XM-18 nylon washer why?

brandoak

brandoak

Joined
Aug 1, 2015
Messages
1,351
For you Hinderer buffs out there, are their any reason not to change out the nylon washers of an xm-18 for bronze ones? I heard somewhere... something about a corrosion problem with the blade? Is this true? :confused:
Thanks!
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It manages to be pretty damn smooth, also the way the thumbstubs interface with the handle is why side to side isn't an issue.
 
brandoak said:
Well lets just say I had one with torn washers...it just kinda begs the idea right?
Click to expand...

I think you just have bad luck with knives. :D

Just buy some phosphor bronze washers and put them in yourself if you want. :)
I did that on a custom knife that had Teflon washers...it's easy.
 
Probably no real NEED to change to PB these days. If you think you'd like the LOOK that much better, or it just makes you more confident in the knife for some reason, go ahead. I don't think you're going to notice much difference in smoothness though.
 
brandoak said:
Yeah.....just push the dagger in further k....:D
Click to expand...

Heh heh. :D

If you live in the States you have a lot in choice in knife parts sellers with reasonable shipping rates. :thumbup:
For us here in Canada, many USA part sellers have stupid-high shipping prices.

You should be able to find washers of a suitable size, or that wont take too much work to make them fit.
 
brandoak said:
Well lets just say I had one with torn washers...it just kinda begs the idea right?
Click to expand...

I've had 5 of them, currently have 3 and 2 of them are users. Haven't torn a washer yet. Did you send it in to get repaired? Different designers and makers use the materials they feel will work the best in their designs.
 
Im about to dress one up with some new Monkeys edge parts and pieces I just got in the mail, figured Id change the washers out to while I was in there. Ive only seen nylons on knives like Sog and Gerber..
 
brandoak said:
Im about to dress one up with some new Monkeys edge parts and pieces I just got in the mail, figured Id change the washers out to while I was in there. Ive only seen nylons on knives like Sog and Gerber..
Click to expand...

Just a quick FYI....you can easily locate two excellent treatises online regarding Nylatron/Teflon washers--myth and fact. One by Ernest Emerson, one by Bob Terzuola. Enlightening reads.

They're pretty familiar with quality folder production.
 
brandoak said:
For you Hinderer buffs out there, are their any reason not to change out the nylon washers of an xm-18 for bronze ones? I heard somewhere... something about a corrosion problem with the blade? Is this true? :confused:
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've switched out the Teflon washers for phosphor bronze on both my XM-18s (one flipper, one non-flipper). I much prefer the action of the phosphor bronze washers. With PB, the action feels faster and more fluid to me.

The Teflon washers always felt a little more 'hydraulic' — smooth and very controlled, but, compared to PB, slightly slower.

The dimensions are 1/2" outer diameter, 1/4" inner diameter and .015" thick. They should be less than 50 cents a pair, so if you're interested, it's cheap enough to see which you prefer for yourself.

I should note that some of the smoothest knives I own run nylon or Teflon washers. But on my two 3" XM-18, I much prefer phosphor bronze.
 
Last edited:
i recently put PB in one of the new all TI eklipses and sitting side by side of a reg eklipse with nylon you can't really tell a huge difference but i think it closes smoother
 
My only recommendation is to make sure they are quality precision washers so that centering and binding arent an issue. As for the other concern sometimes two different metal compositions sitting next to each other can cause a reaction but I personally haven't seen it happen and if you use a lubricant it shouldnt be an issue. From what I understand rick uses teflon because he finds its the slickest and did side by sides with phospher bronze and preferred the teflons performance. Im still weird and prefer as much metal in my knives as possible.
 
Thanks Gents! Ill just have to try both and see for myself as well! Now excuse me.....for I just broke the tip off of my Shirogorov 110.......

jk
 
Many well known makers(Mayo, Fellhoelter, Hinderer and even Mick Strider on a few knives(Performance Series)-come quickly to mind) use Nylatron/Teflon washers. I have a couple makers knives with Nylatron/Teflon washers never had a problem. I bought some Hinderer replacement washers some time back and so far they just sit in my tool & repair kit. It certainly is possible to tear a with Nylatron/Teflon washer but it is also possible to pinch a PB washer.
 
Last edited:
I don't have any issues with nylon washers, but I decided to try out some pb washers to see if I could tell a difference. Using the info Blade and Flame provided, I ordered a few sets. I have two 3" XM-18s, so I swapped out the washers on one of the knives.


xm18_pbwashers.jpg



So far I can't really tell any difference with smoothness, but it may take a little while for the new washers to settle in. I did notice that the pb washers have a smaller window of adjustment between too tight and too loose, which makes sense. Blade centering with the pb washers is dead on, while both blades slightly favored the G-10 side with the nylon washers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top