Adjusting Pocket Clip Tension

R

RedLynx

Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Messages
11,445
Technically, I guess one might call this a knife maintenance issue, but I don't know if it is "maintenancy" enough to go in that forum.

I have a Cold Steel Lone Star Hunter I received in trade, sans clip. Rather than wait for a new clip from the manufacturer which might take forever, I added a Cold Steel clip I had as I have a few extras since usually their knives do seem to come with extras. I have no idea how similar it is to the original clip, but most of the CS models I've owned do have very similar if not identical clips.

Anyways, it's REALLY tight and tough to get on and off the pocket, quite detrimental to my fingers in fact. So I need to either remove the clip or try to adjust the tension (or just order one I guess, but I've never had much luck receiving clips when needed for some reason). If I were to adjust the tension, what would be the best way? I have a small set of pliers I was planning to use. But if this can be done with pliers, what is the best way to adjust incrementally and test tension? Should the clip be detached, or attached to the knife? Where in the "bend" on the clip should I be trying to make adjustments?

I assume the factory Lone Star clip is more suited to it, and I will try to order one if necessary, but I had extra clips going to waste anyway and aside from being far too tight, they're serviceable here.

I can try to add pics later if this would help.

Thank you.
 
Hard to say without seeing the clip....

You could work a thin screwdriver shaft under it and loosen it by feel, lifting it carefully a few times. That's usually step one for me. Bend it up carefully, taking time go get the feel of it, and get some of the tension out. Be very careful though because if it becomes too loose you'll have to remove the clip to bend it back.

Then there's the PROPER way to do it.....
 
NO SCREWDIVER

Dont wanna scratch you knife :D

Use a piece of gutted paracord, slide it under the clip

Pull tension judiciously untill clip is at desired tension
 
DeadboxHero said:
NO SCREWDIVER

Dont wanna scratch you knife :D

Use a piece of gutted paracord, slide it under the clip

Pull tension judiciously untill clip is at desired tension
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Why didn't I ever think of that?!??:D

I usually just leave the clip on the knife, clip it to the outside of my pocket, and then pull the knife to the desired tension. I like the paracord idea better:thumbup:
 
Blues Bender said:
Why didn't I ever think of that?!??:D

I usually just leave the clip on the knife, clip it to the outside of my pocket, and then pull the knife to the desired tension. I like the paracord idea better:thumbup:
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Hmm, since I don't currently own paracord I might try this idea... But it might behoove me to order paracord anyway. Thanks everyone for suggestions.
 
I would remove the clip, and use two pairs of pliers to GENTLY tweak the bend at the top, just below where the screws mount. You can ruin the clip if you go overboard with the adjustments. I had the opposite problem, where the clip got caught on something, and was pulled way out. I sized up the amount of changes it needed to be put right, and tweaked a little beyond that limit to make sure it was snug. You have to be very conservative in your adjustments, because each bend you make adds some weakness to the metal. I forget the exact term for it, but you can see it in action by bending a piece of wire, and trying to put it back to its original shape. The wire will become stiffer with each bend.

Remove the screws on the clip, and just hold the clip in its correct place with your fingers. Look at how far the screw mounts deviate from being flush with the knife. That will give you and idea how much tweaking you will need. The perfect fit would have the screw mounts flat against the holes, but have the right amount of tension on the pocket.

If you are not clear on what I am saying, then please don't try it, because I don't want to ruin your clip or knife.
 
Sharp Steel said:
I would remove the clip, and use two pairs of pliers to GENTLY tweak the bend at the top, just below where the screws mount. You can ruin the clip if you go overboard with the adjustments. I had the opposite problem, where the clip got caught on something, and was pulled way out. I sized up the amount of changes it needed to be put right, and tweaked a little beyond that limit to make sure it was snug. You have to be very conservative in your adjustments, because each bend you make adds some weakness to the metal. I forget the exact term for it, but you can see it in action by bending a piece of wire, and trying to put it back to its original shape. The wire will become stiffer with each bend.

Remove the screws on the clip, and just hold the clip in its correct place with your fingers. Look at how far the screw mounts deviate from being flush with the knife. That will give you and idea how much tweaking you will need. The perfect fit would have the screw mounts flat against the holes, but have the right amount of tension on the pocket.

If you are not clear on what I am saying, then please don't try it, because I don't want to ruin your clip or knife.
Click to expand...

Very clear actually and I'll see if I can make the necessary adjustments tomorrow with fresh eyes.
 
I realize it may be over reacting but I always take the clip off to tune it. Especially if it is a nonmetal scale knife. I just feel better about not over stressing the screw threads and I am able to shape the tip of the clip where the pocket begins to enter the clip. I tend to make the space between the tip and the knife side wider here but I also tend to then bend the tip down/in so that it is pretty much parallel to the side of the knife rather than sticking out which can scratch furniture or snag on stuff. I am pretty good at metal work so visualizing what I need to do and measuring my progress one way or another is second nature for me.

I use these parallel jaw pliers and if the clip is a nice one I put painter's tape on the jaws. I also have vises with aluminum jaws that prevent scratching steel work when clamped in the aluminum jaws.



This Cold Steel clip defeated me though. I wound up replacing it with a longer clip which I must say was recommended to me by the real experts here from the start. Originally the the small clip in the photo bellow was on the knife from the factory and it did not have the slot. I cut the slot in it to weaken the spring rate, then widened it, then threw in the towel and got a longer Cold Steel clip. Yah . . . as you said good luck getting one in a timely manner if ever. How I got mine is a whole ‘nother thread.




