Spyderco Forums

Running the risk of sounding like an idiot, I'm having a problem.

I have already stripped out the pivot screw a pm2 and I'm about to strip one out on my manix 2. The PM2 in question was purchased on Amazon in January. Manix 2 purchased from Knife Center last week. Is it possible that these are just old manufactured ones with red loctite? I would think by now those would all be out of circulation from vendors like Amazon and Knife Center. I'm using Wiha drivers and putting tons of downward and lateral pressure simultaneously.

Why am I doing this? My PM2 came very tight. I have 5, so I know how they should be. This one was tight. My manix is the same way, but only slightly.

What am I missing? Should I take a soldering iron to it anyway even though these should be new manufacture?

AliasNeo07 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 19, 2019 3:55 pm

Is it possible that these are just old manufactured ones with red loctite? I would think by now those would all be out of circulation from vendors like Amazon and Knife Center. I'm using Wiha drivers and putting tons of downward and lateral pressure simultaneously.

What am I missing? Should I take a soldering iron to it anyway even though these should be new manufacture?

Do you still have the box?

There's a two letter code on the label. First letter is the month A= 1 = January thru L = 12 = December. Second letter is the last two digits of the year A = 2001 thru S = 2019. So, for example ES = May of 2019.

I haven't haven't had any issues lately but if you have a soldering iron, I'd give it a try.

Buy a quality torx bit set.
Place the knife firmly down on a table.
Hold the knife so it won't spin.
Put your body weight into the screwdriver (push hard into the screw).
Turn slowly, don't be eager to break it loose.

That should handle almost any screw including red loctite. If that doesn't work, you have to heat the screw with the tip of a soldering iron first. I've never had to do this.

Putting the knife on a rubber mat so that it can't spin and/or slide also helps.

Also just making sure, you are using a T10 driver/bit right?

Make sure you have equal force pushing INTO the screw as you have TURNING the screw.

How about the other side ? If it's too tight, you just need to open one side.

Yeah this is crazy. T10 wiha triver, as hard as i can down into the screw and to the left. I've never run into these problems with the delicas and enduras I've had the last 9 years. I've only gotten into golden knives the last two years and I understand the threadlocker is different. But still. I am not a weak man. I'd have to have to send blades into spyderco to loosen a freaking screw. Maybe I'm just unlucky with my manix. I got the PM2 apart.

Sometimes I have to drop a knife into very hot water for 5 - 10 min, then it will break.
.........or a soldering iron tip on the pivot.
DON'T STRIP THE HEAD.

I had a Tenacious that had red Loctite on the pivot screw, and I ended up buying a soldering iron to heat the pivot screw. Worked like a charm.

AliasNeo07 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:29 am

Yeah this is crazy. T10 wiha triver, as hard as i can down into the screw and to the left. I've never run into these problems with the delicas and enduras I've had the last 9 years. I've only gotten into golden knives the last two years and I understand the threadlocker is different. But still. I am not a weak man. I'd have to have to send blades into spyderco to loosen a freaking screw. Maybe I'm just unlucky with my manix. I got the PM2 apart.

I adjust the pivot screws (if needed) on all my Para 3s and PM2s and never have had an issue. I'd think a little heat, wet or dry, would work even better. I do recommend a good torx driver, I use the CRKT Get-A-Way Driver and have several.

Oh, in addition to the built-in flashlight it has a bottle opener as well. :)

AliasNeo07 wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 19, 2019 3:55 pm

I'm using Wiha drivers and putting tons of downward and lateral pressure simultaneously.

Y'know... tools become rounded and dull, just like knives. If you've used or abused your fancy Wiha driver for a while, it's likely that the tip is rounded off. Standard practice is to grind the tip of your tool on a white bench grinder wheel. Keep the tool perfectly square and quench it in water frequently. If you get sizzle, you've failed. Must be square, must not have burr. Keep your tools properly dressed, and you'll be much happier.

Use the shock method to break the bond. I've done it with several knives (including recent manufacture) and it's always worked. IIRC this is how Spyderco's W&R department does it.

Lay the pivot on a block of wood or something solid that won't mess up the side that's resting on it. Insert your Torx bit into the pivot screw and press down to keep in place. I have a bit driver extension (not pictured) that I like to use to lessen the risk of whacking your fingers. Give the end of the Torx bit (or extension) a few sharp raps with a small mallet. Don't hit it so hard that you damage the knife but sharp enough to break the bond. Some knives need more raps that others.

Sharp Guy wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:51 pm

Use the shock method to break the bond. I've done it with several knives (including recent manufacture) and it's always worked. IIRC this is how Spyderco's W&R department does it.

Lay the pivot on a block of wood or something solid that won't mess up the side that's resting on it. Insert your Torx bit into the pivot screw and press down to keep in place. I have a bit driver extension (not pictured) that I like to use to lessen the risk of whacking your fingers. Give the end of the Torx bit (or extension) a few sharp raps with a small mallet. Don't hit it so hard that you damage the knife but sharp enough to break the bond. Some knives need more raps that others.

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^^^Exactly this right here. I do this before I even try to loosen any of the screws for the first time.

Make sure you try both screws I usually have trouble with one side vs the other

koenigsegg wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 22, 2019 7:44 am

Make sure you try both screws I usually have trouble with one side vs the other

I normally have the same issue.