Spyderco Forums

So I was flipping my new PM2 clip from tip down to tip up. After stripping the torx heads on two of the screws I finally got the clip removed. Underneath the clip I discover there was loctite on the scales. What is the best way to get this out? I tried a little alcohol but that didn’t seem to do much. I tried a magic eraser and applying heat but am afraid to get much more aggressive since this was the olive drab G10 from the latest DLT exclusive.

I'd try 99% isopropyl and if that doesn't work, some acetone or fingernail polish remover. G-10 is quite resistant to solvents, so it should not effect the color at all, whereas abrasives will change the texture a bit.

This may sound dumb, but try more Loctite. Dab it on with a cotton swab. The wet Loctite may act like a solvent on the dried stuff.

Hmmm.. I've had good luck with isopropyl alcohol prep pads in the past (though I don't think I've ever had that much loctite caked into a scale before..). Maybe some "goo gone" or similar..

This reminds me of the thread Vivi started the other day when trying to disassemble his Native Chief. What the heck is going on all the sudden with the crazy amounts of Loctite coming out of Golden!?

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:29 am

This reminds me of the thread Vivi started the other day when trying to disassemble his Native Chief. What the heck is going on all the sudden with the crazy amounts of Loctite coming out of Golden!?

What I wonder more is there seems to have been a change from the evil Red Loctite to Red's equally evil cousin White Loctite. Or it's a matter of, white is less strong so we'll use twice as much to compensate. It also seems to be used by makers in different countries since mine was from Taichung and this is from Golden. I wonder why they don't switch to the paste stick thread locker? Might be easier to control it it doesn't effect cost too much.

Those loc tite sticks are awesome. So easy to use too. Just rub the screw on it and you have enough in the threads. I would suggest thinner or mineral spirits. The g10 can handle it.

Methylene chloride is the solvent.
Google that in the USA.

What POKEY said is a good suggestion...use more Loctite, and that might clean it?

Thanks for the replies. I've tried acetone, mineral spirits, WD40, Goo Gone followed by some scrubbing with a plastic bristled brush. I may have made a little progress, but I have not found a miracle remover. I received replacement screws from Spyderco and they came with some 243 thread locker, so I'm going to try a little of that when I have time.

I breezed through that other thread mentioned and while I don't want to get into the debate about taking knives apart, switching a pocket clip should not be a big deal. This is by far the most trouble I've had changing one.

Maybe you can call Spyderco and see what they recommend? Or send it in for warranty work? I don't know your location, so either might be difficult or impossible, practically speaking.

I've never had to remove it from the surface of anything but brake cleaner has worked for me in the past to remove it from screws when heat wasn't an option.

It is counterproductive to use loctite on pocket clip screws on knives advertised as a four-way clip position capable knives. It would be kinda better to include the clip and screws separately in a zip-lock bag and let the owner decide where to install the clip. The other two options would be to use much harder screws, or forget about using loctite completely.

kobold wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 17, 2021 1:36 pm

It is counterproductive to use loctite on pocket clip screws on knives advertised as a four-way clip position capable knives. It would be kinda better to include the clip and screws separately in a zip-lock bag and let the owner decide where to install the clip. The other two options would be to use much harder screws, or forget about using loctite completely.

This 100 % and the other points as well.
I remove the clip on every knife, because I'm a lefty. On nearly every knife the clip leaves an imprint in the handle, where it was installed in the factory.

I dont like the imprint either, but some people would strip a screw, lose 1, or something and would be a pain in the *** for customer service

The money saved on loctite could be used to preemptively include an extra screw.

Todays society there are not many men to handle this situation.

So I tried using a little Loctite that came with the replacement screws to remove the dried on stuff. I dampened the are with Loctite on a q-tip, let it set for 30 seconds of so the scrubbed with a brush. Then cleaned the area with mineral spirits/acetone. In addition I used an Xacto blade to poke down in the grooves to break up some of the larger chunks. After repeating this cycle 8-9 times this is the end result. Not a silver bullet but it is better.

I wouldn’t mind if they shipped clips loose, but I can certainly see why they don’t. Eliminate the Loctite for the clip and I’d be satisfied.

I did reach out to CS to see I go they had any tips, and have not heard back yet. I also reached out to Henkel to see what they recommended.