Downside to Nylon Washers?

Blacklab99

Blacklab99

Joined
Mar 1, 2021
Messages
51
Ok I just have to know something.... I broke a nylon washer on a cheapie qsp penguin and got some replacements online but had to get a minimum of 5 pairs. I have been putting these .005 thickness nylon washers with my phosphorus bronze Liner Lock and lock back knives and finding much smoother deployment. I feel kinda backwards putting some of these in my nicer spydercos and others but is there a downside? Does the oil build up and cause issues with the blade? Or is there any other reason the higher ends don't use these? Wondering why only budget knifes do this or is this just a weird quirk that is a preference thing?
 
I think I figured it out. Knives without detent balls like my backlocks are much better with the slide of the nylon. But those with balls or 2 (like my smock) don't see much difference...
 
I've wondered the same thing .That's how my rat 2 was set up from the factory, and that thing flies open with just a bump on the thumb studs.
 
Mostly there's a market bias against nylon because consumers think of polymers as "cheap" compared to bronze. They're more likely to wear from HARD lateral forces on the blade, but otherwise aren't really a downgrade.
 
I assumed the brass washers allowed tighter tolerances than nylon.
But I guess it would depend on the hardness and type of the polymers used.
In other applications I’ve used nylon and Teflon washers, and they’re relatively soft.
 
Unless you have crappy ones. This has only happened to me once, but I've got a Boker Exskelibur that came with horribly bent & torn up nylon washers. Ordered some PB washers & will see how it turns out this week. I might even try getting those .005" nylons you're talking about. Worth a try.
 
Ya I picked up the super thin...005 nylons at usaknives.com and I'm pretty happy overall. I will say I do see the advantage of PB but I think In various cases its nice to have some on hand and may be useful with some builds and knife types. Interesting discussion no matter what!
 
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