Flippers: Ball Bearings vs. Roller Bearings

[Stumpy72]

I’d like to hear what experiences BF posters have had comparing ball bearings vs. roller bearings in flippers.

My only personal experience has been with the Real Steel Megalodon. I have two of them. Both are all-Ti/M390, one is a very early one (two-digit serial #) with rollers and the other is a later one with ball bearings. The one with rollers has an easier, more fluid opening action. The difference isn’t anything earth-shattering (in truth, it’s actually pretty minor) but I can feel the difference. I’ve done a blind comparison test many times. Without looking, I switch the knives back and forth until I don’t know which is which and then I open each--repeatedly and with each hand. I can pick out the roller model almost every time. The difference between the two is noticeable, but like I said it's actually pretty minor.

As I look at the cost difference between ball bearing and roller bearing flippers in other brands (which is usually a big difference), I have to wonder if roller bearings are functionally worth the money.

So... Does anybody else have any personal experience using and comparing roller bearing vs. ball bearing flippers (preferably the same brand and model)? If so, I’d like to hear what your experiences and comparisons are.

 

[Stumpy72]

Bump. Anybody have any personal experience-based comparisons of roller bearings vs. ball bearings in flippers?

 

[Seadaddy1970]

I have flippers with ball bearings like my ZT’s and, I believe, my two Guardian Helix, but none of the roller bearings. What brands use them, Stumpy?

 

[Tseg]

Good question, but likely splitting hairs.

 

[evilgreg]

I've had two knives with roller bearings and I don't recall them being especially amazing. I mean, both had great action, but after a point bearings are bearings. The only bearing system I've noticed to be superior to others is IKBS. Roller, multi-row, caged . . . IKBS is still somehow faster, smoother, better. I'm not sure why, but after dozens and dozens of flippers it's very clear.

 

[Edgeoflife]

I own plenty of ball bearing flippers but the only roller bearing knives i own are a couple real steel Metamorphs front flippers which I found interesting as the setup is more widely used in automotive applications. I watched a take down video before I bought the knife and its a unique feature with pretty smooth action which did aid in the purchase decision some to see how they compared to standard bb knives out of curosity also. As you mentioned there may be a minor difference at most but I do think it's a cool setup that works well and offers additional lateral support due to more surface area vs BBs i suppose. Not sure what other knife companies use roller bearings though other than Real steel?

 

[b00n]

I'd like to try some for novelty/curiosity sake but so far all my bearing knives are ball bearings. Thought about a Megalodon but other knives took priority so I kept putting it off and now I think most versions still available are ball bearing ones.