tightening pivot causes dent?

[sharp_edge]

How likely can tightening the pivot screw result in dents/nicks on the ball bearing track on titanium scale? Of course I am talking about reasonable amount of force, not that purposelly to break the screw or sth like that. Today when I take apart a flipper, I notice one or two dents on the track. If it is not from factory I cannot think of another cause. So this is basically like creating a stamp of the bearing balls on titanium. My question is: how easily and how often can that happen?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

The dents are likely from the knife sitting on a shelf waiting to be sold. The small amount of tension between the scales, track, bearings, and tang put pressure on the idle bearings and wear "dents" into the track over time.

I wouldn't worry about them, the bearings will eventually wear a path into the track anyways. It would take quite a reasonable amount of torque to suddenly cause said dents.

 

[sharp_edge]

BB - thx for replying and indeed that sounds an interesting explanation. However, unless those balls are different in size, should they all create a dent if what you said is true? Plus, although titanium is soft, should it be THAT soft?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

BB - thx for replying and indeed that sounds an interesting explanation. However, unless those balls are different in size, should they all create a dent if what you said is true? Plus, although titanium is soft, should it be THAT soft?

If the surfaces are absolutely true, then yes, there should be more dents. However, I'd be willing to bet that the surface isn't absolute, and some bearings have more tension than others.

What knife is it? It's quite possible that the dents are on a steel track.

 

[sharp_edge]

I chose not to mention the brand because I did not want people to think I was bad mouthing the brand. Anyhow, it is a brand that you dislike. And what you just said makes sense too except that it is a ti lockside.

 

[tockay]

Bearings running on titanium does not sound right. If that is the case that is a poor design. The bearings should run on a case hardened steel insert in the titanium. Some framelocks using titanium have steel inserts to avoid the wear from steel on titanium.

 

[craytab]

Bearings running on titanium does not sound right. If that is the case that is a poor design. The bearings should run on a case hardened steel insert in the titanium. Some framelocks using titanium have steel inserts to avoid the wear from steel on titanium.

Respectable companies have been doing it for a while now.

 

[kniferbro]

I've posted pics in the last thread about this of a popular bearing knife that I had used extensively. It had deep grooves worn into the Ti from the bearings. It functioned flawlessly, better than when it was brand new IMO. I don't think its an issue at all.