Yojimbo 2 Screw Types

N

NWPM2

Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
380
This is a sort of odd question. I hope I picked the right forum - Let me know if it should be in the Maintenance, Tinkering, and Embellishment forum. That forum seemed more random whereas my question is specific to a Spyderco Yojimbo 2.

I recently bought a Yojimbo 2. I really love the knife, but wanted to add a personal touch to it. It might end in failure, but I tried making some custom scales out of curly maple (often called tiger maple, too). I got the scales roughed out today.

The wood isn't stabilized or impregnated with anything so I figured I should leave it on the thicker side for a little more strength. That means I'll have to get screws that are longer than the stock ones.

Does anyone know what type of screws to buy? I'll need new scale screws, pivot screws, and pocket clip screws. I think the scale screws are 4-40 and the pocket clip screws are 2-56. I'm not sure about the pivot screws.

I haven't finalized the thickness of the scales so I'll probably have to get a few different lengths of each. Even then, I'll probably have to trim the screws to get them perfect. It won't look as good, but I'm thinking I may have to get pan head screws instead of trying to countersink them.

I'll post pictures if the scales work out. I don't think they'll be very durable, but I think they'll stand up to light use. Assuming I can get the screws figured out, the plan is to dye the wood, treat it with boiled linseed oil, seal it with dewaxed shellac and then finish it with lacquer.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.
 
I applaud your effort to tackle custom scales on your own, especially without the benefit of modern machinery like a mill. Best of luck in that endeavor.

For screws, take a look at McMaster-Carr to see if they may have what you are looking for.

If you decide that you want to go the custom scale route, I can attest to each of the two scale makers mentioned above. I do have scales from both on my Spydercos. Here is what I got from the gentleman mentioned in post 2:

_DSC1963 copy_01.JPG
 
Yojimbos rocks.
Here a franken Yo2 I put together from two different models and slapped a ti clip on.
tpep0yY.jpg
 
lieferung said:
This guy makes great scales for many Spydercos but also the Yo2. Maybe shoot him a PM?
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Thank you, lieferung. I've seen Aramis' scales and love them. I'm actually leaning toward contacting him for some carbon fiber scales and a backspacer for the Yo 2. I've seen a few pairs of carbon fiber scales for the Yo 2 on his page and they look great. I think it was Dr. Frunkey on YouTube that got some marbled carbon fiber with copper flecks for a PM2 and a Para 3. That'd be a nice material.
 
on_the_edge said:
I applaud your effort to tackle custom scales on your own, especially without the benefit of modern machinery like a mill. Best of luck in that endeavor.

For screws, take a look at McMaster-Carr to see if they may have what you are looking for.

If you decide that you want to go the custom scale route, I can attest to each of the two scale makers mentioned above. I do have scales from both on my Spydercos. Here is what I got from the gentleman mentioned in post 2:

Thank you, on the edge. It actually hasn't been that difficult....so far. I traced the scales out on a block of wood and then traced the liners out within that. The scales are recessed to one depth for the liners and then another section is recessed a little more to accommodate the arm of the compression lock that moves. I set the depth on my router to the thickness of the liner for the first pass and then set the depth to the thickness of two liners for the compression lock section.

The G10 is pretty darn tough whereas the wood I'm using seems a little more fragile. That's why I'm leaving it a little thicker. I may still run into problems with the wood cracking once I start attaching screws. I may have to give up, but I thought I'd like the challenge. Curly maple is beautiful stuff, but I don't see it on my folding knives so I thought it'd be unique.

I'll see if I can get specs on the screws and then order them from McMaster-Carr like you suggest. Thanks for the info!

I have seen that scale from Aramis and really like it. I think it was called Marabou. Does that use stock hardware to attach or did Aramis include screws for it? I ask because one section looks like it's raised a little around the pivot. You don't have to answer, but do you remember approximately how much the scales you bought from Aramis went for?
Click to expand...
 
BladeScout said:
Yojimbos rocks.
Here a franken Yo2 I put together from two different models and slapped a ti clip on.
Click to expand...
That Yo 2 looks great, BladeScout! Mine has the DLC blade with the same colored scales as you.

That clip is sharp, too. Do you know what brand it is? Most of the aftermarket ones I see are deep carry. The Yo 2 actually rides pretty low in my pocket with the stock clip and the part that does protrude is pretty small - it's a smart design.
 
I made a couple sets and was able to use the stock hardware. How much thicker are you planning on going than the stock scales? Also I have found that some screws I tried had a different taper. They didn't quite fit scales right.
IMG_0048.jpg
 
NWPM2 said:
That Yo 2 looks great, BladeScout! Mine has the DLC blade with the same colored scales as you.

That clip is sharp, too. Do you know what brand it is? Most of the aftermarket ones I see are deep carry. The Yo 2 actually rides pretty low in my pocket with the stock clip and the part that does protrude is pretty small - it's a smart design.
Click to expand...
Thx.
I really like the result as well. Im a big fan of coyote scales but not keen on coated blades.
Easiest knife I ever took apart and put together again as well (surprising for a Spyderco, which we are not really supposed to take apart).

