Carbon Fiber Pocket Clip - Para II

Moxy · Jul 5, 2013

Hi all, just want to show off my latest knife related afternoon project. I know how much this forum loves pictures. It's a 100% real carbon fiber pocket clip for my Spyderco Paramilitary II. It's made from 5 layers of woven carbon fiber laminated together with epoxy resin. This was an idea I've been tossing around for a while now and finally found the time to make it happen. In reality I have no idea how it will perform. It's just a prototype. The retention does not seem to be nearly as stiff as stainless or titanium clips. There really is no advantage other than aesthetics, and it's original. I've got a second batch curing now with 10 layers. I'm curious to see how it will do.
Cheers, Happy 4th!

-Tony

zl1 · Jul 5, 2013

It's pretty nice
Good job!

hazy · Jul 5, 2013

Very cool, I hope it holds up well

FCM415 · Jul 5, 2013

Interesting! That should work for other Spydies as well.

flatblackcapo · Jul 5, 2013

Looks good! Keep us posted on how it does.

Moxy · Jul 5, 2013

bpeezer · Jul 5, 2013

Thanks for the process pics, very cool!

Nullity · Jul 5, 2013

bpeezer said:
Thanks for the process pics, very cool!

Exactly. I hope you are able to get the clip to have proper tension because it's sexy as hell.

Very cool.

iwouldhurtafly · Jul 5, 2013

well thats freakin neat... :thumbup:

Charlie Fitez · Jul 5, 2013

Thanks for taking time to share the pictures. Seeing the process gives a little feeling of the excitement you received with the finished product. Very cool project. Nice work.

Moxy · Jul 5, 2013

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to make a new mold with a bit of an angle preload, that way the clip will have a little more pressure against the scale. The material seems to be quite resilient. I just need to get the thickness and layering right.

Wharn · Jul 5, 2013

That is one amazing para 2 you got there. Nice job.

pearl2291 · Jul 5, 2013

Awesome clip!! Thanks for sharing. Hope it does well for you.

raceme96m3 · Jul 5, 2013

Slick! Good luck perfecting the process!

bpeezer · Jul 5, 2013

Moxy said:
Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to make a new mold with a bit of an angle preload, that way the clip will have a little more pressure against the scale. The material seems to be quite resilient. I just need to get the thickness and layering right.

Is it flexible enough for that?

Moxy · Jul 5, 2013

Wharn said:
That is one amazing para 2 you got there. Nice job.

It's got a m390 blade too.

bpeezer said:
Is it flexible enough for that?

Yes, thats the problem so far. It's a little too flexible. But depending on how the weave is layered it can be more or less flexible in a particular direction. If it's too stiff I'm worried it would start cracking in the long run. Only time will tell I guess.

bpeezer · Jul 5, 2013

Moxy said:
Yes, thats the problem so far. It's a little too flexible. But depending on how the weave is layered it can be more or less flexible in a particular direction. If it's too stiff I'm worried it would start cracking in the long run. Only time will tell I guess.

Interesting, I'm excited to see where you go with this. In fact, I may need to buy some carbon fiber for myself now

On a side note, how do you like the Grimsmo scales?

liamstrain · Jul 5, 2013

Moxy said:
Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to make a new mold with a bit of an angle preload, that way the clip will have a little more pressure against the scale. The material seems to be quite resilient. I just need to get the thickness and layering right.

I was wondering about that, or about a slight centerline spine (maybe 10 deg on either side) that would give it some additional stiffness along that axis.

Moxy · Jul 5, 2013

liamstrain said:
I was wondering about that, or about a slight centerline spine (maybe 10 deg on either side) that would give it some additional stiffness along that axis.

I thought of this too. The trouble is I'm not sure how to make a mold like that. I am able to cut out the profile with a scroll saw.

bpeezer said:
Interesting, I'm excited to see where you go with this. In fact, I may need to buy some carbon fiber for myself now On a side note, how do you like the Grimsmo scales?

They are EPIC! I love JG's work. If you can find a pair of his Titanium scales... BUY THEM!

liamstrain · Jul 5, 2013

Moxy said:
I thought of this too. The trouble is I'm not sure how to make a mold like that. I am able to cut out the profile with a scroll saw.

One relatively easy possibility - not quite as elegant as the canted spine... If you are lining the mold before epoxy, you could (on the base) embed a headless nail (or other wire, to follow the other curves) along the length up into the screw plate - losing the center screw, probably, and route a radius'd trench for it (wire diameter + carbon thickness) in the top piece.

That should provide extra stiffness along that entirety, without requiring as many layers, or risking too much bend/cracking at the screw plate/clip junction.