Need advice on finding custom hardware for a Hogue Deka

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geoAZ

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I searched for similar topics with no luck. Please let me know if this topic is already posted.
Recently got a Hogue Deka 2. Overall it's nice, but not a fan of the thumb studs, able lock covers, and the pivot screw. Searched on Google, but not finding any replacements designed for the Deka, and unsure if generic items will work. Any suggestions?
 
I'm looking for the same stuff myself. Ordered new aftermarket scales, and now I'm looking for handle screws, pivot screw, and thumb studs.This seems to be a promising knife. Too bad you have to replace half of it.
 
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J*D said:
I'm looking for the same stuff myself. Ordered new aftermarket scales, and now I'm looking for handle screws, pivot screw, and thumb studs.This seems to be a promising knife. Too bad you have to replace half of it.
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What scales did you get? I got a set from RC Bladeworks and was not too impressed. They fit fine but the were a lot of “fuzzies” that needed to be sanded off and all the edges and corners were pretty sharp. Again, sandpaper fixed it but not great for $80 and a 5 week wait.
 
Seems that the Deka 2 is a great competitor to the Bugout but had no aftermarket support a Hogue is kind of making cheaply. I’m excited to get my preorder in Magnacut, but I’ll have to get another set of scales, and probably make a set of thumb studs
 
H0kieengineer said:
What scales did you get? I got a set from RC Bladeworks and was not too impressed. They fit fine but the were a lot of “fuzzies” that needed to be sanded off and all the edges and corners were pretty sharp. Again, sandpaper fixed it but not great for $80 and a 5 week wait.
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I‘m waiting on a set from RC Bladeworks. This knife is turning in to more of a project than I’d anticipated.
 
H0kieengineer said:
Seems that the Deka 2 is a great competitor to the Bugout but had no aftermarket support a Hogue is kind of making cheaply. I’m excited to get my preorder in Magnacut, but I’ll have to get another set of scales, and probably make a set of thumb studs
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It’s a shame that such a promising knife was executed so poorly.
 
Sorry to bump a sleeping thread, but has anyone found thumb studs? I got my gen 2 magnacut and also the OG2 aluminum scales from Original Goat and man I love this little knife!! except for the thumb studs and also the able lock covers (same design on both). They look cool but man they didn't soften or chamfer the edges and they are sharp. Within a few days my thumb literally started bleeding so I went reverse flick and it chewed up my fingernail noticably. I'm telling you that these thumb studs were designed by Tim Burton is what I'm saying. I work with my hands a lot and they're tough. And my hardware are the black coated version so I can't do anything about it with abrasives. Better to just replace them
I used digital calipers on all the parts but I couldn't get the thumb studs off (without destroying then) to measure the actual hole in the blade.. I contacted Flytanium and they were no help. I got a mostly English response saying they are looking into making scales no eta. Huh? I replied inquiring about if any of their existing studs might fit (again) and we'll see if they reply
 
"No clue, don’t have one to test on. We have a lot of stuff in the works right now!"
That was the response about of any of there existing thumb studs might fit the Deka. I guess Flytanium doesn't own a single Deka and haven't bothered to obtain one (probably for free if they asked Hogue). I'm not impressed with their customer service at all. Why wouldn't you see if your products work on other knives?
Will these tires fit my car?
Hell if I know!
 
I'm looking to do the same, get a magnacut Deka and OG scales. I just want silver thumbstuds and lockbar. Any idea if the lockbar is steel, and what coating is on it? I might try stripping the coating and rounding the edges/corners on them. I might also try two pairs of plyers with duct tape to remove the thumbstuds without damage, but I'm not sure.
 
Pretty sure the hardware is steel and you can sand off the finish/round the corners with fine sandpaper. As for the thumb studs, you could do the same, but for more comfortable all- black thumbstuds would require replacing them by pulling them out, using a micrometer to find the diameter that fits into the blade, then checking knife supply sites to see if they sell replacements in the same diameter
 
