact [full size 91mm scissors] is now the thickness of a SAK corkscrew: ~7.5mm !

[@pioneerxmnl6033]

I like your poor mans alox...😝😝😝😝👍

[@levkvarner9865]

Are you serious???

[@MeZillch]

Yes. I value a fully functional Swiss army knife that's slimmer and takes up less room in a pocket tin.

[@tedkenne]

Strange Indeed

[@cardojoal]

i dot think is a good idea, better buy an alox victorinox knife

[@theurbancamper5410]

I usually like your innovations, but this one I can’t abide. That poor man’s Alox looks very uncomfortable to use.

[@MeZillch]

I find it's actually superior because the rivets give a point of friction for your thumb, especially useful in wet conditions. Also by using the warm water scale removal method one can always reuse the scales if they don't like using the raw body.

[@portveinanapa]

Hey, you just removed scales from a regular swiss knife and call it Alox?! And this is all? Not very smart, you know.

[@MeZillch]

Nope, I call it POORMAN'S Alox. It is super skinny (even skinnier than a real Alox by the way) and similarly it has a metal exterior. It's also a fraction of the price and can be used for any of their knives whereas actual Alox only exists on some models.