Easing pocket clip tension on large models

[desmobob]

I just received some new Cold Steel knives: a pair of Verdict spear points in Flat Dark Earth, AirLites in both spear point and tanto, and an SR1 Lite in tanto. All check out great, with good fit and finish and well-sharpened blades.

Like with a few of my other larger CS folders, the pocket clip on the SR1 Lite was too tight to get it around my pocket. Also, the very tip of the open end is bent inwards a bit and would be more functional if bent out to be parallel with the handle. I took the clip off to sand smooth the very rough texture directly under where the clip squeezes pants pocket material against the handle scale and then headed to the vise to adjust the clip. It broke as soon as I started barely bending the clip's tip. I ordered a replacement.

I'm guessing I'll have the same issues with the replacement. Will heating the clip up to dull red soften it enough to make adjustments without breaking it? Will it then need to be re-heated and quenched to bring back the temper?

Thank for any advice,
Bob

 

[jbmonkey]

I've always put some penny's stacked under it to dampen the spring effect but takes least a week or more to have a minor impact.

I have bent them in a vice before and haven't had one break, but I'm super gentle. what most folks call gentle I call brute forced to put it in perspective.

if ya put heat to it, it might alter the steel and maybe ruin the spring effect potentially among other issues. I wouldn't heat it much......

I'd try the vice again and push very gently and check it and then repeat as necessary, first.

cold steel should fix this pocket clip issue. the pocket shredding and two hands to remove and put back etc is just stupid. the argument that it shouldn't be able to fall out of your pocket easily is ridiculous. they fixed the recon1 by making the scales smoother and it still holds in normal man pants pocket while upside down fighting combatants on a mountain wall while saving mankind and the world from evil adversaries......

now if someone was wear silky thin super short girly shorts...I guess it could fall out while upside......

 

[jux t]

Yeah listen to JB, he’s our local tree line expert. I’ve always used a shoelace to very gently pull the clips out while they’re still attached to the knife and never had a problem.

 

[jbmonkey]

Yeah listen to JB, he’s our local tree line expert. I’ve always used a shoelace to very gently pull the clips out while they’re still attached to the knife and never had a problem.

shoelaces like these work...

 

[Centermass]

I clamp my cold steels to a work bench, and loop a comealong under the clip affixed to an engine hoist or block and tackle. Then attach the lead to a rescue winch. You see where this is going, and I’m kidding of course.

They’re all tight, and it’s always been a complaint. Some models are less annoying than others, especially depending on how textured the grips are underneath.

I personally would rather have a lot of tension with smoother texture underneath to stop pant shredding than resorting to bending the clips, because they never seem the same after you’ve fatigued the metal, even a bit.

I have been fine with the big wide clips on the AD10’s and 4Max series, even though I ordered some Ti deep carry clips for my AD10’s, but not because of the tension of the stock clips, but moreso for looks and well, deeper carry, but their grips are smooth or smoother underneath than other models. The Bush Ranger was fine out of box to me, but again its grips are completely smooth.

On heavily textured models like the Recon 1 and SR1, I’ve lightly sanded the g10 under the clips for smoother operation, but also found a pretty decent Ti deep carry clip for the Recon on the big auction site for cheap (like $9), which has more lip at the end of the clip, and is easier to get over the fabric. It’s been working well so far, and It might fit other similar models with the same base/hole pattern.

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

Just loosened the clip on my SR1 today. Took the clip off, and held the flat part with some needle-nose pliers, and and pryed upward a few times. The SR1 has a very stout clip, and you have to muscle it a little bit. Reassembled the clip, and it worked perfectly: no longer a pocket-shredder!

 

[Drop bear]

I have heard people go the other way and sand off the grip underneath the clip.

 

[jlauffer]

I have heard people go the other way and sand off the grip underneath the clip.

Yep, or use something like JB Weld to fill in the texture to smooth it out.

 

[desmobob]

Just loosened the clip on my SR1 today. Took the clip off, and held the flat part with some needle-nose pliers, and and pryed upward a few times. The SR1 has a very stout clip, and you have to muscle it a little bit. Reassembled the clip, and it worked perfectly: no longer a pocket-shredder!

The problem I've had with a few of their clips is not only is there too much tension, but the tip of the clip is angled very slightly toward the knife, making it had to get the clip started over the pocket material.

On some knives, I remove the clip and smooth the texture of the handle material a bit to ease use and reduce pocket destruction. I did that to my new SR1 Lite just before I broke the clip trying to bend the tip out just a bit.

