I like pins, who's with me?

D

dogstar

Joined
Jan 23, 2011
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I know the majority of people on BF prefer screws. I'm the opposite. Give me a pinned knife any day. Here is why:

1. Screws get loose. So do pins, but loose pins can be tightened at leisure. Loose screws will be lost if not attended to.

2. Thread lock (loctite) is a pain. It's messy and doesn't last.

3. I like simple knives that don't require disassembly, either for cleaning or to admire the fancy innards.

4. It's easy to tighten a pin, with a few basic tools, most of which you probably have laying around. The most specialized tool is a ball peen hammer. I'm pretty sure I can do it with rocks if I needed to.

Is there anyone else who feels the same way?
 
Used to be a big fan of screws. The bigger, the better. In fact, Ive had a knife handle made, which use chain ring bolts.

I dont really need to pull handles apart though.

On a well made hunting knife, it doesnt have to be a health concern, if the handle cant be taken apart.

Lately, Ive gravitated towards having knives with pinned handles made.

My latest knife is a Bowie with a pinned handle. It was interestimg putting in the eight pins im the handle slabs.

I agree with the OPs statement in regards to pinned handles.
 
Pins are good. I've corrected the pivot pin on a stockman with the spine of a fixed blade knife. Pins certainly look better than bolts.
 
Spyderco has the right idea. Manix2 LW with S110v blade-steel.

All pins...EXCEPT for the pivot screw to adjust as preferred. Now, THAT is NICE.
 
dogstar said:
I know the majority of people on BF prefer screws. I'm the opposite. Give me a pinned knife any day. Here is why:

1. Screws get loose. So do pins, but loose pins can be tightened at leisure. Loose screws will be lost if not attended to.

2. Thread lock (loctite) is a pain. It's messy and doesn't last.

3. I like simple knives that don't require disassembly, either for cleaning or to admire the fancy innards.

4. It's easy to tighten a pin, with a few basic tools, most of which you probably have laying around. The most specialized tool is a ball peen hammer. I'm pretty sure I can do it with rocks if I needed to.

Is there anyone else who feels the same way?
Click to expand...

I must agree to disagree. I don't think you can tighten a pin "at leisure", I mean who normally carries around a ball peen hammer? Vs a small torx screwdriver or a Kershaw T tool for example would be a better example of "tightening at leisure"

Knives get dirty. I am a lot more comfortable when I open a knife, see the gunk, clean it, and am reassured that it is clean once reassembled.

I am not a fan of fancy innards. Fancy innards = complex assembly and possible voiding of warranty, were definitely on the same page there.

Loctite may be a pain but I've found that it usually stays put until the next disassembly if properly applied...which can get messy I suppose but it's a one and done thing until next time.

I'm not looking for a debate that's just my opinion about your preference, rather an offering of my own. :)
 
dogstar said:
I know the majority of people on BF prefer screws. I'm the opposite. Give me a pinned knife any day. Here is why:

1. Screws get loose. So do pins, but loose pins can be tightened at leisure. Loose screws will be lost if not attended to.

2. Thread lock (loctite) is a pain. It's messy and doesn't last.

3. I like simple knives that don't require disassembly, either for cleaning or to admire the fancy innards.

4. It's easy to tighten a pin, with a few basic tools, most of which you probably have laying around. The most specialized tool is a ball peen hammer. I'm pretty sure I can do it with rocks if I needed to.

Is there anyone else who feels the same way?
Click to expand...

Yeah, yer preachin' to the choir here! I've got some old pocket knives that are still going after more than 50 years use. The one below was made on the Moran Farm about 1943, and used until about 1980 something. I've used it and it's great. Slip joint still has crisp action.
9505100628_f2b5e4a960_c.jpg
 
I like pins on my slipjoint knives, like SAKs, and well-made traditionals. I've never had a SAK's pins loosen on me. The only traditionals that did loosen up on me were some cheap U.S.-made Colonial boy's pocketknives I had back in the 1970s.

In 'modern' knives like Spydercos, etc., I prefer screw construction.

Jim
 
People used to get their only pocket knife soaking wet and muddy for hours or days at a time. Knives that can not be taken apart, and knives which lasted for generations.

Now we have an entire generation of knife users who have dozens of knives made of space age materials which resist corrosion very well, who get ocd and do a full tear down every time pocket lint gets in the knife that you carry once a month as your "going to the drug store EDC" followed by putting oils on the pivot that are fit to keep Optimus Prime running for centuries after a single application.

No, you don't need to take it apart. Yes, taking it apart causes more problems for people than it solves, because it's a solution without a problem for 99.9% of modern knife users.

I'm cool with pins. I'm cool with screws, but I see them as wholly unnecessary from a maintenance perspective.
 
I much prefer screws to pins. I rarely have issues with screws coming loose and they're easy to tighten if they do.
 
I like screws. Loctite is not a PITA IMO. I like to move my blades around among different handles. I have had 410 SS lock liners turn to red dust. The only fix is wire brushing.
I have removed pins from many of my knives and replaced them with screws. The ability to thoroughly clean and lubricate a knife is a nice option TMWOT.
 
I always prefer screw construction. I like having the ability to takedown a knife, even if it isn't necessary.

Screws are much easier to tighten than pins, and in the rare case one is lost replacements are easy to find. Pins may be easy enough to tighten but they can also be over tightened and it's not easy to go back.

Thread lock can get messy but it's very easy to wipe clean.

Proper maintenance will prevent rust on the liners and internals of any knife. Not a problem if you buy the knife new and keep up with it, but what about buying used or refurbishing a neglected knife? I've received a couple folders with rust starting on the liners that I wouldn't have been able to properly clean without full disassembly. Since they were screwed together it was a simple job to make them like new.

I'm not saying everyone with a torx set should be tearing down their knives, but for the mechanically inclined screws are much more convenient than pins.
 
I prefer screws. Maybe it's the fact that weapons/gear maintenance was heavily instilled in me in the Marine Corps, but I don't own a knife that can't be completely disassembled. I carry mostly uncoated folders, usually Emersons, on duty as a fireman. After wearing my bunker gear with my folder in my pants pocket, there are spots of rust across the blade every time. I've had Hinderers and other brands do the same. It only takes a matter of a few minutes to disassemble and clean my knife and I know for sure no corrosion is present or spreading. It's just my experience, your mileage may vary.
 
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