Pocket clip help

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Jun 8, 2009
Messages
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I'm a lefty but carry in my right front pocket. I have a few Spyderco militarys and want to change the clip location for tip up carry.
Where to get the clip, screws and backer bolts to do?
Any experiences with this?
Thank you!
 
Pocket clips and screws can be purchased from Knifekits.com, and USAKnifemaker.com (there might be other sources). They have a variety of both. I've purchased from both vendors countless times over the years.

I don't know what version of the Military you have, I have an old, original model, both sides of the handle scales are just G10, with a smaller liner lock set into one scale. I will assume that yours is the same.

There are basically two ways to attach a pocket clip with screws to a folding knife-

1. Drill and tap new holes for the screws. If you don't know what "tap" means, it means creating screw threads in a hole.

This is rather tricky, especially for people with no experience with drilling or tapping. And a certain amount of precision is required so it's better to drill the holes with a drill press rather than a hand drill.

But there is an easier, simpler way (no tapping)-

2. Disassemble the knife. Drill holes in the handle scale to match the holes in the pocket clip you select (a hand drill, even a hand-powered "eggbeater" style drill would work on G10). Run screws out through the holes from the inside surface of the handle scale.

To be clear, when the knife is assembled the heads of the screws would be inside the knife, with the threaded ends of the screws sticking out through the scale and clip, then use nuts to secure the clip.

Using this method there are two options for nuts- acorn nuts, which will stick out a bit but form a rounded "cap" over the threaded ends of the screws.

Or, you can use regular nuts which are much flatter. If using regular nuts you would need to file the ends of the screws down flush with the nuts after tightening the nuts, then remove the nuts and carefully sand the outer edges of the nuts on the side that will be sticking up when installed. This will produce a low-profile snag-free surface.

If there are clearance issues with the heads of the screws being inside the handle (where the blade is) one can use low-profile button head screws, or flat head screws. But mini screws 2-56 and smaller (a common size for many pocket clips) tend to have very small low-profile heads to begin with. And if the screws are in the bottom of the handle, where the point of the blade sits, then clearance isn't likely to be a problem. Looking at my Military, I see no problem with screw clearances.

And of course, depending on the knife, if inside clearance isn't an issue it might be possible to run the screws in from the outside with the nuts on the inside.

I purchase my mini screws and nuts from McMastercarr.com.

I hope this helps. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.



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Thank you much for a thorough description! I should have given a little more info. I make a few knives occasionally, gunsmithing,etc.I need to find a clip ans did not know what size for the screws/nuts or where to get them from. Or whether there was a kit. Hoping someone else had already gone thru this and new what and were to get them.
I don't know why Spyderco positions the clip , so the when you put your hand in your pocket, it has to slide down rubbing across the blade jimping on the top side of the knife.
 
Thank you much for a thorough description! I should have given a little more info. I make a few knives occasionally, gunsmithing,etc.I need to find a clip ans did not know what size for the screws/nuts or where to get them from. Or whether there was a kit. Hoping someone else had already gone thru this and new what and were to get them.
I don't know why Spyderco positions the clip , so the when you put your hand in your pocket, it has to slide down rubbing across the blade jimping on the top side of the knife.


Ah, I see. I thought you were also asking how.

Here's what I can tell you- the only clips I've purchased from Knifekits.com that would be big enough for a Military are the model 19 DRCLP, they are basically the same as many used by Benchmade (at least all the Benchmade knives I've owned). And the holes in those clips were sized perfectly for 2-56 screws.
 
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