Correct Screws for 84 mm 2-Layer Build?

[Myron]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be building a Voyageur for myself, and rather than peen pins on the outside of the scales (like I usually do) I'm thinking I'd rather use flush bolts/screws.   Can anyone tell me exactly which screw would work?  I've been to a number of knife building supply sites, but I don't even have the vocabulary to understand what I'm looking at.    I'm hoping someone has done this before and can tell me exactly the hardware I need to purchase.

Thanks!

Myron

[Max Stone]

Hi Myron. I’ve only found 2.0mm and 2.5mm hex-head bolts. And only plated steel. I played around a little with these and was not happy. 2.5m OK for 91mm pivots, but 2.0mm too small for inner pins, and tension was sloppy. Also, I found that even just nipping the nuts beyond finger tight would bind the tools, and even if I used threadlock, I’d still have to glue the scales on. So all-in-all I abandoned this and went back to brass and peening...

With 84mm, all the pins are 2.2mm, so I think you might have challenges finding suitable bolts. And resizing is a true PIA just for one tool.

Others have good success with bolts, but they seem to stick to 2.5 or even 3mm Alox for this. 

(Edit: also bolt thread is not as smooth as the brass rod as a pivot.)

[Myron]

Hi Max,

Thanks very much for this well reasoned explanation.  I think I will take your advice.  Seems I always come to this conclusion when I go through this process, but it irritates me that there isn't an easier solution.   

Thanks again!

Myron