I've just bought a pair of Doug Ritter's RSK knifes. Left-handed users are advised to move the pocket clip to the other side of the knife. I'm not left-handed, but I would like to remove the clip altogether, at least on the mini. My question is, what screwdriver do I need to undo the screws?

I gather it is a star-pattern head, sometimes called "torx" in the UK. It is very small, smaller than a T10 and probably smaller than a T5. I have tried several local shops but none have something that small, so I will probably have to buy by mail. I'd like to know what size I need, so I don't get the wrong thing. (I hope to find a UK source rather than just getting the "Blue box" set from the Benchmade website.)

Incidently, when the knives arrived both were extremely stiff to open. No way could I open them one-handed. There was also a hand-written note on the invoice telling me to "Loosen pivot screw". Is this normal, or did they tighten it specially for me? Luckily that screw has a much bigger head, and I was able to find a T10 torx screwdriver to fit it. For a while I was quite peeved, though, as it seemed the knife was basically unusable without a further purchase.

Try a small Allen wrench. That's what I used. Do not remember the size of wrench.

You are correct that they are Torx head screws. The main pivot is a T10, those small screws for the clip are T6. Knives shipped out of the U.S. to certian countries such as the UK have the pivot screw tightened down so as to prevent problems with overzelous customs agents who have been known to be difficult with AXIS Lock knives, sometimes deeming them to be a "gravity knife" and illegal. I will mention to Aeromedix that they should advise customers such as yourself of this prior to consumating the purchase; it shouldn't be a surprise.

Doug,

Hi!

You may want to add California to the list of countries or areas with overzealous legal systems.

When I got my RSK, I proudly showed it to a friend who is a criminal lawyer in California. After checking its operation, he warned me that it was prohibited under California Penal Code section 653k since the blade can be opened by a flip of the wrist. He doesn't believe that the need to move the button before flipping the wrist is sufficient to avoid criminal liability.

I have taken the precaution of tightening the tension screw so that the blade can no longer be flipped open, but can still be readily opened with one hand. I am afraid that Californians probably should be warned of the legal hazard and the need to keep the blade release mechanism tight.

Incidentally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you giving us an excellent knife at a very reasonable price. I love mine.

Merry Christmas,

John

Legal Disclaimer: Obviously this post is not meant to provide legal advice, legal representation or relationship, and none exists or is provided. I am not admitted to practice law in any state other than California and am neither doing nor intending to do so. I limit my practice to civil law, and do not practice criminal law. Anyone wanting legal advice or representation should seek his own lawyer admitted to practice law in the prospective client's jurisdiction.

Pete:

Although an allen wrench may work, it is not recommended by mechanics like me. If it does not work, you take a chance of rounding the shoulders on the screw head. Likewise, phillips head, spline drive, or star drive (These are rare, but do exist here in the USA.) should not be used on torx head screws.

Of course, if you are out in the "boonies" and you have to improvise, give it your best shot.

Bountyhunter

Pete,

In anticipation of such a contingency, I added the appropriate Torx bit (T-10) for the Leatherman tool adapter which I keep in my fanny bag kit. I'm happy with the placement of the clip on the knife so I hadn't even considered a bit to move it.

Good luck,

John

Just curious but the exact wording of the law where I live states the following is illegal:

"any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force and which, when released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever, or other device, sometimes known as a “gravity knife”;"

Would the RSK comply with the above or would it be considered illegal? (I've been thinking of buying one)

I am not a lawyer so it would be perhaps better for me to keep my mouth shut, but obviously I can not. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> So at least take this with a grain of salt.

In terms of physics it is not the centrifugal force that opens the knife but angular momentum. Centrifugal force is present only during rotation of the wrist while the knife flicks open after (and because of) the wrist comes to an abrupt stop.

Amazing. A combination of lawerly nitpicking and physics nitpicking.

Bounty & John:
As is often the case, I offered advice without mentioning the caveats. When I could not locate my torx set, I dug out the Allen wrenches and fortunately the clip screws easily came out.
Brangdon:
My cavalier suggestion could have caused you to screw up your knive. Please accept my appologies.

Best wishes,
Pete

Thanks. T6 should be relatively easy to find; I believe it is sold for mobile phones.

It is a nice knife, the first and only quality knife I own. In addition to the safety benefits, a solid lock makes the knife more pleasant to handle. It is a shame it (probably) makes it illegal to carry casually in the UK.

