Oversized pivots: Pros and Cons?

jstn

jstn

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I really like the looks of oversized pivots on my folders, and I was wondering exactly what they add to the knife. It seems they must add strength in some way, and I am also curious as to why they aren't used more often. Are there any cons to oversized pivots?

I have an XM-18, SnG, and I know the Umnamzaan uses a larger pivot. What other non-custom knives use one?
 
I'm guessing it would potentially add more friction to the movement. Maybe someday we'll have big knives with bearings on the pivot as well as the sides.
 
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I don't see fat pivots affecting friction very much either way. A folding knife is only as strong as its weakest component, and that weak link is almost never the pivot. I also see very little downside to a larger pivot, within reason. Make it too huge and other parts will have to get bigger just to accommodate the pivot.
 
For me, I don't really see the point of the oversized pivot except for looks. I have never broken a pivot, neither has anyone that I know.
 
on a lot of folders, there are only one or two other sets of tiny screws besides the pivot holding everything together. imo, more robust is better.
 
A larger pivot means a greater diameter that the blade is rotating around. The larger the diameter, the greater the stability and less wiggle. That's a win-win every time.
Sonnydaze
 
The only downside I could imagine would be if the tang size were not large enough, so that the larger diameter of the pivot hole left thin walls at the edge of the hole in the tang.

Although, I would think that there would have to be an ENORMOUS pivot for that to be the case.
 
I actually want to think that an oversize pivot reduces the load stress per square inches on the blade and liners/frame thus making a stronger folder. I don't think the friction would be an issue at all. But I am uneducated and could be totally wrong.
 
zachtateknives said:
I actually want to think that an oversize pivot reduces the load stress per square inches on the blade and liners/frame thus making a stronger folder. I don't think the friction would be an issue at all. But I am uneducated and could be totally wrong.
Click to expand...

That sums it up the larger the pivot the more the force is spread across the handle. Poke your self with a Knife tip Ohhh that was smart and poke your self with a 2x4 you will feel little to nothing because the force is spread out more. And they look cool!
 
Wouldn't larger, thicker blades need a larger diameter pivot pin or bolt ? It seems like the longer, thicker blades would benefit from the bigger pivot.
 
Larger pivots are awesome! Especially the ZT030X series pivot because you can adjust it with a 3/8" dremel wrench!

IMAG0426.jpg

IMAG0430.jpg


I've torn down the 0300 to fix a rattley torsion bar and again to heat and bend the lockbar for additional tension and both times I chuckled at how stout the pivot is. :thumbup::thumbup:

The Strider SMF pivot is really gnarly too!

C360_2012-07-12-22-44-35.jpg


It's even easier to adjust with a hex/allen key or flatblade screwdriver. :thumbup:
 
Sonnydaze said:
A larger pivot means a greater diameter that the blade is rotating around. The larger the diameter, the greater the stability and less wiggle. That's a win-win every time.
Sonnydaze
Click to expand...

Thanks Sonnydaze, that was just the type of answer I was looking for. I wish more knives had the larger pivot, especially more of the ZT's since they are hard use folders.
 
This is the correct answer. It distributes the load over a larger area.
zachtateknives said:
I actually want to think that an oversize pivot reduces the load stress per square inches on the blade and liners/frame thus making a stronger folder. I don't think the friction would be an issue at all. But I am uneducated and could be totally wrong.
Click to expand...
 
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