Bearings, Bronze, or Teflon...?

[KenCaz]

Which do you prefer and why...?

I tended to like bearings for the smooth action, however, It is said that Phosphor Bronze is tougher then either Bearings or Teflon washers...

Also, if using bearings or washers what lube are you using...?

 

[norcalAF]

I use KPL on my bearings and TW25 on my washers

 

[Tsujigiri]

Teflon is really smooth, but for some reason the action feels cheap to me. Can't go wrong with phosphor bronze washers, although for flippers they have more friction than is ideal. Bearings set in nylon seem to be the most frictionless for drop-shut flippers.

There are a few compromises, out there, too. Cold Steel uses phosphor bronze washers with paper thin teflon stacked on top for their higher end models, which feels similar to smoother phosphor bronze washers on higher end knives that have a higher level of polish. There are also a few companies that offer phosphor bronze washers with multi row bearings set in them, which have low resistance like bearings but more of a secure, hydraulic feel like washers. I've also seen bearings mounted in a thin stamped bronze shell, not sure what those are called. They tend to be smooth but have a "rattly" sound and action that I'm not too fond of.

 

[JTR357]

I prefer PB because of the way they break in after a while. That mini skirmish in my avatar just keeps getting smoother & smoother after 10 plus years of use.

 

[JTR357]

Which do you prefer and why...?

I tended to like bearings for the smooth action, however, It is said that Phosphor Bronze is tougher then either Bearings or Teflon washers...

Also, if using bearings or washers what lube are you using...?

I use tuff-glide on all my knives.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Bronze washers feel more luxurious to me after they break in. As mentioned, they don't have the same drop shut action as bearings but I don't really care about that.

 

[Wandering_About]

Phosphor bronze washers all the way.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Bearings were really nice when I got my first few, but over the last few years I have gravitated back toward PB. Classic and functional, and when they break in....man, it's glass.

 

[kreole]

PB for me as well. I don't like gaps dirt and water can get in so prefer washers over bearings. PB over Teflon just because you don't have to worry about tearing them or creasing them during assembly and disassembly.

 

[Stringjam7]

Phosphor bronze is my favorite. I love how it wears in and the action turns to glass. It's funny - a ZT 0640 is what really turned me here, considering ZT mostly do bearings. Mine is well-used, and the action is just liquid.

I don't know much about the different lube types - I'll embarrass myself here and admit that I just use Wahl clipper oil on my knives.

 

[norcalAF]

Phosphor bronze is my favorite. I love how it wears in and the action turns to glass. It's funny - a ZT 0640 is what really turned me here, considering ZT mostly do bearings. Mine is well-used, and the action is just liquid.

I don't know much about the different lube types - I'll embarrass myself here and admit that I just use Wahl clipper oil on my knives.

Yep, my 0640, 0630, and 0620 are extremely smooth on washers. Regarding the lube, I already had a large tube of TW25 on hand as I have several P-Series SIGS, so I figured what the heck. Turns out it works great on washers as well as full length rails!

 

[norcalAF]

Speaking of PB, y'all have not lived until you have experienced the washer wizardry the LG puts into his MK3, his button lock VECP, and his new Talos knives. They are otherworldly.

 

[Stringjam7]

Yep, my 0640, 0630, and 0620 are extremely smooth on washers. Regarding the lube, I already had a large tube of TW25 on hand as I have several P-Series SIGS, so I figured what the heck. Turns out it works great on washers as well as full length rails!

I can't forget about the 0630. My anomaly knife. They somehow took all the specs I don't normally like (thick, heavy, thick blade stock, etc) and made a folder that finds its way into my pocket more than 90% of the knives in my collection. It's just an absolute unit - and that relatively high blade grind still gives it really good cutting performance. That, and the Wave flipper makes me giddy like a kid every time I deploy it.

 

[norcalAF]

I can't forget about the 0630. My anomaly knife. They somehow took all the specs I don't normally like (thick, heavy, thick blade stock, etc) and made a folder that finds its way into my pocket more than 90% of the knives in my collection. It's just an absolute unit - and that relatively high blade grind still gives it really good cutting performance. That, and the Wave flipper makes me giddy like a kid every time I deploy it.

Love that scale on yours! I kept it pretty tame with the monster disc on mine.

 

[Terry M.]

Bearings for me

 

[KenCaz]

PB for me as well. I don't like gaps dirt and water can get in so prefer washers over bearings. PB over Teflon just because you don't have to worry about tearing them or creasing them during assembly and disassembly.

Yes, I am used to Bearings and there are really smooth, however, first time using Bronze and its a lot tighter but seems more hydraulic the action... Teflon it is said does not require lubrication, but can deform with heavy side loading... I will stick with Bronze for awhile and see how it progresses...

 

[Stringjam7]

Love that scale on yours! I kept it pretty tame with the monster disc on mine.View attachment 2660330

Nice! I really like the look with the stock scale and the matching Monster disc. I might have to pick up another one now, dammit.

 

[scorpnsnake]

Bearings! Unless it's an LG, then bronze is fine.

 

[norcalAF]

Nice! I really like the look with the stock scale and the matching Monster disc. I might have to pick up another one now, dammit.

Good luck, they are getting rare as hens teeth! Took me minute to find this one and it's a no box "user" though it's near pristine with a super sharp factory edge still.

 

[The Zieg]

Usually I go with wood.