Is it possible to buy southard washers/bearings?

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kevin4242 said:
i took you idea and went to my harsware store, they had just about the perfect size but it was too thick....darnit
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Too thick might be better than too thin. As long as all the other dimensions are good, you can always work them down and carefully remove some material to evenly thin them out.
Maybe try a Fastenal? Or McMaster Carr.
 
Possible Silver Bullet for Spyderco cupped washer issue!

There are several threads on BF that address and discuss cupped washer issues with Spyderco Southard and Domino knives. I plan to post my findings on multiple threads with the intent to help fellow BF members with what I have found to be a solution that has worked for me. I own 6 Southard C156GPBN knives and all of them had cupped washers when I disassembled them brand new from Spyderco. Their "new condition" flipping action varied from good to average. As you can tell I really like the Southard model since I own 6 of them and my concern over time is the action was going to degrade as the very thin (.005") stainless flat washers continue to cup and eventually fail entirely.

What I have determined is that the plastic bearing washer works just fine and is not a concern for wearing out, the issue as we have all noted is the cupping of the thin (.005") flat stainless steel washer the bearing washer rides on. My silver bullet is that I have found a replacement flat stainless steel washer that perfectly fits the Southard knife pivot and is .010" thick which is twice as thick as the factory .005" flat washer. The extra .005" thickness on each side of the pivot has not impacted the blade centering nor blade play and in my opinion improves the flipping action. Best of all, NO MORE CUPPING!!! I do not own a Domino but I bet a dollar to a doughnut this washer is the same size as the washers used in my Southard. It would be great if someone with a Domino could validate this for the team.

The replacement stainless steel washers can be found at Superior Washer & Gasket Corp. ( www.superiorwasher.com ), part number 300-1044-010. Their dimensions are, ID .219", OD .432", thickness .010". They cost $2.00 each. I have used them in a couple of my Southard knives and have flipped them 100's of times. It worked for me, I hope it works for you!
 
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Thanks Norgman, sorry I couldn't provide you my washers separate from the kit and at a steep discount. FYI, those specs will not work on all Southards, there are at least 4 tolerance variations through the years that we know of. I will say that these specs do not match my kit, although they will work in some Southards.

Also, to anyone ordering these, make sure that the supplier is able to provide them "full hard". Otherwise you will absolutely end up with grooves over time.
 
I have used these in several of my Southard knives from multiple years and they work fine, they are stainless...
 
Right, however there are many types of stainless. And then within the different types there are many hardnesses. I'm pointing out that it's not as simple as you think, especially on a non-returnable $20 item. Again I'm all for what you're doing, but I think folks should be aware that your ID and OD do not match mine, and that they can't just order any old stainless washer and get long-term use out of it.

You requested that discount from me 5 days ago. How many times have you flipped these knives individually with the washers you just ordered? Can you post some pics of the washer inside the bearing pocket, with the pivot installed?
 
I am done debating my findings with Therealplatonicform the fact that I have found a solution that works very well for me and wanted to share it with other BF members that have experienced the same cupping issue. Bottom line is I have provided an alternate solution that works! Members are intelligent people and can decide for themselves what solution they want to purchase. This was a service announcement and trust me I have no monetary gain either way. BF is intended to share information with members and let them decide for themselves...Chow....
 
therealPlatonicForms said:
Right, however there are many types of stainless. And then within the different types there are many hardnesses. I'm pointing out that it's not as simple as you think, especially on a non-returnable $20 item. Again I'm all for what you're doing, but I think folks should be aware that your ID and OD do not match mine, and that they can't just order any old stainless washer and get long-term use out of it.

You requested that discount from me 5 days ago. How many times have you flipped these knives individually with the washers you just ordered? Can you post some pics of the washer inside the bearing pocket, with the pivot installed?
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I have no dog in this fight but why are you debating with Norgman Norgman ? Are you the provider/maker of the washers that he is recommending? Or do you make and provide washers that you think are better than what Norgman is suggesting?
 
sharp_edge said:
I have no dog in this fight but why are you debating with Norgman Norgman ? Are you the provider/maker of the washers that he is recommending? Or do you make and provide washers that you think are better than what Norgman is suggesting?
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I developed a washer (bearing race) which replaces the dished washers for Southards and Dominos, and created a kit including the race, bearing, and instructional video for $30. Norgman purchased my kit received it, then messaged me asking for a bulk order with a price that he gave. He wasn't happy with the amount of discount I offered on multiple he kits.

