I found some of these key rings on Amazon. One will need plenty of patience, skill, time, and maybe a band-aid. The rings are solid. I used a small knife blade and a staple extractor. The upgrade is far more secure.
Great video Mark! I've been ditching the standard split ring that comes with the 91 & 111mm, and replaced them with a split ring (size escapes me at the moment) twice the size.. Being a flashlight buff also, I would simply swipe out the split ring that comes with the AA Maglite accessory kit, and attach to the Victorinox.. Stronger and looks better too!
I prefer the original ring for other reasons. I've seen someone make a fishing hook out of that ring by bending it with the pliers. I'm not sure it's as easy to do that with a ring so tough. In another video, someone else made a fishing hook by bending the straight pin, which was also really interesting.
Happy Saturday Mark, a good few years ago I began replacing all the key rings on my 74mm & upwards sized SAK's with the 58mm size key rings as I find them preferable as they don't get in the way of your hand and back layer tools as much as the large size ones. As a rule I only attach a lanyard to a SAK ( the size of the lanyard will depend on the size of the knife - small standard Victorinox nylon ones on 58-65-74- 84/85 & 91mm SAK's and medium sized paracord lanyards on my 93 - 111 & 120mm SAKs ) and I have dispensed with the key ring entirely on a large number of 91mm EDC SAKs on which I have fitted the SwissQlip and last year I began replacing a lot of the Lanyards on my most carried SAK's with the tiny NiteFox flashlight which comes with a small pocket chain & carabiner and makes for a good lanyard
Cool, thanks! My first addition to all my SAK’s since the firefly firesteels and helix tinder. I have 15 now I think, from the Compact up to the 111 mm Outrider, and these will be an improvement. I have that same chain you have there on an Explorer, and the weak link has always been the ring. Thanks again. 👍
Я уже поменял все родные кольца на своих Викториноксах(их 10 штук, и некоторых других ножах и мультитулах) на такие плоские кольца диаметром 7-9 мм и толщиной 1 - 1,2 мм. Брал на Али, несколько размеров по 50-100 штук. В них прекрасно входят маленькие торсионные карабины (покупал там же), к которым я креплю темляки. Кольца очень мощные, чтобы их закрепить в нож, понадобятся тиски с зажатым в них любым ножом, и острогубцы для удержания кольца.
I definitely like adding a smaller split ring to my Victorinox knives. I have found the Vic split rings to be of good quality and save them for other things.
Mark, on my 91mm SAK I always replace the original key ring with a 10mm or even 8mm keyring because I dont want the keyring to get in the way of the reamer. You konw, sometime when you close the reamer the keyring may be in the way and may harm the reamer creating small dents on the cutting edge. Think that is an additional motivation to replace the original ones. I buy splitrings on fishing store, they are usually stainless steel
@@markcoffman494 accually I use the can opener a lot for putting / removing those rings, so it's always easy for me :) . Think 8mm is the size used on 58mm knifes, will check here
Hi Mark, great video as always. Great recommendation. I did something similar with mini key rings, which come for stainless steel fish, a great addition to use with the keyring.
My question exactly! I actually asked the seller and these are specifically made key rings for divers and military personnel. These small key rings are actually used to attach hooks and other small attachments to diving gear. It is made out of the highest quality stainless steel with a very strong, tensile strength. So they are very durable and very strong and they are actually geared towards marine use. I also was informed that they are used by the US military in some cases for small attachments to gear and military weapons.
I could see where that could come in handy with a looped length of paracord, you could run the loop through the eye of the ring, slip it over the knife, then cinch it back down, and it would give you a pretty secure equivalent to a chain, but it’d be much easier to detach, by simply slipping the loop back over the end of the knife.
I've never had the original Victorinox chain, but any othe rI've used, it failed and in some cases I lost my knife because of that. Since then I never trusted any kind of chain again and I know always use true Mil spec Parachute Cord MIL-C-5040H Type III. No more failures since then! Spirit X and the Climber, where my edc combo, until I hit 40's where the magnyfing glass of the Explorer, became a necesity,because my eyes are not what they used to be, so I replaced the climber, with the Explorer!
