Minor rant - why small torx heads?

[shane45-1911]

I'm really kinda peeved at the number of quality factory knife companies that insist on using the smallest torx head screws they can find for attaching pocket clips and/or scales.

At least CRKT uses nice big torx screws on their handles and scales that don't strip the second they see a screwdriver coming.

Why can't other makers use bigger screws?

 

[knifenerd]

I agree. I don't see the need to go smaller than a T6 for folders, even the small ones. What really drives me crazy are the tiny screws that cannot be readily classified as Torx or hex. It becomes a guessing game.

 

[BILL PIERCE]

I had the three torx screws on the clip on my Kelly Worden sold by Timberline all strip from simply handling and using the knife. I guess it was due to the slight sideways pressure on the clip as I opened the knife. This happened during the first 3 weeks of ownership. Now the replacement is loosening up, too. A related problem was the tiny handle screws on my new fixed blade Colt Pathfinder. The hex heads on the screws stripped before being able to complete the first field strip of the handle. The hex-socket holes are so shallow, the wrench can't get any purchase, and the screw heads are not hardened or tempered to prevent stripping, it seems to me. They are soft as pewter. United Cutlery is repairing the knife now, although I had to really push to get them to agree to fix the knife, wjhich I have had for about 40 days.

 

[Peter Atwood]

Hey, you might complain about little torx screws but imagine if they were regular slotted screws or phillips instead. You think you wouldn't be mangling the slots or heads in no time? The reason they use the torx is because torx are the best most positive screws made. And if you do succeed in rounding out the little stars, the default is an allen.

As for the screw stripping out in the hole, that is a production and machining issue, not necessarily anything to do with the screws themselves. Little ones are good for aesthetic reasons but I agree that at minimum 2-56 (T6 in torx driver) should be used for clips.

 

[calyth]

T6 can still strip on the hole that accepts the screwdriver.
I have the same loosening problem with the CRKT KFF, but they're sending new screws.
Wish they did harden the screws a bit more.
The thing is torx screwdriver is just much harder to find.
I rather deal with phillips screws.