Phosphorized Bronze vs. Sintered Bronze vs. Ball Bearings

[MyLegsAreOk]

I work in a machine shop so I'm used to machines that rotate and bearing surfaces. I was talking with some other guys about their folding/locking knives and they both think I'm right about phosphorized bronze bearings being ideal for a knife meant to be used day in and day out for years. However, they agree with me simply because they have no . . . uh, bearing on bearings.

Which bearing is ideal for the application I mentioned above? I know I didn't mention kevlar or some other type of super plastic, but I'm simply talking about these regularly available bearing types for folding knives.

 

[abbydaddy]

I feel like this question might be better suited to the general knife discussion subforum. I don't know of any traditional folding knives that use bearings. I know that I personally have a fondness for bronze liners (some folks dislike them for the verdigris), but optimal friction coefficients aren't something I think of as an issue for slipjoint knives.

 

[Peregrin]

Moving to General.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

I personally prefer Bronze washers because they give me better control on the adjustment of the pivot screw,
how easy the blade will move when open or close - I don't like free falling blade when released, nor very easy flying open blade.
It's because I hardly flip open my blades, no other reason. Also, washers spread the side pressure on larger contact surface,
which usually translates in better support and less side play when knife is used a lot.
Bearings make for some outstanding flipping action, but I find that they are too many moving parts with bearings, also hard to adjust,
otherwise, if there was a way to get a bearing folder to answer my requirements, I wouldn't care much about washers or bearings.
I would definitely prefer Phosphorized Bronze if I can pick, but whatever comes with the knife is usually OK.
One of the best done washers I think are the one Benchmade puts on Griptilians, never had any issues in terms of adjustments or cleaning, or sideplay.