Why are some ceramic bearings smoother feeling than others?

[SwissHeritageCo]

I've had some that feel smooth and others that feel gritty. We're talking clean and lubed. Is it just pivot tension (I dont care about it being drop shutty) or are some superior to others?

Also, any fixes?

 

[The True North]

I've had some that feel smooth and others that feel gritty. We're talking clean and lubed. Is it just pivot tension (I dont care about it being drop shutty) or are some superior to others?

Also, any fixes?

In my experience the difference can sometimes be a matter of ceramic-on-ceramic bearings vs. ceramic-on-steel.

I find ceramic-on-ceramic to sometimes feel grittier. I don't have experience with them as it pertains to knife pivots but the concepts are probably the same.


As for fixes, I've had good luck with graphite dry-lube on ceramic-on-ceramic and ceramic-steel-hybrid bearings. Usually larger ones though, so who knows. What sort of grease/oil are you using?

 

[jbmonkey]

different ceramic bearings in same knife or different knives? bearing wise some with races others without?

 

[knarfeng]

I've had some that feel smooth and others that feel gritty. We're talking clean and lubed. Is it just pivot tension (I dont care about it being drop shutty) or are some superior to others?

Also, any fixes?

On the same knife? Or different knives?

If on different knives, you may be looking at a difference in how polished the blade surface that mates with the bearings is.

 

[ferider]

Also check the tracks. Sometimes the bearings print into Ti or steel when the pivot is overtightened.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Different knives, I'll break it down again for a closer look tomorrow and report back but I think knarfeng might be onto something with the blade finish (it's a matte satin finish).

The True North I typically use mineral oil because I'm not fussed.

ferider I will absolutely double check the tracks!

 

[The True North]

Different knives, I'll break it down again for a closer look tomorrow and report back but I think knarfeng might be onto something with the blade finish (it's a matte satin finish).

The True North I typically use mineral oil because I'm not fussed.

ferider I will absolutely double check the tracks!

Maybe try a nice thin grease.

 

[Jsega51]

Maybe try a nice thin grease.

I use the grease that Chris Reeve folders come with on my knives with bearings and I think it works really well.

 

[Gottagofishn]

I use the grease that Chris Reeve folders come with on my knives with bearings and I think it works really well.

What type of grease would that be?