Bushings or washers?

D

daily_grind

Joined
Apr 5, 2024
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Based on my limited understanding, a bushing allows the pivot pin to "lock" onto the interior of the bushing, and the higher-tolerance outside of the bushing can glide against a higher tolerance hole in the blade. A washer seems like it might do the same thing, but with more surface area - thus - more friction. Surely, I misunderstand? Maybe we want more friction in some cases?
 
Wait, what? You can have a bushing and washers at the same time. A bushing just holds the handle apart so you can't tighten it down so much that the blade is restricted. You have to dimension it really precisely so when the pivot is fully tightened, the blade operates smoothly but has no play.

The advantage is that you can tighten the pivot down completely and get perfect action every time, instead of having to fiddle with it and apply loctite.
 
daily_grind said:
Based on my limited understanding, a bushing allows the pivot pin to "lock" onto the interior of the bushing, and the higher-tolerance outside of the bushing can glide against a higher tolerance hole in the blade. A washer seems like it might do the same thing, but with more surface area - thus - more friction. Surely, I misunderstand? Maybe we want more friction in some cases?
Click to expand...

Are you talking about using a flanged bushing and the flange replacing a washer as the glide surface?
 
@scorpsnake, in short, yes - that is my question. I'm surely oversimplifying. I was thinking of comparing either a bushing that sits a couple of thousandths of an inch proud of the blade to a thin washer on either side of the blade. I see from the response that the answer is more complex than simply that comparison.
 
Bushings and washers are de facto the same thing when it comes to folding knives. Almost all have them on both sides of the blade.
 
daily_grind said:
Based on my limited understanding, a bushing allows the pivot pin to "lock" onto the interior of the bushing, and the higher-tolerance outside of the bushing can glide against a higher tolerance hole in the blade. A washer seems like it might do the same thing, but with more surface area - thus - more friction. Surely, I misunderstand? Maybe we want more friction in some cases?
Click to expand...

Look through here if you haven't. Lot's of methods shown.

Yo Mama

Thread 'Disassembly pics?'

I love them, don't know why, but seeing all the parts laying around and how they are all a part of a great knife I find interesting.

Please, post any knife disassembly or disassembled pics you have? Thanks!
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