Why torx screws?

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
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Is there any reason manufacturers make knives with torx screws? Are they somehow inherently better or is it to discourage people from trying to take them apart by using a "non-standard" screw like flat or philip?
 
as an add on question: why use security torx? like on a leatherman wave/charge etc.?
 
torx screws have more surface area and wont strip as easily like hex, and small flat heads/ phillips screwdrivers have a habit of snapping or getting shaved when that small

as to the security torx i have no idea
 
Just FYI, I don't care for torx screws, but finally found a nice torx set at Advance Auto Parts for $6. A full set of all sizes of torx, phillips, flats, etc all in a nice little case.

Rich
 
Off the top of my head, I would say mostly because of the more positive driver/screw connection. A Philips (spelling?) or slotted type screw (especially a slotted type) more easily allows the driver to slip and scratch the knife or surrounding material and mangle the screw head. It's also easier, in my opinion, to fit the screw to the Allen or Torx driver to start the screw. My guess is that Torx head screws have even more contact area than Allen screws and more torque (thus Torx) can be applied. Allen and Torx driver sets can be had fairly inexpensively and I find them handy to have around the house for other tasks that might pop up. Don't forget that Allen sets come in inch and metric variations. As for security Torx, I don't know. I don't think the security part (unless they don't want you to disassemble the knife) is necessary. Maybe they're easier to use for a particular production assembly process? In my past life as an engineer, we used Allen head screws almost exclusively in our designs because they made assembly and dis-assembly easier because of the driver/screw interface. Besides, being a hardware junkie, I think they look more cool.
 
don't forget about the weird ass Chinese star ones.... 5 points...

those just piss me off...
 
you can get a set of torx drivers from sears craftsman for like $10. set of six will cover any knife sizes ive yet come across. and i think they are stronger than hex and certainly phillips and slotted screws.
 
The husky torx set from lowes is really good, bits are nice and hard on my :D
As to the security bits. Its obviously used so you dont take them apart, Though it doesnt stop me as i have a security bit set for every bit!
 
We've gone from Hex, to Spline , to Torx. Torx is BY FARRRRRR the best.
The others strip much easier.
 
Well, my father switched to torx screws around my parents house quite a while ago and I started to like them a lot: You dont have to apply pressure to keep your bit-screw connection, they don't strip (as easy) and you can just put the screw on your bit and the screw will stay there as long as you dont point it downwards (in contrast to flat bits).

When it comes to knives the important aspects may be...
- non stripping
- the ease of controlling the torque - since you don't need to push the screw into the thread you're only applying the torque that turns the screw - if you have to push it inside it's going to be much harder to tell when to stop... (or at least is to me)

Well, I appreciate any use of torx screws - I think they should be used on any screw there is. :)

s_f
 
I have tried to tighten the very small Allen screws on a folder and man it was slow and hard. Couldn't find the properly sized Allen key for the job.

In contrast, Torx have a standardized size range and screwing and unscrewing was easier, since my folders don't have a Torx screw smaller than no. 6. :thumbup:
 
FWIW....the first Kershaw/Onion speed safe design, I forget the name of the model, had Torx #5 for the grip screws.
 
Flat head screws that small will not allow for the torque needed to keep the screw from coming out. Phillips head screws were DESIGNED to cam out, intended to destroy the fastener head rather than the tool, making them less than ideal for something thats meant to be taken apart and reassembled many times in the life of the product. Torx is ideal for this application. Lots of surface area in a small format that doesn't eat itself easily. And it's not like torx bits are hard to find these days.
 
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