Manufacturer question

B

B00mhower

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Nov 28, 2013
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So I don't know if someone has asked this before but I couldn't find a thread about it. My question: Why do knife Mfg's use torx or security torx screws to assemble knives? It seems like it would be more of a courtesy to consumers to make it a more common type of screw head that most people already own/possess. Well anyway thanks in advance for answering.
 
My understanding is that they use Pneumatic Tools which speeds up assembly.The use of torx screws is easier when using Pneumatic Tools.That's my take on this subject.
 
They also look nicer IMO. If you're getting into blades, a good investment is a torx and hex driver set.
 
I agree with Yo Mama, all the money we spend a few Torx drivers won't break anyone.
 
Torx has been common for a long time.

I first started using them on scope mounts, and that was a long time ago.
 
My Emerson Commander has flathead for the big pivot screw and Phillips for the small screws in the handle and the clip.

I could almost believe that torx are used to discourage the inexperienced user from messing up in taking his knife apart. As noted above, anyone really into this will have a good torx set handy for the few sizes we generally see. (Go Wiha! :))
 
Esav Benyamin said:
My Emerson Commander has flathead for the big pivot screw and Phillips for the small screws in the handle and the clip
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My first quality knife purchase was an Emerson for this reason. I jumped from a $30 knife that had torx to a $200 knife. Almost couldn't justify the price until I figured out the wave. Sold on the spot. Then I bought more knives and had to get a torx set anyways.
 
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Torx are much less prone to stipping when compared to philips for example. Flat heads are too easy to slip off and scratch everything and robertson is pretty much for carpentry only. Companies like Microtech and Strider use proprietary tools so you have to send it to them for service but some offer the tools to do it yourself.
 
Screwdriver blades for slotted bits are not self centering, and there are an almost infinite number of sizes. Cross recess bits like Phillips and Pozidrive only have 4 points of contact and tend to cam out when torqued. Allen keys as used in hex recess fasteners tend to slip and strip because the difference in tool thickness between the flats and the corners is not very great. The TORX system has 6 points of contact, is self centering, and does not cam out because the bit is not tapered. It also has a much greater area of tool/fastener contact than a standard hex recess.
Old scientific equipment was often put together with fasteners that had splined recesses and used multi-splined tools. These would also make good premium fasteners for knives, but most users probably would not like to obtain the additional tools and source the additional fasteners.
 
Blade-fiend said:
Torx are much less prone to stipping when compared to philips for example. Flat heads are too easy to slip off and scratch everything and robertson is pretty much for carpentry only. Companies like Microtech and Strider use proprietary tools so you have to send it to them for service but some offer the tools to do it yourself.
Click to expand...

This...

Paul
 
Esav Benyamin said:
My Emerson Commander has flathead for the big pivot screw and Phillips for the small screws in the handle and the clip.

I could almost believe that torx are used to discourage the inexperienced user from messing up in taking his knife apart. As noted above, anyone really into this will have a good torx set handy for the few sizes we generally see. (Go Wiha! :))
Click to expand...

I think this.
 
Yo Mama said:
They also look nicer IMO. If you're getting into blades, a good investment is a torx and hex driver set.
Click to expand...

Which do you recommend? And, I've noticed that my Torx set, from T6 and up, occasionally does not fit some screws. It seems like there's a different measurement system as well? Like, what I would assume to be in inches, like Allen or Hex screws.
 
Less likelihood of stripping, compared with Philips or Robertsons. Plus, more torque can be exerted to really lock down the scales.
 
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jac_solar said:
Which do you recommend? And, I've noticed that my Torx set, from T6 and up, occasionally does not fit some screws. It seems like there's a different measurement system as well? Like, what I would assume to be in inches, like Allen or Hex screws.
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You don't need anything fancy, I have a Husky 8 in 1 torx screwdriver set, has all the bits in the handle, and has from t4 through t15. It's like 7 bucks at the hardware store.
 
Most every guy I know has a set or two of torx drivers. I find them to be extremely common. But if you don't have a set, you can find a mini-set (T4-T10 will cover 99% of knives out there) at Home Depot or Lowe's for less than $20.
 
Blade-fiend said:
Companies like Microtech and Strider use proprietary tools so you have to send it to them for service but some offer the tools to do it yourself.
Click to expand...

I did not know this. Guess I won't be buying anything from them.

As others have said, Torx screws aren't uncommon at all. And for small screws like on knives, I think they're a good choice. I haven't managed to strip one yet, big or small.

I don't know where I got the tool, but I know it was cheap and it's super handy. It has 4 double sided bits (that's 8 sizes total), and the handle stores the 3 you aren't using. Looks like this:
husky-8-in-1-torx-screwdriver.jpg
 
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Harbor freight has a great set of small torx flat head Phillips and a couple other types for like five bucks I haven't found a knife in which that set didn't have something to fit it
 
tiguy7 said:
Screwdriver blades for slotted bits are not self centering, and there are an almost infinite number of sizes. Cross recess bits like Phillips and Pozidrive only have 4 points of contact and tend to cam out when torqued. Allen keys as used in hex recess fasteners tend to slip and strip because the difference in tool thickness between the flats and the corners is not very great. The TORX system has 6 points of contact, is self centering, and does not cam out because the bit is not tapered. It also has a much greater area of tool/fastener contact than a standard hex recess.
Old scientific equipment was often put together with fasteners that had splined recesses and used multi-splined tools. These would also make good premium fasteners for knives, but most users probably would not like to obtain the additional tools and source the additional fasteners.
Click to expand...

Great info, thanks!
 
I grabbed a Kershaw T tool awhile back along with one for every Leek i gave out at Christmas, it's served it purpose so far although I know eventually I'll have to expand the bit range and get a slightly larger set.

Sidenote: on the keys it likes to eventually unscrew and you can potentially lose your bits, I got lucky to see it happen or have it pointed out and recently the keychain broke off, it's in my edc bag now.
 
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