Spyderco Resilience hex screw problems

Onionman · #1

Just got my resilience yesterday and was very impressed with the craftmanship initially; that is until I tried to remove the clip. Instead of the reliable and worry free torx screws, the clip has these tiny hex screws. Since there is nothing to indicate the correct size of the hex screw, I tried multiple sizes and can't seem to get one to fit. I finally was able to remove one screw with the 1/16 size, but the other two hex screws are in so tight that I was unable to remove them without the tool slipping. And, despite the fact that I was using very little force to turn the screws, it appears that they could have been stripped already or just were not formed correctly upon manufacture.

What I don't understand is why mess with a good thing with the torx screws? I have other Chinese made knives and they have torx screws in them, so I can't imagine that this is a supply problem. The clip is meant to be repositioned (and is positioned in the tip down position, which many people dislike), so I would expect this would be a frequent problem. How doe I get these screws out? Once I figure out how to get these screws out, does anyone know where I can buy torx screws with the same dimensions as these hex screws?

akaAK · #2

Hello Onionman,

I had the exact same problem with my Resilience. One of the clip scres came stripped and I had to use small locking pliers to remove the screw. Scratched the clip somewhat but did the job. Resilience is now right hand tip up. Didn't have the issue on my Tenacious.

I haven't done so but you may want to check with Spyderco's Warrenty and Repair department for new screws. I have read here that they are very helpful.

racer88 · #3

Same thing here with my Tenacious. I had just one screw that I couldn't get out with a hex wrench. So, I slotted it with my dremel and used a small flat-head screwdriver to get it out. For a $30 knife, I didn't really care about doing that.

Onionman · #4

Thanks for the tip akaAK. I gave the knife to a friend of mine that has more experience (and tools) than I have to see if he can fix it. I will pass along your suggestion.

Blerv · #5

Did you try a metric hex wrench?

Onionman · #6

Blerv wrote:Did you try a metric hex wrench?

Yes, but only the 1/16 hex bit seemed to fit properly in at least the first screw which I was able to get out.

racer88 · #7

I tried both metric and English. Oddly, I couldn't find a GOOD fit with either of them. But, I COULD find a screwdriver that fit the slot I made with the Dremel! :)

araneae · #8

The screw quality seems to be the Achilles tendon of the value line. Its the only repeated negative comment I see about them. I had a clip screw on my Persistence strip out while trying to move it. Two of the body screws look stripped from the factory, but seem to be holding fine. CS stated that they were Torx screws and sent me new ones. If they are Torx from the factory, they are improperly sized.

Strange things is all of my Byrds have been fine in regards to screws. I would pay an extra dollar or two for higher quality screws or at least the same ones used for Byrds.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #9

From what I have read it seems that there is a mixture of Torx and Hex screws. My Persistence is 100% hex, but I have heard some people say they have 100% Torx and others who have said they have a mixture.
I do find that the clip screws on mine are not quite sized properly, the 1/16th fits pretty well, enough to get them in and out securely, but they are a little sloppy. However in the body, the 1/16 fits much better. The pivot screw, I can use either a 5/32nd or a 2.5 metric and the metric fits just a little better.

syphen · #10

I've stripped screws on torx spydies as well. I've learned to make sure that your using the right size bit and it takes a lot less force then you might think. I also run a screw through each thread without the pocket clip to ensure there is no debris that might cause it to bind and strip. Then use locktite, medium or "permanent" and you won't need to crank down the pocket clip.

Onionman · #11

My friend used racer88's suggestion and applied the dremel to the two stuck screws so I could move the clip into the tip up position. I called SFO to ask about getting torx screws to replace the hex screws. While the SFO did not have torx screws that fit the resilience, they are sending me a clip replacement kit free of charge.

Thank you Spyderco!

keen1 · #12

Both my Ambitious and Persistence use the following hex wrench sizes:

1/16" for the clip
5/64" for the pivot
1.5mm for the scales

They don't fit as tight as I would like, but are the closest I could find.

angusW · #13

I used a soldering iron to heat up the Loctite on the screws of my Persistance. Still couldn't get one out and ended up slotting it. Called up the SFO and they sent out another set of screws with no charge.

Lost Jaguar · #14

I've had exactly the same problem with my Resilience. Two clip screws came out relatively easily, but one did not. No amount of heating, freezing, or annointing the screw with various oils will free it.

Since I am considering having STR wave the knife for me, I may ask him to remove and reverse the clip for me as well. If he has to grind it off and replace it with one of his own superb clips, fine.

Perhaps it is the affordability of this knife that has led to this problem. Never before with any of my many Spydercos has this problem occurrred.

black · #15

I received my resilience today and it has torx screws. Did spyderco changed the screws on their china models?

TheNeedyCat · #16

black wrote:I received my resilience today and it has torx screws. Did spyderco changed the screws on their china models?

i noticed that too, it seems they have changed the screws on china models recently, wheather or not the screws are higher quality i do not know. i guess we will have to wait and see

DarkRose · #17

racer88 wrote:I tried both metric and English. Oddly, I couldn't find a GOOD fit with either of them. But, I COULD find a screwdriver that fit the slot I made with the Dremel! :)

I had the same problem here, one screw stripped immediately with VERY little pressure. I e-mailed and they wanted to charge me for a new kit at the SFO, I just got off the phone with the SFO and I've got a new kit coming for my Resilience free of charge, they might have just saved a customer, because if I'd had to pay for something that apparently seems poorly thought out (non-standard and cheap screws), I'd just stick with my Benchmade and SOG...
Customer service gets 5 stars from me today!

NYRich · #18

TheNeedyCat wrote:i noticed that too, it seems they have changed the screws on china models recently, wheather or not the screws are higher quality i do not know. i guess we will have to wait and see

It wouldn't surprise me. I'm relatively new here but have already seen quite a few posts about the problem screws on the budget lineup. I changed the clip position on my Tenacious without any issues, but probably would have taken a dremel to it if I had stripped it.

The screws seem like the weak link in these very reasonably priced knives.

pauledst · #19

There's a lot of technology and precision engineering behind the making of screws. Check out wikipedia.org for more detail than you ever wanted to know!! The making of precision, accurately sized screws comes down to cost. The more accurate and more finely finished, the higher the cost. In addition, if a manufacturer doesn't control his process he makes "out of specification" screws. If you don't specify an adequate screw or if the supplier doesn't manufacture to spec you get a product that doesn't satisfy the customer.
It would be heart warming to know precisely how Spyderco is addressing this problem.

The number of factors that goes into getting the right screw for an application is complicated but solving the problem is rewarding.

Blerv · #20

I'm curious how Spyderco removes screws during repairs. I would rather hear them address the situation than assume it is a problem in the first place.

What would a screw cost? Half a penny?