I still think each have their place. Yes, screws are easier for folks to mod, but that's not exactly at the forefront of manufacturers thinking I guess. The thought has just struck me that manufacturers seem to use rivets more if they are dealing with backsprings. Can that be right? Is there a disadvantage to using screws that are likely to be under more pressure? I'm going to have to give this some more thought.
The advantage of rivets for the manufacturer with generous warranties, is that they know if the tool has been tampered with. Thats all I can think of.
pQuote from: Syph007 on December 24, 2011, 03:19:40 PMThe advantage of rivets for the manufacturer with generous warranties, is that they know if the tool has been tampered with. Thats all I can think of.What's a waarraannnttyy? I believe word left my vocabulary when I became a full time designer haha
So, all of you who said you hate rivets will be sending me your SAKs and Swisstools ASAP, right? I think that an advantage rivets provide is a more maintenance free tool for the end-user with nothing that needs adjusting. Every knife/tool I've had with screws (exceptions being loc-tited leathermans) has eventually loosened up and required tightening. Whereas all of my SAKs are still tight and only seem to get loose after they have been abused.Another thing I was thinking about is that, even though the majority here seem to prefer screws, is that most manufacturers using screws are using tamper resistant screws. So, in theory they are user adjustable, but the manufacturer isn't using them for that reason. Some exceptions obviously are the new low-end leathermans and maybe Spyderco (although Spyderco says that taking a knife apart voids the warranty).Gareth has an interesting point. I wonder if it is due to the use backspring, or that most of the big makers using backsprings have been doing so long before the rise of screw together construction, like Case and Victorinox, so it is more of a traditional thing?Thanks for all the replies, interesting discussion!
Your not getting my tools so hands off!
I can re-rivet my tools if I need too.
I think that an advantage rivets provide is a more maintenance free tool for the end-user with nothing that needs adjusting. Every knife/tool I've had with screws (exceptions being loc-tited leathermans) has eventually loosened up and required tightening.
I think the engineers choose between screws and rivets based on the design, with no regard to warranty issues, etc...