Help adding a thumbstud?

G

golden chicken

Joined
Sep 8, 2009
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139
Hey guys, I just got my new Kershaw Shallot Black today and I'm seriously having difficulty training my brain to use the flipper before my thumb looks for the stud that doesn't exist.

So, I think I have the tools at work to drill a small hole and tap for a small socket head cap screw, unless you guys with more experience tell me that I'll probably break the drill bit or the tap in the blade.

Any other suggestions are welcome as well!
 
Never done it, but the blade is hardened. I wouldn't want to use a cheap drill bit on that, and you'll probably want to take the blade out and clamp it.
 
Oh...yes. I'd definitely start with a center punch, put the blade in a vise, I have an air drill and plenty of oil...I'll buy a new drill bit and corresponding tap.

I'm just concerned that the hardened blade will cause such a small drill bit or tap to shatter and I'll just end up marring the finish.
 
golden chicken said:
Oh...yes. I'd definitely start with a center punch, put the blade in a vise, I have an air drill and plenty of oil...I'll buy a new drill bit and corresponding tap.

I'm just concerned that the hardened blade will cause such a small drill bit or tap to shatter and I'll just end up marring the finish.
Click to expand...

No idea. Sorry. :o

I'd ask STR or another maker here for more specifics.
 
You would have to use a carbide bit, and then you would have trouble tapping the hole.
It can be done, but it's more trouble than it's worth.
 
What about selectively softening that area with a torch and preventing heat spread with water or a large heat sink and thermal grease?
 
You could try hunt down a "one armed bandit"

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if you know someone with a lathe you can make a stud you press in. i think there are some that the threaded end passes through the hole and the other side of the stud threads onto that.
 
I'd really give it a while and see if you don't get used to the flipper ... my experience with assisted open folders with thumbstuds hasn't been good, got a number of nasty cuts. Plus knowing where to position the thumbstud so you have enough 'leverage' without being too far from the pivot ... unless you find one where's it's already been done successfully -- maybe STR has, I dunno -- it's going to be total guesswork.

Now that I've gotten used to the flippers, I don't care for thumbstuds at all. And FWIW the Shallot is one of my favorite folders, it's just too sweet as it is to go fiddling with IMO. :D
 
Josh K said:
What about selectively softening that area with a torch and preventing heat spread with water or a large heat sink and thermal grease?
Click to expand...

An old gunsmith trick to selectively anneal an isolated area (for drilling and tapping receivers) by heating a steel rod to red-hot then placing the tip on the area to be drilled and tapped. Just a suggestion for what its worth...I've never done this.
 
I was a gunsmith and an armorer.

I recommend getting used to the flipper. Most people who work on knives will tell you what a PITA it is drilling on hardened stainless steel.

Thinner walled carbon steel recievers are much different from stainless cutlery steel. It is possible to do, but without proper equipment chances are you will mar the blade up, and ruin the drill bit. Good luck trying to "selectively harden" a stainless steel blade.

To me, the Shallot's designed opening system is superior to a thumbstud anyway. Yes, it took a bit of getting used to, but not enough to have to think about a thumbstud.

The one arm bandits are still around if you know where to look BTW.
 
Well, I had a stroll through the neighborhood hardware store and I think I have the pieces to make my own one-arm bandit! I'll let you guys know how it goes!
 
if it doesnt work i can make you one whenever my buddy is in the shop so i can use his mill and lathe.
 
Cool! I'll make sure to take some pics of the process and list the parts.

Well, hell, I'll list the parts right now.

1/4"D x 1/2"L aluminum threaded spacer with 6-32 threads
6-32 x 1/8"L hex set screw
1/16" hex key for set screw
all for less than $5

I plan to use either my wizzer wheel or a hacksaw to cut out the relief for the blade spine, then grind the length of the spacer down to more like 3/8" or 5/16"
 
Golden Chicken,

Can you get that threaded spacer in stainless steel instead of aluminum? I ask because aluminum is pretty weak. After you kerf it to fit over your blade spine the pressure from the setscrew will probably break it in two.:(
 
Putting a thumb stud on a knife that dosn't have one is pretty much always going to be more trouble than it's worth.

If you really, really want to do it I would get a hole drilled and use a 2 piece thumb stud
that screws together (like the BM Griptilians) or has a press fit (like a Sebenza thumb stud).
 
Dude, drill a hole, probably need that carbide bit but you can get by without tapping ;) maybe stop by your local machine shop?

mark the spot and make sure the stud will clear the handle on opening the blade of course.

Go to USA knifemaker supply and get a "tactical" thumbstud....costs like 2 bucks, comes with a screw, loctite the screw and done! ;)
 
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