Ball bearing pivots in field-use knives

[ExtremeSquared]

This is a knife with a very-high-chromium steel blade and titanium scales. Presumably very stainless materials EXCEPT for the ball bearing pivot hidden inside. I am satisfied with the function and performance of this thing, so far.


So I'm left wondering what the design goals are with this combination of materials. I didn't plan to baby this thing when I got it, and have no intentions to baby it moving forward. I will occasionally oil the bearing. I'll disassemble and clean once every year or so. But a knife in use will get dunked, soaked, tossed in with soapy dishes, etc, and that is not going to change. In that context, this thing is dealing with normal use visibly worse than the cheap bronze/nylon bushing stainless+d2 folder I was using before.

I do recognize that there are factions of knife buyers who are ambivalent about the function of knives and either treat knives like collectible jewelry, or treat knives like fidget spinners. In fact, probably the majority of internet-bound "knife people" fall into these classes. Are ball bearings marketed purely towards this segment?

 

[hso]

I'd have a problem with rust from the bearings.

 

[hso]

Have you contacted ZT customer service?

 

[ExtremeSquared]

Have you contacted ZT customer service?

I have not. I don't consider this to be an anomaly or a failure. It's the combination of 20CV steel blade and less-stainless bearing that is a fundamentally confusing design choice. But I think other folding knives use this combo also.

 

[RA40]

Perhaps a periodic disassembly if at all to get the pocket lint out of there. I do that to the EDC rotations twice a year.

Reminds me, one of the things I disliked was the stone washed denim jeans as that left fine git in the pockets to clean out. Not very nice for pocket carried knives and remote fobs that got all scratched up from it.

 

[Odd Job]

I'd have a problem with rust from the bearings.

I agree, that spoils the knife.

 

[Boattale]

For the money that Hinderer's bring, something like that is just not acceptable. I'd be on the phone with them wanting something permanently taking care of that issue.

 

[ExtremeSquared]

It's a ZT, Hinderer design.
I'll look into swapping out the bearings for either a bushing or ceramic bearings. I think there is a thrust bearing race machined into the titanium, though, which might be a speed bump.

 

[Valkman]

I'd send it in to ZT. I would think they'd like to see how these rust and do something about it. Not just for your knife, since you probably aren't the only one having the problem. That is unacceptable.

 

[hso]

I would send it to ZT. That is a QC failure and they need to look into it.

There is no reason for a company like Kai/ZT/Kershaw to have chosen bearings that would be less rust resistant than tge blade steel. The fact yours has rust is something they should address.

 

[rdinga]

Interesting thread. I carry this same knife frequently for use at work. Just sent it back to factory for resharpening along with another knife.

mine has never shown signs of rust. Will have to check on the second one still in the box to see what it looks like.