who dislikes plastic washers to blade

H

hutch1510

Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
4
so i am ratherr new to actually buying blades, usually i am toteing guns be it my 45 acp 1911 or sig p-6. always had blades but they were always cheap folders usually that came free with some orders as a promotional gig. since i dont like the bulk of carrying 2 guns, i like to have a knife as a back-up of sorts.

anyway bought a rat "ontario" for about $28
that is just awesome build quality built like a tank, however is a bit grip heavy and would balance much better if they drilled out the steel panels on the inside. but other than that seems really nice.

also bought a "ontario" joe pardue utilitec like $26, is also really nice and i love the balance as well as locks up tight like rat. however the washers to blade pivot are the plastic type as the rat is metal. i have to admit it would be my favorite of the 2 if not for that little part. so is it a total non issue? or does it bug some to have plastic and not metal washers where the blade pivots? just seeking out opini:confusedons.
 
Plastic washers are usually called teflon washers, which are really slick and smooth. I actually like mine in a few of my folders. Brass washers, once broken in, feel just as nice but give a better peace of mind than "plastic".
 
there are nylon washers (white) which are called teflon by some people (though I believe that is incorrect) they usually have a very low friction coefficient and are very smooth, nylatron (grey) which are usually a bit tougher than nylon and are "self lubricating".. I don't like them very much to be honest. Then there are phosphor bronze washers that and much tougher and very slick. They're by far my favorite.
 
Heiheit said:
there are nylon washers (white) which are called teflon by some people (though I believe that is incorrect) they usually have a very low friction coefficient and are very smooth, nylatron (grey) which are usually a bit tougher than nylon and are "self lubricating".. I don't like them very much to be honest. Then there are phosphor bronze washers that and much tougher and very slick. They're by far my favorite.
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Yeah, I feel like I'm carrying a cheap folder when I've got my Hinderer XM-24 in my pocket. Those damn, cheap washers are driving me nuts. I feel like a real poser carrying it. :D
 
Heiheit said:
there are nylon washers (white) which are called teflon by some people (though I believe that is incorrect) they usually have a very low friction coefficient and are very smooth, nylatron (grey) which are usually a bit tougher than nylon and are "self lubricating".. I don't like them very much to be honest. Then there are phosphor bronze washers that and much tougher and very slick. They're by far my favorite.
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So just to clarify, what washers does emerson use? Nylatron? I think the ones on my Horseman are grey.
 
nylon washers are very good for friction folders, they allow a smooth, controlled friction. imho they are not so good on locking blades. from my experience bronze washers (once broken in) allow smoother action.
 
It's not so much that I don't like them as much as it is that I like the phospher bronze better. I find the teflon washers very smooth for opening, but I like a tighter than usual pivot, and teflon can deform and tear if you are not careful. Once the pb washers are broken in, they provide a very smooth opening surface.
 
Nylon has the advantage over Teflon that it is harder. Nylatron is nylon with solid lubricant built in. Phosphor bronze is, of course, harder than either plastic, and also has self-lubricating properties when mated with steel. Washers are easy to change if people want to experiment.

From Wikipedia: Nylatron is a tradename for a family of nylon plastics, typically filled with molybdenum disulfide lubricant powder. It is used to cast plastic parts for machines, because of its mechanical properties and wear-resistance.
 
phosphor bronze washers forever!;)

They last a lifetime, give excellent slickness & fit.

I personally hate plastic washers they ovalize soon or later & retain dirt :thumbdn:

Knifekits offer a good choice of phosphor bronze washers if you want to change the washers on your folder, i have done it on my Kimura1 and it is a lot better than before.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=637471

IMO properly breaked in & lubed phosphor bronze washers are unbeatable;) (I have not tried IKBS, but I like the simplicity of washers)
 
tks much for replies... i tjink i will stock up on the bronze washers, so as in future can learn to swap em out
 
oops i spoke too soon seems like a tie between nylatron washers and the PB bronze...hence more research...seems some good authorities here like the nylatron.... so back to research....actually....i finially decided i like PB metal... sorry for the multiple posts....
 
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