Bent my first pocket clip today

aquaman67

aquaman67

Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
1,764
So, I've read stories on here about people who've either bent or even broken pocket clips.

I've never bent a clip after carrying a knife for years so I just discounted it as something that must be just a fluke or extreme carelessness.

Well, not anymore.

I took my Native 5 lightweight out of my pocket and carried my Delica this week. Today I bumped my truck's open door as I was going around it and I felt a slight tug.

I immediately felt for my pocket and thought -

Did that just happen?

Sure enough. I bent the clip slightly away from the scale. I'm pretty sure I Loctited the screws when I changed the clip over the left carry side. Hopefully it can be remedied without incident.

Oh, and then I get an email that the HAP 40 Delicas are in stock...

What to do...
 
I think what you should do is bend that clip back (be careful and use a vice, I've done it before) then buy that HAP 40 Delica. I know that if I hadn't JUST bought a Endura, I would buy the HAP 40 Delica..
 
If you used Blue Loctite, simple hand tools will be enough to break it.

Stronger versions like Red Loctite will require heat to break the bondage.

Bend it back and put it to use. Then get the new one so you have 2. :thumbup:
 
Spyderco will put a new clip on that for free, and might even just mail you one.
 
Done it numerous times, almost all solved by removing the clip and bending it back. Only exception was my Benchmade 975. Snagged it hard enough it stripped the G10 scales that the screws were in. Sent it back to Benchmade and it came back with all new scales, new clip, and they touched up the edge.
 
It is a fluke but it is not all that rare. It requires that something grab the clip just right as you are moving away in a certain direction. I had not done it in many years until this past summer when I caught the clip of my Military on the thick plastic wrap on a big rug at Home Depot. I took the clip off, carefully bent it and put it back on.
 
It had never happened to me before a few days ago. Mine was a Military as well and remedied the same way as above. FWIW I ordered a HAP40 Delica today!
 
If you used Blue Loctite, simple hand tools will be enough to break it.
Click to expand...

Nah dude, nah.
Blue on that small a screw can be a problem.
Purple is a better choice and I have even just used bee's wax. Bee's wax creates enough stiction to where it doesn't just rattle loose but is so stable over time, (see stuff preserved in The Pyramids with bee's wax) that after years and years the screws can be cracked loose. I have had purple harden in a couple of years to where it was too tenacious on threads as large as 2mm x 56 tpi breaking the fastener rather than unscrew but the wax held from loosening yet was removable when it came time for disassembly. Sure one can use heat but not always on a knife handle.

Blue is more for 1/4 inch (6mm) and larger.
 
Wowbagger said:
Nah dude, nah.
Blue on that small a screw can be a problem.
Purple is a better choice and I have even just used bee's wax. Bee's wax creates enough stiction to where it doesn't just rattle loose but is so stable over time, (see stuff preserved in The Pyramids with bee's wax) that after years and years the screws can be cracked loose. I have had purple harden in a couple of years to where it was too tenacious on threads as large as 2mm x 56 tpi breaking the fastener rather than unscrew but the wax held from loosening yet was removable when it came time for disassembly. Sure one can use heat but not always on a knife handle.

Blue is more for 1/4 inch (6mm) and larger.
Click to expand...

I often see the blue Loctite being recommended on the forums and wonder why since the purple would be better suited to the small fittings used on knives. I use the purple 222 Loctite and it seems to work really well. I've also used it to attach firearm sights and it stands up well to the vibration and recoil involved yet can be broken free using small drivers.

As for the clip, it happens. It's relatively easy to bend back into shape again using two needle nose pliers. If you want to prevent scratching the clip, you can wrap it in thin leather before using the pliers. Since clips always get scratched up anyway, I don't bother with the leather.
 
I've probably bent clips on a Military at least 10 times, mostly on strike plates for doors, I'm just the right height. Couple of times the clip was almost at a 90 deg angle to the handle, I just take them off and bend them back with needle nose pliers. I have some with smooth jaws so they don't tear it up too bad. Blue Loctite for me, haven't had any problems (yet)
 
Lee48 said:
I often see the blue Loctite being recommended on the forums and wonder why since the purple would be better suited to the small fittings used on knives. I use the purple 222 Loctite and it seems to work really well. I've also used it to attach firearm sights and it stands up well to the vibration and recoil involved yet can be broken free using small drivers.

As for the clip, it happens. It's relatively easy to bend back into shape again using two needle nose pliers. If you want to prevent scratching the clip, you can wrap it in thin leather before using the pliers. Since clips always get scratched up anyway, I don't bother with the leather.
Click to expand...
I have been a machinest all my life and purple is service removable and is for screws under 1/4" Used on million dollar machines and my own guns with perfect results. Never needed heat to remove even after years on the threads.
 
Thanks all for the tips.

I did indeed use blue Loctite. I'll switch to purple.

I got it off with no problems and bent it back, maybe a little too far but tighter is better than too loose.
 
Wowbagger said:
Nah dude, nah.
Blue on that small a screw can be a problem.
Purple is a better choice and I have even just used bee's wax. Bee's wax creates enough stiction to where it doesn't just rattle loose but is so stable over time, (see stuff preserved in The Pyramids with bee's wax) that after years and years the screws can be cracked loose. I have had purple harden in a couple of years to where it was too tenacious on threads as large as 2mm x 56 tpi breaking the fastener rather than unscrew but the wax held from loosening yet was removable when it came time for disassembly. Sure one can use heat but not always on a knife handle.

Blue is more for 1/4 inch (6mm) and larger.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Ive never had problems with tbe Blue but it does suggest to use it for the sizes you mentioned.

I just looked at their site and didnt see the purple (i know they have one) on there. Has it been discontinued or did i just miss it?
 
I have lost count as to how many clips I have bent. The worst was a SOG Flash II that got caught on a door. It did not really bend the clip much but, the soft material of the scales did not hold up well. The clip was never secure after that.
 
I know they're still for sale, just didn't see it on list of products on Loctite's site. They only had Red and Blue listed.
 
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As a pleasingly plump gentleman my pockets clips are frequently in danger. Even in good shape, I'm just broad and that includes my hips, so chair arms have claimed the clips of many of my folders and flashlights. I've had to rebend the clip on my Eagletac D25LC2 dozens of times.
 
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