Screwed in titanium

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Nocturnal13

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Apr 18, 2017
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I got a ZT 0220 recently and thought about the fact that the handle screws goes through the backspacer and screws in the titanium. Would it potentially strip the threads of the titanium? If so can anything be done about it? Or is this just a theoretical problem that likely will never happen? It has happened on a auto knife before, but only a small amount of the threads was in the other side of the aluminum scale. The ZT seems to have more thread length.
 
Nocturnal13 said:
I got a ZT 0220 recently and thought about the fact that the handle screws goes through the backspacer and screws in the titanium. Would it potentially strip the threads of the titanium? If so can anything be done about it? Or is this just a theoretical problem that likely will never happen? It has happened on a auto knife before, but only a small amount of the threads was in the other side of the aluminum scale. The ZT seems to have more thread length.
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They shouldn't strip if you don't keep tightening them past ...tight.
 
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Lots of knives are like this. As mentioned, don't over tighten.

If you goof it up and manage to strip a threaded Ti scale or liner there is a possible fix that has worked for me on a CQC-7 I bought that was already stripped:

Take it all apart and place a small ball bearing on the stripped hole, and hit it with a hammer. Not too hard, but hard enough to deform the hole. Do the same on the other side of the hole. Now run a tap through... or if you don't have a tap run a clean screw through very carefully making sure it is straight and catching the old threads to pull it through.

This should give you some new threads, not as good as original but at least enough to hold decent tension. It worked for me and the knife is in my regular rotation.
 
Nocturnal13 said:
I got a ZT 0220 recently and thought about the fact that the handle screws goes through the backspacer and screws in the titanium. Would it potentially strip the threads of the titanium? If so can anything be done about it? Or is this just a theoretical problem that likely will never happen? It has happened on a auto knife before, but only a small amount of the threads was in the other side of the aluminum scale. The ZT seems to have more thread length.
Click to expand...

One of the two reasons that I have not bought ZT 0804. And yes - I think it is a bad design.
 
mt666tm said:
Lots of knives are like this. As mentioned, don't over tighten.

If you goof it up and manage to strip a threaded Ti scale or liner there is a possible fix that has worked for me on a CQC-7 I bought that was already stripped:

Take it all apart and place a small ball bearing on the stripped hole, and hit it with a hammer. Not too hard, but hard enough to deform the hole. Do the same on the other side of the hole. Now run a tap through... or if you don't have a tap run a clean screw through very carefully making sure it is straight and catching the old threads to pull it through.

This should give you some new threads, not as good as original but at least enough to hold decent tension. It worked for me and the knife is in my regular rotation.
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This sounds interesting. So by hammering the ball bearing you are making the hole smaller?
 
danbot said:
A bad design to have the screws engage in titanium? Why not? Even in steel you will strip threads if you over tighten too much.
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I was thinking that it's much easier and cheaper to replace a stripped backspacer than an entire lock side of titanium.
 
I just had an idea but wanted to hear if I forgot about something that would make it not work. Would it work if you got a bit longer screw and turn a nut on the other side and put some loctite on? It will be free spinning and look like crap with some hotspots maybe, but functionally?
 
Nocturnal13 said:
I just had an idea but wanted to hear if I forgot about something that would make it not work. Would it work if you got a bit longer screw and turn a nut on the other side and put some loctite on? It will be free spinning and look like crap with some hotspots maybe, but functionally?
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If you were to strip the threads in the titanium you mean? I don't see why that wouldn't work...functionally.
 
danbot said:
If you were to strip the threads in the titanium you mean? I don't see why that wouldn't work...functionally.
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Yeah, I just thought about it but it will most likely never even happen. I'm just the kind of guy that has to have a plan B for that 'what if' scenario. I really hate that about myself, I end up worrying about stuff that would 99% of the time never happen.

But once again BF has helped me in my craziness, thanks a lot guys!
 
Mo2 said:
Get some blue locktite and put a tooth pick in it and apply a small drop to the screw. Screw it in and stop when it stops.
Done.
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Good advice. I dit actually do that just before I started the thread. I was just afraid I already overtightened it the first time I reassembled it.. It only acurred to me I need to be more careful because it's screwed into the titanium after assembly.
 
Mo2 said:
Get some blue locktite and put a tooth pick in it and apply a small drop to the screw. Screw it in and stop when it stops.
Done.
Click to expand...

I’m a big fan of purple LockTite for scale screws. Hasn’t failed me...yet.
 
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View attachment 1004786 There are various sound mechanical fixes including changing to a larger sized screw or inserting a Helicoil. You could even weld the hole shut and start over with drilling and tapping. Some manufacturers install threaded inserts in Ti handle slabs.
The picture is of female threaded #2X56TPI steel inserts in a Benchmade Titanium 943 handle. These would be for a left hand tip up pocket clip.
 
I've had a CNC custom where the threads in the titanium scale stripped out; the screw would stay in but wouldn't hold any tension. The maker was able to fix it for me, so it worked out in the end, but I would say it's not just a theoretical problem and does happen. (No, I wasn't over tightening the screws).

If the screws on your ZT strip out or the threads in the scale strip, ZT should be able to replace it for you. I'm not sure if they still make that model though, in which case they may only be able to offer you a different model, according to the warranty policy on their site. However, there are also really skilled knife makers and modifiers who are able to tap new threaded holes and install new screws, or even mill right through and turn it into a chicago screw set up with screws on both sides going into a backspacer. That'll cost you a pretty penny though.
 
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