Carbon Fiber Pocket Clip - Para II

It's an idea, but I don't think the form is precise enough. With laminated carbon parts it's really important to squeeze the layers tight. That helps the resin permeate the weave completely and it removes air bubbles. The angle would have to follow the entire length of the clip otherwise the flat areas would take all of the bending stresses. The titanium scales on my Para II actually make the retention that much more important. Since the scales are smooth it slides right in, even with the regular Spyderco clip.
 
It seems to me that the geometry of the Spyderco clip isn't well suited to a more flexible material. Have you considered a different clip profile? I think something like this might work a little bit better.

Pocket_Clip.jpg
 
I own a carbon fiber money clip in daily use for 1 year, 7 months without any loss of retention and it's very tight. I wonder what they did to make it so? The resin hasn't cracked either. I'll try to send information on it tomorrow. It may give you an idea or two? I believe it's made by a small company. They might share info with you.
 
Well my original prototype is still doing fine. It's nice and springy, not cracking, and it's holding its shape just fine. I really think it's just a matter of making it 3 times as thick with a slight preload. I'll try and get more pictures of the new design up tomorrow. Bpeezer, I agree. I'm going to try a CRK style profile next.

 
Really great idea Moxy. Props to you for going for it! Great pictures and quality work.
 
I am curious Moxy, is that 10 layers that gets you to the thickness in the picture above? Roughly between 1/16" - 1/8" or thereabouts?
 
Here are the clips I get that Steven Kelly makes! They wouldnt fit your hole pattern but I bet it could be dun! Steves a great guy! Give him a shout! Sure he ll give you some pointers or help! Whatever you need! PM me your addy and i ll send you a free clip! They will fit any Benchmade 3 hole style and lots of other brands!! Hey Id love to try out one of your clips as well once you ve mastered them! I have a ton of Spydies! Cheers!!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...LSCF-Pocket-Clips!!-Fits-3-hole-BM-clip-mount!!
 
Interesting! Thanks for the link Striderco. Judging from the pictures I'd say those clips were machined or profiled by hand from a flat carbonfiber panel. That was my original plan. They sure look sweet! I can only make a couple clips at a time since I'm working with a little wood mold, but yeah I'll let you know if they work out. The thicker stock is coming out great.
 
I don't know if this will help at all. But this clip is very stiff and has maintained its shape for 1.5 years.photo 2.jpgphoto 3.jpg1-photo 1.jpg

My first attachment of images, I hope it works.

The carbon fiber is very thin but very stiff.
 
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Thank you for the pictures AmericanEDC. That money clip is surly stiff because it is so wide. With pocket clips we don't have that luxury, they have to be narrow. So my only chice is making the stock thicker, which is more difficult to mold and it uses up alot more material. You'd be surprised how much carbonfiber fabric is needed to make a part even a couple millimeters thick. And this stuff isn't cheap unfortunately. Here is my latest creation. This time it's for my Kershaw TiZDP Mini Cyclone. The stock clip that comes on it is terrible. I like long reach clips and this one seems huge relative to the knife. Haha. But it came out nice. It's uses about 2-3 times more CF than the one for the Para II. Retention is much better. But it's still not a stiff as a stainless steel clip. I find that it works just fine either way. Some may like stronger retention, others may not.


 
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I've wanted to mess around with carbon fiber experimentation for some time now. You're doing exactly what I "dream" of having the time to tackle in my own little workshop...I have a band saw purchased for Pinewood derby (LOL) with my son. Your form actually looks like the early version of one of our cars! He quit a couple years ago...I still have the band saw.

I was searching last night for a source for carbon fiber sheets and found a pretty decent place I think. I'll PM it to you in case it's a better price than what you've found for the quantities you are buying.

That's a VERY impressive clip. How do you shape it once dry? Do you just sand it?
 
That is really nice looking, and thanks for the process pics. I was wondering as I read your first post and then you answered my questions!
 
AmericanEDC said:
I've wanted to mess around with carbon fiber experimentation for some time now. You're doing exactly what I "dream" of having the time to tackle in my own little workshop...I have a band saw purchased for Pinewood derby (LOL) with my son. Your form actually looks like the early version of one of our cars! He quit a couple years ago...I still have the band saw.

I was searching last night for a source for carbon fiber sheets and found a pretty decent place I think. I'll PM it to you in case it's a better price than what you've found for the quantities you are buying.

That's a VERY impressive clip. How do you shape it once dry? Do you just sand it?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I give it a rough cut with my ban saw, and then do a rough shaping with my Dremel too. Then a final shaping with 150 grit sand paper, then 300, then 400, and then hand rub it with a little carnauba wax and thats it.
 
Incredible. I have a set of hobbyist sand papers that run the entire spectrum....I probably have everything I need: Dremel, Milwaukee M10 cordless system (I take it for drilling the holes), band saw, sand papers, even 100% carnauba wax. Maybe I'll make a carbon fiber table for my daughter's doll house or a new bumper for her Little People school bus.
 
Awesome, so very awesome. :D I think the sexiness of CF far outweighs the lessened clip tension.
I will have to look up the details on creating my own CF laminate some day.
 
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