Good idea? --Adding thumb-stud and clip to Traditional Folder?

[JeffOYB]

[I just posted this in the Traditional section but got the high-sign that it might not be the best place for it. Doh! ]

I've lost my Spydies but am in love with one-handing and clip-carry.

I have several traditional Schrades and such. I recall seeing clamp-on thumb studs that can be added to some of these (maybe). I suppose the design has to be "just so" and suitable for it.

What about retrofitting a pocket-clip to such a knife?

OK, from the get-go these knives are heavier and 'barrel' shaped rather than flat and so may not be heavenly for this duty. And the clamp-on studs might just be stupid.

But anyone have decent luck? Is it any fun or a pain?

Thanks! JP

 

[cbxer55]

This is the only stud I know. Very similar to the One Arm Bandit I have on a knife or two. Not bad at all IMHO.

http://usaknifemaker.com/folding-knife-parts-c-30/kwik-thumb-stud-tm-add-on-brass.html

As for a clip, I've drilled holes and attached clips to several knives that did not come with them. No big deal.

 

[Nullity]

I have thought about this too, but I think it would be better to get a knife meant for one-hand opening and pocket clips.

Just get the Boker Plus Chad Los Banos XS

or a Spyderco UKPK

or a Tango Foxtrot Knives Pro-T1

 

[tltt]

I've used the One Armed Bandit on traditional folders that were meant for fingernail opening. If you have enough clearance for it on the blade, it locks on tight and works fine. The worst I can say about it, is that it looks clunky on some knives, and sometimes leaves a discoloration if left on a knife for a long time.

As for adding clip? That's fine too, just watch the size of the screws in relation to the bolsters or handle material. I've seen guys mangle handle liners by picking the wrong screw size.

 

[Lycosa]

There are so many knives to choose from, don't mod a traditional. I was going to mod my Sodbuster but then it would not be a traditional.
You make your own rules though.
Rolf

 

[JeffOYB]

I hear ya. I thought maybe it would help me put these knives back into play. They're made to be used and I just don't use knives in the Trad way anymore. It's more the carry that gets me. I don't do a sheath and don't like a jackknife jangling in my pocket, sideways down at the bottom. The clip seems dressier to me -- though I am aware of my beatup Spydie clips looking lame, too. They in turn make me wonder about a classy clip, so there's that. Whew...lots to think about.

 

[pinnah]

Jeff!!!

Great to see your sig here!

Anything goes. Just like with bikes. That said, some traditionals are best left untouched and some that have long traditions of being modified to suit. Opinel and Buck both get modified a lot. I've seen shots of both with thumb studs and pocket clips. For the Opinels, look in the Traditional and Modification forums. For the Bucks, look in the Buck forum. I get better search results using the site:bladeforums.com query construction in Google.

If I were going to mod a traditional Buck, I would look at the Dike 500, which is fairly thin. They carry nice as is due to their thin profile.

Lastly, Case makes some traditionals with thumb studs.

 

[killgar]

If I want to modify one of my knives in any way I do it. And if others don't like it they can go suck rocks. I have likely modified just about ever knife I have ever owned, and that's more than a few. I don't understand why anyone would care enough to be critical of someone who chooses to modify THEIR knife.

One of my favorite knives is an old Buck 110. It is also my most sentimentally valuable knives (had it well over 30 years now). It is heavily modified. I would love to have a thumbstud and pocket clip on it, but I just never got around to it.

If the knife is YOURS then do with it what you want. The key word being YOURS.

 

[flatblackcapo]

I would say if you want to do it to save money and make use of the knives you would other wise not use,don't bother. If you want to do it because you think it would be cool and you would like the knife more , I say go for it. You could most likely sell the traditionals as is and get enough cash to buy something that fits your needs if your reasoning is the former. If your reasoning is the latter I say again go for it. Just don't post pics in the traditional forum and expect any love

 

[ASBOB]

I have this done all the time. My left side is paralyzed, including the arm, so if I want to use a slipjoint it's about the only way. The one armed bandits work fine on many single bladed traditional knives. Some examples are attached. Also, any knife that has a flat surface (such as SAKs), you can easily attach a NiteIze eClipse.

 

[mykel m]

For a traditional look check out the Case Trapperlock w/clip.They come in SS & CV.