i just got this due to gay blade length requirements on post, and i love it. but the safety is very annoying and i never use it anyways. i just loosened up the pivot on either side, took the handle screws out, and popped out the flat spring, button and retaining pin. so now it looks like a 525 without studs.

anybody else try this? i am very happy with this setup, alot les bs

I've thought about it, but I tend to lose hardware.

I see nothing wrong with it myself, I just use safeties as a force of habit, one too many cuts.

What are you going to do with the safety parts?

Not sure if i plan on trying this,but i just got my 5500sbk a couple days ago,and i love this knife.It came kinda dry,and slow opening,but i just put the blue lube on,and whammo.It sure gives a nice snap now.I think this is gonna be my favorite knife for awhile.Thanks to Skimo in pointing me in the right direction on finding this knife..Got a 9530 on the way,so will see how that one turns out.

just keep those parts extra

My sentiments exactly. What dumb--I mean who the--er, why is the safety on there???

That is great way to solve the annoyance.

I tried to put my non auto HK tanto back in my pocket with the blade still locked open today. Not good for the pants or the leg I'll tell you. Figured it out real quick though. Oh my, that is so unsafe, what ever can we do to make it safer? Secondary lock? Alarm and sensor? Elevation and centrifical initaited flip out shield? Automaitc cotton jean sensing blade disengagemnt pin? Assumption of common sense and risk???

What were talking about on this one again?

well, i am getting the 5000 fullsize auto here next week, and i will be taking the safety off of it also. i will let y'all know how it goes. it is such a long distinct pull to the rear to unlock the blade, seems unecessary for my likes anyways. i NEVER had an issue not having the safety on the old 5500.

the safetys have there place but i find them soo annoying,getting in my way and when i want to deploy my knife fast itz locked ....

maybe on a push button, i like the idea. but lets break it down auto axis style:

-2 omega springs are constantly pushing the lock bar forward/locking

-it is a long draw rearward to release the blade

-no need to lock an opened, already locked blade


yup sounds like i don't need the safety on the autoaxis