An unscientific poll about knife pivot bearing types.

[Aldebaran]

Your opinion is highly appreciated Cornsyrup.

 

[ginaz]

I have several problems with your post as well as your attitude.

I propose that you are unqualified to engage the issue and most certainly unqualified to pontificate on it.

I think you need to gain an awareness

what were we discussing?

It's not an SAE research paper or a legal brief, it's an internet discussion. people were sharing their anecdotes and all was fine until you came in here all fired up. you've been on this board for like a month. you have a dozen posts to your name. try to take it easy. everyone will enjoy the ride much more that way. good day syrup.

 

[CornSyrup]

what were we discussing?

It's not an SAE research paper or a legal brief, it's an internet discussion. people were sharing their anecdotes and all was fine until you came in here all fired up. you've been on this board for like a month. you have a dozen posts to your name. try to take it easy. everyone will enjoy the ride much more that way. good day syrup.

Thought we were here to discuss knives, not each other. Let's try to stay on topic.

I called his knowledge & his approach into question because it directly affected the topic at hand. Vague terms and imprecise thinking opens up the topic for equally vague or imprecise conclusions to be aired as if they were facts. Moreover it gives persuasive posters with an agenda a foothold to grind their various axes.

The initial post asks:

This is not intended to be an opinion thread like the other I started. The intent here is to gather empirical data for understanding. I am not anyone's boss nor would I want to be. I am just looking for real data without emotions attached.

If he had not said this there would be no reason to bring these concerns up. These words indicate that the OP suggests actual data or factual conclusions can be obtained from this internet discussion, which I believe they cannot.

Your comments about my post count and how long I've been on this board do not directly affect the topic at hand.

 

[brandoak]

what were we discussing?

It's not an SAE research paper or a legal brief, it's an internet discussion. people were sharing their anecdotes and all was fine until you came in here all fired up. you've been on this board for like a month. you have a dozen posts to your name. try to take it easy. everyone will enjoy the ride much more that way. good day syrup.

THIS!!! A++
.... and stop stirring the shit pot.

 

[CornSyrup]

THIS!!! A++
.... and stop stirring the shit pot.

We're here to discuss knives, not each other. Let's try to stay on topic or simply ignore the thread if it riles you so.

The OP meanwhile has stated

In another thread I have stirred up a fight and wish to get data.

I started this thread to start a conversation and yes I was intentionally being provocative.

I hope you also brought your concerns about stirring things up to the OP as his two threads about this topic are motivated (in his own words) by an attempt to stir up arguments.

Because post count appears to matter very much around here, I am sure that once I am at the OP's apparently acceptable post count of 44 that all these concerns about my post count will vanish as well.

 

[wtlj]

Yes: Pinched washer on Crk sebenza 21 numerous times from improper assembly. My sebenzas get gritty and tight from dust/dirt. I find myself dissembling, cleaning, lubing about once every 2 weeks.

No: Never had a BB pivot fail or bind. Having said that I also haven't had as many. All of my BB knives have caged bearings so cleaning is just as simple as washer knives.


I'm a commercial/industrial electrician. My knives are typically in a rather dirty environment.

To be fair I've never had either system completely fail from or during use.

 

[T.K.C.]

I have a custom knife that has a bearing system, that I used for my EDC for 4 years, with out fail. No issues on any level. Still functions flawlessly.

If you don't like a knife with a bearing system, that DON'T buy one!! How many threads do YOU need to start on the same bloody subject?!

 

[GotSteel]

Bearings with seals and shields won't keep dirt out and grease in but they do slow that process way down think of a wheel bearing for example.. they see a lot of it. Like others have said dirt can work it's way into any pivot but it probably won't make the mechanism inoperable, I'd recommend a fixed blade as a last ditch if you're going to be relying on the knife in a life or death situation or where failure isn't acceptable.

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

In my usage, every folder's pivot needs servicing/maintenance at one point or another...so for me it boils down to : "How easy is it to get at and service?"

Result of my experience is that Chris Reeve Knives' Sebenza 21 models are BY FAR the easiest to service. It's just a matter of one allen wrench removing the male pivot, using the wrench itself to poke out the female half, remove the entire blade / stepped pivot / washer assembly at one time, apply some grease, then slide the entire assembly back in, and reapply the pivot male/female. BTW, no need to "fine tune" or "dial in" your pivot tightness, just torque it down & go thanks to the stepped pivot it comes out perfect every time with no bladeplay.

The tolerances CRK works within make this possible...granted you pay for it. But the simplicity, elegance, and execution of the design is beautiful to me and worth every penny. I can't see a way that a folding knife pivot could work any better any simpler than as with the 21.

I've had a bad experience with a Spyderco Mantra, so I'll likely never buy another bearing pivot knife...just too many parts.

 

[Misanthropia]

Yes: Pinched washer on Crk sebenza 21 numerous times from improper assembly. My sebenzas get gritty and tight from dust/dirt. I find myself dissembling, cleaning, lubing about once every 2 weeks.

No: Never had a BB pivot fail or bind. Having said that I also haven't had as many. All of my BB knives have caged bearings so cleaning is just as simple as washer knives.


I'm a commercial/industrial electrician. My knives are typically in a rather dirty environment.

To be fair I've never had either system completely fail from or during use.

