Knives with ceramic detent balls

C

cutter17

Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
6,873
I know that Chris Reeve uses them, and I think Kizer is using them. I am asking this because the new Boker Arctos XL I just received has a ceramic detent ball. Now I have to beleive that if Chris Reeve uses them there must be advantages that caused him to switch to ceramic over steel. I'm guessing the hardness ceramic can obtain is the main reason. But do the ceramic ballshave other advantages, and do they have disadvantages? Also, are there different grades of ceramic used to make these?

Really just curious about these due to the Boker I just bought having one.
 
Ballshave, lol.

Ceramic balls won't experience any sort of galling/deformation/won't develop and flats and of corse will never rust/corrode but it comes at the cost of delicacy, not saying they are delicate per-se but it is possible they could crack, even shatter from a hard enough impact. Obviously CRK and others feel the benefits outweigh the risk.
 
The only knife I have with a ceramic detent is the CRK Umnumzaan, never noticed much of a difference between it and a metal detent. The detent ball acts as the lock interface on the zaan though.
 
There are benefits and disadvantages.

Advantages

1. Wont deform, Very resistent to wear
2. Ceramic is very slick and will require less lubrication. Ceramic detents glide extremely well. As such you can use greater lockbar pressure without creating as much friction.

Disadvantages
1. Wont deform. I know I know its also a plus. But some makers intentionally put a flat spot on their detents. It is popular in flippers as is creates a little sharp shoulder that helps increase detent strength without increasing lockbar pressure. It also helps reduce noticeable wear. Unfortunately I find that a flat spot on the detent creates more friction.

2. Harder to install. Ceramic is harder and brittle. Considering detents are press fit into a hole slightly smaller than its diameter you risk crushing or cracking a ceramic detent ball if you have poor tolerances. Or if the hole is too big the detent could rip out of the lockbar.

3. Ceramic is extremely hard. As such with lower hardness alloys the ceramic could wear on the blade tang. Normally its the detent ball that wears out. Still though, most ceramic detents will be installed on higher end knives with premium steel blades. And if properly lubricated wear should be minimal. Especially since the ceramic ball will retain its shape and will not develop a flat spot digging into the blade.
 
Have you had your new Arctos XL to form an opinion yet? I'm curious since I've been mulling over the smaller 3" version of this for awhile and would like to try N690BO blade steel. Really like the design but have had hit or miss QA issues w/Boker in the past.
 
I can only give first impressions since I've only had it since Wednesday. I do have a thread where I give a lot more info. It, the thread, is in this forum and should be easy to find. I had the same worries about the QC as I had an issue or two with some Boker (German made knives) knives. But the Arctos XL is as near perfect as it can be, no issues at all!

So it appears that ceramic detent balls have not "caught on" yet. And I am guessing when I say that Boker has not been using these for a long time, I would be correct.

It may be that some companies will use these on selected knives to determine if ceramic is feasible in this use. But I can't help but think that if CRK is using these, then other companies would be more prone to at least experiment with them. Do the newer Sebenza's have ceramic detent ball's?
 
John Grimsmo's Norseman flipper uses ceramic detent balls. His flippers are obscenely smooth.

From my experience ceramic detent balls are much smoother than steel balls which have developed flat spots. I replace the detent in my Kershaw Junkyard Dog with a ceramic ball bearing. It pressed right in with ease and was thereafter much smoother. I wish more manufacturers would use them.
 
Bugout Bill said:
The only knife I have with a ceramic detent is the CRK Umnumzaan, never noticed much of a difference between it and a metal detent. The detent ball acts as the lock interface on the zaan though.
Click to expand...

Is this one of the reasons CRK frowns upon flicking his knives open?
 
Everybody who has had a detent ball of ANY material fail, please raise your hand.

:jerkit:

(This post is predicated on an assumption that no manufacturer uses cork for a detent ball) ;)
 
Didn't see it mentioned yet, but small ceramic bearings are manufactured with higher sphericity tolerances than comparable steel bearings. Basically just ensures a smoother surface and a single contact point.
 
Lavan said:
Everybody who has had a detent ball of ANY material fail, please raise your hand.

:jerkit:

(This post is predicated on an assumption that no manufacturer uses cork for a detent ball) ;)
Click to expand...

I think Shirogorov had some problems with the detent balls failing a few years ago.
 
Lavan said:
Everybody who has had a detent ball of ANY material fail, please raise your hand.

:jerkit:

(This post is predicated on an assumption that no manufacturer uses cork for a detent ball) ;)
Click to expand...

*raises hand*

My Kershaw TI JYD detent ball wore down to almost nothing. It began to grind and the detent was no longer stiff enough to facilitate a good flip. I knocked that bish out and pressed in a ceramic ball.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Ballshave, lol.

Ceramic balls won't experience any sort of galling/deformation/won't develop and flats and of corse will never rust/corrode but it comes at the cost of delicacy, not saying they are delicate per-se but it is possible they could crack, even shatter from a hard enough impact. Obviously CRK and others feel the benefits outweigh the risk.
Click to expand...

I can't believe I just now spotted ballshave!:o:D Think I will just let it be.
 
The Sebenza 25 has an even larger ceramic locking face/detent than the 'Zaan has. Not press fit, but placed then the Ti material around it is pressed to create two locking tabs.

Works like a charm.
 
660x440xSpyderco61-660x440.jpg.pagespeed.ic.D5AtvnSaWO.jpg


and many.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top