Mark, I got these Ok, but they are an absolute beyotch to install, LOL! So tight to open up. I finally used a watchmakers tool to pry them apart, then a pair of small pliers to open even further to spin them onto the knife. What a bear! But now they’re not going anywhere! By the way, you can see the ID is less, but because of the metal thickness the OD is close: OD of new 10 mm ring is .415; OD of standard SAK ring is .465, so the new ring takes about the same space but is obviously way stronger.
I like the catch phrase, "Anything could happen". The weak point with Victorinox is definitely Cellidor. How about getting some nice fancy scales though they can be pretty expensive. Or even make some yourself, better than the crap cellidor. Now there's a thought?
I have personally thought about making my own scales. But I think I might just get a pair of G 101s. However the scales really don’t add anything to the strength of the knife they may just add a little bit of rigidity.
That's true but to be fair the celidor knives and the replacement scales are pretty inexpensive so I don't mind either replacing the scales every couple of years or upgrading to aftermarket e.g. Titanium in due course. Plus I don't really work my celidor SAKs too hard - they are officer's knives after all! The 93mm alox models on the other hand - which are ''soldier's'' knives are up to harder work, not just due to the thicker alu scales and thicker tools, as well as stronger springs, but, what a lot of people omit to mention, they have nickel silver liners rather than alu, so they can withstand more torque on the tools.
@@simonh6371 Yes they should fit Alox to the standard knives. I have a Mountaineer & Huntsman and both arrived new in the boxes but the paper insert had scuffed and faded the Cellidor such is it's quality. I don't want to have worn new knives and so I contacted Victorinox a few days ago and they haven't replied, so far. I just wanted to see what they would say or even if they would cover it with their lifetime guarantee & replace the scales but you have to get a response to know such things so at the moment a couple of annoying products and company.
@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz Oh bloody hell that's not good! I guess you're in the US? A guy in Germany sent a knife with chipped scales (which he'd broken btw) to Vic in Switzerland directly and they replaced them for free. Maybe email Victorinox in Switzerland? I heard their customer service is very good if not the quickest.
I find on my cellador 91mm models that the can opener/small flat head is all ways sloppy on all those models virtually no detent. However on the smaller 84mm cellador models it’s always a nice strong action. Also the alox models are nice and strong and even the delomont collection knives have a nice action. This is something I have disliked for a long time, try it up against an alox or small 84mm model, really annoying
With the oval ring. It puts the split on the side so the fishing line doesn’t settle into the split where it can cut itself… the split is on the side of the ring, not the bottom. They also make split ring pliers with a very fine tip for opening them.
It's funny I personally hate how basically every single Swiss model now has the stupid key ring lug built into them. Other than maybe the classic sd but any full size Swiss I think makes them look tacky and cheap and then the bigger models with key chains just look plain silly like a Chinese made tool that has features that don't make any sense of something like that.
Whenever we use her car, it’s usually when I’m driving it. And we usually only use her car on the weekends. In about 100% of the time I have two knives on me and a Swiss Army knife and soon to be a Leatherman. So she’s not really going without a tool.
Try a split ring pliers from a fishing tackle shop for the rings. Hope this is helpful.
I found some of these key rings on Amazon. One will need plenty of patience, skill, time, and maybe a band-aid. The rings are solid. I used a small knife blade and a staple extractor. The upgrade is far more secure.
Great video Mark! I've been ditching the standard split ring that comes with the 91 & 111mm, and replaced them with a split ring (size escapes me at the moment) twice the size.. Being a flashlight buff also, I would simply swipe out the split ring that comes with the AA Maglite accessory kit, and attach to the Victorinox.. Stronger and looks better too!
I prefer the original ring for other reasons. I've seen someone make a fishing hook out of that ring by bending it with the pliers. I'm not sure it's as easy to do that with a ring so tough. In another video, someone else made a fishing hook by bending the straight pin, which was also really interesting.
Sounds like something Felix Immler did in his videos.
@@matthewpittman2481 I think Felix did the one with the ring but someone else did it with the straight pin.
I saw the straight pin, which would work better I think. Believe he bent it in the wire stripper notch? Clever idea!
