Removing stripped, stuck, cheap screws to flip pocket clips for left carry

[xdoomsongx]

I carry left handed as I am left handed. I typically don't have too much trouble flipping the pocket clip on a knife, but sometimes it's a horrific ordeal that ends with a brand new knife having a bent pocket clip, no usable clip, take your pick of any number of less than ideal possibilities really. I'm really sick of companies using cheap torx screws that come out of the box non-functional. This goes for a large number of manufacturers that I have owned from cheap sub $50 stuff up to spyderco and others. I have started buying knives made for left hand carry, but if you have looked at this market before you know it's slim pickings.

That said, I couldn't resist the Artisan Cutlery Apache recently, and I have had no issues with the other two knives from this manufacturer that I own. The screws came in stripped or with poor machining so that the standard T6 wasn't cutting it. I use Wiha bits and screwdrivers for knives, so it's not the driver. They are superb. I tried hex bits as they some times work. I tried electrical and duct tape. I tried wrapping the driver in rubber band. I tried the soldering iron trick. Nothing has worked, and I am at the point that I normally dremel a flat head spot in, however I'm kind of done trying to do this and ruining clips. Is there any other way to get them out that I might be missing? Thanks for any help.

 

[Danke42]

I have a radical solution. Don't buy low dollar novelty knives like that.

For tools most folks on here find that Wiha Torx bits or drivers are he best choice to use.

 

[Sharp Steel]

I saw something called screw pliers in an electronics tools catalog for removing screws. If the screw is sticking out enough you may be able to clamp it in a vice or grab it with carpentry nail cutters. Maybe cut a slot in it with a hack saw blade, and used a flat head screwdriver?

 

[xdoomsongx]

I have a radical solution. Don't buy low dollar novelty knives like that.

For tools most folks on here find that Wiha Torx bits or drivers are he best choice to use.

As I stated, I've had this issue with a lot of manufacturers. From a spyderco that was well over $200 to some manufacturers in the $50 range. Honestly the only manufacturer I haven't had this with is Cold Steel, and I frankly don't care for their products. I've had it occur with a Benchmade, a Kizer. I had reasonable luck with other Artisan Cutlery knives in the past. It's not about having cheap knives, it's about manufacturers using cheap screws. I can see in the lower end knives, but when I'm paying north of $150-200 I expect something better than what's found on a $50 knife.

I am using Wiha bits and screw drivers as I stated. They are well worth the money.

I saw something called screw pliers in an electronics tools catalog for removing screws. If the screw is sticking out enough you may be able to clamp it in a vice or grab it with carpentry nail cutters. Maybe cut a slot in it with a hack saw blade, and used a flat head screwdriver?

I'll look in to the screw pliers. I'll have to see if I can find a hacksaw blade small enough to fit up under pocket clips. I bought some very small files, but they take a very long time, and often cut too wide of a slot in the screw. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

There are pliers called Vampliers that are designed to grip screw heads. I have a few sizes that work well but my first choice would be micro grabits or easy outs. I've used them on a couple knives people have sent me to remove stripped screws.

They don't cost a fortune and have paid for themselves many tines over through the years.

 

[xdoomsongx]

There are pliers called Vampliers that are designed to grip screw heads. I have a few sizes that work well but my first choice would be micro grabits or easy outs. I've used them on a couple knives people have sent me to remove stripped screws.

They don't cost a fortune and have paid for themselves many tines over through the years.

Wanted to update, I picked up a set of the Micro grabits, and they worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip, I honestly assumed they were kind of gimmicky, and hadn't given them a chance in the past.

 

[Sharp Steel]

Wanted to update, I picked up a set of the Micro grabits, and they worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip, I honestly assumed they were kind of gimmicky, and hadn't given them a chance in the past.

Now that you say that, I wonder if a small holder for taps would have worked. Torque it closed on the piece sticking out and use the leverage of the T-handle to move it.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Wanted to update, I picked up a set of the Micro grabits, and they worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip, I honestly assumed they were kind of gimmicky, and hadn't given them a chance in the past.

I wasn't sure how the micro sets would work ... but after using the regular ones with good luck I tried them a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised.

Glad they worked!