That said, for every day carry I think I prefer a multi-tool anyway, because it is more versatile. I have a smallish non-locking one, and although I'd rather it locked I am not convinced the difference is that great, at least for UK urban use. I'm not going to carry the RSK in addition to the multi-tool for weight reasons. My plan is to add the mini-RSK to a PSK, which is why I want to remove the pocket clip - to minimise its size. The situations in which I would carry the PSK should be the situations in which a locking knife becomes legal.

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I don't need to do that to open my RSK !?!?!
Just flicking the wrist or pushing the stud with my thumb is enough to open it ; I only use the button to unlock the blade and close it.
Is this not the normal operating procedure ??

Todays quick opening knives still require the use of partial release by the thumb knob on the blade. If in doubt, ask a District Attorney for a legal opinion by mail so that you have proof in writing in case some local peace officer thinks it should be otherwise.

Back in the old days when switchblade and gravity knives knives were made illegal, they used to make an Italian stiletto with a fingernail groove that was required to lift the blade slightly from its closed position whereupon you could swing the blade into the open and pin locked position. The problem with those was that in order for it to work well, you needed to have a 5" or larger bladed knife for sufficient mass and to create the required inertia. The size of the blade then made it illegal no matter how it was opened.

In some states in the USA, possesion of a bayonet or dagger style blade in and of itself is illegal no matter how small the knife.

Bountyhunter

If you don't have to push the thumb stud and are able to flick it open with just wrist action, it may be illegal.

I am not familiar with French laws, but in a country where they use long narrow knives for cheese and fruit, I find it hard to believe that your country is as strict as the UK.

Bountyhunter

I believe any locking blade is illegal here... ("couteau à cran d'arrêt")

But I was wondering about the RSK normal opening procedure : am I supposed to first push or something on the locking button ??

I am not a lawyer. The Griptilian and all the many other AXIS Lock knives in Benchmade's line, plus knives with similarly functioning blade locks by Cold Steel and others are legally sold and carried for years in all 50 states. Virtually all folding knives, including many traditional slip joints, can be opened with practice using the flick of your wrist or an assist.

That would come as news to Benchmade, Cold Steel and others who have sold tens or thousands of knives with AXIS Locks and similar blade locks in California. YMMV.

My full sized RSK behaves differently to the mini. On my mini, the locking button doesn't make much difference. I have adjusted the pivot screw so that it will open with the thumb stud on the blade, but slightly stiffly. It won't open by gravity or by flicking, regardless of the position of the locking button. The smaller blade doesn't have enough weight to overcome the stiff pivot.

This is how I like it. I tried making the pivot very lose, which got rid of the stiffness and made it a smooth joy to open, but also meant it could partially open with a flick. I was worried it would open when I didn't expect or want it to.

My full sized RSK is also currently adjusted so it will open with the thumb stud alone. It won't open by gravity or flicking with the locking button up, but on experimenting I find I can sometimes shake it half-open if I hold the lock down. The first time it flicked completely open and locked, which surprised the bejeesus out of me. [Later...] and now I find it will partially open, even with lock up, if I strike the end hard against the palm of my other hand.

I find this a bit disconcerting. I had already decided I'd never toss either knife to someone, and now I'm thinking that is definitely wise. There's a real chance it will open spontaneously. On the other hand, I am pretty confident that neither knife would be considered a flick knife or gravity knife, or "made for causing injury" under the UK 1953 act, because opening it in these ways is so awkward.

Frenchy and all:

I'm a big fan of the axis lock. One of the best things about it is that the same simple mechanism is used to lock the blade open or hold the blade closed.

I use my axis lock knives in three ways. First with a plain thumbing action on stud or hole. And no, you don't have to do anything with the lock button to do this.

Second, I use some kind of inertia to "flick" the knife open, either unassisted, or with a little boost from my middle finger on the hole or stud opposite the thumb side.

Third, I keep my pivots loose enough that I can pull the lock back and use gravity or the slightest bit of intertia to swing the blade open or closed. (Probably my favorite method.)

It's the action of having to pull the locking button back before gravity will open the blade that keeps it legal.

Bear

dchinell:

Don't know about Florida, but in Wisconsin, if you are able to pull back a button and swing the blade open, it is a gravity knife and therefore illegal.

Of course an earlier post about your appearance, when, and how you access the knife applies. The other thing to consider is the desirability of the knife to the peace officer inspecting it. They may have to "confiscate" it but will let you go because you seem like a decent person, and the knife ends up in the cops personal collection. Some of the biggest illegal fireworks displays are at cops houses in Milwaukee as they "dispose" of the "contraband" they collect for the safety of the public. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />