piston questions

Joined
Sep 6, 2007
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69
i want to buy a piston for my dad. when in tip up... what holds the pocket clip on?? is it just screwed into the g10?
does yours seem a bit slow to open?
 
I don't know about turning the thumb studs but any kershaw pocket clip I have seen has the same sort of holes to screw into, if there is no liner which I believe there isn't in the piston (mine has been stored away for a while) then yes the screws will go into the g10. It is a big heavy blade so it will be slower to open than say a leek, that said I am pleased with how mine flies open. Something as simple as a 1/8 turn of the pivot screw can have a large effect on opening speed as well. Also there is the break in period to consider where it will be a little stiffer. I love my piston and think it would be an awesome gift.
 
The pocket clip is held on with metal inserts in the G-10. I don't know if they're steel or what; a magnet held up didn't stick.

Mine is a bit slow to open, but I just got it a few days ago. I take apart my Kershaws and give them a thorough cleaning and lube when new, and that seems to help. The knife will break in.

I just tried moving the thumb studs with a Leatherman, and they wouldn't budge. I think they're a single piece of metal, pressed into a hole in the blade.
 
The only reason I can think of for turning the stud so that the ramp is inward would be to slow-open the blade, which wouldn't work unless you removed the speedsafe torsion bar.
 
I had the Piston for a while before I sold it to Brent. It was a great knife. The pocket clip screws go into threaded inserts. These are the same inserts you'll find on the Echelon for the clip screws. They are also used for body screws on knives like the Skyline and Echelon, and of course the Piston. When you see body screws going into G10, look where they go and you'll find these inserts. They're very strong, and are indeed steel.

In terms of the thumb studs, you can't easily move them. They're press fit into the blade. I'm not sure why you would, as they are directed perfectly to facilitate a good deployment with the thumb. If their orientation isn't comfortable, then it's my opinion that you modify your technique a bit, as I've found the studs are a great guide for directing the force.
 
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