Why Torx?

K

KingGeorgeIII

Joined
Nov 23, 2008
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So I've been wondering why many knife manufacturers use primarily Torx screws in their knives. It seems that a Phillips or even Hex bits are more commonly used on other things and therefore more people have those bits. Wouldn't it make it easier for a wider range of people to service their knives without having to buy new bits? I had a high school shop teacher who loathed Torx because he felt they were unnecessary considering all the other more common styles of screws.
 
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I think Torx is used because it is harder to find than the more common screws, so knives are harder to disassemble. Most knife manufacturers don' t like their knives to be taken apart.
 
Torx don't strip as easily as a phillips and I can find the size of a Torx faster than I can a hex. I have a couple little Torx sets that were inexpensive, they are very easy to use and I don't worry about stripping a tight screw as much. I like them.
 
I'm not necessarily talking about taking them apart though, I have a couple knives that came with some side-to-side wiggle which was eliminated by adjusting the Torx pivot screw. But still, to do this, I had to go out and get some Torx bits. I understand they don't want us to disassemble their knives, but even for adjustments I had to go buy Torx.

Torx are cheap, and I could use a set anyway just for the sake of having tools, but if they're trying to make it harder for us to adjust things like pivot screws, why make them adjustable at all? Benchmade and Kershaw do sell Torx tools that are decently cheap. I'm not complaining really, just more curious how Torx became the (seemingly so) standard.

EDIT: Yeah, I didn't think of that, it does make sense that Torx are harder to strip than other screws.
 
you can find torx bits almost anywhere, even odd lots. if a manufacturer wanted to use torx screws that cant be removed they would use ones that have a pin in the center of the screwhead to keep regular torx bits from fitting. thoes are the tamperproof kind and some automotive parts are assembled with this type of screw to prevent the consumer from tampering with the part.
 
Torx fasteners have more bearing surface for the bit to engage so there is less chance to strip the fastener's head.
 
Its been my experience that with torx, you'll tend to strip out the driver before the fastener's head. This is just the opposite with almost every other driver type I can think of (phillips, slotted, hex...).

Do they require purchasing new tools, possibly. I would say its the best type for thge job, though.
 
I read somewhere that with the high-speed assembly machinary that is used in most production knives, the torx screws reduce the chance of stripping the head or the driver, thus reducing cost for the manufacturer in replacement drivers, ruined knives, and lost time for repairs. All about the manufacturer, not the consumer.
 
Anyone know a source where you can get amounts of T6, T8, and T10 bits? As they do tend to strip before the fastener will it'd be nice to have some spares. I hate buying sets when I just need three sizes.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Anyone know a source where you can get amounts of T6, T8, and T10 bits? As they do tend to strip before the fastener will it'd be nice to have some spares. I hate buying sets when I just need three sizes.
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Wiha sells bits by the box, though I have yet to have a Wiha bit strip.

Or, look on the 'bay, as I've seen them their.
 
You can buy a lot of cheap tools and keep replacing them or you can buy a good set of quality tools once.

Buy a good set of quality torx drivers or a bit set that is hardened and you will not have to buy bits over and over after they easily strip out.

http://www.wihatools.com/ :thumbup::thumbup:
 
The ones I'm using right now are the Blue Box ones. The bits aren't all that bad, but when I've used them to repair other people's often abused knives it can damage the bits. Rust/dirt scenarios and all that. I often do maintenance for customers who are...less than kind to their knives. :D
 
darthsoaker said:
Most of all, for the tactical knives, they look cooler.
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:rolleyes: Whatever....

Actually, Philips head screws are designed to "cam-out". Way back when, when few people had access to proper foot-pound meters, Philips head screws were used to prevent over tightening of the screw, and thus damaging the part. That's also why most philips head screws have a tendency to "strip" the head, to prevent over tightening.

TORX bits, on the other hand, are designed to not cam-out, they are designed to retain the bit as best as possible, thus making manufacturing easier and such. They also allow greater range of tightening, and less chance of damaging the part, the screw head, or the bit.

If knife makers wanted tamper proof knives (A certain Bench company comes to mind...) I think they might use screws such as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Wrench or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-Wing :thumbup:
 
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I find some cheap Torx screws to strip as easy as anything. I really think there is a huge variance of quality in screws. Some screw heads take the bit deeper which helps while others are shallower and some of the metal is softer. That's been my experience anyway . . .
 
What Josh said ! Also most tools etc. come in cheap (China) medium and good (USA) quality. The last 7-10 years all the small screws on the production equipment where I worked were torx. The last set of torx I purchased was a Husky w/diff. size torx heads from Home Depot. Very comfortable to use. Have screwdriver type from Kershaw with diff. size torx heads and long and short L shape torx wrenches. Use the L type for extra tightening. It provides more leverage. The first one I grab for knives is the Huskey.
 
I also have that little husky torx driver, it's just about perfect. I've actually broken a security torx bit before (the one with the hole). It was really cheap and much lower quality.
 
Torx heads allow lots of torque without as much risk of buggering the screw head if decent tools are used. I can't tell you how often I've seen scope mount screws with hex heads rounded out by poor tools/poor technique. I don't think it's security at all. If you want to keep people from d!cking with your product, there are other alternatives, like the FIVE-star Torx used by a certain company for years.
 
Josh K said:
:rolleyes: Whatever....

Actually, Philips head screws are designed to "cam-out". Way back when, when few people had access to proper foot-pound meters, Philips head screws were used to prevent over tightening of the screw, and thus damaging the part. That's also why most philips head screws have a tendency to "strip" the head, to prevent over tightening.
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I don't buy that. With a properly matched screw and new driver bit (and not one of those anti-cam grabby ones either) i've managed to break dozens of philips screw heads and while borrowing my driver some guy managed to break the solid bit extension I had on it as well. While it's true they have a tendency to cam out more than other fasteners, I'm certain it's not by design.
 
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