Bronze Washers or Ball Bearings?

As CVamberbonehead said, "I like washers in my knives. Ball bearings are a solution in search of a problem."

This is because the market, or at least a significant enough segment, apparently, wants the latest and greatest gee-wiz stuff in a tool that has served mankind for thousands of years - which tools has somehow morphed into packet jewelry status symbols ... not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that mind you - if that's what you're into.

Back on track, bearing cages can and do collect detritus while the tolerances between washers not so much. PB washers have a long track record of reliable and acceptable service so, as we say in aviation, "If it ain't broke - don't fix it."
 
In my opinion, bearings are like shopping cart wheels. If just one is out of whack, or hung up by a grain of sand (in the case of knife bearings), there might be several more that are fine, but the whole experience suffers because of the one troublemaker.
 
Don't know about knives, but on/in fishing reels, bronze bushings last longer, and require less maintenance than bearings.
I'd follow the "KISS" protocol: "Keep It Simple ___"
(The second "S" varies dependent on who is stating the KISS Principal. A Marine or Special Forces Drill Sergeant, for example, might use a different word than say, a 109 year old, little old lady Sunday School Teacher, a Scout Master, or a High School/College Touch Football Head Coach, would choose.
(There a excellent chance that, that 109 year old, little old lady Sunday School teacher, would use a word that would make any Drill Sergeant blush.)
 
When I was in the Army (86-92) the phrase changed over time from "Keep It Simple, Stupid" to "Keep It Super Simple".

Washers all the way.
I have no desire for any knife with bearings.
 
How does the op apply to a balisong? I dont want to hijack the thread. Feel free to just pm if it's an issue.
 
I'm firmly in the camp of, well, both ;). As long as it is well executed I am fine either way. I like the idea of keeping it simple and "If it ain't broke don't fix it", but I've never experienced any issues with bearings either. I bought my Tri-way Jurassic as an outdoors/hiking folder with full intentions of switching it from bearing to washers, but thus far I have not seen the need to.
 
I used to prefer bearings.
I’ve come to realize well executed PB washers are my preference.

I do still enjoy the whack a good bearing flipper from time to time. :)
 
Since all my knives are work knives, I am firmly in the washer camp. For years, I have cleaned the pivots with solvents to clean out residual gunk from use, sometimes combined with pocket/tool bag debris, sweat, etc. My sweat is pretty toxic, and if the blades don't rust on some of my knives, the liners might during our long, hot summers.

I was never aware of the problems with bearings on work knives until I saw a few threads here on BF that showed rusting bearing balls, galled runways, and trapped "stuff" in the bearings. Some of the pics here were quite graphic, and the problems with some knives are prevalent enough that guys here know which preferred vendor to contact to get replacement or higher quality bearings.

Growing up with traditionals, I never worried much about maintenance. Keep it oiled, clean as possible, sharp, and you were set back in those days. With all my washered knives, it is the same. Blow them out with some air, clean with the proper solvent and oil is about all they need. I don't want a knife I have to disassemble, examine, perhaps replace important pivot devices, and at the least clean them out and lightly oil them. And I don't want to pay the price for not disassembling and have dirty or deteriorated bearings do damage to the knife itself if I was late in a cleaning or maintenance cycle. Too much for me.

Robert
 
Last edited:
I’ll stick with washers. My Spyderco GB1 is the smoothest knife I own and it’s glass. I’ve owned bearing knives and handled high end bearing knives and I still have yet to see one as smooth as by GB1 on washers. My ZT/Emerson Viper is on PB and is also smoother than any BB knife I’ve handled. I’ll be avoiding any ball bearing knives in the future. I hope makers are watching this thread.
 
I strongly prefer bronze washers. I don't think bearings add any benefit or longevity, and likely hurt those things. Time will tell.
 
I hope this thread comes to the attention of some of the knife makers.

Turn the marketing in another direction.
 
The more basic the design.....the less problems you have. I think washers are better. The better quality knife makers seem to keep it simple with washers. I have had a problem with nylon or Teflon getting grit in them and slowing the action. Bronze is best.
 
There are several bearing knives I have fit for washers. I don’t need my knife to fly out. I prefer a smooth opening.
 
I like them both. For a knife I plan to get wet and/or dirty, I prefer washers. For my everyday carry needs, which are modest, caged bearings do just fine and are simple enough to maintain.
 
This thread seems odd to me. In the past when opinions are asked of the BF population about bearings they seem really very popular, especially among ZT owners. It seemed that bearings were going to be crowned the "latest and greatest" innovation/feature in mass knife making.

I am surprised there isn't more support for bearings in this thread.

Robert
 
I'm cool with both. Are bearings necessary? No. Are they fun? They can be. And the knives work just fine as cutting tools as well.

However if I'm going to be in a dusty or dirty environment I probably will not be carrying a bearing knife. My poor 0470 got a little bit of grit in it, just from being in my pocket, and I had to clean it twice to get it all out. Very annoying.

However my Super Freek got a little grit in it and it just worked itself out pretty quickly. Doesn't mean I'm going to get rid of any bearing knives I have, just that I'll choose the appropriate knife for the job. Outside work? Washers. Inside a switch house terminating all day? My 0456cf does the job of stripping cable pretty well!

I take all my knives apart sooner or later, so no big deal cleaning and maintaining them.
 
midnight flyer said:
This thread seems odd to me. In the past when opinions are asked of the BF population about bearings they seem really very popular, especially among ZT owners. It seemed that bearings were going to be crowned the "latest and greatest" innovation/feature in mass knife making.

I am surprised there isn't more support for bearings in this thread.

Robert
Click to expand...

Agreed. Not the first time this question has come up.

Out of interest. One of the oldest threads about IKBS on BF is this one from 2010.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/thoughts-on-ikbs.710852/

So IKBS has been around +- 10 years. Still similar concerns. Still people wanting washers over bearings or vice versa.

Thank goodness we have so many knives to pick from. Including slipjoints using recessed liners, Buck 110 and others that don’t use either but are still around.

I think onenof Sal Glesser’s sayings on this sums it up: “All good, just different”.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top