Happy Saturday Mark, a good few years ago I began replacing all the key rings on my 74mm & upwards sized SAK's with the 58mm size key rings as I find them preferable as they don't get in the way of your hand and back layer tools as much as the large size ones. As a rule I only attach a lanyard to a SAK ( the size of the lanyard will depend on the size of the knife - small standard Victorinox nylon ones on 58-65-74- 84/85 & 91mm SAK's and medium sized paracord lanyards on my 93 - 111 & 120mm SAKs ) and I have dispensed with the key ring entirely on a large number of 91mm EDC SAKs on which I have fitted the SwissQlip and last year I began replacing a lot of the Lanyards on my most carried SAK's with the tiny NiteFox flashlight which comes with a small pocket chain & carabiner and makes for a good lanyard
Cool, thanks! My first addition to all my SAK’s since the firefly firesteels and helix tinder. I have 15 now I think, from the Compact up to the 111 mm Outrider, and these will be an improvement. I have that same chain you have there on an Explorer, and the weak link has always been the ring. Thanks again. 👍
So glad I could help you!
Я уже поменял все родные кольца на своих Викториноксах(их 10 штук, и некоторых других ножах и мультитулах) на такие плоские кольца диаметром 7-9 мм и толщиной 1 - 1,2 мм. Брал на Али, несколько размеров по 50-100 штук. В них прекрасно входят маленькие торсионные карабины (покупал там же), к которым я креплю темляки. Кольца очень мощные, чтобы их закрепить в нож, понадобятся тиски с зажатым в них любым ножом, и острогубцы для удержания кольца.
I definitely like adding a smaller split ring to my Victorinox knives.
I have found the Vic split rings to be of good quality and save them for other things.
Thanks for making this video. I saw those listed but wasn’t sure if the would fit my knives. Now I know that they will I’m going to order some. 👍
Glad I could help!
Mark, on my 91mm SAK I always replace the original key ring with a 10mm or even 8mm keyring because I dont want the keyring to get in the way of the reamer. You konw, sometime when you close the reamer the keyring may be in the way and may harm the reamer creating small dents on the cutting edge. Think that is an additional motivation to replace the original ones. I buy splitrings on fishing store, they are usually stainless steel
Very good advice! 8 mm sounds like it’s quite small. Do you have difficulty getting them on?
@@markcoffman494 accually I use the can opener a lot for putting / removing those rings, so it's always easy for me :) . Think 8mm is the size used on 58mm knifes, will check here
@@markcoffman494 Mark, I checked the sizes. External Diameter: 9mm, Inernal Diameter: 8mm. That's identical to those found on the 58mm line
@@ChrisAlthausen Fantastic to know! Thank you so much
I need that marine grade keyring
I used smaller rings for Classic because they are smaller and could not damage my awls
This is a really wothwhile upgrade, nice find !👍
Titanium split rings are awesome too
Hi Mark, great video as always. Great recommendation. I did something similar with mini key rings, which come for stainless steel fish, a great addition to use with the keyring.
I find the nano clip works real well on the ring. Holds the knife vertical in my pocket .🦉
Great idea, I'm pretty sure I have some kicking around in my fishing tackle box ✨Thanks brother 👍
Bless you man, you've got yourself a new member. 👍👍
You can pick them up at most any sporting goods store.
Thanks for the tip mark
I've been switching mine for decades to a 7 MM marine grade, just to keep the ring from pinching in the awl,
What the heck is a marine grade key ring? Like rust proof during extended submersion in salt water?
My question exactly! I actually asked the seller and these are specifically made key rings for divers and military personnel. These small key rings are actually used to attach hooks and other small attachments to diving gear. It is made out of the highest quality stainless steel with a very strong, tensile strength. So they are very durable and very strong and they are actually geared towards marine use. I also was informed that they are used by the US military in some cases for small attachments to gear and military weapons.
"split ring" you can buy it at fishing store.
I could see where that could come in handy with a looped length of paracord, you could run the loop through the eye of the ring, slip it over the knife, then cinch it back down, and it would give you a pretty secure equivalent to a chain, but it’d be much easier to detach, by simply slipping the loop back over the end of the knife.
You can get splitring Pliers on amazon really cheap too.
