Just curious, why do you need to take apart your knives so often?
I used to be the same way, but eventually realized it was unnecessary. Some of the knives I've carried most have never been taken apart.
You'd be amazed by what a flush with some good ol' naphtha does for cleaning.
I don't, typically. Most of my knives have not been disassembled. I have plenty of pinned Spydercos and slip joints that will outlive me.
That said, I miss having a knife like the Sebenza that was so mechanically sound and high quality that I never worried if I wanted to take it apart. I just want another knife like that in my collection.
I'm also a tinkerer, so if the action feels a little gunky or rough, the blade is leaning, or whatever, I like to take the knife apart, clean it out, and see if there's anything I can smooth or adjust.
Out of the factory yes, but PB washers are readily available, cheap, and easy to change. Many, including myself, have done it. Some say they notice no difference but others say they do. I like the action better myself on PB washers.
Edit: I never had a problem nor did I dislike the teflons, rather bought and changed to PB just to see if I liked it better or noticed a difference. Nothing wrong with teflon though.
Les George midtechs are also super easy to disassemble and maintain (VECP and Talos especially).
I've had bad and good teflon washers. The knife in my pocket is on teflon, and I'm fine with it. I just don't want them on a $500+ dollar knife.
It's good to know that it's easy to find good PB replacements. That changes my view. Some knives on Teflon don't have PB the right size to swap.
Good call on the VECP, too. A bit plain, but I'll see if I can look up a disassembly video.
but in the big boy world; people who use their knives,
This is unnecessary. I am not new. I am a very big boy, and I have a long history of knife use documented, here.
PB is sturdier, better for assembly/disassembly, it is not subject to a lifespan or polymer creep like teflon is, and it can be tuned with micromesh or high grit sandpaper to improve smoothness.
I do not seek to derail the thread into a discussion about whether or not one needs to disassemble a folder regularly - unless, of course, you like to but of all the many folders I have and have owned throughout decades of doing just about everything and anything one can do with a knife - my oldest Buck 110 has field dressed and skinned more deer, cleaned more fish and been fat/blood deep in a variety of critters more times than I can count. I've also had it packed with grease, sand, dirt and what have you. A very thorough flushing with hot water (and soap and/or Dawn) followed by some compressed air followed by WD-40 then lubed and wiped down was my normal routine. Not until I retired that knife for sentimental reasons and sent it Back to Buck for a freshening up was it ever apart. That knife served me very, very well.
I don't doubt it, at all. While I'm no hunter, I have knives that have seen plenty of dirty and cleaned out okay without disassembly. For the next knife I purchase, however, I want to be able to really be thorough and nit-picky about cleaning.
If you prefer the comfort of Spyderco, then by all means continue to use and maintain a Spyderco. Why look elsewhere? Most of their models require only one or two Torx sizes. Simple. Easy.
Not a bad idea. The Slysz Bowie looks like a good candidate. The new warranty makes that a good option.
Right now, a nice Hinderer is sounding good. Maybe an all Ti MP-1 with some PB washers and bronze hardware...
Thanks for everything so far, guys!
