*update* Has anyone added bearings to their knives?

bpeezer

bpeezer

Joined
Jan 27, 2013
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I've found myself addicted to bearings in my knives, and I have considered the possibility of adding bearings to some of the washer knives I have right now. I believe adding encased thrust bearings would be easier than ball bearings, but I don't know for sure. Has anyone done this with any level of success?
 
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My only concern is milling the handles slightly to allow the bearings to recess properly. I guess its worth a shot though, thanks!
 
Right, and lock type, scale and liner material are things to consider.

Which knife are you looking to mod? I think some axis lock knives might be ideal. Locks that pressure the blade like liner and frame locks would see less benefit in my opinion. Lockbacks, forget it, again imo. It would obviously be easier to do a knife with washers that don't ride on steel liners.

I'm very interested in following your progress. I think it's silly for oem's to not use them more often.
 
I would like to try it on an axis, but my ideal subject for that test would be a 300SN since people say its flipping action is sub par. I figured I would do a first trial on a cheaper knife, perhaps a tenacious. The machining would be a little more difficult, but I won't feel as bad if I mess it up the first couple of times :D I probably won't be able to give it a good shot until mid May, but if I finish up other projects ahead of schedule I might not be able to resist. The detent on the liner will still be an issue, but I think it would be an educational experiment.
 
Have you played with the 300sn? My experience has been that they swing freely when the lock is pulled back. I doubt that bearings would improve the flipping action on the knife only because resistance in that area is not the issue. If a detent could be added that would play a much bigger role in fixing the "problem" than a bearing system. I haven't found the knife to be lacking in any way though. :)

Edit- I think the Spyderco would make a good candidate. ;)
 
I haven't had the pleasure of handling a 300SN, but now that I think about it my mini grip swings pretty freely too. I'll try to get some dimensions and a process plan set out for the Spyderco :)
 
Well, the good news is I finished my other projects a month ahead of schedule....so I'm starting to think about this already. I have the bearings picked out, and I know the dimensions of the slots I have to mill. I need a 25/64 diameter circle in both handle liners approximately .05" deep. I would like to avoid milling into the blade if at all possible.

So, I have a question. Should I just get a 25/64 end mill, or should I get the dedicated 25/64 counterbore offered by the company to match the bearings?
 
That's beyond my pay grade unfortunately. I'm with you in spirit though!

I hope someone can answer you, if not I have ventured over to the maker sub forums for unanswered questions in the past with success.

Definitely keep us (me!) posted. :)
 
If this works, I'd be willing to add bearings to anything within my realm of capabilities. Care to donate a pm2 to the cause? :rolleyes:

That's getting ahead of myself though...I need to get it to work first.
 
Could make a cool little side buisness if you can do the right knife.

Pm2 would probably be perfect. I'd like to see a Rift and Contego with bb too. Oh! Or how about a Southard... oh wait :D
 
Strigamort said:
Could make a cool little side buisness if you can do the right knife.

Pm2 would probably be perfect. I'd like to see a Rift and Contego with bb too. Oh! Or how about a Southard... oh wait :D
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I would have to buy a lot more tooling, but ideally I'd like to be able to put bearings in pretty much any knife. All I need is time and money...my girlfriend will be out of town for a month this summer, and that will probably give me a surplus of both :D
 
Hairlesstwinkie said:
got any links to the aftermarket ball bearings? I wouldn't mind thinking with some of my blades.
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I've been looking for simple sets at knifemaking . com, go there and type "bearings" into the search bar and it should show you a lot of what they offer.
 
bpeezer said:
I've been looking for simple sets at knifemaking . com, go there and type "bearings" into the search bar and it should show you a lot of what they offer.
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So which one would fit on the Southard flipper? I'm looking to see if there's a way to upgrade my Southard.
 
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