The short CS clip pre surgery.


Interestingly enough . . . the small clip would probably have been usable if I had continued to whittle it down but it would have turned out to be two skinny wires like the Spyderco pocket clips . . . which . . . by the way work brilliantly for me; see last photo.

 
I remove it from the knife place it in between the jaws of a vice (protected with a paper towel or rag). Then place the clip (mounting end 1st) about 1/3 of the way in. Pull by hand and check frequently by placing it on your knife and pushing firmly on the mounting area. For smooth scale surfaces, there should about 1/64"- 1/32" gap, for aggressive checkered surfaces a 1/16"- 3/32" gap.
 
That's some great work there, maybe I should just send the knife to you. :)

In order to get a longer clip It'd probably be quicker just to order one of their knives with that sort of clip. :P
 
BTW the gap in the vice jaws should be just big enough to fit the clip in. Also, work your way up with bending force and check frequently.
 
Red,

I don't currently own paracord
Click to expand...

:eek: He didn't mean that guys . . . he's kidding . . . he's a kidder. :o

[on man . . . don't admit that you don't have any paracord in this forum . . . that's like . . . like . . . admitting that . . . well I don't know what . . . but just say you ran out of paracord cause you been using so much of it . . .]

dude . . .!
:)
 
Wowbagger said:
Red,



:eek: He didn't mean that guys . . . he's kidding . . . he's a kidder. :o

[on man . . . don't admit that you don't have any paracord in this forum . . . that's like . . . like . . . admitting that . . . well I don't know what . . . but just say you ran out of paracord cause you been using so much of it . . .]

dude . . .!
:)
Click to expand...

Haha, I've been debating getting one of those paracord bracelets... but it might make me look like some kind of poseur... Real men probably just carry loose paracord ;)
 
Real men probably just carry loose paracord
Click to expand...

Nah . . . "Real Men" and "Real Women" get on YouTube and busssout wit the lighter and a bit of braiding and knot tigh'n.
Heck I even learned what "The Thin Blue Line" stands for. Being a hermit for the most part I had no idea what that was about other than some vague notion of a Brit sit com about a police station. I just like the look of a black paracord braid with a single blue cord running through it. I must say it was fun forming the globe knot that slips through the loop on the other end. Stays on great. It looks way better than the photo color wise by the way. Looks great!

I wound up not wearing it as EDC because I have to wash my arms at work a few times a day as well as my hands and I tend to get it too dirty what with the Boraxo hand cleaner and all. When I go on walk about then I will carry it.



And
it is just a matter of time until I make myself a "Bane's Cuff". Just need to decide on color. I am thinking dark brown . . . yah that would be cool . . . but then sometimes I think it will look like a turd wrapped around my wrist.
You see my dilemma.
 
Instead of paracord, I just place a small piece of leather under the screwdriver and pry (slowly) the clip until it is as tight or loose as I prefer. Doesn't really matter what you use, just don't want to scar the knife handles.

R
 
Wowbagger said:
Nah . . . "Real Men" and "Real Women" get on YouTube and busssout wit the lighter and a bit of braiding and knot tigh'n.
Heck I even learned what "The Thin Blue Line" stands for. Being a hermit for the most part I had no idea what that was about other than some vague notion of a Brit sit com about a police station. I just like the look of a black paracord braid with a single blue cord running through it. I must say it was fun forming the globe knot that slips through the loop on the other end. Stays on great. It looks way better than the photo color wise by the way. Looks great!

I wound up not wearing it as EDC because I have to wash my arms at work a few times a day as well as my hands and I tend to get it too dirty what with the Boraxo hand cleaner and all. When I go on walk about then I will carry it.



And
it is just a matter of time until I make myself a "Bane's Cuff". Just need to decide on color. I am thinking dark brown . . . yah that would be cool . . . but then sometimes I think it will look like a turd wrapped around my wrist.
You see my dilemma.
Click to expand...

Very cool shade of blue on that knife. I'd carry it just for that.
 
Red, get some paracord! Its kool! I wear a paracord bracelet every day. I even used the cord once!

Deadbox has a great idea. I hardly ever need to adjust tension to lessen it. More often I adjust to make it more tight. For that I remove the clip and use pliers and some fabric to avoid scratching the clip.

Question for other clip benders, how does this work for titanium? Never tried it with titanium before but my large 21 could use a tighter clip.
 
Thanks cray,

Question: I assume one does not "re-braid" a paracord bracelet once used, no?
 
RedLynx said:
Thanks cray,

Question: I assume one does not "re-braid" a paracord bracelet once used, no?
Click to expand...

You certainly could but I didn't. This was on an Astronomy camping trip. I have a large telescope. Think small water heater size. I have a nice bag that goes on it after use at night so I don't have to break it down and put it in the car after a long evening staying up late. Well, I have forgotten this bag on several occasions. Not usually a problem unless there is going to be a lot of dew or the possibility of rain. One time I used the large emergency blanket I keep in my car to cover the scope and the paracord from the bracelet to lash it around the telescope. I believe I simply took the cord and but it my car go kit for possible future use.

fLWT6pDh.jpg

mEbmBmQh.jpg


Don't buy a bracelet. Buy a hunk of cord and make the bracelet yourself!
 
Seems like it would be a good skill to have (making it) and probably cheaper though BladeHQ does offer them at what I assume are very low prices.

Cool knives, you came prepared for whatever. :thumbup:
 
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