Why Torx and not Allen?

[Netsquash]

I am curious as to why Spyderc uses Torx screws on their blades instead of a more common Allen screw? I find Torx bits are hard to come by so it makes it difficult to adjust the blades or the clips. Is there a reason why? Does Torx perform better? Is it to discourage at a whim tampering by unskilled people who are less likely to own fancy Torx bits? Just curious.

Thanks

[Piet.S]

They don't round out as easy in the smaller sizes.

[Brad S.]

Torx head screws are much harder to strip.

[fredswartz]

I think that it varies knife to knife with design considerations and place of manufacture. I am looking at my latest 3 additions and the Volpe has Torx, the Adventura and the Scorpius have Allen head screws as do lots of other Spydercos. I prefer Allen head to Torx but you take what you get. I ride a Harley Davidson and fasteners are a mix of Torx, Allen head and Phillips head. To me the Torx require more inward pressure to break the fastener loose (dis-similar metals) but are far better than Phillips fasteners. My Moto Guzzi Le Mans, however, has metric Allen type fasteners exclusively. In any case, the secret is to have the correct size tool for removal and installation. For some reason I have one Phillips head screwdriver that will work on the clip fasteners of the Calypso Jr. knives and I haven't been able to find a like substitute. Screw type fasteners can become a deep subject as far as hardness, thread pitch etc. I have only taken one Spyderco apart (Wegner), and assembling it with the washers in the correct place was the hard part, not the fasteners.

[cobrajoe]

I'd bet that some of it is to be tamper resistant, but not tamper proof. I doubt Sal wants everbody that owns a phillips screwdriver to take apart their delicas then send them back saying they were defective. Torx is rare enough that not everyone has one, but common enough that those who want to tinker can find one.

Personally, I like torx. It seems easier to find the right one (no metric vs standard) and aren't that easy to strip completely.

[ClockWork]

Most of the knives I have seen use Torx.

Some companies, on some knives use Allen or Slotted. But I actually do prefer the Torx. Mostly because it seams like its always either T6, T8, or T10 that is used.

thanks :)
-CLockwork

[Netsquash]

I just purchased myself a Torx set tonight I am very pleased to say. I can see why they are used now. They are a great screw and I think they should be used in all small screw applications. I didn't know much about they until I did some googling after I posted this thread. I like the consistency and lack of a metric/standard sizing issue. It's too bad metric didn't take over in the other screw types just to make the world a better place.

Thanks for all your posts.

[Slick]

I vote torx tamper resistant since I always tamper. Any tamper resistet fastener is just beging to be tampered with.

All my Spydies arrived with normal parts but I can not say the same about other fixtures in my kitchen.

Torx rules if you have the correct bits.

I do and torx rules...

[dialex]

It seems the torx is in the trend for a couple years now because it has its advantages: unified sizes, improved stripping resistance and last but not least, a wee bit more difficult for ELU's to mess with dismantling things...

[kimjune01]

Assembly is supposedly easier

[vampyrewolf]

I figured it was because those of us who like to void warranties usually have a full set, just like those "tamper proof" heads. But then again I was born with a screwdriver in my hand.

Torx heads allow for more torque without stripping as the tip more or less locks in (same reason to use robertson over phillips).