I was wondering how hard is it to add a thumbstud to a knife? I have a "Gentlemen" folder that I would like to put a thumb stud on, its not an exspensive one (15 dollars at a flea market) and am considering the modification to make it one hand opening. I was wondering has anyone done this?
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Thumb Studs
- Thread starter Spade115
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,957
Numerous times.
First buy a thumb stud. I recommend one using a 2-56 size screw like those sold at USA knifemaker supply. You'll need a T-6 driver to install it once you drill your hole. These are plenty long, you get two for ambi carry if you need it and if not its not necessary to use both. You can use just one and cut or grind off the excess screw sticking out. http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/...4.html?zenid=097fd2276fe1c9f344dc291d02fc76e5
Once you have the stud and the driver to turn it you will need to get you a carbide drill bit in the correct size. I use a #44 drill bit and I recommend a two flute type like those sold at MSC. Find that here: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1674467&PMT4NO=80880337
Running these is tricky. You should have a drill press. Crank up the speed and let the drill do the work without pushing it real hard through the material. Be particularly careful exiting out the other side and lighten up quite a bit on it just before it pops through. The exit is when these smaller and even many larger ones are famous for shattering. Best to have the blade on a clean hard piece of scrap steel so you exit in better shape than to just have it on your table.
Watch for scratching up the blade with the shavings also. So keep the work area clean as possible. Once the hole is through there install your stud. Be careful marking it to be sure you don't overhang the stud off the end of the blade and also make sure that its installed such that it will not bump the body of the folder when you rotate the blade to open it and close it. You might also be sure of the positioning for when the blade snaps shut too so its not bumping the body there either or you may end up having to dremmel a small recess in the handle on one or both sides to make it sit so the point is still down where it belongs during carry. Good luck
STR
First buy a thumb stud. I recommend one using a 2-56 size screw like those sold at USA knifemaker supply. You'll need a T-6 driver to install it once you drill your hole. These are plenty long, you get two for ambi carry if you need it and if not its not necessary to use both. You can use just one and cut or grind off the excess screw sticking out. http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/...4.html?zenid=097fd2276fe1c9f344dc291d02fc76e5
Once you have the stud and the driver to turn it you will need to get you a carbide drill bit in the correct size. I use a #44 drill bit and I recommend a two flute type like those sold at MSC. Find that here: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1674467&PMT4NO=80880337
Running these is tricky. You should have a drill press. Crank up the speed and let the drill do the work without pushing it real hard through the material. Be particularly careful exiting out the other side and lighten up quite a bit on it just before it pops through. The exit is when these smaller and even many larger ones are famous for shattering. Best to have the blade on a clean hard piece of scrap steel so you exit in better shape than to just have it on your table.
Watch for scratching up the blade with the shavings also. So keep the work area clean as possible. Once the hole is through there install your stud. Be careful marking it to be sure you don't overhang the stud off the end of the blade and also make sure that its installed such that it will not bump the body of the folder when you rotate the blade to open it and close it. You might also be sure of the positioning for when the blade snaps shut too so its not bumping the body there either or you may end up having to dremmel a small recess in the handle on one or both sides to make it sit so the point is still down where it belongs during carry. Good luck
STR
