The Piratech® Saga Behind the Scenes. (Part 1, Design Details)

In this blog post, we'll cover the Saga's design details and the thinking behind them. 

Let's start with the basic function: locking. 

Framelock

We designed the Saga as a framelock knife that works well, is reliable, easy to understand, and easy for beginners to learn. The framelock design has been around for decades, and we all should thank Chris Reeve for that; a framelock knife can last for many years, which fits the Saga name perfectly. 

• What have we done differently in detail?

The framelock was formed from an "L"- shaped line cut from a solid piece of titanium. The cut line normally is around 0.7mm wide or more. We want a very clean look on the back, so we tried to make it as slim as possible. The wire-cut line could be set to around 0.5mm, and we were tempted to do so. However, we finalized at around 0.6mm to ensure the cut line has enough room for the lockbar's vibration and isn't sharp on the outside.

• T8 screw for the steel insert of the framelock.

The framelock uses its lockbar to contact the blade tang lock face, made of very high-HRC steel. The hard material always wears the soft material; in this case, the lockbar. Instead of replacing the entire knife or the titanium handle when wear causes the lock to fail, we developed a steel insert to wear in the lockbar. 

We used a hidden screw from the outside to keep the clean look, but I also thought about what happens if someone needs to replace the insert one day because it's worn out. Could we use T8 instead of T6 for the screw? And we did, tried multiple designs of the steel insert screw that could fit in that small insert, also have enough teeth for tightening in that thin place, in the meantime, a big enough screw head to lock the insert in and not stick out much.  

Pivot and screws

• Combine the pivot screw and pivot.  

No spinning pivot screws or visible screws, just a one-sided pivot screw and pivot pillar combination. Based on the "Less Is More" principle, the pivot and pivot screw are two-in-one and, with extreme engineering and M4 screw threads, are screwed into the titanium lockbar side handle without going through or increasing the thickness of the titanium, but are tight enough for use.

• Engineering and tolerance

For the pivot screws, old Piratech fans might notice that, from Kraki to Saga, our pivot screw is very precise. When you tighten the pivot, you don't need to loosen it or make adjustments for smooth blade operation. We designed and engineered it carefully and precisely so the pivot leaves just enough room for the blade and bearings, without pressing too hard or causing blade play or centering issues.

We never marketed this because we thought it was common in the industry, but we now understand it's not.

Handle

• Absorb vibration

We intentionally did not remove weight from the titanium handle. Saga was designed as a work knife with the thinnest handle possible, not a lightweight, light-duty pocket toy. In real-world use, adding mass helps absorb vibration and provides a solid feel that inspires confidence; the same rule applies to guns. 

• Ergonomic streamlined design

A great knife is a tool that fits human hands so we can use it with confidence. 

The Saga handle was designed for a clean, thoughtful grip. The index finger choil was designed with careful dimensions that let small hands hold it comfortably, while big hands fit perfectly. This makes Saga, a rather large knife, comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes. 

Pocket Clip

• Long flat clip

Saga's clip was a big thing in the prototype phase; we tried to make it as flat as possible so people wouldn't feel it while gripping. It was a magnetic up-and-down clip, but it didn't pass testing. The friction and uneven force got magnified by the leverage of the long clip. We could improve it, but we didn't because we realized it wasn't a good fit for the Saga.

After that prototype, we started over; a long, flat, hidden screw clip was born. It fits better in Saga, no matter the purpose or look. The long clip, paired with the index-finger choil, is comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes. Even smaller hands can grip the knife with their fingers on the clip.

We are so glad we changed it from the magnetic one to the one that fits so well now. It was more like a fun idea that popped up while we were designing the Saga, yet it is not the simplest functional design for the Saga. Still, it was a fun try that motivated the team's enthusiasm and brought us back to practical principles with much more confidence. 

We understand what Steve Jobs said after this. We, too, feel proud because we chose not to make this magnetic clip, just as we feel proud of what we do with the magnetic scales.

"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things."                                             -- Steve Jobs

MagSnap Inlay

• Streamlined inlay design

The spirit of the Saga: it's not a full handle inlay or anything simply follows the handle lines, but follows the blade grind line and the overall flow of the knife design. The MagSnap system adds even more spirit of unsettlement and uncertainty. Make your own story, how you want it.

With the nail slot at the handle's pivot end, you can easily pull the inlay out with your nail. Simple yet practical. No need for tools or a dramatic press button.