Help me brainstorm about adding a pocket clip

CoolBreeze135

CoolBreeze135

Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
429
So, I picked up this old gen 1 Cold Steel Medium Voyager at a gun show for cheap. I thought it would make a nice knife for stowing away somewhere, but I actually like the thing more than I anticipated. The integral plastic pocket clip had presumably broken off, and the previous owner had sanded down the attachment point. I'd like to add a new clip to this, but i don't think there is enough meat to drill into the plastic for mounting one.

Here's my question: how would you go about attaching a pocket clip to an FRN/GFN handled knife? I'm thinking a liberal amount of JB Weld might hold it, but the pocket clip attachment is something that will be tested every time the knife goes in and out of my pocket. I also have very little experience with JB Weld, so I'm not sure if it is appropriate for this.

Just brainstorming to see if I can find a cheap and effective solution. Any thoughts?

20190119_185255381_ios-jpg.659262
 
I'm not familiar with that exact knife, but if there is nowhere you can get threaded holes into steel, just make somewhere. You can accomplish this by drilling some blind holes in the fiberglass and epoxying in some steel inserts, then drilling and tapping the steel inserts for your clip screw threads. Gouge the crap out of the outside of the steel inserts before you epoxy them in to give the epoxy something to key into. JB welding a clip onto the knife is a no-go, and will not last.
 
eKretz said:
I'm not familiar with that exact knife, but if there is nowhere you can get threaded holes into steel, just make somewhere. You can accomplish this by drilling some blind holes in the fiberglass and epoxying in some steel inserts, then drilling and tapping the steel inserts for your clip screw threads. Gouge the crap out of the outside of the steel inserts before you epoxy them in to give the epoxy something to key into. JB welding a clip onto the knife is a no-go, and will not last.
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Thanks for the reply. I was afraid of that. I wasn't overly confident in JB weld. There isn't enough room to add steel inserts, as this handle is barely big enough for the blade and the lanyard hole. No extra room in there.

However, I do have an idea. I don't need the lanyard, so I can use the lanyard hole to mount a clip. It's a bit of a long-shot, but if I find a single hole clip and the right size Chicago screw, then I can just clamp the clip on via the lanyard hole. It will take some digging to find the right size hardware, so this may be a futile mission. I'm not really wanting to dump time and money into a cheap beater knife.
 
If the helicoils don't work and the scales are removable, you could drill the two holes for whatever size screws you have to mount the clip (2-56 is a common size ) then melt 2-56 nuts into the back of the scales ,so they are flush with the back. It's kinda finicky but it has worked for me. Hope this makes sense :)
 
eKretz said:
Can't see your image, can you try again? Might be room even though you don't think so.
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tiguy7 said:
#2X56TPI Helicoils are your friend. They come in 3 lengths but can be shortened to fit. I could make a more cogent comment if you had a picture.
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Didn't realize it wasn't showing up. Does this work?

20190119_185255381_ios-jpg.659262


Anyways, I have about decided that it isn't worth the effort/money to make it happen. I'll probably just carry this one the old way.
 
Mr.Wizard said:
CoolBreeze135 CoolBreeze135 No, it does not. You are trying to link to a forum attachment on a forum that requires a log-in to view attachments.
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Oh. Gotcha. I tried uploading the photo directly in my post, but it keeps telling me the files are too big, so I tried linking it. I don’t use any of the photo hosting sites and am not interested in going that route. Guess I’m out of options.
 
I installed a pocket clip on an Al Mar Ultralight. I used three 1-72 screws. Drilled and tapped the Micarta handles. They hold it very securely, I have accidentally bent the clip a couple of times with no damage to the handle, screws or threads. The finer threads will provide more surface area to grip the screw in place.

Not sure how well the FRN will take to threading. If the knife has a liner, you could tap into the liner, just make sure the end of the screw is flush with the inside or doesn't interfere with any thing.

Ric
 
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