Lost my T8 pocket clip screw, finally resolved!

Retlawman590

Retlawman590

Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Messages
109
Hi,

I was changing the pocket clip on my new Leone lionsteel LEone Karambit from left to right and dropped the screw in the kitchen.

I looked at my other blades, this is the only one with a single T8 for a pocket clip. All the rest have two or three T6s. I texted Lionsteel to see if they can send me one.. I did find some on Amazon, but I don't know if they will fit correctly. Some T8s are longer than others. Heading to hardware store tomorrow. My dealer said he will order me a new one anyway. Anyone else loose these tiny screws? PITA
 
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T8 is the torx driver size for the screw, but not the actual size of the screw.

The size of the screw is determined by the diameter of the threaded portion, and the thread pitch (distance between the threads). And then there is the length of the threaded portion which is another important measurement depending on what it's being used for.

A T8 torx drive screw can come in a variety of sizes, and in both metric and standard (SAE) measurements.

Being that Lionsteel is in Italy, I would assume the screws they use are metric.
 
killgar said:
T8 is the torx driver size for the screw, but not the actual size of the screw.

The size of the screw is determined by the diameter of the threaded portion, and the thread pitch (distance between the threads). And then there is the length of the threaded portion which is another important measurement depending on what it's being used for.

A T8 torx drive screw can come in a variety of sizes, and in both metric and standard (SAE) measurements.

Being that Lionsteel is in Italy, I would assume the screws they use are metric.
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Ask them what size the screw is; and then have fun shopping!
 
Looks like we're in the same boat. I've been trying to get lionsteel to send/sell me body screws for the dpx heat for a few months now. They ignore all my emails, I even emailed their sales manager Andrea last week and is still waiting.

If you get them to respond, let me know (and ask them for a dpx body screw set for me! Lol).

Good luck!

Edit: yes what the guys say above...you gotta be careful. Even if you get the size right, there are other dimensions to consider. Also remember they use metric over there.
 
+1 on the magnet.

Dropped a pocket clip screw for my BM mini freek a couple weeks ago in the living room. Dog bumped the dinner tray I was working on. We had just put in new, fluffy gray-ish carpet like a week prior. I literally felt around for like 30 minutes with no luck.

Went and got my wife's largest, most obnoxious magnet off the fridge,.. found it in like 3 minutes..
 
Thanks guys for the responses. I tried Ace and Home Depot, no luck. Etsy has some T8 screws for a Hogue X1, but I want to be sure that it's not just the head that is T8. I asked seller. I tried a small magnet, but no luck. I even used a ruler to pull out junk from the bottom of my appliances. Man it was filthy, but no screw. At least my kitchen floor is spotless now. 😆 WMK is going to order me a couple tomorrow, no charge. It may take a couple of weeks though. 😔 Thanks again for all the advice
 
This is what I use to find lost screws and the like.

www.harborfreight.com

18 in. Magnetic Tool Holder

Amazing deals on this 18In Magnetic Tool Holder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com

Or figure out the screw diameter, pitch, length, head style and material, then, Google is your friend.

Also, the magnet will not work on titanium and from good to iffy on stainless steel.
 
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Retlawman590 said:
Thanks guys for the responses. I tried Ace and Home Depot, no luck. Etsy has some T8 screws for a Hogue X1, but I want to be sure that it's not just the head that is T8. I asked seller. I tried a small magnet, but no luck. I even used a ruler to pull out junk from the bottom of my appliances. Man it was filthy, but no screw. At least my kitchen floor is spotless now. 😆 WMK is going to order me a couple tomorrow, no charge. It may take a couple of weeks though. 😔 Thanks again for all the advice
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You know, a man has to wonder what the hell happens to these things. I swear to God they just vanish through a portal into another dimension.
 
Retlawman590 said:
Thanks guys for the responses. I tried Ace and Home Depot, no luck. Etsy has some T8 screws for a Hogue X1, but I want to be sure that it's not just the head that is T8. I asked seller. I tried a small magnet, but no luck. I even used a ruler to pull out junk from the bottom of my appliances. Man it was filthy, but no screw. At least my kitchen floor is spotless now. 😆 WMK is going to order me a couple tomorrow, no charge. It may take a couple of weeks though. 😔 Thanks again for all the advice
Click to expand...
As has already been mentioned, T8 is 'not' a screw size. It is the size of the driver tip that fits into any screw with a T8-recessed head. Asking for a screw is size T8 is like asking for pants in size blue. I would imagine there are upwards of 500 different sized T8 screws, and that's not counting self-tapping varieties.

For future reference, you can get a thread gauge off eBay. They come in different ranges (sets). Each gauge in the set (like a small pocket knife with thread gauges as blades (each looks like a small saw)) corresponds to a certain sized thread.

You just match up the gauge to the screw, and read the size off the side of the gauge. They cost about $3.00 for a small set. Once you know the thread size, you can measure the screw diameter with a caliper, and length you just want to make sure is long enough. You can always cut it or file it down a bit.

You can also sometimes guess, especially if you have an inside caliper to measure the hole, because there generally are not more than 3 different machine threads for any diameter screw. I keep small thread taps in case I just can't find the correct screw, so I can tap out the hole to something just slightly larger, and of known thread dimensions.

If you can guess at least get close to the correct size, you can order a stainless screw assorment for $10.00, and save yourself weeks of angst trying to deal with a foreign company!
 
Yes, T8 is the size and shape of the bit you need to drive the screw. It has no relation to how the screw is threaded. You might be able to match the threads by seeing if other screws will fit the hole for the pocket clip screw. Often similar screws will have the same threading. Just be careful not to strip the threads by trying to force in a screw that doesn't match. Once you have found something that matches, you can take that screw down to the hardware store.

The hardware store will have a screw checker hanging somewhere near the screws section. You just find the hole where the screw fits, and that's your size. The holes are all threaded, so make sure your screw will engage with the threads and screw in/out smoothly.

On the subject of locating your dropped screw, one trick I have used successfully in the past was to turn down the ambient lights and hold a flashlight right down at the ground, pointing the beam straight across the floor. This will cause any small objects on the floor to cast a long shadow which will make them easier to see.
 
Try some of the tips to find the missing screw first. If not successful, go to the local hardware store and check try a few different Torx head screws and see if one threads in easily. If not, then don't try and force it.
 
Well, I received my T6 head with what looks like T8 Spyderco type threading from Lionsteel in Italy. They threw in a couple more screws and a couple of stickers. I did have to pay for shipping though. This damn screw has to go in between the two clip points. That's how I originally lost it. Very difficult to fit in there, even with tweezers, so I stretch out the clip about 1/10" and no problem. I replaced it on the floor on a white towel this time. 😆 Finally, this saga is over and lesson learned.
 

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