Which maker uses bushings?

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ph.ht1

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Jan 6, 2006
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Which custom makers use bushings on their slipjoints besides Bose? Do bushings make the knife smoother and more durable?
 
ph.ht1 said:
Which custom makers use bushings on their slipjoints besides Bose? Do bushings make the knife smoother and more durable?
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Yeah,Good question ,(probably already asked),but,let's get this pivot bushing thing squared away correctly.
We need Tony & Kerry,and a few others with some "higher slip knowledge" on this.
I know Todd Davison started using a pivot bushing,and I think,Ray Cover does.
Good day for this thread.
-Vince
 
They make the blade tension more consistent from piece to piece. I'm not sure what you mean by smoother. Some people seem to use the term to mean looser, some to mean frictionless. Depending how the model is designed, a bushing will not necessarily make it more of either.
 
I do want to add one thing here though.I have heard,that a pivot bushing makes so there will be little or no side to side bladeplay,after long repeated use and or wear.
Now,I have had many a custom slipjoint makers knives(that did not use this bushing construction),that after just a small amount of use,some side to side bladeplay developed quite easily.
I have had other custom slipjoint makers knives that were delivered straight from them,with the slightest amount of a bit of side to side bladeplay detectable.
I have had others,that had no bushing,that were older,with a little bit of side to side bladeplay,that,when you put a drop of oil on it,it went away for about 2 weeks or so,or until the oil went away,and then it came back

But with all that said,if you are going to use and carry the knife,or,just put it away (safe queen),what difference would a pivot bushing make.After all,you can have a real old slipjoint,that the blade is real loose,and it'll still work hard for you (to some extent)

The pivot bushing,IMO,is a great thing,but I do not look at other custom slips that do not have it,as inferior
And I gotta say,I don't like side to side bladeplay,but am learning to tolerate it(to some extent),and view it as almost as if it is "character" , in custom slipjoints.
All right then,the coffee was stronger this morning,I apologize :)
-Vince
 
ph.ht1, thanks for posting this question. It's a subject that has been on the back of my mind.

I'm kind of obsessive about blade play (I don't like it!) and I'm curious how much the pivot bushing minimizes it. I know blade play is inevitable if you use your knives, but what slip joint construction methods keep it at bay the longest?

Gary
 
I think Kerry once said that Tony uses bushings and Reese does not. Could be mistaken though.
 
I know that Ray Cover and Jeff Cover and use pivot bushings in their slipjoints.
 
Bushings are a better pivot. There is more bearing surface and it is a dissimliar material so there is very little wear. I put bushings in that are .001 thousands thicker than the blade. When you peen the pivot pin down the liners go to the bushing and stop leaving the blade free to rotate. You can really bang the pin down without locking the blade up or making it lazy, This really meshes the pin so it hides and stays that way in a stainless bolster. It doesn't take as much spring tension to make a blade work properly if the blade is free, but if you have to over ride a pinch you need a stronger spring. It can be done without a bushing but I feel like it's a better pivot is why I use them.

As far as side play goes, remember that the blade needs room to work and you can get side play in either construction. I would rather a blade have a little side play and work properly than have none and be lazy. Remember folks we don't put a cape and a mask on when we go into the shop. How many of you people have to do absolutely perfect work 100% of the time or you don't get paid? Hmmmmm?
 
Tony, excellent explanation and I love this part:

Remember folks we don't put a cape and a mask on when we go into the shop. How many of you people have to do absolutely perfect work 100% of the time or you don't get paid? Hmmmmm?
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Thanks for the explanation Tony. As to the cape and mask ....... You don't have super powers? Shucks. :D
 
I once worked for a Woman Painting Contractor.
When picky customers would nit-pick,not so perfect work,she'd flat out say to them,"You want perfection,take it up with God".
I'll never forget her,she had to go though.
-Vince
 
Blues said:
Well said, Tony.
Click to expand...

What do you expect coming from a super hero, ugh I mean world famous master knife maker. :D :thumbup:

Tony is dead on, it's just how the knife is made. BETTER.

I do use bushings now, and will continue too use them.

Todd
 
I have a TAD with the bushings and it is smooth as silk. I just used it to whittle a 1/2 inch piece of wood and there is no blade play. I cut deep and hard for an hour and no play.

I will probably never buy a custom slippie without a bushing. Just seems to protect the blade and make for a more usable knife.

Best,
Brett
 
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