Where to get T6 bolts

C

Call_to_Arms

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Apr 13, 2011
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It seems that almost every knife I own is assembled with these things, where do you get replacements? I know you can order from a manufacturer sometimes, but I was hoping someone knew of a specific non-knife industry that used these readily. Im thinking about replacing lost ones, replacing black ones with stainless and visa-versa and the big one, making liners for some of my folders, which will require longer screws or more work. Any ideas?
 
I've found it FAR EASIER to contact the manufacturer of your knife, and ask them. Most of the reputable makers will send you a few, to replace lost screws. They'll often do it at no charge, too.

Every time I've looked for secondary sources of these, they frequently require purchasing in wholesale quantity (100 or more). And there's an awful lot of variability in what you'll get. The 'T6' spec by itself, only refers to the size & type of driver used. You also have to know the head style (round, pan head, etc.), thread diameter, thread pitch, shank length, etc. Even the height of the threads themselves, relative to the shank diameter, can vary depending on the standard to which they were spec'd.
 
Here's a couple of places that I've gotten screws from:

http://www.olander.com/
If I remember correctly, you do not need to order in quantities of 100 from these guys, I've gotten what ever quantity I need (usually 10-25). They are local for me, so I can go to their store to get stuff.

http://www.mcmaster.com/
This of one of those places where you do have to buy them in packs.

You might try some of the electronic supply places, I found a local one that has small screws used in the electronics assembly industry. It's kind of hit and miss because they are a surplus store, but I usually can find screws that will work. Since they are surplus screws, they are pretty cheap about 2-10 cents each depending on type and size. For those of you in the SF Bay Area (south) its called HSC Electronic Supply .

Get yourself a metric and standard thread pitch guage sets. They make it much easier to determine the size.

Ric
 
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The following on-line stores carry Torx (or Star) drive screws: Halpern Titanium; Fastener-Express; and Small Parts. You can find more by searching for "Torx drive screws" or " Star drive screws". Most on-line knife maker supply houses also have a selection of small Torx drive screws and you'll usually need to go to one of these shops to find the black oxide coated screws.

The following information is generally appropriate for US standard screws but there are always exceptions and none of this is applicable for metric screws. Most US standard screws are manufactured in accordance with the Unified Thread Standard. In the diameter of screws generally used to assemble folding knives, #1; #2; #3; #4, there are only two thread types made; Unified Coarse (UNC) and Unified Fine (UNF). For the screw diameters listed the thread type will usually be UNC. You will need to check that the diameter screw needed also has a T-6 drive head (if that is indeed what's appropriate.)

Obsessed with Edges said:
And there's an awful lot of variability in what you'll get.
Click to expand...
Usually you'll be looking for a button head or flat head screw. Where you're most likely to see variation is in the diameter of the head. If the head diameter isn't specified it's a gamble if it will match the screw you're replacing.

Another thing to be aware of concerning flat head screws is the Screw Countersink Angle (the angle of the cone-shaped bearing surface.) The most common is 82 degrees but there are also flat head screw that have a screw countersink angle of 100 degrees. Make sure the flat head screw you buy will match the counterbore in the material that is to be secured by the screw.

I don't worry about length when I'm buying screws. Most of the screws I use for knives have a length less than 0.50". I'll buy a quantity of the appropriate diameter screws with a length of 0.50" and trim them to the length required. This way it's not a big deal if you can only get the particular screw you need in a package of 100. Often the screw that's being replaced isn't a standard length so the new screw will need to be trimmed anyway.
 
My pleasure Call_to_Arms. :)

Here's an example of the types of variations you may come across. The pictured screws are both T6, 2-56 (by definition UNC). Both were sold as button head screws and both have the same head diameter. The head on the left has the regular "dome" shape of a button head screw; the head on the right has a flattened dome shape. The screws with the flattened head have a unique look and look nice in certain applications.
f15eb036-a999-4cba-978e-7aa71beabaeb.jpg


Here's another photo of the same screws, one pair as delivered and one pair polished.
2984018c-8473-44f6-affa-7f31df0f1dbd.jpg
 
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