This sums up my experience as well, my Sebenza's are about the only knives (bearing or washers) where I feel I need to routinely clean the pivot out. This is probably attributable to the fact that they're also the only knives I use grease on, and very little to do with the washers themselves.

I also have never had a system fail on me, besides accidentally bending thin nylon washers on a Kershaw Injection.

 

[Steve.b]

Let it go, OP. You're turning in to a troll. This is the second topic you've started on this. Opinions were already given in your other post about ball bearings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[craytab]

No failures with either. Best way to gain knowledge on this subject is through experience, of which the OP has none. He can't even answer his own poll. Buy a bearing knife and use it. So simple.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I've never had a pivot fail on a quality knife of either type.

I have fought washers trying to reassemble a knife a couple of times. I've never needed to get into the baring system on any of my ZTs.

I work around mud and dirt a lot. My old man found the perfect low maintenance work folder about 40 decades ago...the Buck 110. Nothing to take apart, no washer to lose, no barings to roll away

But he's not a knife knut like me. I've used both types of knives in conditions where the tool was caked with mud or splattered with concrete. I did nothing more than wash them under a garden hose and shoot a little WD40 in the action and worked another 6 hours. When I got home, I didn't even take them apart. They just got a hot soap bath, hit with my wife's hair dryer, a little compressed air, and a few drops of gun oil. Washer or BB, both worked just fine.

I'm not anti BB. I own at least 3 knives sporting them. I wouldn't pay a premium for them, but I don't shy away from them. When it comes to "failure" regarding a folding knife, I just don't get bent out of shape over what is the strongest. If I am anticipating needing to use a knife hard enough that it might break any quality folder featuring any quality pivoting system or any quality method of locking the blade...I'm just take a fixed blade.

So, in short, I don't really care. Both work great for me. I've got too many other problems in life than to count angels on the head of a pin.

 

[BTGuy]

I have a few knives with washers and a few with bearings. I prefer to use the ones with bearings, especially my ZT 562 which I've had for a few months now. I've used the 562 outdoors quite a bit to cut things like wood, heavy-duty bags (for sand, etc.) and various other tasks. It's been dropped in the dirt, water, and snow more than a few times as well. I never noticed any issues with the pivot or opening action, but decided to disassemble and give a thorough cleaning a couple weeks ago. There was a bit of gunk in the bearing track and that's about it. After cleaning and oiling I didn't notice much of difference in the action.

I'd echo what others have suggested and agree you should just pick yourself up a knife with bearings and give it a shot. The ZT 562 seems like a decent example for you to scrutinize.

 

[palonej]

Many knives with washers and many knives with BB. Never a failure, or even a hiccup, with either.
My first knife with bearings was my ZT 452CF. I fell in love with the action on that knife and realized, I like BB pivots!! How did I come to that conclusion you ask????? I bought one and used it. Yup, that's it!
It didn't matter what anyone else thought, or said. Had to check them out for myself. I would think this would be obvious to most people, but nooooooooo.
Definite troll.
Joe
👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼

 

[ChazzyP]

Much better approach here, Aldebaran. BBs vs washers is a hot topic to begin with and as you saw in your other thread, a provocative OP made for a contentious discussion with a lot of posturing and insults. Got everyone's post counts up, though.

No need to poke a stick into a hornets' nest, you can get stung just approaching it. Even taking a more measured tack, some people just want to argue or make things personal instead of talking about knives, as you can well see above.

So, back on topic:

I've never had any pivot failures with either washers or BBs, but I have had both gunk up on me. Like wtlj and Misanthropia I've had issues with my CRKs. I just have no luck with grease and am transitioning to NanoOil in them as cleanings are called for. They seem to run much better for me that way.

I've had a couple BB knives get sluggish, but I don't believe it had anything to do with their design or nature. They just came with an excess of crappy grease in them and have run fine since having that cleaned out and replaced with NanoOil.

I have both and I like both.

 

[Therom]

Never had a failure on either BB or washers
Seems that the BB technology is now as stable as the washer technology

Initially I had some concern about dirt messing up the BB but it never actually happens
In my experience dirt/sand is just bad for knife, no matter the technology

I think the question may be about service and maintenance
But that is related more about the design than the BB/washer thing



Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[PURPLEDC]

Never had a failure on either BB or washers
Seems that the BB technology is now as stable as the washer technology

Initially I had some concern about dirt messing up the BB but it never actually happens
In my experience dirt/sand is just bad for knife, no matter the technology

I think the question may be about service and maintenance
But that is related more about the design than the BB/washer thing



Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

Great points on maintenance. This is often odd to me as it seems many people here are also fans of guns. And anyone with a gun knows you cant take it into dirty and dusty environments for extended periods of time without performing maintenance. Why not apply the same thinking to a knife.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

No failures on either, I've had one bearing pivot get gummed up, but canned air immediately resolved the issue. I've not noticed any particular difference in level of maintenance. And I still think the best/coolest pivot system I've use is Hogue's bolster plate system.

 

[Natlek]

Basically , most here states that did not have a problem with BB pivot .Well it s OK , I believe you . The fact that you have not had any problems does not mean you're right . Take one small OPEN ball bearing , degrease it , apply a drop of oil , spin it with hand and then throw it in the sand ! Next , if you turn it without cleaning I will buy you a knife at your choice!
You can try the same with washers ....................I can bet that washers will spin after sand