I've never had the original Victorinox chain, but any othe rI've used, it failed and in some cases I lost my knife because of that.
Since then I never trusted any kind of chain again and I know always use true Mil spec Parachute Cord MIL-C-5040H Type III. No more failures since then!
Spirit X and the Climber, where my edc combo, until I hit 40's where the magnyfing glass of the Explorer, became a necesity,because my eyes are not what they used to be, so I replaced the climber, with the Explorer!
Mark, I got these Ok, but they are an absolute beyotch to install, LOL! So tight to open up. I finally used a watchmakers tool to pry them apart, then a pair of small pliers to open even further to spin them onto the knife. What a bear! But now they’re not going anywhere!
By the way, you can see the ID is less, but because of the metal thickness the OD is close: OD of new 10 mm ring is .415; OD of standard SAK ring is .465, so the new ring takes about the same space but is obviously way stronger.
sak key ring is a tool you heat them and make them tool of your need...
Good one Mark
I like the catch phrase, "Anything could happen". The weak point with Victorinox is definitely Cellidor. How about getting some nice fancy scales though they can be pretty expensive. Or even make some yourself, better than the crap cellidor. Now there's a thought?
I have personally thought about making my own scales. But I think I might just get a pair of G 101s. However the scales really don’t add anything to the strength of the knife they may just add a little bit of rigidity.
@@markcoffman494 I meant weak point in terms of quality and they do fall apart if worked hard.
That's true but to be fair the celidor knives and the replacement scales are pretty inexpensive so I don't mind either replacing the scales every couple of years or upgrading to aftermarket e.g. Titanium in due course. Plus I don't really work my celidor SAKs too hard - they are officer's knives after all! The 93mm alox models on the other hand - which are ''soldier's'' knives are up to harder work, not just due to the thicker alu scales and thicker tools, as well as stronger springs, but, what a lot of people omit to mention, they have nickel silver liners rather than alu, so they can withstand more torque on the tools.
@@simonh6371 Yes they should fit Alox to the standard knives. I have a Mountaineer & Huntsman and both arrived new in the boxes but the paper insert had scuffed and faded the Cellidor such is it's quality. I don't want to have worn new knives and so I contacted Victorinox a few days ago and they haven't replied, so far. I just wanted to see what they would say or even if they would cover it with their lifetime guarantee & replace the scales but you have to get a response to know such things so at the moment a couple of annoying products and company.
@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz Oh bloody hell that's not good! I guess you're in the US? A guy in Germany sent a knife with chipped scales (which he'd broken btw) to Vic in Switzerland directly and they replaced them for free. Maybe email Victorinox in Switzerland? I heard their customer service is very good if not the quickest.
Mark, can you confirm if the 111mm knife in the video is Hercules?
It is
I find on my cellador 91mm models that the can opener/small flat head is all ways sloppy on all those models virtually no detent. However on the smaller 84mm cellador models it’s always a nice strong action. Also the alox models are nice and strong and even the delomont collection knives have a nice action. This is something I have disliked for a long time, try it up against an alox or small 84mm model, really annoying
You the original key ring does have a use.
It’s called a Stainless steel split ring in the fishing world… they make an odd oval shape that actually works better even…
Thanks…
With the oval ring. It puts the split on the side so the fishing line doesn’t settle into the split where it can cut itself… the split is on the side of the ring, not the bottom. They also make split ring pliers with a very fine tip for opening them.
It's funny I personally hate how basically every single Swiss model now has the stupid key ring lug built into them. Other than maybe the classic sd but any full size Swiss I think makes them look tacky and cheap and then the bigger models with key chains just look plain silly like a Chinese made tool that has features that don't make any sense of something like that.
It is funny 😄
Yeahhh sorry, i realy like your swiss army stuff. Why do t you revieuw budget fake swiss army knifes? Maybe you can find some gemms!
I have thought about it but there’s not a lot of value in doing that. Unless they’re vintage and high-quality German Swiss style knives.
Leaving your wife without a tool?
Whenever we use her car, it’s usually when I’m driving it. And we usually only use her car on the weekends. In about 100% of the time I have two knives on me and a Swiss Army knife and soon to be a Leatherman. So she’s not really going without a tool.