teflon washers versus the IKBS system

jackman2

jackman2

Joined
Feb 3, 2010
Messages
590
What are your preferences? Thoughts? I ordered a custom non flipper (Lambert Orion)with the teflon washers instead of the IKBS. The IKBS system is essentially 24 tiny ball bearings in a machined out groove which allows the knife to open very easily and there is zero blade play. Works great on flippers, though they are not for me. Especially considering I live in NY. I don't need a knife that is super loose. The washers allow for the butter smooth opening.

Interested to see what people think of the IKBS though. Seems pretty cool. Any input would be appreciated.
 
Actually, I'd go with the IKBS especially in NY. The detent (bias towards staying closed) seems much less apparent in Teflon or PB washers.
 
Depends on the use. For a gentleman's folder, I think ikbs is great, but if I'm in a situation where the bearings might get gunked up, I'd prefer Teflon or pb. I know there are videos online showing how gunk-resistant the ikbs is, but it still makes me leery.
 
Kirby actually did a lot of test where he got grit in the bearings and took out bearings and it still worked great. I have a couple knives with ikbs and everytime I have the option to get them I jump at the chance. I love the ikbs system.
 
Should I really go with the bearing system? I like the simplicity of the washers. I know that not too many people offer the bearing system though. Is it stupid to pass on the option if it is offered? is it that much better? No extra cost.
 
The system I got (am getting actually) has shielded bearings to really minimize gunk build up. For the amount of money you're putting in a knife, you might as well get the IKBS. I'm sure it'll be fine unless you're throwing it into a creek and rolling around in the dirt with it.
 
If it is no extra cost than i would definitely go with the ikbs. In my (limited) experience, i have found them to be much smoother than teflon, and fairly easy to un-gunk, should you get anything major in there.
 
Hmm. I guess I should go with the IKBS. Quite an overwhelming response for the bearings. Doesn't seem like I really understood it that well. What's the deal with shielded bearings? Is this something typically offered by knife makers? I love my Sebenza because of the smoothness created by the washer, that is why I picked them, thinking it would be similar. What I had read led me to believe IKBS was more of a flipper knife thing. Not so though huh?

Not a problem changing my order, just don't want to flip flop a bunch of times. Getting an Orion. I plan to use it, but with obvious restraint, meaning its not getting thrown in a river or rolled in mud. Anyone handled this or any Kirby knife with the IKBS? Teflon? Thanks for the input.
 
I only know of two makers that have a shielded bearing pivot system, so that point is moot since Lambert is not one of them to my knowledge. Maybe he's got something in the makings, but I've not heard anything as of late. The IKBS that I have handled was super smooth. A shielded system just offers a bit more protection from whatever could possibly find it's way into the pivot. Then again, if that were to happen, I'd just take the knife apart if compressed air doesn't do the job. I think you'll be pleased with the IKBS system. It's definitely not just for flippers and balisongs.
 
Think I'm going to change my order to the IKBS. Looks pretty cool. Any other thoughts? Seems pretty overwhelmingly one sided.
 
harkamus said:
I only know of two makers that have a shielded bearing pivot system, so that point is moot since Lambert is not one of them to my knowledge. Maybe he's got something in the makings, but I've not heard anything as of late. The IKBS that I have handled was super smooth. A shielded system just offers a bit more protection from whatever could possibly find it's way into the pivot. Then again, if that were to happen, I'd just take the knife apart if compressed air doesn't do the job. I think you'll be pleased with the IKBS system. It's definitely not just for flippers and balisongs.
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just wondering does that also mean its harder to clean the pivot area from debris?
 
I only have one IKBS knife, Dustin Turpin Repentance, and it is a flipper because it has a full dagger blade and both sides are razor sharp. I don't usually carry it though. I don't carry it because it is too pretty to mess up! Also because Dustin will not be making these again for a while. But to answer the question, yes, I'd much rather have the IKBS system over the teflon washers. As mentioned, when closed it is very tight and will not open until you engage the flipper.:thumbup::)
 
I prefer IKBS over washers. I like IKBS so much that I have a dozen folders with the IKBS pivot. The detent has to be strong with these knives so I'm never worried about it opening by accident. The opening and closing smoothness is unreal all while having zero blade play. Any flipper can be opened slowly if need be, but I love how the blade rockets out of the handle when the flipper is hit. Only one of the IKBS knives I own is a non-flipper, but it is also the fastest and smoothest of the group (G&G Hawk RAZR). Living in NY I don't worry about being stopped or having my knife questioned. I don't live in the city so I'm fairly confident that if I'm not flicking the knife open and closed in public or waving it around for no reason then the police will have no reason to stop me or question me about the contents of my pocket. One advantage I like about IKBS over washers is that I can clean any gunk in or near the pivot with some hot rushing water, spray it with a bit of WD-40, blow it out with compressed air, and then add a drop of oil to the pivot without ever having to take the knife apart. When it comes to washers I find I usually have to take the knife apart to really get it clean. I must say that I would take sealed bearings or Thrust Bearing Washers over regular loose bearing IKBS pivots anyday. They offer the option to take the knife apart and put it back together if need be without having to worry about a bunch of tiny ball bearings spilling out all over the place.
 
+1 to what Tony8179 said about the sealed or thrust bearings as they're sometimes called.

BTW, those bearings are tiny. Think about a ball chain except around 1/5 the size of one of those balls.
 
If it's no extra cost, I'd go with a bearing system. Washers can be pretty smooth but you can't tighten the pivot all the way. With bearings, you can tighten real good and still be smooth.
 
Ball bearings make the world go around. My problem with them is I'm a tinkerer. I can see myself on hands and knees with a flashlight and magnet trying to locate the little suckers that are strewn all over the floor. I guess I can blame it on ocd. Other than that, they are probably the smoothest and longest lasting pivot that you could own.
 
raylaconico said:
If it's no extra cost, I'd go with a bearing system. Washers can be pretty smooth but you can't tighten the pivot all the way. With bearings, you can tighten real good and still be smooth.
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It's only time til Ray offers some bearing system on his folders!
 
sykes3170 said:
Ball bearings make the world go around. My problem with them is I'm a tinkerer. I can see myself on hands and knees with a flashlight and magnet trying to locate the little suckers that are strewn all over the floor. I guess I can blame it on ocd. Other than that, they are probably the smoothest and longest lasting pivot that you could own.
Click to expand...

I call those things "Jesus parts" ... as in "Jesus! Where'd that part go?"
 
I only own one IKBS knife, and it is a CRKT Eros flipper, but I am loving the pivot. It is pretty easy to clean with some compressed air/wd40, and is incredibly smooth. It opens as fast as my leek (though it does not have the satisfying thwack/click, its quietness is a positive in many situations too), without a spring. Also, the detent is very strong, I cannot wrist flick this knife open at all. Also, the exposed part of the blade is very small, and does not give purchase to attempt flicking it open while holding the blade, as I have heard some NYC cops do to try to call knives "gravity knives". From here on, I will always take an IKBS option over any other type of pivot that I have owned. It really does seem to be a solid technological evolutionary step.
 
sykes3170 said:
Ball bearings make the world go around. My problem with them is I'm a tinkerer. I can see myself on hands and knees with a flashlight and magnet trying to locate the little suckers that are strewn all over the floor. I guess I can blame it on ocd. Other than that, they are probably the smoothest and longest lasting pivot that you could own.
Click to expand...

I have heard that the ball bearings are very secure in their grease, and that they don't go flying out when you take the knife apart, unless you pry them out with something. I have not taken my Eros apart to confirm this however.
 
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