Has anyone successfully replaced washers in a folder?

[Miketbass]

Hey all-

I recently received a Ontario Rat 1 and promptly disassembled it. Noticing the strange Teflon/PB washer combo that I've heard about has me really itching to polish the tang, inside of the liners, and pop the proper sized phosphor bronze washer in each side.

Possibly... I could flip that idea and go with a super thin PB washer on the scale side and nylatron on the blade side? It could be fun to try out. I have a pretty decent idea of what the thickness of these washers as measured with calipers and some Google searching. Has anybody done something similar?

My original problem started with bending a PB washer on a XHP military and well... lets just say that I have had no luck finding the right size at any of the usual knife maker supply sites.. The blade is temporarily in a black handle as has been for years. I would like to know as I have about 100 replacement scale screws for the Military model and other parts that would wear out sooner, but no idea where to secure the washers.

Anyone have experience or input?

 

[jhalb]

Only place I can think of. I have a couple here with me in bronze. What exact size do you need?

http://usaknifemaker.com/folding-knife-parts/folding-knife-parts/washers-and-bushings.html

 

[Miketbass]

The Ontario Rat appears to be 2-1/4" .010" thick bronze washers and 2-1/4" .005" thick Teflon washers. I'm thinking the Teflon was used in this model to give some leeway in tolerances as they compress down nicely and give a smooth feel. I would love if it was all PB though....

The Military, off the top of my head, I don't remember the size. I do know that none of the usual knife maker supply sites sell the right size. Spyderco, like many of their parts, are having these made for them to specific sizes/tolerances. I don't feel like spending the $25 to have somebody put a five cent washer in my Millie however.

I made this thread more to hear any success/fail stories anybody may have regarding washer swaps or replacements. I am considering placing an order for some knife related supplies and getting some PB washers for the Rat. If anything it would be a cheap experiment.

 

[victorf]

Unless it is readily available, I do understand OP's comment - " I don't feel like spending the $25 to have somebody put a five cent washer in my Millie however. " - especially true in light of, when someone not knowing what is actually involved to make a seemingly simple set of PB washers, which are actually correct to size and perfectly flat.

I do make my own custom fit PB's when called for to enhance rigidity as well smoothness:

On my Para2, Yojimo2 and Gayle Bradley2, although having solid pivot from the get go, all share original somewhat smallish PB's. All three benefited with oversize od, smaller ID to allow larger OD not to cause interference and with thickness remained same. Unfortunately no pictures to show the two former:

Washer made of plastic is economical and more profit margin for the maker. It is infinitely more forgiving in terms of smoothness and thus avoiding fit process for less forgiving PB variety. But big trade off in terms of rigid support, often time shown with inconsistent blade centering.

My William Henry Gentec's unstable thin cheaply stamped teflon washers were replaced with PB with identical thickness, accurate ID and enlarged OD. No pictures.

Emerson nylontron replacement shown having larger OD and smaller ID to improve the rather original shaky blade deployment:

Two of my Hinderer XM's without unstable teflon:

 

[Miketbass]

Can you tell me more about the Spyderco washers? I own all three of those knives. How did you modify them?

 

[victorf]

Thickness remained same @ +- .0000", pivot washer ID reamed to + .001" over pivot OD, OD are unique to each knife, after careful consideration and having max'ed out OD size without interference to provide widest surface area to enhance blade support in open position.