Has anyone modded an Emerson to use thinner phospher-bronze washers?

DrFish said:
It's a liner lock. If you change the relationship between the blade and the liner, you will affect the lockup geometry. Without doing the math, can't tell you how much, but it will change somewhat. If you do decide to do it, you should make sure you are able to measure things properly (have a micrometer), and be able to modify the parts involved and maintain parallelism. Also realize that by reducing the gap between the blade and liners, you are increasing the tolerances required to maintaing a smoothly functioning knife. You are in effect having to remake the knife to higher tolerances than it was originally designed. I wouldn't consider this trivial. Fun? yes. Trivial? no.
Click to expand...

This is a very good explanation of the difficulties involved with going to thinner washers.

I would also add that machining/sanding/working with titanium is way more difficult than steel.

EmersonREP said:
I honestly don't understand why people want/need a smoother pivoting knife. It's only pivoting when you open/close it, not when you use it. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I want a smooth pivoting knife because I have to open a folding knife every time I use it.

I don't want it so badly that I'd use washers that weren't a direct replacement, and endorsed by the factory. Emerson's warranty and customer service are excellent, and not worth risking for something trivial, especially when they're the only company I know of that supports customers taking their knives apart for cleaning and maintenance.
 
I understand that you have to open and close the knife to use it........ My opinion is that of Nylatron vs PB. I've broken in my knife so well that it feels like a Nylon washer is in there. I've never used an oil and when it gets dirty I just rinse it under the kitchen sink. To each their own.
 
So maybe my problem is that I am using some lube on the washers, Finish Line Extreme Fluoro. Should I be running the nylatron washers clean and dry with just a dab of lube on the detent balls? I mean, is that how nylatron washers are designed to be used?
 
Muaddib1116 said:
Finish Line Extreme Fluoro. Should I be running the nylatron washers clean and dry with just a dab of lube on the detent balls?
Click to expand...

That is what I use also. I have dis-assembled and lubed every Emerson I own (14 knives) and all (7) of my Striders and cleaned & lubed with that grease.

They all flick/wave open & shut so smoothly I'll never use anything else.

~John
 
I think I'll have to experiment. My personal preference is that when the blade is open, there is zero play in any direction when I grip the blade firmly and try to rock it around. My hypothesis has been that the nylatron washers have a lower compression strength than PB washers, and to some small degree deform under the compression load of the pivot screw. So, in order to achieve my zero play condition, I am having to tighten the pivot more than I might have to if I was using PB washers. It's very possible that this theory is wrong.

I don't mind a slower action (my love affair with CRK's has gotten rid of my need to flick blades open), I just want as smooth an action as I can get. It may be wishful thinking to think I can achieve the buttered-glass smoothness of my Sebenza's, especially considering the Emerson design philosophy detailed above and in this thread (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1201427-Why-Doesn-t-EKI-Sell-PB-Washers). I will experiment with different different lubricant arrangements, and when my full size A-100 arrives, I might order some PB washers to swap out with. Given a lot of the feedback here, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up switching back to the stock nylatron washers. Thanks for all the helpful responses guys!
 
I think you should get some PB washers as the Emerson Rep described, try it unlubed first, see how you like it, then try it lubed if you do not like it unlubed.

Then swap it back to the nyalatron washers, try it unlubed and lubed (as it is already broken in with them) and report back to us your findings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top