Removing 1-sided thumb-studs!

[Madmarco]

Hey guys! Would anyone know how to remove a thumb-stud that doesn't have a slot for a screwdriver on the screw side? When I grip it with pliers and turn, the stud just turns around but doesn't unscrew from the screw. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thx!

[dsutton24]

I'd bet that what you think is a screw is really a rivet. Without seeing it, or knowing what knife you're talking about, removal instructions are just a guess. My first thought is to cut the stud off then either file the remaining rivet flush, or carefully drive the remains out with a punch.

[Madmarco]

Thanks ds24. Now that you mention that I think you're correct. It never crossed my mind it might be a rivet. I realize it's likely impossible to make it out from my lousy pictures, but I attached them anyway. The piece in question looks like a rivet with small dimples all over it. The knife is a big Rigid RG15 shield-release folder. Thx again!

[charlesf20]

Are we talking about the blade?

[Nev52]

Marco,
I don't know if this is the correct way to remove it but this is what I would try. Center punch the rivet.Then take a small drill bit and drill through the rivet. Then I would support the blade and punch out the rivet. Thats my 2 cents. I hope that helps.

Nev

[Beavertail]

Marco,
I don't know if this is the correct way to remove it but this is what I would try. Center punch the rivet.Then take a small drill bit and drill through the rivet. Then I would support the blade and punch out the rivet. Thats my 2 cents. I hope that helps.

Nev

The method you described is the way I've removed an unwanted thumbstud.
It worked for me.

[Nev52]

Marco,
I don't know if this is the correct way to remove it but this is what I would try. Center punch the rivet.Then take a small drill bit and drill through the rivet. Then I would support the blade and punch out the rivet. Thats my 2 cents. I hope that helps.

Nev

The method you described is the way I've removed an unwanted thumbstud.
It worked for me.

Glad to hear that. I would use that method in equipment repair.
Nev

[herbva]

Mark, if you have a very small ball-head burr that you can put in your rotary tool (dremel), I would just grind off the head on one side and it should come out easily. Or, Nev's suggestion about drilling the center out should work too.

[Madmarco]

All great suggestions fellas, thank you. I'll try each method until I find the one that works and post the results in this thread. Thx again guys!

[Madmarco]

Are we talking about the blade?

No, we 're talking about removing the thumb-stud that doesn't have a screw it has a fixed rivet, Charles. I got some great tips below. I always remove studs when I get a new knife, but they're usually the kind with a screw on the backside and come off easily, but this knife has a fixed rivet. I particularly want this one off cuz it will make the knife's profile much cleaner, and besides, it has a big nail-nic to open the blade with. Even if I left it on, the blade is far too big for one-handed opening with the stud.