I'm good on IKBS... for good

dkb45 · Mar 12, 2014

I originally thought IKBS was awesome when all of my experience with it was brand new knives. As my IKBS knives aged, my opinion of it diminished. First time I tried to clean it, I didn't know the bearings were going to immediately make a break for it. I lost a few bearings, and got a replacement set. All was good again, but my knife wound up getting gritty, and the only IKBS knife I kept (Aluminum Ripple) had a decently off centered blade, but nothing that was a real issue. My second disassembly went better with me keeping all bearings, but the action didn't improve with cleaning what grit I could. The knife went untouched for some time.

Jump to tonight, when I am finally comfortable enough in disassembly and cleaning to fully clean the bearings and tracks. Tons of grit, dust, and sticky goo (it was once grease?). After a lot of frustration I got it all cleaned out, lubed up with my Silicone Teflon, and back together. Immediately the knife wouldn't open, so I figured the pivot was too tight. Loosened it up... Now my blade is hitting the scale. The knife still barely works, regardless of the pivot tension. This knife is now a completely lost cause.

Nothing but bad experiences with IKBS. Compared to a proper washer or caged bearings... I just can't see an upside. Too easily mucked up, ridiculously hard to clean, and is realistically a lot more complex than a caged bearing or washer.

A.L. · Mar 12, 2014

One of the reasons why I prefer mechanisms (including locking mechanisms) to be as simple as possible is to bring longer age for my folders.
Just my opinion though, and nothing wrong with cool gizmos.

blame it on god · Mar 12, 2014

A cheap ultrasonic cleaner is what I use. Hot tap water and dawn. Rinse in hot water, drench in WD-40 or blue lube. Compressed air and lube with either 10 or 85 weight nano oil.

I've only taken one knife apart, it had recently been cleaned. And it was spotless inside.

JDunn709 · Mar 12, 2014

I thought I heard somewhere that the creators of IKBS were looking into caged bearings but I cannot seem to find the info again after a quick search. Anyone know anything about it?

JB in SC · Mar 12, 2014

Properly executed, IKBS works great. I've carried a Mayo flipper for three years and haven't had a single issue. Just spray it with BreakFree and hit it with compressed air.

Nader E · Mar 12, 2014

dkb45 said:
I originally thought IKBS was awesome when all of my experience with it was brand new knives. As my IKBS knives aged, my opinion of it diminished. First time I tried to clean it, I didn't know the bearings were going to immediately make a break for it. I lost a few bearings, and got a replacement set. All was good again, but my knife wound up getting gritty, and the only IKBS knife I kept (Aluminum Ripple) had a decently off centered blade, but nothing that was a real issue. My second disassembly went better with me keeping all bearings, but the action didn't improve with cleaning what grit I could. The knife went untouched for some time.

Jump to tonight, when I am finally comfortable enough in disassembly and cleaning to fully clean the bearings and tracks. Tons of grit, dust, and sticky goo (it was once grease?). After a lot of frustration I got it all cleaned out, lubed up with my Silicone Teflon, and back together. Immediately the knife wouldn't open, so I figured the pivot was too tight. Loosened it up... Now my blade is hitting the scale. The knife still barely works, regardless of the pivot tension. This knife is now a completely lost cause.

Nothing but bad experiences with IKBS. Compared to a proper washer or caged bearings... I just can't see an upside. Too easily mucked up, ridiculously hard to clean, and is realistically a lot more complex than a caged bearing or washer.

Check to see if one of the bearings did not fall out of the track...iv had that before and its caused the same exact problem. I own about 6 IKBS customs and all function flawlessly.

BellaBlades · Mar 12, 2014

I agree, it the balls are all caged like on the southard and the ZT knives they work great. Very easy to clean as well.
Rem oil works perfect for these bearings. As it does not built up and attract gunk at all.
I prefer the thrust washers with some holes like in the new CRK knives. Holds some lube and reduces friction.
I would not be happy to deal with a bunch of loose balls.
I would just clean it will really hot water and soap or let it sit in some spirits before a dab of rem.

seamus · Mar 12, 2014

I think JB and Nader have it right. Sounds like you have a BB not in it's correct place or that you have one bearing too many on at least one side. As far as lubrication goes, the pivot/blade needs your favorite grease but I avoid using anything on the bearings. There's absolutely no need for any there and all it does is attract dust and debris. Then, if something seems to be in the bearing pocket it can simply be blown out, usually just with your mouth along the backside of the folder. I've been doing it like this for over six years and has worked well.

Ken44 · Mar 12, 2014

JB in SC said:
Properly executed, IKBS works great. I've carried a Mayo flipper for three years and haven't had a single issue. Just spray it with BreakFree and hit it with compressed air.

