Smoothing burrs on stripped Police clip screws?

[Harry White]

My oldest is a SS Police PE -- I bought it around 2001. I can count on one hand the number of times I've carried this knife -- mostly because I treasure it too much to chance scratching up the handle.

At some point shortly after I got it, I tried removing the clip with the wrong tools. It was a really stupid mistake in hindsight. I pretty much stripped the screws, which doesn't bother me too much because the clip is tight and I have no intention of removing it again. However, my actions did cause some burrs to develop on the three screws that hold the clip, so that when I run my thumb over the clip screws, they feel very sharp. I would like to know if there is an easy way to smooth out the burrs without damaging the clip or the stainless steel on the handle surrounding the clip. Can something be done with polishing paste, steel wool, or something else easy to come by, or would a dremel or similar tool be required. I'm open for any of your steel smoothing tips.

And thanks, as always.

[zenheretic]

Until the knife mod experts chime in, I'd suggest a tiny file. You can get them pretty cheap wherever Chinese cheap tools are sold. A lot of times Walgreen's, Rite Aid, and CVS have a super cheap tool bin that has some of those files...otherwise go to the king of Chinese imports, Walmart.

[severedthumbs]

a small file would work or even the coarse stone from a sharpmaker works well.

[vampyrewolf]

Could always ask SFO for a set(Joyce has sent me clips and screws for asking nicely).

Otherwise I'd say sandpaper or an emery board(aka nail file)

[Django]

Try a piece of 800 grit sandpaper. Or an emery board would work just fine. You don't have to do anything fancy, just scrape off the sharp points.

Edit: Ah, that's right. Since the screws are stripped, you can't get them off. If you have an emery board, use that, it will be small enough so that you can use it with the screws still screwed in. If not, just go to a drugstore and pick one up. It's probably the cheapest, fastest way to do it.

[vampyrewolf]

Just to note. You CAN still get the screws out to replace em... use a pair of vicegrips with a small enough tip to get between the screw head and the top of the clip. You only have a few degrees of movement before hitting the other screw and have to do it a few times before you can just keep turning... but at least it'll come out. And I have done that a few times

[Harry White]

Great suggestions all around. I think I'll start with an emory board, since I have a few lying around and it would be stiff enough so I could control where I'm filing and not hit any of the handle. Then I may look into getting the screws replaced from SFO just so I can return this knife to its original pristine condition. Thanks everyone!!

[Mr Blonde]

I ordered a new clip and screws a couple of times in the past from the SFO. That would be your best bet to get your Police 'cleaned up' again. In other cases I often use a Sharpmaker rod to take the edge from some sharp edges, like handles scales, liners, blade hole and clip screws.

Wouter

[Harry White]

I ordered a new clip and screws a couple of times in the past from the SFO. That would be your best bet to get your Police 'cleaned up' again. In other cases I often use a Sharpmaker rod to take the edge from some sharp edges, like handles scales, liners, blade hole and clip screws.

Wouter

Mr Blonde -- I should be getting my Sharpmaker from NG on Monday (yeah!). I like your idea about smoothing handle scales using the Sharpmaker rods. My Kopa scales can feel a bit sharp in the open position. How exactly would you recommend smoothing the inside edges of the scales? Should I use the fine rod, or should I place an order not for some ultra fine rods? Thanks for the suggestion.

[Harry White]

I took your advice Mr Blonde and contacted Spyderco about the screws. They are sending me a new clip and new clip screws! Woohoo!

Thank you, Amanda!

[STR]

Any flat diamond sharpener like an EZELap diamond pad or a Smiths sharpening instrument you can buy at Wal-Mart will smooth out those burs as good as anything else. A fingernail file will work also.

STR