Bushing Material for Folders?

Favorite Folder Bushing Material?

  • Teflon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Nylatron

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Phosphor Bronze

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Stainless Steel

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • None, I prefer fixed blades and friction folders!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
I've been using Nylatron which is a tried and true material but I'm thinking of switching to bronze. What is your favorite material and why do you think it is the best choice?
 
Actually I don't really have a preference. I have folders that use bronze that are very smooth, and some that use teflon and are very smooth. I guess the only thing that I worry about a bit with the nylon/teflon washers is degridation if exposed to some chemical cleaners(gun scrubber, brake cleaner etc.). Overall I would think that the overall design and workmanship put into the knife have more to do with how it feels than what materials are used.

That said if I had to choose I would take the bronze as I feel it to be a bit more durable.
 
Originally posted by ErikD
I guess the only thing that I worry about a bit with the nylon/teflon washers is degridation if exposed to some chemical cleaners(gun scrubber, brake cleaner etc
Click to expand...

have no fear
if something will degrade teflon, your knife will definitely go before it does
 
I have always used Phospor Bronze. They don't "give" when tightned like the others. Phospor Bronze is also oil impreginated so it is self lubricating. They are also available in thinner thicknesses so you can have a tighter tolerance in your knife. I sometimes only leave .005 on either side of the blade.
 
Ive used nylatron and teflon both. While true the bronze is very sturdy there is nothin wrong with going with the synthetics. Ive used the nylatron and teflon for years and have never had one complaint. Nor have I had a problem with breakdown.
 
Seems like any knives I have owned that had synthetic washers had lateral blade play. If I tightened the pivot screw to stop the blade play, it becomes very difficult to open the knife. My experience with owning a few knives with phosphor bronze washers have very little if any at all lateral blade play, yet the blade is still silky smoothe and easy to open. Therefore I prefer the Phosphor Bronze. I recently purchased a BM Stryker off the exchange forums. It has synthetic washers, and some lateral blade play unless tightened too tight. I will be sending it back to BM for a washer upgrade. This will give me a good comparison of the difference the phosphor bronze washers make regarding blade play to ease of opening.

Mike
 
Interesting, I have a 910 also with the synthetic bushings, had it for two years with no lateral blade play. Not to speak of your case specifically, but sometimes it seems that many overtighten their bushings thinking this is what the problem is. Sometimes they can be loose, but something many do not consider is that if the frame screws are not tightened properly it can throw the pivot area off, as far as correct tolerances. You can have frame screws that are loose, tighten the pivot screw and unless everything is "in Sync" its not going to work properly. When tightening pivot screws its a good idea to make sure everything is tightended properly before you decide its the all the bushings fault.
 
Teflon is the only way to go. If you get grit down inside the knife, teflon will asborb it and keep working smoothly. Bronze, nylatron and others won't, and you can feel it.
The secret is allowing a thousandth for each washer to compress and build the backspacer to that dimension, and making them with a large enough diameter.
I've had folders come back in after several years of use for refurbish and the teflon was the same thickness as when it left.
Yes, I've tried them all and teflon is the winner, imho.
 
I've been around bushing applications in manufacturing for 20+ years. I agree with Kit 110% ;)


Neil
 
which are that bronze has never warped, split or crack on you?

which brings to mind the corollary : teflon has warped, split and cracked on you?

:confused:
 
I think Nylatron also "absorbs" some of the dirt and grit like teflon. My main objection to teflon has been that it is white and it gets filthy dirty looking almost immediately. SO while it may be the best in Kit's eyes it is the least aesthetic to me.

Which brings up another point....PERCEPTION. Because of Teflon's aesthetic shortcomings I choose to reject it. But shouldn't I be basing my decision purely on performance? Bronze offers the PERCEPTION of durability, and metals are surely sturdier materials than synthetics right??? Not necessarily......:)

So in the end who wins? The best performer or the best PERCEIVED performer? It's looking like there is a strong preference for bronze in the poll but I sure don't see Kit Carson's sales suffering! ;) BTW, have you all handled Kit's knives? SMMMMMMOOOOOOTTTTHHH! :D
 
Peter,

If the Teflon gets dirty it will look like a Nylatron or a tarnished bronze bushing!!:p ;) If thickness is an issue, the bushings could be set in counterbores in the frame.

Everyone will have their own ideas. I'm not out to convert anyone. I prefer and will continue to use Teflon.


Neil
 
I think tolerances should have alot to do with the decision. If a folder can't be built with tight precision then I would recommend bronze or half hard copper. If the backspacer/posts aren't the same dimension as in the pivot area the blade will be pinched and will deform teflon or nylatron.
The bottom line is the maker and the customer have to be satisfied, no matter what the material is.
Over the years I've had customers request something other than Teflon and when they received the knife their comment was "it's just not as smooth as the last one" (with Teflon).
BTW, high density polypropelene works well too.
 
you said it kit!!! some of the 1st folders I made had some small problems with tolerances. I learned early that everything has to fit right in order to work properly!!! :)
 
Great comments! :) I think it's good to bring this subject up from time to time and see what folks think. Any other suggestions out there?
 
I like teflon because it is just sooo smooth, right from the start. It seems like you have to "break in" bronze phosphor bushings before you get that smoothness.
 
I'm not a knifemaker, but I'm interested in this topic, and I did an informal "survey" of some very well-known makers at the Nov. NY Custom Knife Show. Each of them gave some very well-reasoned thoughts on the bushing material of their choice. As I spoke to each in turn, I came away sort of agreeing with each--whether the choice was bronze, or teflon or nylatron, etc. In a way, I sort of came away a bit more confused than I was to start off with.

Bottom line: Put your trust in the makers you like and everything will work out just fine.;)
 
I'm not a knifemaker, but I'm interested in this topic, and I did an informal "survey" of some very well-known makers at the Nov. NY Custom Knife Show. Each of them gave some very well-reasoned thoughts on the bushing material of their choice. As I spoke to each in turn, I came away sort of agreeing with each--whether the choice was bronze, or teflon or nylatron, etc. In a way, I sort of came away a bit more confused than I was to start off with.

Bottom line: Put your trust in the makers you like and everything will work out just fine. The many fine makers out there have numerous reasons for the design/materials/etc. of their knives. They are probably all right for various reasons.;)

EDIT: Sorry for the double post.:rolleyes:
 
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