I'm really enjoying my new AirLites... great thin, lightweight, but still tough folders for summer carry.

 

[DocJD]

I've already addressed this issue multiple times on older threads . But here we go again !

In the olden days , I bought many XL models as cheap as I could find them . I considered them to be project knives .

I had a standard routine for them , one part of which was to bend out the clip, with my biggest screwdriver , and then sand the handle area under the clip .

Not probably the best way ...but it was my way ! You could easily damage the clip attachment this way , so beware .

 

[DocJD]

I believe , the reason that CS clips come tight fitting is for maximum retention on thin fabric .

This is very appropriate for a hard use / tactical folder , IMO .

Losing your knife is much more dangerous than wearing out your pockets, in a critical use application .

Much easier to bend them out some , as needed , than to try to tighten them down .

 

[The Hawk]

I have noticed the same problem. I had good luck by removing the clip and GENTLY bending it. I repeat, be gentle.

 

[jbmonkey]

I believe , the reason that CS clips come tight fitting is for maximum retention on thin fabric .

This is very appropriate for a hard use / tactical folder , IMO .

Losing your knife is much more dangerous than wearing out your pockets, in a critical use application .

Much easier to bend them out some , as needed , than to try to tighten them down .

doc gonna disagree with ya. they can make a pocket clip that.......

and still doesn't destroy pockets or take two hands to insert and remove it.

how do I know, ya ask? I got 100s of folders by other companies and even a few made by cold steel that accomplish both.....

for those who still want to play barbie dress up and down with their knives...no problem. they still got screws.....have at it........

 

[DocJD]

doc gonna disagree with ya. they can make a pocket clip that.......

and still doesn't destroy pockets or take two hands to insert and remove it.

how do I know, ya ask? I got 100s of folders by other companies and even a few made by cold steel that accomplish both.....

for those who still want to play barbie dress up and down with their knives...no problem. they still got screws.....have at it........

Yes , of course they could be better , but I don't think it's all that hard to bend them to your liking .

Takes me a few minutes , max . YMMV .

Unlike the break-in process on some (for lock stick ,etc ) , which can be grueling !

 

[jbmonkey]

Yes , of course they could be better , but I don't think it's all that hard to bend them to your liking .

Takes me a few minutes , max . YMMV .

Unlike the break-in process on some (for lock stick ,etc ) , which can be grueling !

it's not about that adjusting easy can't be done....it's that it shouldn't have to be. bending steel clips messes with their structure. its not a great solution to a design problem.

also the excuse of I need it tight so it doesn't fall out of my pocket for tactical reasons has been cold steels excuse handed to them to not do it right. too many allowing them to do a poor job on pocket clips. we all know it admittingly or not and even cold steel knew it as they fixed their recon 1 scales and clip and it's still tight and holds....but doesn't destroy pockets, just cause.

it's annoying the new management and ownership has moved more products to China, brought out more big box store generic stuff that no one really wants and put the effort into a new lock they don't need. cause they still got the patent on the strongest and IMHO best lock ever designed the tri-ad...but still hasn't fixed the companies two biggest issues. poor pocket clip designs that shred pockets and require two hands and secure ex sheaths that don't always fit and dull edges.

okay, im just beating a dead horse now.....so be it.

 

[DocJD]

a new lock they don't need. cause they still got the patent

I confess to rather liking the Atlas Lock , at least on the Mayhem , the only example I own .

I suspect GSM worked some deal with Demko , to allow them to have the Atlas Lock uncontested . In return for leaving his Shark Lock rights to him , maybe ?

Pure speculation on my part ! The locks are different , but still share too many design features , to have happened independently . IMO .

When the Tri-ad patent does run out , GSM is going to need exclusive control over a lock system . Enter the Atlas !

I believe GSM had to act on the Atlas, before letting Demko go own his way . No facts ...just purely WAG .

 

[desmobob]

It has been just shy of three weeks since I filled out the customer service form for a parts request for a new pocket clip.

No response. Nice.

 

[DocJD]

It has been just shy of three weeks since I filled out the customer service form for a parts request for a new pocket clip.

No response. Nice.

So far as I know , they don't inventory parts . Not anymore . I don't think they do repairs , either .

They may ,or may not, replace the whole knife , under warranty .

If I'm wrong , I'd be happy to have someone let me know ! Wish it weren't this way .