Reassembling a knife - order of washer operations?

[David Mary]

Hobby time question: In knives that use both nylon/teflon and phosphor/bronze washers, I've always wondered if it matters which one is against the tang and which against the liner, and if so why.

 

[jpm2]

I've never had a knife that used both, wonder what the purpose is?

 

[David Mary]

Spyderco does it in the Resilience, Cold Steel does it in the Voyager. Maybe other knives as well. When I first saw it I wondered if it was a way to further reduce friction. Both are pretty slippery materials, as is steel, so I kind of doubt it matters which goes in first, but I have noticed that all units of a certain model are assembled the same way. I seem to have the impression that the synthetic washer is always against the liner and the metal one always against the blade tang. "There must be a reason", or maybe there isn't...

 

[soc_monki]

The resilience has both? I'll have to disassemble mine and see. Both my Tenacious and persistence have 2 pb washers (with holes) on each side. Would be interesting if the resilience had 2 different materials.

I would say pb on blade side, nylon on liner side though.

 

[REK Knives]

it doesn't actually really matter which goes against which... either washer will slide against whichever surface has the lowest resistance/coefficient of friction.

 

[jpm2]

Are both type washers the same size?

 

[Mo2]

Put the washer on the scale and put a tiny drop of lube on the top. Spread it along the washer. Avoid it getting under it. Then apply the blade. This will help avoid getting lube all over and attracting dust etc, it will also help keep the washer spinning more than it should.

 

[David Mary]

Are both type washers the same size?

Diameter, yes, thickness, no. The nylon washers in the Resilience are definitely thicker than the thin bronze washers they are paired with, but the teflon washers in the Voyager are thinner than their bronze counterparts - or at least their flimsiness makes them seem so.