Recommendation? Removing Pocket Clip on Olamic Busker?

[Eric5273]

I’m considering removing the pocket clip on my Olamic Busker. I know this sounds like something so simple that one would not need to discuss or ask any questions, but I’ve never disassembled a knife before and considering the $500+ price tag, it’s not something I want to mess up or damage.

I don’t use the pocket clip, and instead carry the knife in a leather pocket organizer/wallet I bought on Etsy. It fits in the organizer with the pocket clip, but would be a lot thinner without. I just wonder if there is any down side to removing it?

It appears that I would just remove the 2 screws holding it to the frame and it should come off. I don’t own any torx drivers, so I was going to purchase this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-27811-S...=UTF8&qid=1521503774&sr=8-20&keywords=Wiha+t6

I saw from the Nick Shabazz disassembly video that the smaller screws on the Busker are T6, although he did not remove the pocket clip during his disassembly.

Is there any reason not to remove the clip? Will flipping the knife open be more difficult without the clip? It’s hard for me to tell.

 

[OlamicCutlery]

Hope it's OK for me to comment

Removing the clip will not affect the knife's functionality UNLESS its absence will mean that your fingers will start to push down on the lock bar. I've been flipping one without a clip here for half an hour and haven't had a problem... that being said, I do have quite a bit of experience with these. For most flips/standard opening (using blade cutout) it looks like the only finger that I have putting any real pressure on the frame is my pinky, which places itself so far down the handle that it doesn't affect the lock bar at all. My ring finger does go on the lock bar but the pressure from it isn't hindering opening.

You will indeed only need a T6 torx driver (all small screws on Busker are T6, pivot is T8). The standoffs under the clip are not mounted on their own (like on the 247) and will fall out as you unscrew the clip, so watch out for that. With the clip gone you'll have two countersunk holes. The original clip screws are too long to "plug" these holes, so don't try that. However the smaller screws on the knife fit into the holes... they will need to be trimmed a little bit and won't be as flush in the clip holes since the frame holes are counterbored. Actually the fact that they remain just a little bit raised provides a nice point of traction in that area with the clip gone. That being said please either email or DM me and we'll send you those small screws to plug the holes, if that's the direction you'd like to go in.

 

[Eric5273]

Thanks so much for your long and detailed reply! Over the past few days I have purposely been playing with the knife and watching my fingers while flipping it open, and I’ve come to the same conclusion as what you stated — it shouldn’t be an issue.

I ordered my T6 driver and am waiting for it to come in the mail. Regarding the holes in the frame, I’m not sure if that will be an actual issue for me since my Busker has the acid rain holes pattern. Obviously I’ll have to see if these two holes look remarkably different from the other 30-40 holes in the frames, but I’m guessing it should be fine since the holes themselves are in all different sizes, some chamfered and others not. If I decide I want to cover them up with screws, I will let you know and may take you up on your offer. Thanks!

 

[Mikel_24]

WIHA is a nice brand, so I am prety sure you did well with your purchase. Word of advice, if you find they screws are too tight, they might have been fixed with thread locker. If that's the case, and before you strip anything, I would suggest appliying gentle heat with the tip of a soldering iron (traditional 75w, pencil tip, the one used for circuit boards). Heat loosens the thread locker.

Best of luck!

 

[tyyreaun]

Olamic doesn't use threadlocker (at least, I've never seen any used) so that shouldn't be a problem. Just be careful not to slip and scratch anything expensive.

I did want to mention, though, Wiha drivers are excellent but they're also expensive if you're going to use it once. You can multi-bit set from a generic brand off of Amazon for the same price. Something to consider, if the Wiha hasn't shipped yet.

 

[Eric5273]

I removed the pocket clip today. It was very easy and there was no thread locker. The holes blend very well with the acid rain holes on the frames, so there is no need to cover them with screws.

As for flipping the knife open, using the front flipper with my thumb is now a bit more difficult due to not having the pocket clip to hold onto. However, flipping the knife open with my middle finger is now easier than before, I guess due to the knife being thinner overall, so that is now the easiest way to flip it open, which is fine with me.