NYCJay said:
Sorry to bump a sleeping thread, but has anyone found thumb studs? I got my gen 2 magnacut and also the OG2 aluminum scales from Original Goat and man I love this little knife!! except for the thumb studs and also the able lock covers (same design on both). They look cool but man they didn't soften or chamfer the edges and they are sharp. Within a few days my thumb literally started bleeding so I went reverse flick and it chewed up my fingernail noticably. I'm telling you that these thumb studs were designed by Tim Burton is what I'm saying. I work with my hands a lot and they're tough. And my hardware are the black coated version so I can't do anything about it with abrasives. Better to just replace them
I used digital calipers on all the parts but I couldn't get the thumb studs off (without destroying then) to measure the actual hole in the blade.. I contacted Flytanium and they were no help. I got a mostly English response saying they are looking into making scales no eta. Huh? I replied inquiring about if any of their existing studs might fit (again) and we'll see if they reply
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N NYCJay : Also looking for thumb studs for the Deka 2. I got the 20cv G-mascus version. I tried to take them off so that it would fit in my sharpening system. The thumb studs would get in the way of the stones otherwise. They were stuck on with so much, what I think looks like, red Loctite. I was elated when I finally got them unscrewed but the female threaded part was still stuck in the hole and it was the toughest to get out. Of course they got chewed up in the process. They were sharp before but they're going to be worse now. Anyway I was able to measure the hole with my calipers and they are 3/16" (4.69mm). Please let me know if you find something. I just got them off today so I haven't really started looking but I will let you know if I find something as well. Many thanks!

EDIT: I took the thumb studs off of a Benchmade bugout *clone* and although the whole on the Deka is a little bit bigger the thumb stud seems to fit fine. So.. assuming the clone has the same diameter hole as a real bugout, perhaps a replacement would work if we can't find anything better
NYCJay said:
Sorry to bump a sleeping thread, but has anyone found thumb studs? I got my gen 2 magnacut and also the OG2 aluminum scales from Original Goat and man I love this little knife!! except for the thumb studs and also the able lock covers (same design on both). They look cool but man they didn't soften or chamfer the edges and they are sharp. Within a few days my thumb literally started bleeding so I went reverse flick and it chewed up my fingernail noticably. I'm telling you that these thumb studs were designed by Tim Burton is what I'm saying. I work with my hands a lot and they're tough. And my hardware are the black coated version so I can't do anything about it with abrasives. Better to just replace them
I used digital calipers on all the parts but I couldn't get the thumb studs off (without destroying then) to measure the actual hole in the blade.. I contacted Flytanium and they were no help. I got a mostly English response saying they are looking into making scales no eta. Huh? I replied inquiring about if any of their existing studs might fit (again) and we'll see if they reply
Click to expand...
 
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I realize it's been a year since your post but yeah same thing happened to me when trying to remove my studs. I carefully used a heat gun on the studs but that didn't soften the loctite and they destroyed my nylon pliers. Then I took a micro torch to each stud for a couple seconds back and forth and used two pair of smooth pliers, still did nothing but chew the studs up. I guess when I feel like messing with it again I'll use some beefy toothed pliers and just destroy the stupid studs.
For the time being I threw it in a drawer. It's a shame. Such a nice knife with such stupid hardware decisions.
 
Just replaced the thumbstuds on 3 Hogue Dekas in Magnacut today. Two of them are SMKW limited exclusives (the SubZero and Scorpion which are no longer on website) and one regular Magnacut whose cheap original polymer scales I had replaced with Blue Linen Micarta from RC Bladeworks. So I was very eager not to ruin the knives in the process! Happily, with due care, no damage or marks were inflicted on the knives.

The replacement studs for the Benchmade Bugout fit perfectly, although they appear smaller than the Deka's original thumbstuds because the Bugout's studs are more of a tapered cylinder shape with the tops smaller than the bases. The Deka's thumbstud holes on the blade appear to be too big, but once you get the replacement studs properly screwed in (with loctite) and centered, they don't move.

The best way to remove the thumbstuds is to use a narrow tipped channel lock plier to unscrew the female end of the thumbstud (on the right side of the blade with tip facing forward). You will have to turn it counterclockwise a few times before it loosens (it is red loctited in). Once you get it off, put a small drop of acetone (nail polish remover) in the hole of the blade and let it soak there for about 5-10 minutes. That will loosen the red loctite holding the other side on. Then take the channel lock plier and grip the remaining thumbstud and wiggle it back and forth till it pops off.

The newer replacement thumbstuds are lower profile, less abrasive, and better looking. A worthwhile replacement IMHO.
 
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Just reading this old post and laughing from the same experiences. The Benchmade parts do fit the Deka and once you break through all the Loctite its just as easy to take apart as the bugout. Used a small torch on the studs and finished with pliers. Careful not to strip the pivot or it's done for. Almost any Benchmade thumb studs will fit although being a little smaller. You can order free ones of course from BM's hotline. Lockbar actually fits as well.
 
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