The bronze TI clip is from MXG Gear and its dang nice. It works really well. Yes, many seem to favor deep carry clips and thats what I previously had on the Yo2. I dont care for DC clips at all and cant see myself ever using/owning a knife with a deep carry clip again. As you say, the Yo2 rides well with the stock clip (and the MXG). Not too high and not too low IMO.
 
MMGRenovations said:
I made a couple sets and was able to use the stock hardware. How much thicker are you planning on going than the stock scales? Also I have found that some screws I tried had a different taper. They didn't quite fit scales right.
Click to expand...
Those look great, MMGRenovations! The maple I'm using seems a little weak. I'd say the scales I have right now are about 1/16th thicker than the stock G10. It's a completely amateur effort with handtools and the wood isn't impregnated with anything so I'm not real confident in its strength. I don't have a good way to countersink the screw holes and am worried countersinking will further weaken the wood. I don't think I'd like the look as much, but am thinking I should use pan or button head screws to let me leave a little extra meat around the screws.

Did you make yours on a CNC machine? They look perfect.
 
BladeScout said:
Thx.
I really like the result as well. Im a big fan of coyote scales but not keen on coated blades.
Easiest knife I ever took apart and put together again as well (surprising for a Spyderco, which we are not really supposed to take apart).

The bronze TI clip is from MXG Gear and its dang nice. It works really well. Yes, many seem to favor deep carry clips and thats what I previously had on the Yo2. I dont care for DC clips at all and cant see myself ever using/owning a knife with a deep carry clip again. As you say, the Yo2 rides well with the stock clip (and the MXG). Not too high and not too low IMO.
Click to expand...
I'm not a huge fan of coated blades myself, but thought I'd try it out. I didn't have much trouble taking the Yo 2 apart either.

I might have to get one of those MXG Gear clips. It looks really good against the coyote scales. I really like how the Yo 2 leaves just a bit sticking out of your pocket - it makes it easy to get a good grip on.
 
NWPM2 said:
Those look great, MMGRenovations! The maple I'm using seems a little weak. I'd say the scales I have right now are about 1/16th thicker than the stock G10. It's a completely amateur effort with handtools and the wood isn't impregnated with anything so I'm not real confident in its strength. I don't have a good way to countersink the screw holes and am worried countersinking will further weaken the wood. I don't think I'd like the look as much, but am thinking I should use pan or button head screws to let me leave a little extra meat around the screws.

Did you make yours on a CNC machine? They look perfect.
Click to expand...

No they aren't CNC machined. I made them by hand. I used a jigsaw to cut out the basic shape. A drill(handheld) for the holes and sand paper. My scales aren't much thicker than yours. I used a countersink I found at lowes. It's a 1/2" Irwin. I used the same size countersink for all the screws. I haven't found the scales to be weak. The only way I've broken one is over tightening.
 
Wow. They came out great for not using a CNC. It looks like you really nailed the dimensions to keep the jimping exposed. I imagine the BBL slot was tough to cut, but that looks like it came out perfectly on both of those Manixes. I do have a couple of countersink bits, but was worried they'd go too deep while not being wide enough. The scale screws seem like they'd work, but the head of the pivot screw seems somewhat wide.

You might have inspired me to try to do everything with stock hardware. I think that'd look best. I'd be tightening the screws down with the nested liners and was worried that might cause the wood to crack if the depth I routed was a little too much in spots.

I'll see if I can dig up my countersink bits and give it a try.
 
Many thanks to everyone for all the information and tips and tricks!

I'll post pictures if this comes out well.....and slink away if I end up with a pile of useless saw dust.
 
It's been awhile since I put the blue scales on my Y2, but I **think** the hardware is stock. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am sure that it is. And IIRC, the scales were in the $65-$75 range. His wait time was short and I had them very quickly as well.
 
on_the_edge said:
It's been awhile since I put the blue scales on my Y2, but I **think** the hardware is stock. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I am sure that it is. And IIRC, the scales were in the $65-$75 range. His wait time was short and I had them very quickly as well.
Click to expand...
That's not bad at all. Even if my scales for the Yo 2 work out, I'll definitely put a set of his scales on my list to buy. I've got a black G10 PM2 that would look a lot better with new scales. It's tempting to get a pair for the Yo 2, too. Aramis' work looks absolutely top notch.
 
Ok, I made some good progress. I was worried about countersinking the screws and weakening the scales until I saw MMGRenovations' work. They still need some refinement - I'll have to sand around the Spyder hole to get a little easier access and the holes I drilled to countersink the screws still need to be smoothed out. I assembled everything to see if it would work.....and it does! It deploys smoothly and drops shut.

You can't tell too much in the pictures, but the maple actually has a lot of figure/flame. The dye and linseed oil will bring that out, but that stuff takes about a week to cure.

I do have a problem with the pocket screws - I can't countersink those. I might try to find longer screws for that. In the meantime, I took a couple pictures. It's definitely not professional fit and finish, but it works and I get satisfaction knowing I did it myself.

Let's see if I can figure out how to upload pictures....
 
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