diff --git a/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm b/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
index d0283e3897a..d205029ad20 100644
--- a/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@
 		var/list/result
 
 		var/obj/item/item = item_data.get_item(owner)
-		if(item && (item.flags & ABSTRACT || HAS_TRAIT(item, TRAIT_NO_STRIP) || HAS_TRAIT(item, TRAIT_SKIP_EXAMINE)))
+		if(item && (item.flags & ABSTRACT || HAS_TRAIT(item, TRAIT_NO_STRIP)))
 			items[strippable_key] = result
 			continue
 
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/knuckledusters.dm b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/knuckledusters.dm
index 51a5b5ca697..7d2d6d57ed1 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/knuckledusters.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/knuckledusters.dm
@@ -23,16 +23,19 @@
 	if(!gripped)
 		gripped = TRUE
 		to_chat(user, "You tighten your grip on [src], ensuring you won't drop it.")
-		flags |= (NODROP | ABSTRACT)
+		flags |= NODROP
+		ADD_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_SKIP_EXAMINE, "knuckledusters")
 	else
 		gripped = FALSE
 		to_chat(user, "You relax your grip on [src].")
-		flags &= ~(NODROP | ABSTRACT)
+		flags &= ~NODROP
+		REMOVE_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_SKIP_EXAMINE, "knuckledusters")
 
 /obj/item/melee/knuckleduster/dropped(mob/user, silent)
 	. = ..()
 	gripped = FALSE
-	flags &= ~(NODROP | ABSTRACT)
+	flags &= ~NODROP
+	REMOVE_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_SKIP_EXAMINE, "knuckledusters")
 
 /obj/item/melee/knuckleduster/attack__legacy__attackchain(mob/living/target, mob/living/user)
 	. = ..()