What to do about that clip...

AllenETreat · #1

To : ALL

Okay, gang, on those Spydies of note with

the reversible pocket clip ( i.e. Endura,

Delica, etc. NOT Civilian & those others

with the multiple $crews! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) I've noticed

over the years, alot of you had problems

with the "peeling, chipping "tactical black"

clips". Here's a coupla remedies :

a.) You can use Rustoleum flat black & spray

the clips back to a new, rust resistant finsh. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

b.) Or, do as I have done ( not spend your

life in sheer misery, in the House of the Rising Sun! ) and give Dr. Mike ( Hayes ) a

call or "e" him : custsvc@spyderco.com to

his attention & obtain ( much to his chargrin ) some of the SS Rescue clips, they don't peel, chip or flake, wear like iron, and WON'T match your BDU's one bit! <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

c.) Then Dr. Mike can always supply you with

the "tactical black" clips if a. or b. above

don't suit you.

JFYI

AET

spidernoiree · #2

Allen,

Thanks for the info. My question is: What does companies like Benchmade and Emerson Knives do differently to their black clips that Spyderco does not? I've had two CQC7s and I still have (and carry) a Benchmade 721. The black finish has never worn off.

Jeff <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

dialex · #3

Thanks for the tip Allen. I've been also wondering about the clips. They tend to scratch easily.

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex">(my page)</a>

jaxon · #4

Had the problem of scratched coating on the clip on my FRN Endura. So I removed the coating and found the clip to be a gray bead blasted finish. I like it. It has a certain 'industrial' look now. Not at all unattractive.

Jaxon

Weekend yet?

Sword and Shield · #5

Thanks to work, I always have a fair supply of Rustoleum satin black paintsticks on hand. While it isn't often needed, a quick touchup only takes a second. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Never underestimate the impossible.

Simple Man · #6

Has anyone tried stripping a black clip then gun blueing it?

“…tractors don't have to look like Ferraris” – Sal <><

Zrexxer · #7

No, but Caswell Plating sells a stainless steel blackener. They say:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>Stainless Steel Blackener 370 is an acidic liquid concentrate used full strength or diluted with up to 3 parts water to blacken stainless steel at room temperature. Recommended for color coding parts and blackening engravings on stainless steels. Produces a pleasing dark gray/black finish. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE>

It sounds intriguing, but it's also $19 + shipping for a pint and I don't know if I'm that curious to see how it works, lol.

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm#stainless

Dan

"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail." Oh well, I guess zero out of three isn't bad for Bush.

J Smith · #8

After they get scratched up I just polish them to a bright SS finish.I know it would be expensive but you could have them coated with the type finish they use on Glocks.It would have to be done overseas the process uses cemicals that you can't use here.Spingfeild uses some like it though and I have heard it is just as good.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff

JamesA · #9

I know I'm not the only one out there who thinks a well used, well cared for knife looks pretty nice. Brand new solid black clips look almost a little sterile to me.

Zrexxer · #10

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>I know it would be expensive but you could have them coated with the type finish they use on Glocks.It would have to be done overseas the process uses cemicals that you can't use here. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE>

What? I don't know of any metal finishing processes that are prohibited in the U.S. In fact, the "Tenifer" finish on Glocks is just a chemical bath nitriding process covered by a black phosphate finish. Both are common metal finishing processes in this country, although I will admit that nitriding can be pretty nasty stuff, usually in a cyanide or cyanate solution.

Most of the regulatory issues with metal finishing come on the waste disposal end of the process, either through federal requirements in EPA's rules or state/local environmental regs.

Dan

"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail." Oh well, I guess zero out of three isn't bad for Bush.

J Smith · #11

I read somewhere that the coating used cemicals that were not allowed here.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff

spidernoiree · #12

Alot of great suggestions here. But it seems strange that they need to be made at all. Since there is this problem with the black clips why doesn't just Spyderco fix it?

Jeff <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Zrexxer · #13

Nemo I'm not sure that there's a problem so much as we're probably just anal retentive about it <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Zrexxer · #14

Well, this thread inspired me to do something about the scruffy clip on my Rookie, which has been my EDC for awhile. It had the "painted" clip (I'm thinking it's powdercoated) and I found the best way to get the black off was with a Scotchbrite pad. The screws seemed to be blued and they look fine, so I left them dark. I kind of like the contrast.

<img src="http://dburke.home.texas.net/pictures/rookie.jpg">

#15

We're always experimenting with different coatings. If you think back, Spyderco began the coating game with Titanium carbo-nitide coatings in the 80's.

All coatings have their problems, and if used hard, all coatings will scratch off. Even a very hard coating can be no stronger than the material being coated. If worn, they can be recoated, removed, dipped into a plastic (another coating).

We make black coatings on knives and clips because our ELUs ask for them, but I cannot say that we are 100% satisfied with the performance of any coating we've tested to date. One of the reasons that we began with all stainless knives in '81 was because the all stainless knives were relatively maintenance free and very tough.

On the other hand, all tires and shoes wear out. All knives go dull if used, all kids and dogs grow older......enter maintenance.

sal