Removing thumb stud?

Overgaar

Overgaar

Joined
Nov 14, 2001
Messages
80
Hi

Due to the local knife laws which ban all one-hand operated knifes, I am contemplating on buying a good folder and then have the thumb-stud removed.

Does anyone out there have experience in doing that on e.g. Al-Mar SERE 2000?

What are the pitfalls?

Regards
Overgaard
 
The first one that comes to mind is whether you'll be able to get the knife open once you do it. I don't have a SERE2000, so I can't say for sure on it. Some of my folders whose blades are very much enclosed by the handle scales would be real bears to open without their studs.

The other concern would be, depending on the company, removing the thumb stud would probably count as disassembly and might void any warranties. I'd check with the manufacturer.

Other than that, I'd say drip a little oil into those exposed threads every once in a while, and it should be just fine! :)
 
Thanks for you answer. I wasn't awere that opening could be a problem. However, based on the pictures, e.g. here it seems as the opening should not be a problem on the SERE 2000.

An of course, grinding, drilling or sawing off the thumb stud will invalidate the guarantee. :D

Other comments anyone? How is the stud attached to the blade? Screwed in, welded or riveted? What kind of steel would the stud be made of? The same as the blade (i.e. very hard VG-10), or something easier workable?
 
Don't worry. I have taken the studs off of my SERE 2000 and I love it. I am still able to open the blade with my thumb because there is quite a bit of steel for your thumb to catch on (not to forget the small hole that the studs were screwed into. To remove the studs, all you need are two pair of pliers. Grab opposing studs and twist off in opposite directions. I really like mine better without the studs. Remember that you can always put the studs back on if you like. :)
 
I would suggest heating the thumbstuds up a bit before you remove them. This will loosen the LocTite on the thread and make it much easier to remove the studs without marring them.
 
Anyone have the exact text of the law, translating as close as possible to english? I might be able to find a loop hole.
 
Everybody, thanks for your replies.

J-Man, here comes the law text in Danish. I will try to translate the important sections below. The interesting part is in section 4.

1) Almindelige foldeknive (”lommeknive”) med en klinge på højst 7 centimeter kan bæres på offentligt tilgængelige steder, jf. våbenlovens § 4, stk. 1, 2. pkt.

2) Andre knive end foldeknive (f.eks. dolke), uanset om klingen er under 7 cm, og almindelige foldeknive med en klinge over 7 cm må kun bæres på offentligt tilgængelige steder, hvis det sker som led i erhvervsudøvelse, til brug ved jagt, lystfiskeri eller sportsudøvelse eller har et andet lignende anerkendelsesværdigt formål. Et andet lignende anerkendelsesværdigt formål kan f.eks. være spejderaktiviteter og andre lovlige friluftsaktiviteter, hjemtransport af en kniv, som netop er købt i en forretning, o.lign., jf. våbenlovens § 4, stk. 1, 1. pkt.

3) Dolke og knive med en klinge over 12 cm er dog kun lovlige i erhverv, til husholdningsbrug, jagt, lystfiskeri og sportsdykning, og kun hvis de er udformet hertil. I andre tilfælde må disse dolke og knive kun erhverves, besiddes, bæres eller anvendes med politiets tilladelse, jf. våbenlovens § 4, stk. 3, jf. våbenbekendtgørelsens § 14, stk. 1, nr. 1, og stk. 3.

4) Knive med tværstillet greb beregnet til stød (push daggers), springknive og springstiletter, faldknive og faldstiletter, enhåndsbetjente foldeknive, butterflyknive, kårdestokke og andre tilsvarende skjulte våben samt kasteknive må uanset klingens længde under ingen omstændigheder erhverves, besiddes, bæres eller anvendes uden politiets tilladelse, jf. våbenlovens § 4, stk. 3, jf. våbenbekendtgørelsens § 14, stk. 1, nr. 2-6 og 9.
Click to expand...

Translation:
1) Ordinary folders with a blade < 7 cm may be carried in public. (Note: Fixed blades < 7 cm are not allowed)

2) Other knives, including fixed blades and knives > 7 cm may only be carried in public places if as a part of work, hunting, fishing, sport or other creditable purpose, e.g. scouting, transporting from the shop to your home.

3) However, fixed blades and knives with blades > 12 cm are only legal in work, kitchens, hunting, fishing, and diving, and only if they are made for that specific purpose.

4) Knives with a cross mounted handle (push daggers), switchblades, one hand operated folders, butterflies, sticks with hidden blades, and throwing knives may, regardless of the blade length, under no circumstances be acquired, possessed, carried or used without permission from the police

Any loopholes? :D :D

Overgaar

PS. My EDC, a Spyderco Mini Dyad is less than 7 cm, but because of the spyderhole it is not legal according to 4). However I have a better chance of talking me out of that than out of a SERE 2000. :)
 
How do those knife-grabbing Danish politicians determine whether a folder can be opened with one hand only?
An Opinel has nothing but a nail nick as an opening device, and people are still able to open with without using their weak hand at all.
Are Opinels outlawed where you live?

Or are nail nicks your legal exception? If so, how deep are they supposed to be? In case there are no depth regulations regarding nail nicks on folding knives over there (and I guess that there are none), would it be legal to grind down a thick-bladed folder (like a Strider) to create something similar to a Spydiehole, as long as you just thin out parts of the blade instead of drilling through the steel?
 
About the only folders I can't open one handed are the thicker SAKs. After many hours of practice (and many cut thumbs) I could open all the tools of my old Camillus scout knife without my left hand. I told my scout leader it was in case I ever broke my arm when hiking or something. Of course, since I only ever practiced with my right hand, I'd have been SOL if that's the one I landed on. :D
 
Hi, I agree thst it is nonsense talking about one-hand operated folder and not one-hand operated folders. But this doesn’t really matter if the politicians I Denmark get their way. They are now trying to pass a new law that totally forbids wearing any knife in public. :confused:

Regards
Carl
 
It's easy; just unscrew it.

Some of us can open just about any folder one-handed, including slip-joints, but that's the politicians' problem; let them worry about it.... I don't think you'll have any difficulty at all opening the knife after you've removed the thumb-stud, either with your thumb or with an inertial opening. Just don't do it in front of a cop, that's all. :cool:
 
I too can open a lot of lock backs and slip joints one handed. However, if I carry a large folder with a thumb stud every LEO will (correctly) claim that it is designed for one handed use. If I remove the thumb stud I can claim that it is not. So perhaps I can avoid a fine.

I actually heard a rumor, that sometimes LEO finds a little knife (<7cm) on hooligans, rioting youngsters, or the like. The LEO then opens the knive in a 90 degree angle and measures the blade length INCLUDING the tang. Of course then a 6 cm knife suddenly measures 7.5 cm and is illegal. The knife is then confiscated, but the "nice" officer tells the youngster that he will avoid a fine if he promises not to carry again. Of course this would never hold up in court, but the knife ends up confiscated.

I personally do not have a problem with this approach. These young problemmakers are perhaps the reason for the politicians fear of knifes.

To Carl: Yes, I heard those politicians too. I really hope that the new law is not approved. However, I would not carry a tactical folder in the center of Copenhagen, niether today or after the law. But despite the law I would probably keep on carrying a SAK. And I would carry my SERE or the like in the woods. And I guess that your local police officer in Lemvig would have more understanding for a violation than all the Jutlandish cops that are roaming around Copenhagen :D

Thanks to everybody for your advice - I ordered the SERE 2000 today. Can't wait to get it.

(Edited to remove spelin mistaches ;) )
 
Like I said, I don't have one, but from everything I've heard, you'll love it. Enjoy! :)
 
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