This is why torx is better than hex

[Muad'Dib]

I just got a Tenacious, and strangely, it has hex screws unlike my Persistence which has torx screws. A lot of you might say to yourselves, "well that's much more convenient", and I wouldn't disagree, until I stripped out the pivot screw trying to loosen it a bit. Now obviously, something's up with the screw, probably too much locktite, but I'm fairly confident that had it been a torx screw, I would have been able to force it loose without stripping it.

Can I ask Spyderco to just send me a replacement pivot screw? (I'm pretty sure I can get it out with an ezout) Or should I return the knife for a replacement?

[Cheddarnut]

In all honesty, i think you're screwed.

[bada61265]

you might have to slot it with a dremel to get it out, assuming you can get a screw to replace it. were you just trying to adjust tension? try this on for size, a soldering iron tip pressed to the screw till the screw is plenty hot, then using a new grippier allen wrench try loosening. the heat should soften the locktite enough to loosen it without much force.

[Minibear453]

FWIW, I've tripped the torx screws on my endura too.

[DCDesigns]

I dont think it really has anything to do with the head of the screw. A hex can perform plenty well when done right. No, I think the problem is the cheap POS chinese made hardware. Ive stripped every single screw on my Tenacious, and thats using the EXACT size allen key. They are just super soft, sh*tty steel.

[JacksonKnives]

Poorly-made torx drivers can do the same thing, even on the best screws.
Heck, I broke the tines of a torx body-panel screw on my volkswagen last week. (Granted, it was -25C outside...) and that was a nice US-made driver. Seems sometimes you just can't win.

[angusW]

I think the Tenacious is famous for have the hex strip on the pocket clip. I did what bada recommended. Slotted it with my Dremel then used a soldering iron to heat up the loctite.

If you call Spyderco customer service they will send you new screws.

[Muad'Dib]

Cool, I think I'll get a new pivot screw from Spyderco, otherwise the knife is pretty awesome. I think I like it more than my Persistence.

[jackknifeh]

I think the Tenacious is famous for have the hex strip on the pocket clip. I did what bada recommended. Slotted it with my Dremel then used a soldering iron to heat up the loctite.

If you call Spyderco customer service they will send you new screws.

Spyderco customer service is very good. If they send you the screws you'll still need to get the existing one out. If you make a mistake and mess something up like hitting the threads of the nut I don't know if they'll cover that under warranty. Depending on your tools on hand and ability to use them sending it to Spyderco might be the best choice. I have ez-outs and a Dremel and used both but if I could live without the knife for 2 or 3 weeks I think I'd sent it in. Whatever you decide, good luck. It really sucks when that happens. Maybe they have a better quality screw at their shop than what is used in China.

Jack

[Muad'Dib]

Have no fear, I got it out. I actually ended up using a T8 torx wrench and slowly broke it free. I think because the torx wrench grabs at the corners it had enough material left in the hole. The screw and pivot nut (?) were covered in locktite, so I just picked most of it out with a toothpick, and put the screw back in. It'll be fine for now, but I'm still going to try to get a new one from Spyderco.

[jakemex]

I bought a set of cheap chinese torx bits. The cheap bit fit perfectly in the screws on my Tenacious. The bit was so low quality that the bit it self twisted and broke off in one of the screws. I tried the same size bit from a Craftsman set and it was a sloppy fit in the screw head and would have stripped it. The original chinese screws are clearly out of spec. I will be ordering some new screws from Spyderco. I would imagine they will be to spec. and the same size as on the Japanese and Golden Spydies. Irritating that the knife is so well made and the screws are out of spec. Way to go China, Just think they are the leading producer of consumer products in the world.

[The Deacon]

In the case of the Chinese knives, I think it's more a question of hardware quality than head type. Low quality screws tend to be soft and easy to damage even when using a properly fitting driver. They also tend to have less precisely sized heads, so drivers don't fit well.