Lubcricating pivot washers?

K

KennyB

Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
2,312
I took my Benchmade Kulgera ( I'm not worried about the warranty ) apart yesterday to lubricate and clean all the parts more thoroughly. When I got to the washers, I realized that I'm not really sure how they should be lubricated. Should both sides of the washers be lubed, or just the sides that make contact with the blade, or just the sides that make contact with the liners?
 
Rub the washers on some 2k sandpaper a few times if they are dirty/tarnished. Apply lube in small amounts to the side contacting the blade.

like this.

Picture572-1.jpg
 
knifenut1013 said:
Rub the washers on some 2k sandpaper a few times if they are dirty/tarnished. Apply lube in small amounts to the side contacting the blade.

like this.

Picture572-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Great, this is how I figured it should be. Also great idea about the sandpaper, they were looking a little rough. Thanks!
 
Wow! That's about 2½ times as much lube as I use! But I probably put it on a lot more often. I guess I lube at least twice a year, and these days I use grease. I like my blade to 'fall out' when I pull back on the axis lock.

Stitchawl
 
stitchawl said:
Wow! That's about 2½ times as much lube as I use! But I probably put it on a lot more often. I guess I lube at least twice a year, and these days I use grease. I like my blade to 'fall out' when I pull back on the axis lock.

Stitchawl
Click to expand...

That's also from a 0300, BIG washers.
 
Do all of you guys lube only the side of the washer contacting the blade? I've always put a little bit on both sides of the washers...
 
If the knife is apart I'll just put a drop of oil on my fingers and rub the washers, that's more than enough oil for them. If it's after I ultrasonic or wash the knife with soapy water it's one drop or less via needle oiler on each side of the blade where it touches the washer, capillary action does the rest.
 
nevermind35 said:
Do all of you guys lube only the side of the washer contacting the blade? I've always put a little bit on both sides of the washers...
Click to expand...

I've wondered this, too. I've seen many references to only oil the blade side. Seems odd to me.
Maybe it's better to have only one thing move instead of three... I don't know.
Hope somebody clarifies.
 
I dunno... it sounds like we're way over thinking this. Any meaningful amount of oil will migrate all around the pivots and washers. And end up attracting contaminants and forming a slurry. Which is why I advocate abandoning oil for knife moving parts unless absolutely necessary. My experience says well made knives with nicely fitting and/or polished wearing surfaces do perfectly fine without oil, get dirty less especially in those moving part areas, and subsequently, need this kind of extensive cleaning less, if at all.
 
yoda4561 said:
If the knife is apart I'll just put a drop of oil on my fingers and rub the washers, that's more than enough oil for them. If it's after I ultrasonic or wash the knife with soapy water it's one drop or less via needle oiler on each side of the blade where it touches the washer, capillary action does the rest.
Click to expand...

I too put the oil/grease on my finger and rub it into the washer. When using grease, I use a toothpick to pick it up from the nozzle of the container to insure getting just the smallest amount, then rub that little bit between my thumb and forefinger, then rub the washer. Seems to work well for my needs.


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