Converting to Bearings?

Rennd

Rennd

Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
709
Has anyone here ever converted a knife to use bearings instead of washers? Is it possible with most knives?
 
Why? It's a pocket knife. It can be done, and some of the suppliers sell the parts necessary.
Personally, I don't see why a simple machine like a pocket knife needs to be over complicated.
Even automatic knives don't need bearings.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Why? It's a pocket knife. It can be done, and some of the suppliers sell the parts necessary.

Personally, I don't see why a simple machine like a pocket knife needs to be over complicated.

Even automatic knives don't need bearings.
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Autos definitely don't need bearings.
Bearings wear slower and reduce blade play, while making action much faster.
 
Rennd said:
Autos definitely don't need bearings.
Bearings wear slower and reduce blade play, while making action much faster.
Click to expand...

Are you going to replace the pivot hardware, the stop pin and the standoffs or backspacer?

How many people have ever worn out Teflon washers, much less PB washers?

How many lives have been saved by a 0.0000001 second faster opening action, as opposed to using good sense and situational awareness?

I would say it's a total non-issue, but that would be giving it way too much credit.
 
For the cost involved I would just buy a ripple. I believe they are IKBS or some such and usually less than the parts to convert a knife.

The one I have flies out smoother and faster than any assisted knife I have ever held.

edit: BTW do you currently have a knife your considering converting or just asking the question? If you are considering, what knife exactly? Might help with responses.
 
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Too many naysayers in this thread. The possibilities are there, but only by trying it.

I added roller bearings to a KME sharpener, and while they are not necessary, the project was fun, and the sharpener works much better than it did without them.

Good source of knife parts is

google usaknifemaker.com

I am not affiliated with these guys, but I purchased my bearings from them.
 
If you measured things carefully you could mill the liners, add captive bearings, and not have to replace the pivot or backspacer/bearings. You'd have to make sure the liners were thick enough to accommodate the bearings.

I haven't seen any attempts to do this, although I think it'd be a cool mod.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking about converting my Benchmade 581. The action is a little slow for my tastes.
 
Rennd said:
Yeah, I'm thinking about converting my Benchmade 581. The action is a little slow for my tastes.
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Isn't the pressure from the omega springs and axis lock the reason for the resistence? I don't see bearings helping on an axis knife. JMHO.
 
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Fanglekai said:
If you measured things carefully you could mill the liners, add captive bearings, and not have to replace the pivot or backspacer/bearings. You'd have to make sure the liners were thick enough to accommodate the bearings.

I haven't seen any attempts to do this, although I think it'd be a cool mod.
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That's what I was thinking. If you stick with caged bearing, it should be a lot easier process. You can buy counterbore bits from usaknifemaker and jantz (probably others too) that would make adding pockets to your liners fairly easy. NRA mentioned the mini roller bearings from usaknifemaker, but they also offer brass caged ones (like Quartermasters "Orb" bearings). Alpha Knife Supply also sells bearings in stainless cages for 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" pivots. I think the whole process would involve more cost and effort than I'd be willing to go for, but I'd be interested to see what someone else's experience was like. It might even convince me to try it myself. :thumbup:
 
Interesting. I bought a matched SE and PE set of eduras from a pawn shop and nothing I do can make them smooth. The are pinned and I've thought about removing the pin for a mod. This might be it. Please let us know how your mod works, so in the words of Ben Stiller "Do it" then share your thoughts. Best,
 
I added bearings to a Spyderco Tenacious, it really sped up the action. I messed up milling one of the liners though and ended up with some lock rock. It's definitely possible, and if you have the right equipment it should be pretty easy.

If you're interested, here's a short video of my Tenacious.

[video=youtube;1Qwr7tGopX4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qwr7tGopX4[/video]
 
bpeezer said:
I added bearings to a Spyderco Tenacious, it really sped up the action. I messed up milling one of the liners though and ended up with some lock rock. It's definitely possible, and if you have the right equipment it should be pretty easy.



If you're interested, here's a short video of my Tenacious.



youtube video
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That's what I wanted to hear! What did you use to mill?
 
Rennd said:
That's what I wanted to hear! What did you use to mill?
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I just used a drill press with an appropriately sized end mill. It worked great on one side, my problem on the other side was due to my use of cheap clamps instead of a proper vise. I'd also recommend practicing on a cheap knife first. Good luck, I'm interested to see how it works for you!
 
I think I'm going to use the ikbs style bearings. They might work a little better with this knife.
 
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