Getting rid of Dragonfly's zytel clip

Anders Holm

Anders Holm

Joined
Jun 22, 2001
Messages
71
Without the zytel clip and the extra thickness around the lanyard hole, Dragonfly would be an ideal keyring knife (make that "even more ideal"). I don't think the zytel clip works for me and I never use it. I like to keep my keyring light and thin so the clip will have to go.

So: how to work on zytel without ruining the rest of the handle? How to even out the surface so that the handle is smooth and flat all over and doesn't look like it was raped by a chainsaw? How's fine sandpaper and zytel? Never worked on zytel before.

I'd like to get some info before I do anything stupid (like that helped before:rolleyes: ).
 
Lots of people take of the plastic clip on old spydies. Sometimes it does end up looking like crap, but Ive seen good, careful jobs too.
 
Cut the clip off with a coping saw then use a dremel tool with a aluminum oxcide wheel to grind the handle smooth.

Your welcome
 
Back before my dremel days, I broke a clip on my Delica. I used a hacksaw to remove what was left of the clip. Then I used masking tape and taped the knife down to a workbench. I then went crazy with the masking tape and covered everything I didn't want to file off. It looked like I was doing surgery. All you could see was a small black square nub of zytel in a masking tape blanket. I used a small round rasp made for a drill and went slow. I ground it away smooth. It worked well. If you don't have a drill or dremel you could always use a file or sandpaper. Fine sandpaper will take longer but will give you more control. Good luck! :)


Blades
 
8-25-01

Anders,

I would like to suggest that if you use a dremel type tool, or any
other power tool, that you go slow and don't let the material get to hot. I have seen some plastics melt and "glob" up when power sanding.
Just take your time and it should be OK.

Bruceter
 
I bought a used Dragonfly for my wife's keychain and cut the clip off with the wave's saw and then smoothed it with the wave's files. Then, just to make that entire side look the same I went over that scale with 400 grit paper to give it a light "swirl" texture. Makes a great keyring knife!!
 
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