Bearings or washers

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Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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So, I've gotten to where I'm not sure about knives with bearings, sure they might be 'fast' but that isn't always a good thing, phosphor bronze washers can be pretty smooth, ok maybe NOT as smooth as some bearings but they still work.

I've wondered if the bearing craze will some day take a turn and we go back to the PB washers or some fancy smooth material that is similar.

I haven't had any real issue with a knife that has bearings, so I may be worried for naught, but my old brain just isn't that keen on them, simple minded likes simple things I guess.

There are some knives that haven't made that move to bearings, such as Chris Reeve knives, they seem to be doing pretty well.

And GEC folders, no bearings there yet, I know some makers are putting bearings into slip joint folders but that seems like overkill.

Just a Monday evening rambling but I think there may be a few that might agree and of course a lot that will not and that's perfectly fine, everyone has their own opinion and feelings about it I'm sure.

Ok, back to sharpening things that are already sharp, ugh lol need to get another knife to sharpen up!
G2
 
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AndrewH60 said:
Sorry. Spyderco Southard flipper. Thanks.
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I’ve actually owned 2 of those, but never converted them. While it may be possible, I cannot for the life of me remember or find on the googleweb of what the internals look like. Next time you disassemble, if you can remember to take a photo, I can be of more help.
 
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Sharp & Fiery said:
I’ve actually owned 2 of those, but never converted them. While it may be possible, I cannot for the life of me remember or find on the googleweb of what the internals look like. Next time you disassemble, if you can remember to take a photo, I can be of more help.
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Thanks. Will send you a photo. 🙂
 
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Honestly I prefer bearings but understand the limitations and have a variety of knives in my collection that have them and several with washers. If I know I will be in a dirty environment then I will pocket one with washers but if I’m just in the office more often than not it will be bearings.
 
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All things being equal, I prefer phosphor bronze washers, but I do have a lot of knives with different types of bearings and Teflon/nylon washers. All things being equal, Teflon washers are less corrosive and will give faster blade deployment than bronze washers, but I like the more durable bronze with less potential blade play. The hard use knives I have (especially from Benchmade, Spyderco, and Cold Steel) tend to have washers as a design choice, knowing how they were going to be used. My lighter use knives seem to tend to run on bearings. I've occasionally been disappointed by the choice of bearings over washers, where every other part of a knife's design suggested it was for hard use, but it's not something that has ever stopped me from proceeding to buy a knife I was interested in.
 
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YBPZL4Y.jpg
 
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badmatt said:
YBPZL4Y.jpg
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Links restored from the infamous "Mudbucket" thread. :)

ZT0561 Mudbucket!!!!!

MUDBUCKET!!!!!! Well, well, well. Here we go. I spend time in the woods and in the river, so, my folders have to stand up to mud, silt, and sand. With the new KVT system in the 0561, it brings into question, Will the ball bearings stand up to getting dunked in a muddy bucket? Will it...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
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knarfeng said:
Bearings are a deal breaker for me.
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This has been true for me also.

In my mind, bearings are an answer to a problem that did not exist until Howard Carson aka 'Kit') released the first mass produced flipper knife (M16). Bearings make a flipper experience more pleasurable, and also allow makers an easier time producing a great flippin' experience. And that is a great thing for those choosing flippers.

However, for me who chooses knives w/o flippers a bearing set is an answer to a problem that does not exist.
 
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I work in aggregates processing: bearings or washers doesn't matter, it's going to get crunchy!

As for smooth and fast, I would believe that has more to do with machining tolerances. The more flat and symmetrical you can get your surfaces, the more nicely your knife is going to walk and talk.

I think I'm using that right. This is the internet, I'll find out pretty quick.

I would like to see what tungsten or ceramic washers would do, with a glass-smooth polish. Probably nothing for performance, possibly a lot if you drop the knife.
 
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Washers are all I need. Washers are amazingly smooth sometimes, but I don't need smoother than a RAT.
I think I have two or three knives on bearings, two Ruikes and a Bestech, but I'm not 100% on all of 'em. Very smooth knives, drop shut like crazy. Got 'em as gifts, did not buy. I think the smooth action is cool, but I do not by any definition need that. My Sage 5 is just as smooth. Heck, some of my FRN backlock Spydies drop-shut...

Also, I would never put nano-oil on a knife and do not know why that's even a thing. Same w/ WD/40. I associate that with bearings for some reason. It's beezwax type stuff, or mineral oil for me...
 
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Hashishiin said:
Also, I would never put nano-oil on a knife and do not know why that's even a thing. Same w/ WD/40. I associate that with bearings for some reason. It's beezwax type stuff, or mineral oil for me...
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I've spent a lot of time around air compressor oil lately, and it has amazing physical properties. I wonder if it would make a difference?

At $100 a gallon, I doubt that I'll find out!

Personally, I wonder if a lot of these specialty knife lubricants are just odd-fish industrial stuff that's been repackaged.
 
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