modifying aftermarket pocket clips?

ldc43

ldc43

Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
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Bought a few deep carry pocket clips off of knifekits.com with the hopes that I could bend them using a small torch to fit a Kershaw blur/leek and possibly my Kershaw 1745 NRG. This is my first attempt at this so not sure if heating and bending will even work.

Is modifying the pocket clip the right approach or would I need to tap new holes into the knife itself to accommodate a deep carry clip? Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
Only my opinion, but i would make the clip fit the knife, not the other way around. As for the torch, it might work, but could it ruin the spring temper of the clip?
 
USAKnifemaker has titanium and carbon fibre pocket clips with and without holes. I thought I'd seen a hand tool for bending the titanium or steel clips but I can't remember where, I do remember it was expensive, hundreds of $ - only worth it for production.
Your best bet for bending is to try forming the curve over a rod or tube that has an outside diameter same as the inside diameter of the curve you want. If you heat the metal it will lose tempering.
 
The hole alignment is basically for Benchmade, Emerson, Spyderco, etc. The Blur, Leek, and NRG (not the same) have offset hole alignment. I was hoping that with heat I could just twist the clip so the holes would line up but the heat will compromise the metal? So how are clips (stainless or titanium) bent in the first place? Appreciate the comments and knowledge!
 
Some clips specifically say in their description that you can bend them after heating with a torch. I think it was knifekits.com I saw this on, but either way I personally wouldn't worry. Its bending without heat that can break them.
 
I've used a torch to shape titanium clips, but you have to work fast. As soon as you loose the cherry red, it doesn't form. After it cools there is plenty of spring to it.
 
Akcir said:
I've used a torch to shape titanium clips, but you have to work fast. As soon as you loose the cherry red, it doesn't form. After it cools there is plenty of spring to it.
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Would stainless steel be similar or more/less forgiving? I think these clips are stainless but not 100% sure.
 
ldc43 said:
Would stainless steel be similar or more/less forgiving? I think these clips are stainless but not 100% sure.
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Stainless is far less forgiving. Simply heating steel up to glowing will most likely ruin the temper, and I believe possibly anneal it.
 
dkb45 said:
Stainless is far less forgiving. Simply heating steel up to glowing will most likely ruin the temper, and I believe possibly anneal it.
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That's right. Titanium and stainless are different animals.
 
dkb45 said:
Stainless is far less forgiving. Simply heating steel up to glowing will most likely ruin the temper, and I believe possibly anneal it.
Click to expand...

It is starting to sound like I will have more success tapping a new hole (with a hole tap kit) for these clips than I will attempting to bend them to fit. This may not be a bad thing as I can make my Leek and Blur fit a bigger variety of pocket clips. Thoughts? Anybody of experience tapping new pocket clip holes? If so, any advice?
 
ldc43 said:
It is starting to sound like I will have more success tapping a new hole (with a hole tap kit) for these clips than I will attempting to bend them to fit. This may not be a bad thing as I can make my Leek and Blur fit a bigger variety of pocket clips. Thoughts? Anybody of experience tapping new pocket clip holes? If so, any advice?
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Do you have a drill press and one of those chambers that flows the endless stream of coolant for cutting metal? Last you need is to drill holes only to find they are crooked and the threads were so overheated that they strip out instantly.
 
Or you could ditch the pocket clip completely and use a lanyard. Saves time, money, stress and possibly a broken tap stuck in the knife.
 
dkb45 said:
Do you have a drill press and one of those chambers that flows the endless stream of coolant for cutting metal? Last you need is to drill holes only to find they are crooked and the threads were so overheated that they strip out instantly.
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I do not have a drill press. Planning on using a power drill and a hand thread. Good point though about the importance of keeping is straight. I drill press would definitely make the job a lot easier.
 
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