Pros & Cons of teflon washers...GO!

H

Hans17

Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
607
Hola folks,


Looking to hear 3 things:

1. Pros of Teflon washers
2. Cons of Teflon washers
3. Have you replaced your Teflon washers with brass or another material? If so why?

Thank you kindly!
-Hans-
 
Readily available, easy to replace, very slippery and wear-resistant. Listed in no particular order of importance.
 
Have not replaced any or swaped either...lubricate, maintain the knife...carry on...
 
Hans17 said:
Hola folks,

Looking to hear 3 things:

1. Pros of Teflon washers
2. Cons of Teflon washers
3. Have you replaced your Teflon washers with brass or another material? If so why?
Click to expand...

Teflon washers have a very low coefficient of friction, lower than the typical alternative materials for washers. Also, they seem to be very durable (the only instances of replacement is when someone FUBARs one of them) and abrasion resistant. And frankly, they are not easily compressed so they are more than adequate to be sandwiched between the side and the blade. Even if they did compress a small amount, the adjustable pivot can easily handle that. Lastly, for field use, you can splash/wash your knife and use no lubricant at all thanks to the Teflon washers, that is far more advantageous than the typical alternative materials for washers.

Cons? I can't really think of any. I haven't had to replace mine, they look like new on the two XMs that I EDC but granted I don't subject mine to much abuse.
 
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One con - they tend to be perceived as a step down from phosphorous bronze washers.

The reality is that I have zero issues with Teflon washers and they perform just as they should.

They cause less wear to the metal surfaces also from my observations.

Easily replaced and easy to get hold off.

I've only replaced one set so far, it was a used XM which I serviced and replaced the washers just as a matter of course.
 
At the risk of stating the obvious clearly the Biggest advantage of teflon washers is after field stripping your knife you can treat yourself to a very nicely done (albeit smallish) omelette.
Nice:thumbup:
 
RubiconSS said:
At the risk of stating the obvious clearly the Biggest advantage of teflon washers is after field stripping your knife you can treat yourself to a very nicely done (albeit smallish) omelette.
Nice:thumbup:
Click to expand...

When all else fails at least I can come here and count on you for a laugh.
 
Lubricants are often impregnated with tiny bits of teflon so it's a plus. I've never seen any lubricants with phosphor bronze added!
 
Yes, my understanding is that the Teflon particles help the lube penetrate more easily into crevices and actually fills in the pits on the metal's surface.
 
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"Teflon Particles" are also known to contribute to the early onset of Alzheimers Disease so wear gloves when replacing or cleaning your Teflon Washers otherwise you risk not remembering how to reassemble your knife or why you are even doing what you are doing.
 
Funny! But not too far off!!!! It's true that hydrophobic Teflon particles can have an adverse affect on the structure of the peptide component of the amyloid plaque deposits in your brain. Don't eat the teflon!
 
As a Married Man (Translation- Awaiting a merciful Death) I often hear "You're an idiot" "What the Hell is wrong with you" etc.
My response.... "Well, You made me the Eggs!" That quiets her down :)

In all seriousness though, the Hinderer choice of washers IMO is a perfectly struck balance of durability, dependability, consistent lubrication - They just "work" and maybe that is the answer to what is the Big Advantage.
 
Agreed. It makes so much sense. Teflon is just naturally slippery and so less lube is really needed at the pivot. And we all know that there is absolutely no blade play so compression is not a factor. I don't know why more knife makers aren't using Teflon really. I have yet to experience a knife that deploys as smoothly and effortlessly as the XM.
 
It's kind of a K.I.S.S. idea, why go too fancy, when a Teflon washer performs well? (rhetorical).

As for Teflon causing illness and medical concerns, if that were true it would not be used in so darn many medical devices and applications. But I'm ignorant on the details.
 
Pro's: Paired with CRK grease my Hinderers are the smoothest knives I own beside knives with bearings. No wear on the blade so your tolerances will always be the same. Phosphor wears away steel pretty quick.
Cons: Without out lube my Hinderers do not flip out without using the wrist to help it. They compress so when you check for side to side movement there is a little more than if the washers were metal. Easy to damage. I've gotten a few used Hinderers that had oval shaped & torn washers. They are soft so metal shavings from the CNC & grinders get stuck in the washers & you can't take the shavings out.
 
My 3" might as well be a fixed blade when opened.0 side to side play. Don't know about the 3.5 or 4".
 
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