tungten carbide balls?

[magnum .44]

i was flipping through mcmaster carr, when i saw tungsten carbide balls. and i thought, i bet the folder makers would like them. can you folder makers use tungsten carbide balls? or will they break? has anyone ever tried them. if any one is interested they have 1/16" balls in packages of 5 for $7.58. and 3/32" in packages of 5 for $8.42.
the dia. deviation is +/- .0001"
rockwell A 92
they also sell chrome steel balls, and 440c balls.
mc master carr sells 1/16" dia. chrome steel balls, in a package of 100 for $4.75. sheffield sells them in packages of 50 for $4.50. so mcmaster carr could save you some money.
hopefully you folder makers can use this info.

 

[tom mayo]

very interesting info...thanks....as someone who sharpens carbide for a living, i can tell you for certain that it is about as brittle as glass, and would certainly crack or chip in a liner lock....you can take a 1/4" carbide drill and put it in a vise and break it with little effort, the carbide saw tips chip off with just a bump on anything hard./in fact i would say its more fragile than glass.

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http://www.mayoknives.com

 

[magnum .44]

well, i thought they might be to brittle. but, you can certainly still use the info on the chrome steel and 440c correct? mcmaster carr has much better prices than sheffields. if you tell me what type of springs you use, i bet i could find them, at a better price than the knifemaker supply houses.