The case for Screwing

[Hale Storm]

Hope my title gets some responses. I was playing with a new blade the other day (Benchmade 111H2O) and deciding on how I wanted to pimp it out. Ended up with some multi-cam style layered G10.
That got me thinking. I've pimped a few blades and I've noticed that most folders have torx screws. No big deal although they tend to strip easily on the lower end models like the China Kershaws. Not to mention the nylon lock nuts on the Kershaw and ZT models are tough to remove and reinstall. I ended up making my own tools to aid in the process and have done several Skylines and the ZT0350 and ZT0200. I then put some custom G10 on some Emerson Mini-Commanders and realized that Emerson uses Philips head screws. Much easier to chamfer the holes after drilling to recess the head versus drilling two holes for the torx screw (small hole for the threads and larger hole to recess the head of the screw). Plus alignment is much easier.
So, on to my question. I have an Esee Candiru that my son got for me for Fathers Day. Since it was a gift I knew I'd keep forever I decided to pimp it out and make it unique. I stripped the coating and added Blue and Black G10 scales. I used the only screws I had at the time and some small standoffs to attach the scales. The screws were Philips head. I was pretty proud of it at the time since it was one of the very first knives I customized. I posted a pic here in the forum when replying to a post. I was one of many posts and my comment was insignificant at the time, BUT, one of the members made a snide comment about never seeing anyone use Philips screws to attach scales. I'm an old warrior and not much bothers me and that certainly didn't, but, it stuck with me.
So, now I'm finally around to asking about it. These were not run of the mill hardware store zinc plated screws. They were high grade stainless steel since I have friends in the fastener business.
Why not use Philips head? Is there some unknown reason to use torx or allen head on removable scales? Or even flat head fasteners like Survive!Knives uses? Just curious why it would matter or is it because most would think it was low quality, or something else?

I look forward to seeing the experts here. Thanks in advance.

 

[tiguy7]

There is a tendency for Phillips screw drivers to cam out of the cross recess. The Phillips configuration was one of the early self centering drivers. Allen Keys have less tendency to cam out because neither the tool nor the hex recess are tapered. The TORX system is an improvement on the Allen Key because it has more surface area contact between the tool and the star recess.
Other fastener/tool designs which are an improvement over Phillips include Bristol Splines, Robertson tapered squares, Frearson cross recess bits, Clutch Drive figure 8 bits, PoziDriv cross recess bits, Tri-Wing bits, Tam-6Lobe bits, and TORQ-SET cross recess bits. The latter are being manufactured and promoted by Phillips as a superior to their original products.

 

[Scurvy092]

Torx screws stripping out are almost always caused by cheap tools, not cheap hardware.

Just like in the automotive industry, non standard(flat/phillips head style) hardware require a more specialized tool which means whoever owns the tool is more likely to know what they are doing.

 

[Hale Storm]

Torx screws stripping out are almost always caused by cheap tools, not cheap hardware.

Just like in the automotive industry, non standard(flat/phillips head style) hardware require a more specialized tool which means whoever owns the tool is more likely to know what they are doing.

I use Wiha torx bits from Germany. If there is a better quality brand out there, then I want it.

 

[asdf12345]

I prefer Phillips, spanner/3-hole or flathead screws to Torx. Less susceptible to damage/less to go wrong in my opinion. With proper screws, proper threading and a proper driver there shouldn't be any problems with any of those. The ones I actively avoid are security Torx and tri-wing. Too easy to damage.

 

[Sonnydaze]

There is a tendency for Phillips screw drivers to cam out of the cross recess. The Phillips configuration was one of the early self centering drivers. Allen Keys have less tendency to cam out because neither the tool nor the hex recess are tapered. The TORX system is an improvement on the Allen Key because it has more surface area contact between the tool and the star recess.
Other fastener/tool designs which are an improvement over Phillips include Bristol Splines, Robertson tapered squares, Frearson cross recess bits, Clutch Drive figure 8 bits, PoziDriv cross recess bits, Tri-Wing bits, Tam-6Lobe bits, and TORQ-SET cross recess bits. The latter are being manufactured and promoted by Phillips as a superior to their original products.

The post was informative, rather surprising to me due to the great detail, and the fellow seems to know his field. It seems as though I see a lot of stripped screws on Spyderco PM2's. Of course, there's a whole bunch of PM2's out there...