He used calipers to incorrectly measure the kit he bought from me, ordered some off the shelf washers 5 days ago, and is stating that they are the same thing. He posted in my knifemaker 'for sale' thread with a link to these off the $20 shelf washers, again claiming they work just as good.

I'm all for folks doing their own thing, I have actually helped a couple of guys in his situation, but I very much disagree with the impression he's giving people that these match the kit I've developed.
 
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I think it would be amazing if spyderco had a new gen replacement option for those having issues with their bearing pivots.

It's no secret the original bearing system isn't optimal. I'd love to send my domino and nirvana in for the new bearing system. I'd be more than ok with paying the standard service fee they typically charge for non warranty repairs.
 
PlatonicForm you will just not let it go! Not only do the custom built washers from Superior Washers I documented work, they actually work exactly the same as the ones I bought from PlatonicForm. They cost $2 each from Superior Washer. With both in hand they are both stainless and they are within .001” ID and OD, which makes absolutely no difference in performance. Like I said BF members are smart people, let’s let them decide...

I said in my post, I have no monetary gain in sharing this information, just trying to give BF members options and solutions at a fair price, but obviously the guy PlatonicForm that keeps challenging my post does...
 
Norgman, the problem is you keep repeating " they actually work exactly the same as the ones I bought from PlatonicForm" when that is absolutely false. You've had those washers in your hands for 2, maybe 3 days max. Based on the link you posted, they aren't hardened, they're just plain stainless washers, which absolutely has an impact on long-term performance.

I've actually been exactly where you are - as a matter of fact I've ordered those same washers from superior back when I first started trying to figure out a solution to this. Keep flipping those southards, in a few weeks they will wear a rough groove into the washer which will hang up deployment. Also your ID and OD are out by quite a bit more than .001", those measurements don't affect performance (much) but they certainly affect fitment. I personally don't want to see BF people ordering these and end up getting frustrated when they don't work.

Your continued claims about this having to do with monetary gain is pretty far out there. These washers you're linking are $20 and a risk. My kit is $30 and includes bearings, instructions, and a guarantee. I'm not posting here because I'm upset about competition, it's more that I don't want you to steer folks in the wrong direction. I have zero concern over losing orders over what you've linked here.

I frankly don't understand the point of your posts in all of these threads, including your post in my own self sponsored thread in the knifemakers forum. I do know you're upset that I wouldn't sell kits to you at your requested price, and I honestly support you coming up with your own solution, but the claims you're making here are absolutely false.
 
Norgman said:
PlatonicForm you will just not let it go! Not only do the custom built washers from Superior Washers I documented work, they actually work exactly the same as the ones I bought from PlatonicForm. They cost $2 each from Superior Washer. With both in hand they are both stainless and they are within .001” ID and OD, which makes absolutely no difference in performance. Like I said BF members are smart people, let’s let them decide...

I said in my post, I have no monetary gain in sharing this information, just trying to give BF members options and solutions at a fair price, but obviously the guy PlatonicForm that keeps challenging my post does...
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Can I lend you a shovel???
 
Yea man..we should all take that Norgman guy out back and beat him with a rubber hose for offering a low cost solution that actually works to resolve a common problem facing a large BladeForums population. Yea.... who’s with me.... let’s get-em boys!!!

Oooops....I am Norgman ..... this has been fun but I need to work on some other stuff.... until we meet again....
 
Norgman, I don't think anyone is saying to beat you. I think folks are put off by the way you went about doing all of this in saying that it's 100% a "silver bullet solution", identical to my kit, and bumping all of these old threads.

I wish you well and don't think anyone should be mad at you. Maybe next time approach it as "hey I'm trying this out, what does everyone think?"

Anyhow, I vote we just let these threads die unless new info about the washers come up. The bickering is exhausting for everyone involved.
 
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