A good screw

Silver Needle

Silver Needle

Joined
Jul 14, 2014
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I'm planning to upgrade the handle screws on my Beckers to stainless and as I was looking around on the very nice CoyleOutdoors.com I saw some flat head versions available.

This made me wonder why do most knife companies use hex head screws when a certain size of a special tool is needed to remove them? I've found myself googling (and regoogling when I forgot) what size hex key is needed for the large and tweener handles.

A flat head is more or less universal and could be tightened/loosened by most SAK's or other multitools, maybe even a house key or anything else that is flat in an emergency situation. I even saw a mod where someone discretely attached a metal washer to the sheath so he always had something to tighten or remove the flat head screws on his knife.

So, what's the reasoning?



On a somewhat related note, when I finished assembling an Elsa and Anna table and chair set after Christmas, I realized the included allen wrench fit the large Becker handles. Into my bk2 sheath it went!
 
I'm sure there's a reason the hex heads were chosen, however, that is something Uncle E might have to answer.

But I tend to think they were chosen because the standard screws just look plain boring.
 
The reasons are the shape of the head, and hex heads don't strip as easily as flat, or Phillips heads do.
 
I left a complaint in the suggestion box that straight cut screws not be used ever again, for anything, ever. :confused:
That's probably why.
 
I actually switched my handle screws for stainless + and - head screws. I want to get cap nuts for the other side. That would be kewwwwwwl.
 
When I first started making the Machax I used cutlers rivets.....UGHHHH.......Not good...... Sooooo, I used the best industrial fasteners I knew of which were socket head cap screws made from 4140 Chrome moly with a tensile yield of about 185,000 lbs which is over three times as strong as "standard" bolt material .....

Ethan
 
Ethan Becker said:
When I first started making the Machax I used cutlers rivets.....UGHHHH.......Not good...... Sooooo, I used the best industrial fasteners I knew of which were socket head cap screws made from 4140 Chrome moly with a tensile yield of about 185,000 lbs which is over three times as strong as "standard" bolt material .....

Ethan
Click to expand...

E, those early polymer scales weren't going anywhere, were they? :p
 
ask a machinist why they are called machinist screws?

because? they seem better?

big slotted screws seem fine, really, but are also bulky?

in an emergency, you don't worry about the handle. you find tape and 550 cord and get it done?

bleah bleah bleah :D
 
Thanks for all the input. The hex makes sense to avoid stripping, I just kept thinking of convenience in the field.

Mr. Becker, thanks especially for your reply.
 
tanglediver said:
I left a complaint in the suggestion box that straight cut screws not be used ever again, for anything, ever. :confused:
That's probably why.
Click to expand...

This.
If I were queen, I would make shipping any new product with slot screws a flogging offense. For each unit shipped.
If I were king I'd have other concerns.

Try shoving an oversize twig in a hex head bolt. Bet it turns better than a flat head screw.
 
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