Personally, I don't think removing a layer would have any impact on the strength of this tool. That comes from the springs and especially from the solid aluminum slabs that form the handles.

I would be more worried about mods to a "standard" SAK. Those plastic/nylon handles add a lot of stability to the whole tool, and if they aren't reattached properly, the knife could be mangled by a twisting motion.

Keep in mind that modifying a SAK will wipe out the warranty; and if the rivets don't hold, noone is responsible for the consequences but yourself. ($20 isn't a lot to risk, though.)

If you really know how all those little parts go together then go for it. But the fact that you're asking if you should use bolts or rivets to put it back together tells me you don't know. I don't even know how to take it apart so maybe it's just my ignorance talking. Would Victorinox Service do it?

Then again, why not try it -- you're only out $20 if you can't get it back together as well as you'd like and it might turn out great. dougwalkabout's idea of reusing the same rivets is good. At least they'll be the right size.

No I have not tried this before. But look at an SAK; not that many parts. It can not be too hard.
I don't expect to get a warranty.

Thanks for the info. I also ordered one. Although I prefer my one hand opening Trekker because the blade locks, this knife should be less intimidating to those at work that don't like knives. It is red like most Swiss Army knives!

The modification I like is to sharpen the large screwdriver blade to make it into a chisel. I got this idea from my Swiss Tool. The blade still works well as a bottle opener and pry tool, but it now provides a safe way to fine tune traps, etc. I have found the chisel modification very useful.

Spud

A chisel is useful. I broke the tip off a small blade on one of my SAKs (my fault) and rather than send it in to get the blade replaced, I gave it a chisel-like tip in a tanto profile -- functional.

price is now $27.99

I wonder if Amazon software bumps up the price if a deal is linked and gets a bunch of hits start coming in.

Not really. The cellidor scales are just press fit on the ends of the peened rods holding the knife together. You can easily pop them on and off. Victorinox and other 3rd parties offer replacement scales. I've removed/replaced them a lot, and made custom wooden scales. If you do it too much the holes in the scales get worn out and the scale just falls off. The strength of the knife is in the liners and the rods holding the knife together.

The alox scales are a completely different story. They're peened on.

Kevin B.

http://www.smartknives.com/Victorinox-Knives/Victorinox-Pioneer-Range.htm

Victorinox Pioneer Range Knife
The Victorinox Pioneer Range Swiss Army knife provides a sharp blade and a wood saw, in a handsome and light-weight aluminum ribbed alox finish. This model has also been called the Woodsman knive, although there is another version of the Victorinox Woodsman which is very different.
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SBRaider,
Cool? That was kind of thinking of. I would like to keep the awl but an alox SAK with just a blade and saw; that would be very cool.
Bill

I'd wonder if Victorinox Service would make one (custom) if you sent them a Farmer. Wouldn't hurt to ask.