What's your favorite bearing/bushing/washer system?

[Charlie Mike]

I have owned one IKBS and I admit it was very smooth. However most of my knives don't get opened using a flipper . My Reese Emersons are Sebenza smooth and use the original nylatron washers. I prefer PB though, just spending a little time to hi-polish all the surfaces involved will more than suffice.

 

[Reeek]

I admire a lot of the high tech systems some makers use out there for sure but for cost, simplicity, performance, and ease of cleaning and care, I'm good with plain PB washers around a good pivot design.

That's my final answer

 

[JD Mandrell]

Never gave it a lot of thought, but looking at them, most all of my favorite folders appear to be PB.

 

[cutter17]

I chose "other" as I love the CRK Sebenza pivot/bearing system. I also like the RJ Martin roller bearing system.


Hey Charlie mike, they lookin' for you on the post "Help me find the perfect knife" Something about a wave on the Umnumzaan! Told them to look for you.

 

[CL01]

I put "other" because of CRK's pivot/bearing bushing. IMHO, it's ahead of everything else. I do like the IKBS pivot alot, as it's SO smooth, but as the OP stated, most of my knives aren't flippers, so there's no real advantage there.

 

[UpChUcK]

I want my folders to have phosphor bronze washers when possible and sometimes I will replace the nylon ones with phosphor bronze. I have the CRKT Ken Onion Ripple w/ IKBS and love the smoothness of the system but I need more time with it to see how it wears and performs over time.

 

[JNewell]

...yes, though there are PB washers in the CRK Sebenza...where possible (needs large washers), I'd love to see more use of the vented washers used by CRK in the Umnumzaan.

 

[440hard]

I put "other" because of CRK's pivot/bearing bushing. IMHO, it's ahead of everything else. I do like the IKBS pivot alot, as it's SO smooth, but as the OP stated, most of my knives aren't flippers, so there's no real advantage there.

+1 I agree with this.

 

[SPXTrader]

I don't have the IKBS, but the PB from most manufacturers work just fine for me. I have a few customs that have nylatron, and they are extremely smooth, probably more so than the PB knives.

 

[wally@ferguson]

PB washers with a super precision pivot system such as CRK.

I don't polish the washers but cross hatch with 400 paper to get a surface with micro grooves for lube similar to cross hatched cylinder bores for oil retention. Vented is good as you have little pucks of lube which should equate to longer lube intervals.

My Spyderco Caly3 is washerless and is as smooth and "zero" play as my Sebenza.

I don't like nylon or teflon or any plastic washer.... traps grit under heavy dirty use.

 

[Tony8179]

I put in a vote for IKBS. I own a few IKBS flippers and I love them. Smoothest opening knives I own. I am also a very big fan of RJ Martin's Thruster Bearing system. I like that makers are using new bearing systems like these. It makes me wonder what the future holds for innovative bearing systems.

 

[Tony8179]

RJ's Thruster Bearing system should definitely be added to that list. Amazing action.

 

[longbow]

I like PB washers. I just rec a 5.11 First Responder and it has thick PB washers and it is very very smooth. Nylatron may be next for me in line as for smoothness. keepem sharp

 

[marthinus]

Nylatron

For me because it is extremely smooth. Easy to maintain.

Not as sufisticated as the CRK system (think it is the utter best) but due to it easier availability (and I do not think that expensive) I prefer Nylatron or similar.