Stripped screw

[Angryvet73]

I just purchased a Para-3 and like all my knives whether new or used I take them apart to clean and oil as I see fit. I fully understand that by taking apart a new knife in some instances voids the warranty, so be it it is my property to do with as I please. The Para pivot screw came out just fine, not so with the screws in the scales, I ended up stripping one screw the locktite was so hard they wouldn't budge. I've been purchasing Spyderco knives for over twenty years and it seems in the last couple of years it seems like the knives are built around the red locktite they use, what's with this? I accept responsibility for my actions so whether I void a warranty or not it's my call. I'm kinda stuck in what to do in regards to getting the screw out as I hate sending my knife in after only having it a week. With the steady increase in purchase cost you would think Spyderco could start using stainless screws, if they want to cut cost stop using RED LOCKTITE. Help

[yablanowitz]

I guess the hint of using red loctite is just too subtle. They should go to all pinned construction on all their knives.

[Bloke]

Amongst other things, the fact that a knife can be disassembled is a plus to me.

As Angry states it's his knife to do with as he sees fit. Furthermore Spyderco cover themselves by voiding the warranty if you disassemble the knife.

A warranty to users like myself is akin to gifting a goat a harpsichord. We paid good money to have the knife shipped to the other side of the world when we bought the thing. Shipping it backwards and forwards is not a viable option!

I firmly believe high strength thread sealants are gross overkill in most instances! High strength thread sealant on tiny screws that hold pocket knives together is like a Nun riding a Penny-Farthing, it's virgin on the ridiculous!

In all honesty, does anyone here actually believe your pocket knife will disassemble itself because you work on a jackhammer all day and travel to work on a Pogo stick?

Either pin the knives so that they can't be disassembled, in which case I'd thing long and hard before I bought one, or let me undo the pissy little screws without fear of damage associated with heating or impacting.

[The Deacon]

Amongst other things, the fact that a knife can be disassembled is a plus to me.

As Angry states it's his knife to do with as he sees fit. Furthermore Spyderco cover themselves by voiding the warranty if you disassemble the knife.

Agreed, on all counts.

A warranty to users like myself is akin to gifting a goat a harpsichord. We paid good money to have the knife shipped to the other side of the world when we bought the thing. Shipping it backwards and forwards is not a viable option!

Understood, no matter where you live, there's always something that can only be repaired on the other side of an ocean.

I firmly believe high strength thread sealants are gross overkill in most instances! High strength thread sealant on tiny screws that hold pocket knives together is like a Nun riding a Penny-Farthing, it's virgin on the ridiculous!

Spyderco obviously disagrees, or they wouldn't be using them.

In all honesty, does anyone here actually believe your pocket knife will disassemble itself because you work on a jackhammer all day and travel to work on a Pogo stick?

Back in NY, when I lived in an apartment, I had a Sprint Run R come apart. While I can't prove it, I strongly suspected that because I had a habit of storing it on a wall mounted shelf, the vibrations from my upstairs neighbor's exercise machines, were the culprit. So yes, without any thread locker, I do believe that could happen.

Either pin the knives so that they can't be disassembled, in which case I'd thing long and hard before I bought one, or let me undo the pissy little screws without fear of damage associated with heating or impacting.

Probably the middle ground would be to put a WARNING note in each box, along with instructions on how best to deal with overcoming the thread locker without damaging the knife. Won't help everyone, but should help those with even a modicum of mechanical skills. We may have folks here who could successfully disassemble and reassemble a Rolex watch but we definitely have folks for whom it's 50/50 whether they'll cross thread the cap on the peanut butter jar this time around.

[Blerv]

Spyderco has gone to using screws so they, the maker, can service tune and service knives. Also, I assume they do use high quality stainless screws (they don't rust or snap under normal use) relative to what is available in the sizing. Using inferior parts to save 10 cents a knife doesn't seem to make sense; I can imagine there would even be more posts like this.

Best recommendation if you like to tinker is to buy a knife that the maker encourages disassembly and even includes a wrench. The Sebenza 25 is fantastic. Problem is you could buy at least three PM3's for the price.

[LY4503]

Take the knife to a pawn shop jeweler and ask them to remove the screws for you. They can use a dremel or whatever to do the job. I recently did this with good success on PM2 clip screws. You of course will need new screws. Cost $10-15.

[Bloke]

Probably the middle ground would be to put a WARNING note in each box, along with instructions on how best to deal with overcoming the thread locker without damaging the knife. Won't help everyone, but should help those with even a modicum of mechanical skills. We may have folks here who could successfully disassemble and reassemble a Rolex watch but we definitely have folks for whom it's 50/50 whether they'll cross thread the cap on the peanut butter jar this time around.

Either way, Deacon, it's madness! :rolleyes:

For what it's worth I battled many fasteners when I worked on the tools, that some kook saturated with high strength sealant for no good reason. Most often you'd need an oxy torch to undo them.

Loctite 222 is my go to for anything under an 1/8", but nail polish works just as well and it's much easier to clean up!

I've never had scope mounts, rings or anything else come undone and never looked like stripping anything when I've had to undo it. :)