Can anyone replace a ball detent for me?

E

Edcgearreviews

Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
144
Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could replace the old, flat ball detent on my Kershaw JYD titanium framelock with a new ceramic ball bearing.

Thanks,

Matt
 
If I could find a ceramic ball bearing of the correct size and ship it to whoever replaces it for me would that solve the problem? I cant find the diameter right now as I do not own a pair of calipers. I could probably call Kershaw about it though.
 
The ball in there now is a 1/16" stainless one. Probably something like 440C at 60 Rockwell hardness would be my guess. I've not seen ceramic balls that small. Most of the ones I've seen have been much bigger looking. Probably at least a 2mm ball if not bigger would be my guess there. Looking at my JYDII frame lock I don't believe there is enough room in there to enlarge that hole to fit a ceramic ball like those I've seen. It sure looks close anyways, and my guess is to try would perf the lock face toward the contact.

STR
 
I could easily replace the ball in it with another ball just like it but I don't know why you are worried about the flat spot unless its a gravity knife and the ball is no longer keeping the blade tip down in carry. If the ball is still doing its job just use it. The flat spot really doesn't hurt anything so long as the ball is working to do it's intended purpose. Besides that its just as likely to reoccur on the new one in time.

STR
 
STR said:
I could easily replace the ball in it with another ball just like it but I don't know why you are worried about the flat spot unless its a gravity knife and the ball is no longer keeping the blade tip down in carry. If the ball is still doing its job just use it. The flat spot really doesn't hurt anything so long as the ball is working to do it's intended purpose. Besides that its just as likely to reoccur on the new one in time.

STR
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The knife is still operational. I was just asking because the knife is a flipper, so in my opinion crisp retention is useful.

Thanks,

Matt
 
Edcgearreviews said:
The knife is still operational. I was just asking because the knife is a flipper, so in my opinion crisp retention is useful.

Thanks,

Matt
Click to expand...

Well, you may not appreciate it due to the fact that its a flipper but trust me I've installed thumb studs on those models just like yours and in fact my own, which is one of the oldest ones around due to the relationship I had with Kershaw and Thomas at the time field testing for them, (what that means is my detent ball is flat also) and I can testify to the fact that if you had a thumb stud only on that blade to open it with you'd think the detent grabbed too tightly making the blade super hard to jump start it to open up. One thing about flippers that is little talked about is this. You can make the detent a lot stronger and the end line user that buys it doesn't even notice because its a flipper and that makes it that much easier to operate. Generally speaking most flipper models I have here for work are equipped with very well done detent balls that do their jobs retaining the blades. I do agree that this should be the case too.

I have a ambit thumb stud on my JYDII and its basically just there for looks because from the day I installed it I still need the flipper to help me get the blade started and move it off that ball in the lock. Kershaw did the detent properly for sure on these models. Everyone I've handled has been this way, even the blems.

STR
 
eBay has lots of 1/16 ceramic and silicon nitride balls. While they are harder than the steel and more likely to keep their shape, I would think they would break when you tried to press them in the hole.
 
I wouldn't know about that. I've never installed a ceramic ball personally or bought one. I've worked on a lot of knives with them already in the locks though and all were rather large looking balls compared to what I use. I'm inclinded to wonder how they go in also. For all I know the technique is different for those and they may be more delicate.

STR
 
Ever shattered one Brian? No special sizing required for the holes or anything?

I've never really felt the need to change from stainless and besides that I have so many (like a lifetime supply) I can't imagine the need to buy ceramic too now! :D

STR
 
Some prep as an SS ball.

Might be questionable in a blind hole though, since acid won't save you if it does break.

I don't set balls with a hammer either, I have a carbide arbor I put in my press to push it in.
I drilled a hole in a piece of .018 shim stock, and I lay that over the ball and press.
Perfect set every time, and it's a couple thousandths thinner than my washers.
 
Brian Fellhoelter Knives said:
Some prep as an SS ball.

Might be questionable in a blind hole though, since acid won't save you if it does break.

I don't set balls with a hammer either, I have a carbide arbor I put in my press to push it in.
I drilled a hole in a piece of .018 shim stock, and I lay that over the ball and press.
Perfect set every time, and it's a couple thousandths thinner than my washers.
Click to expand...

I've set the balls both ways, hammer and/or press speaking of stainless of course. I've advocated a hammer technique for folks here on the forums doing a one time thing for themselves when they don't have the tools available to most makers though.I was just curious about that technique for ceramic though since I've not used them. I never saw the need to move to a ceramic ball in my own knives to really play with them. Noticed Terzuola and a few others use them. Just worked on a Boker the other day with one too. A really big diameter one too and in a small knife. Anyway, thanks.

STR
 
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