Need Tips on removing thumbstud of AD20.5

D

Davin Manor

Joined
Aug 24, 2025
Messages
3
Heya, big Demko Lover here. Currently I try to pimp my AD20.5 a bit, so I bought a fancy titanium thumbstud. But the original thumbstud seems to be locked down hard with thread locker. Any tips how to get it removed without damaging the precious blade?
 
SS454-71 said:
They are lock tighted on. Perhaps remove the blade and place in boiling water for a few minutes.
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This scared me off - yeah, it is 20CV, but nevertheless, water on my precious blade? Even boiling water? I'd rather not...
SS454-71 said:
Otherwise cut a slit in it with a dremil cutoff wheel.
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Did exactly this, and grabbed a stubby screwdriver and much of force. TY, it is gone!
jbmonkey said:
if it is locktited on there, id say use heat to break loose.

maybe we just ask Mike..... Demko Knives MWallace Demko Knives MWallace

best practice on this Mike? thanks much.....
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Would like to hear a better way, because now I have a destroyed thumbstud.

But, nevertheless, goal achieved, ty guys!
 
Davin Manor said:
This scared me off - yeah, it is 20CV, but nevertheless, water on my precious blade? Even boiling water? I'd rather not...

Did exactly this, and grabbed a stubby screwdriver and much of force. TY, it is gone!

Would like to hear a better way, because now I have a destroyed thumbstud.

But, nevertheless, goal achieved, ty guys!
Click to expand...
take more heat than boiling water temp to harm 20cv heat treat.

doesnt matter though as ya solved it.

pop back in...Mike will come by at some point. sure he's busy making knives right now.....he'll tell us what he thinks or feels is fair game to share.......
 
Water, boiling or not, is not going to do a single thing to your blade.
It sounds like you already went the destructive route, which is a shame. There are always far more delicate solutions; even moderate heat is more than enough to slightly loosen thread locker. Couple that with (very) light taps from a small pistol smith hammer (the nylon side) and you can motivate anything.

Next time...
 
Didn't your original thumbstud have a slot in it? I have an AD20.5 in my hand and it is slotted. Just curious.
 
jbmonkey said:
if it is locktited on there, id say use heat to break loose.

maybe we just ask Mike..... Demko Knives MWallace Demko Knives MWallace

best practice on this Mike? thanks much.....
Click to expand...
So…. The thumb stud is a tricky bugger to remove. I take a screwdriver from a gunsmith kit that fits it perfectly then gab the other side with very small channel locks. It’s not easy to remove! Sometimes if they are really stubborn I use a soldering iron on the thumb stud to heat it up. Taking those off is my least favorite task in the shop.
 
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