How to disable the "Spydie Drop" ability on a Spyderco Yojimbo?

M

Michael Bolton

Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
41
Hi STR:

I would like to disable the "spydie drop" ability of my Yojimbo and was wondering if you have done this and/or can give me some pointers, I really don't want to mess my Yo up as it is my new Holies of the Holy Grails.

Currently, it 'spydie drops' open waaaay to easily and it makes me a little uncomfortable. I would like it such that it can't be flipped open via 'the drop', yet allow for easy one handed opening via the hole..

Is there a way that I can just go to Home Depot and buy something to replace the existing pivots? I noticed that you mention something about a ball peen hammer in a previous thread? Could that technique potentially damage the blade?

Can i use torx drivers and remove the existing pivots and replace them with something that won't allow for the 'Spydie Drop'? I'm a newbie at this and not the handiest fella in the world. Thanks.

:thumbup:
 
Just tighten the pivot pin more and it will make it harder to open.

Thats kind of a personal thing anyway. I tend to like a harder to open folder myself and make them that way on purpose. Most people don't have the thick callus I have on my thumbs though so to me what is fairly easy to negotiate is difficult for others.

I hear that all the time when I sell a new knife or do a repair on one and put it back together. I set it to what I think is good and to most it seems tight.

It sounds like you prefer tighter also.

I'd try using a couple torx drivers to tighten the pivot up. I say a couple because in all liklihood Spyderco used blue loctite or its equal in the threads on that so it may just spin I don't know.

If it does you'll have to hold both sides while turning. Never force it with a great deal of strength. Just 'pursuade it' and you'll be fine. If the bond is so great you can't seem to move the pivot you may have to heat up a wood burning tool or soldiering iron and heat the head of the screw where you place the torx. Hold it there about two minutes and then turn it.

STR
 
Thanks STR!! I will give her a try tonight! I saw someone on another thread say that you have to be careful when tightening the pivots as they may snap, is this true?

ps. can you recommend a range of torx sizes that I should go out and buy? Thanks so much for your help!!
 
I owned a Yojimbo and as I recall that would be T8 size for the pivot and the smaller ones in the body would be T6.

I would get a cheap set at Sears. Maybe if you are lucky they'll have some out there on special like some of the cheaper China made ones I bought recently. I gotta tell ya those China made ones are actually better fitting for the screws I use than the Craftsman. My Sears here local had some by a company called K&R that are actually my preferred drivers that see the most use. Particularly in the smaller sizes. The T5 and T6 Craftsman torx drivers are worthless wastes of money don't buy them. Get the T6 in the China knock off. The Craftsmans make you think the heads of the screws are stripped and its the drivers that are the problem because they are undersized by just enough to not work but half way. I've found that same issue with Snap On in the T-5 and T-6 sizes. They are off by just enough to not grab so avoid them for your knives. The T8 Craftsman and Snap on are still off but they have not stripped on me.

I have written both companies complaining royally about this to no avail. Believe me I'd love to buy USA but they are junk! The China made ones work its that simple.

As for your question. Yes. It can and does happen. That happened to me on a Dodo with the pocket clip screw on the end. It can be a problem if you break that head off and Spyderco can't offer a replacement screw but the good news is I can fix that for you by installing a next size bigger pivot barrel and screw in there for you thats actually a higher quality piece than used in that knife anyway.

If you get in over your head feel free to read my low rider pocket clip post at the top of every page on my forum as one of my sticky posts and mail at your convenience once you contact me via the email link there. One way or the other we'll get you up and running.

STR
 
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