Conversion of Al Mar SERE knife to a 'wave' knife

The Emerson CQC7 (as well as several other Emerson models) has a 'wave' on the top of the blade which allows it to be opened as it is removed from the pocket. This is done by catching the wave on the pocket opening. Go to 2:30 in this YouTube clip -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1tUxkWrfAM&t=146s

I was web surfing yesterday and came across a company that makes a device which converts a thumb stud into a wave -

https://www.snaggletoothmf.com/

I have an Al Mar SERE 2000. To convert remove the thumb stud and insert the device into the hole and tighten. Now here's my problem. This is a very expensive knife. I guess - but don't know - that the stud simply unscrews just like a nut and bolt however I've seen examples of knives that have the stud expanded into the hole under pressure. I don't want to ruin it and irritatingly, Al Mar doesn't have any telephone number for tech questions.

Any advice?

I would love to find out that someone here knows the answer to this. If nobody does, would it make sense for you to ask on bladeforums.com?

I joined bladeforums today and asked in my first post. (In my second post I gave wise advice to a mother who is looking for a knife as a present for her son's graduation from USMC boot camp - <wiseacre/> ) In my two answers so far it has been established that the thumb stud does in fact screw out. I emailed Al Mar to try to find out the diameter of the hole, which I suppose has to be a good match to the wave insert.

I will update with what I find out.

I deliberately avoid knives with this feature. I suppose it might have benefits if you always wear the same pants and always open the blade immediately upon taking it from your pocket, but neither of those are true for me.

I like the wave feature and my current EDC is an Emerson CDC7 Wave. Being retired I have only about 7 - 8 pairs of pants I normally wear - mostly blue jeans and khakis. I commandeered my wife's sewing machine and sewed a small vertical pocket into the right front of each. I removed the clip from the knife so it fits in the pocket and there is no clip to give away the fact that I am carrying it.

Both the Emerson tanto and Al Mar are great knives. I just think the Al Mar is slightly better. One little complaint about the Emerson is that the bevel on the blade is on the left side - exactly opposite what it should be for a right-hander (cutting away from yourself).

UPDATE - I got an email from the company saying that the OD of the insert is 0.112 inch. The diameter of the hole in the SERE is 0.089. So I have to decide if I want to take it to a machine shop and permanently alter the knife or keep it the way it is. I looked on eBay and they are in the $200 range.

I do have a drill press, but I have no experience with VG-10 stainless.

I’d be less inclined to drill the knife and more inclined to reduce the OD of the insert by 0.2 or so”

I'm not technically competent to do that.

Now that I’ve followed the link, I see what you mean. A smaller screw and nut, perhaps with a washer or two?

He says he has a smaller screw. I have offered to send the knife to him. If it works he will bill me and send it back. If it doesn't work he will bill me for the postage and send it back.

I will update.

UPDATE - The smaller screw he sent threaded into the original thumb stud. The Al Mar's thumb stud is very close to the handle. In order to prevent the 'wave' from hanging up against the handle I had to trim some material off with a Dremel tool.

The modified wave works well.

I have some .jpg images on my computer but I can't figure out how to post them here.

I'm glad it worked out well!

You can use imgbb.com (no affiliation) to host images for posting here.

Trimming Snaggletooth device to allow clearance -

[img]https://ibb.co/2YQ8D6k[/img]

[img]https://ibb.co/VTZ2mZG[/img]

Final Product -

[img]https://ibb.co/V3LC2YD[/img]

[img]https://ibb.co/KNHDLC6[/img]

Well, that didn't produce a very good visual, but the links work. Best I can do, ChaosMagnet.

It seems to have done the trick!

Nice! Thanks for the pics!