Why the Hype for MRBS?

Leo Greer

Leo Greer

Joined
Dec 30, 2021
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877
The questions is in the title—why the hype?

I own some knives with single row bearings, and some with MRBS, and there are plenty of examples of both with incredibly smooth and good action (the Vero Synapse XL only has like six bearings on each side…). What do they add? Why are they a selling point?
 
I've been wondering the same, I have one example of each and the SRBS absolutely flips better, but that knife has a larger blade and I assume that's more about the blade size and inertia. And what about their even crazier priced roller bearings or whatever they call them, any experiences with those?
 
Docscoot said:
I've been wondering the same, I have one example of each and the SRBS absolutely flips better, but that knife has a larger blade and I assume that's more about the blade size and inertia. And what about their even crazier priced roller bearings or whatever they call them, any experiences with those?
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Never had any experience with those… I’ve done various washers, regular caged bearings, bronze caged bearings, and a few slightly different kinds of multi-row and that’s about it.

I’m of the personal opinion that detent pressure and lockbar tuning is a bigger deal than what exactly the knife runs on. And it heavily depends on the knife itself.

To really tell you would need to order all different kinds of bearings and switch them out through the same knife…
 
I guess that is why great knife designers take into account all the pieces of the whole in their creations.
Therefore if it's on a great knife the function was well thoughtout.
 
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Speaking of support: does anybody know of a knife with larger washers than the CRK Inkosi?
 
Bob Denman said:
More bearings equals better support for the blade during any lateral stress situations...
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I've heard that too... but if you are not using your 3.5 inch EDC knife as prybar...

I blame fancy high-end Russian makers... everyone gots to have it if the $1500 boogshie Russian knife has it... YMMV.
 
In theory: less surface area will allow for less friction... and a smoother action.
 
Bearings are not necessary, but they work especially well in flippers, because of reduced friction.

Washers have an advantage in that they provide a more stable platform, especially when dealing with side loads. SRBS have less stability, so they need a bit more torque, which, along with their small contact area, increases wear. Large, heavy-use knives like the Benchmade Rukus work well with washers. CRK use larger washers, because of that added stability.

MRBS are nice because they add stability and a smoother opening, compared to SRBS. The greater stability allows the pivot to function with less bearing torque, making the opening ever more snappy. And the added contact area and reduced torque reduces wear.

The differences can be quite small, but in today's market, it's about constant improvements, no matter how small.

In my Rukus, I like to leave the pivot just slightly loose. The side-to-side play is minimal, but the knife action is extremely snappy, making the knife a joy to use.
 
Bob Denman said:
More bearings equals better support for the blade during any lateral stress situations...
Click to expand...
I would think the point of bearings is to reduce friction. Lateral stresses are better absorbed (distributed) over broad surfaces such as CRK’s Inkosi.
 
Would bearings tend to accumulate more "crud" thus requiring more cleaning than washers...especially with outdoor use...thus lowering their practicality?
I guess this leads back to intended function of knife.🤔
 
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