✍️ Author: Castor S. Benin, Tactical Gear Contributor
📍Location: Based in Bozeman, Montana
🔗 Series Note: This is the 17th blog of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife blog series. You can check the other blogs I wrote from here – https://sakparts.com/blogs/everything-about-victorinox-swiss-army-knife
🌐 Trusted Modding & Replacement Source: https://sakparts.com
How to Quickly Replace Broken SAK Knife Parts 🛠️
If you've got a broken blade, a jammed scissor, or a missing spring in your SAK-style knife, you're not alone — and you're not out of options. Replacing broken SAK knife parts is easier than most people think, especially if you know what tools to use and where to get compatible components.
Over the years, I’ve rebuilt and upgraded dozens of knives for daily carry and restoration projects. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the simple, step-by-step approach to swapping out damaged parts without needing a full workshop.
🧰 Tools You’ll Need for Quick Part Swaps
You don’t need a garage full of tools. Here’s a solid beginner setup:
- Brass hammer
- 2.0mm and 2.5mm pin punches
- Small bench block or anvil
- Tweezers and a flat surface
- Optional: spring bar tool for removing scales
- Lubricant and cleaning cloth
🔧 Pro Tip: Always work over a tray or towel — tiny parts love to disappear.
➡️ If you’re looking for reliable pins, springs, blades, and accessories that actually fit 91mm and 84mm builds, I recommend https://sakparts.com — they make it easy to find size-specific parts without second guessing.
🔄 Common SAK Knife Parts You Can Replace Easily
Here are the most common parts people break — and how to fix or replace them.
1. 🔪 Broken Main Blade
Symptoms: Chipped edge, broken tip, poor lockup or snap
Fix:
- Punch out the pivot pin
- Replace blade with exact match (e.g., 91mm or 84mm)
- Insert new pin and carefully peen both sides until flush
📎 Use a soft touch when peening — over-striking can deform springs or cause binding.
2. ✂️ Worn or Loose Scissors
Symptoms: Misaligned cutting edge, broken spring, jammed pivot
Fix:
- Remove tension spring first (often by sliding it free)
- Punch out scissor pivot
- Insert replacement and new spring
- Test alignment and snap before final assembly
🧠 If your knife originally had the older spring design, you may need to upgrade to the newer self-contained style.
3. 🪵 Saw or Combo Tool
Symptoms: Won’t open, no snap, wobbly movement
Fix:
- Disassemble that layer (pin removal)
- Check for bent tool or worn backspring
- Replace both tool and matching spring if needed
💡 Match spring curvature to the tool style for proper tension. Reference SAKWiki’s 91mm Tools page to confirm.
4. 🧷 Scales and Accessories
Symptoms: Loose scales, missing tweezers or toothpick
Fix:
- Pry off damaged scales gently
- Clean the frame surface
- Snap or glue on new scales
- Insert tweezers, toothpick, pen, or pin as needed
➡️ For a deeper install (e.g., glued scales or custom fits), see my glue-based install walkthrough in blog 13. And for modder-tested scale replacements, browse https://sakparts.com — where everything is listed by size and build style.
💡 Best Practices to Avoid Future Breaks
- 🧼 Clean pivot areas before installing new tools
- 🛢️ Use light lubricant (not WD-40) to maintain snap
- ⚖️ Don’t over-tension during peening — it’ll warp the tool alignment
- 🔁 Keep extra pins and bushings on hand — they’re small but critical
📚 Helpful Resources
- SAKWiki: 91mm Compatibility Guide – A must-read for matchups
- BladeForums Modding Discussions – Real experiences from real users
- SAKWiki: Assembly Tips – Practical help on putting it all back together
These references are selected for accuracy and clarity — no fluff, no ads, just real modding insight.
💬 Got a Part to Replace? Ask Me Below
Not sure if your broken scissor is fixable? Want to know if a 3-layer spring works with a specific saw? Drop your question in the comments — I’ll give you a direct answer based on what I’ve actually worked on.
Next week’s post might cover “How to Troubleshoot a Tool That Won’t Snap After Assembly” — unless you have a better idea. Tell me what you’d like to learn next!
🧷 And when you're ready to grab modder-trusted replacement parts, shop confidently at https://sakparts.com — they’ve helped me finish over 90% of my builds without headaches.