Exactly.
You seldom get properly executed with a CRKT. It sounds like more of a CRKT problem than a IKBS problem.

marthinus · Mar 12, 2014

A well executed IKBS folder wont need to be disassembled IMO.

dkb45 · Mar 12, 2014

Nader Elhayek said:
Check to see if one of the bearings did not fall out of the track...iv had that before and its caused the same exact problem. I own about 6 IKBS customs and all function flawlessly.

It had no chance to lose a ball, and I checked all of them as I cleaned them, no defects or anything.

It does seem like more an issue with CRKT. I'm sure IKBS works a lot better in a custom, but the design still has the same issues. Captive bearings are just easier.

Nader E · Mar 12, 2014

dkb45 said:
It had no chance to lose a ball, and I checked all of them as I cleaned them, no defects or anything.

It does seem like more an issue with CRKT. I'm sure IKBS works a lot better in a custom, but the design still has the same issues. Captive bearings are just easier.

Are they all resting properly ? Be careful when you flip the one scale on the other, that is when it usually falls out

dkb45 · Mar 12, 2014

Nader Elhayek said:
Are they all resting properly ? Be careful when you flip the one scale on the other, that is when it usually falls out

I held the blade in place and flipped it and raised the other track into the blade. If a bearing fell out it is because there is a hole I didn't see in the track, or it pulled a Houdini on me.

dynamicmoves · Mar 12, 2014

Put a magnet on the blade when you take it apart.

Jeru · Mar 12, 2014

In general I take old fashioned washers over bearings. The fewer mechanisms/moving or rolling parts on a knife, the better, in my humble opinion. Personally I never cared for the IKBS-hype so much. Washers are smooth enough for me.

flatblackcapo · Mar 12, 2014

With added performance comes added maintenance. This is true with all things mechanical.

Puer Aeternus · Mar 12, 2014

A.L. said:
One of the reasons why I prefer mechanisms (including locking mechanisms) to be as simple as possible is to bring longer age for my folders.
Just my opinion though, and nothing wrong with cool gizmos.

I agree..the more intricate the internal mechanism, the less likely i'll be passing the knife on to a family member when I am ancient. I also wonder about the washers inside, if they are not metal, will they stand the test of time?

dkb45 · Mar 12, 2014

Puer Aeternus said:
I agree..the more intricate the internal mechanism, the less likely i'll be passing the knife on to a family member when I am ancient. I also wonder about the washers inside, if they are not metal, will they stand the test of time?

Caged bearings really are better in almost every way to washers. Easy to clean, less likely to diminish from dirt (just a little grit on a washer can ruin a plastic one or make a metal one have to be refinished), and provides a much smoother opening.

As for aging, I know a bronze washer will need to be cleaned after an extended period of not being used, and I know some different lubes can damage non metallic washers (nylon or Teflon), and I'm sure the lube used can change after extended periods (like become corrosive). If your knives are regularly maintenanced and cared for, they should last a lifetime.

evanPGH · Mar 12, 2014

JB in SC said:
Properly executed, IKBS works great. I've carried a Mayo flipper for three years and haven't had a single issue. Just spray it with BreakFree and hit it with compressed air.

This. My Leu Bluephin runs on IKBS and has been as reliable as the sunrise. Been carrying it for 8 months, the action has only improved over time and I havent taken it down for cleaning at all.

ooitzoo · Mar 13, 2014

dkb45 said:
I originally thought IKBS was awesome when all of my experience with it was brand new knives. As my IKBS knives aged, my opinion of it diminished. First time I tried to clean it, I didn't know the bearings were going to immediately make a break for it. I lost a few bearings, and got a replacement set. All was good again, but my knife wound up getting gritty, and the only IKBS knife I kept (Aluminum Ripple) had a decently off centered blade, but nothing that was a real issue. My second disassembly went better with me keeping all bearings, but the action didn't improve with cleaning what grit I could. The knife went untouched for some time.

Jump to tonight, when I am finally comfortable enough in disassembly and cleaning to fully clean the bearings and tracks. Tons of grit, dust, and sticky goo (it was once grease?). After a lot of frustration I got it all cleaned out, lubed up with my Silicone Teflon, and back together. Immediately the knife wouldn't open, so I figured the pivot was too tight. Loosened it up... Now my blade is hitting the scale. The knife still barely works, regardless of the pivot tension. This knife is now a completely lost cause.

Nothing but bad experiences with IKBS. Compared to a proper washer or caged bearings... I just can't see an upside. Too easily mucked up, ridiculously hard to clean, and is realistically a lot more complex than a caged bearing or washer.

A.L. said:
One of the reasons why I prefer mechanisms (including locking mechanisms) to be as simple as possible is to bring longer age for my folders.
Just my opinion though, and nothing wrong with cool gizmos.

I am inclined to agree with these gentlemen. I have a folder or two with standard IKBS and I can say that doing this sort of maintenance in the "field" would be an utter disaster. I mean, can you imagine looking for a 0.5mm bearing in the middle of the woods.

They are cool knives to be sure but generally not for "hard use" or extended field carry.