Bushing upgrade

themccords2009

themccords2009

Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
34
I am finding that a lot of my cheaper play knives have some sort of plastic or ceramic bushing. Has anyone ever replaced these with phosphor bronze bushings?

I have found the bushings for sale in various sizes on usaknifemaker. I'm thinking this would be a cheap way to improve cheap knives.

-Brian
 
I replaced the teflon washers in my Lionsteel SR-1 with phosphor bronze. I prefer pb because I find them smoother once they break in and with a bigger, heavier blade you can get slight side to side flex with softer, plastic washers.
 
Did you measure the bushings with a micrometer to know what size to order?

Is there a bushing kit out there?
 
I actually was lucky enough to come across a post on BF where someone else had measured them previously.

But yeah if I had a micrometer that's what I would do. It's not an exact science though, the stock bushings on the SR-1 were .024 thick and the .020 ones that I put in there work perfectly.

Not sure if there's a kit that comes with a bunch of different sizes but they're cheap enough that you could just order a few in each thickness for the correct pivot size. Check out knifekits and usaknifemaker, that's where I got mine.
 
If you're feeling really adventurous, you can replace them with caged bearings :) requires a little extra work though.
 
bpeezer said:
If you're feeling really adventurous, you can replace them with caged bearings :) requires a little extra work though.
Click to expand...

I wanted to do that with the SR-1 but there is absolutely no way to get them in there.
 
Washers and bushings typically refer to two separate items - although the distinction between a thick washer and a thin bushing can be kinda gray...

But really what you are talking about here are washers. I tend to like PB myself. But I have several knives with PTFE washers that have been actively used, some for over 20 years, with no significant wear or blade play problems. PTFE can provide an ultra-smooth action.

TedP
 
phillipsted said:
Washers and bushings typically refer to two separate items - although the distinction between a thick washer and a thin bushing can be kinda gray...

But really what you are talking about here are washers. I tend to like PB myself. But I have several knives with PTFE washers that have been actively used, some for over 20 years, with no significant wear or blade play problems. PTFE can provide an ultra-smooth action.

TedP
Click to expand...

Agreed, it definitely depends on the knife. I had a Spyderco Lum Tanto that ran on teflon and it was one of the smoothest knives I've ever owned.

To the OP, take my advice and save the stock washers. Don't get overly excited when the pb ones show up and throw the teflon ones away. You might not like it as much after the "upgrade".
 
Step 1. Sell Cheap knives

Step 2. Get the money you were going to spend on the washers and micrometer

Step 3. Add the money from steps 1 and 2.

Step 4. Buy one or two nice knives with that money

Step 5. Win!
 
Scurvy092 said:
Step 1. Sell Cheap knives

Step 2. Get the money you were going to spend on the washers and micrometer

Step 3. Add the money from steps 1 and 2.

Step 4. Buy one or two nice knives with that money

Step 5. Win!
Click to expand...

Or we can just go with him liking his cheaper knives and trying to improve them.
 
I have both expensive knives, and inexpensive knives.

I have a borderline obsession with edged items, and for the price of one Strider, I can purchase a myriad of Kershaw, Gerber, etc. Eat beef everyday and eventually you will want some chicken.

I like chicken, and sometimes pork rinds. Mmmm...pork rinds. Going to store.
 
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