Need to find brands that have knives without ball bearings

[Alan0354]

Hi

The only brand that I know that has knives with no ball bearings and have the index finger tap to deploy the blade is Steel Will. The index finger tap I refer to is shown in the picture:

I cannot use the thumb tap or the hole to deploy the blade, so it has to have the index finger tap. That rules out Cold Steel. Any suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

Why do you not want ball bearings? Typically, having ball bearings in the pivot provides a smoother deployment than a bushing.

What you are looking for is typically called a "flipper" deployment.

[Alan0354]

I don't want to get into why, I just want to find some decent knives without ball bearings.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Mcusta uses an oiled washer system. Deployment is silky smooth. I have not seen them make a flipper, just made with a thumb stud. You can flip them once you get the blade started with your thumb.

[1967redrider]

Hinderer gives you the option of ball bearings, brass/copper washers or Teflon, I believe.

*Edit- "The Tri-Way Pivot System allows the use of bearings, phosphor bronze washers, or teflon washers in the pivot depending on preference."

[Alan0354]

Hinderer gives you the option of ball bearings, brass/copper washers or Teflon, I believe.

*Edit- "The Tri-Way Pivot System allows the use of bearings, phosphor bronze washers, or teflon washers in the pivot depending on preference."

It is EXPENSIVE!!!! I really like it, just not ready to pay over $100 for a knife. Any brand in $40 to $80 range?

Thanks

[Alan0354]

Hinderer gives you the option of ball bearings, brass/copper washers or Teflon, I believe.

*Edit- "The Tri-Way Pivot System allows the use of bearings, phosphor bronze washers, or teflon washers in the pivot depending on preference."

Thanks

It's too expensive and also they are more the slime and thin type, not what I am looking for.

Thanks

[Alan0354]

Anyone?

[C-WADE7]

Anyone?

What does the Kershaw line use? I’ve had a couple leeks and a chive and don’t know that they had bearings, and they have larger more sturdy versions.

[1967redrider]

There's a CRKT Homefront that can easily be taken apart and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have bearings.

https://www.crkt.com/homefront.html

There's probably lots of other knives that don't have bearings, but who takes their knives apart if they're functioning perfectly just to see how they're put together? I don't unless I'm doing some kind of mod, like with my Hinderers or Benchmades. Probably lots of Chinese tacticals that don't use bearings, guess you just need to read specifications, which are posted by SMKW, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter and virtually all others.

Keep us posted as to what you find.

[Alan0354]

Anyone?

What does the Kershaw line use? I’ve had a couple leeks and a chive and don’t know that they had bearings, and they have larger more sturdy versions.

A lot of Kershaw don't have ball bearings. Problem is a lot of them are ASSISTED open which is NOT legal to carry in Kalifornia.

Thanks

[Alan0354]

There's a CRKT Homefront that can easily be taken apart and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have bearings.

https://www.crkt.com/homefront.html

There's probably lots of other knives that don't have bearings, but who takes their knives apart if they're functioning perfectly just to see how they're put together? I don't unless I'm doing some kind of mod, like with my Hinderers or Benchmades. Probably lots of Chinese tacticals that don't use bearings, guess you just need to read specifications, which are posted by SMKW, BladeHQ, KnifeCenter and virtually all others.

Keep us posted as to what you find.

Thanks

I'll check it out.

All the knives in my price range are made in China($40 to $80). Most have ball bearings. I did a lot of research already, on youtube and all. I came here out of desperation!!! Unless otherwise, you can assume they have ball bearings even at this modest price range.

If you go to $10 to $20, then most don't have ball bearings, but then the blade is too cheap!!! Even in $20 range, a lot have ball bearings. The reason I choose not to have ball bearings is because I have a lot of them already, a lot of them show with ball bearings, that point can becomes the weak link in survival situation where you have to pry. That's why the next one I want to buy is without ball bearings. I have plenty with ball bearings already.

Thanks

[Ivoryman]

Folding knives or pivot knives should never be used for pry bars. Not designed for it, not safe for it, and most usually warn you not to do it. Even those with no ball bearings. If you find yourself in lots of survival situations where you feel the need to really pry for your life, and nothing will convince you otherwise, then carry a small bar, or a BK2 or an Essee or one of the many quarter inch thick full tang blades that are built to fight for your life and do prying/demolition/batoning etc. But bad idea to pry with a pivoting knife or something that was not designed or intended for prying. That's like using moms sewing scissors to cut brush and branches when loppers are the tool needed and designed for it. How many times has your life depended on prying with a $40 folding pocketknife? Not in EDC situations. Misuse of the tool to the extreme.

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

Anyone?

What does the Kershaw line use? I’ve had a couple leeks and a chive and don’t know that they had bearings, and they have larger more sturdy versions.

A lot of Kershaw don't have ball bearings. Problem is a lot of them are ASSISTED open which is NOT legal to carry in Kalifornia.

Thanks

This is not true. Assisted is not the same as a switchblade (automatic knife). Assisted knives are sold and legal to carry in California (I live here too). An assisted knife requires pressure to be put on a stud or protrusion solely on the blade for deployment, or has a detent that must be overcome to deploy.

https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/california/

You can even carry a switchblade if the blade is under 2 inches. This is why knives like the Protech Runt exist: http://www.protechknives.com/product/44 ... lade-auto/

There is also a PC section on "ballistic knives", and I do seem to recall reading about some overzealous police officers that have tried to claim an assisted knife is a ballistic knife, but I think that is pretty rare, and I doubt it would hold-up in court.

Of course, I am not a lawyer, your mileage may vary, yadda-yadda...

https://www.losangelescriminallawyer.pr ... blade.html
https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/blog/laws/ ... alifornia/
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--California-Legal-Auto--325

[Alan0354]

What does the Kershaw line use? I’ve had a couple leeks and a chive and don’t know that they had bearings, and they have larger more sturdy versions.

A lot of Kershaw don't have ball bearings. Problem is a lot of them are ASSISTED open which is NOT legal to carry in Kalifornia.

Thanks

This is not true. Assisted is not the same as a switchblade (automatic knife). Assisted knives are sold and legal to carry in California (I live here too). An assisted knife requires pressure to be put on a stud or protrusion solely on the blade for deployment, or has a detent that must be overcome to deploy.

https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/california/

You can even carry a switchblade if the blade is under 2 inches. This is why knives like the Protech Runt exist: http://www.protechknives.com/product/44 ... lade-auto/

There is also a PC section on "ballistic knives", and I do seem to recall reading about some overzealous police officers that have tried to claim an assisted knife is a ballistic knife, but I think that is pretty rare, and I doubt it would hold-up in court.

Of course, I am not a lawyer, your mileage may vary, yadda-yadda...

https://www.losangelescriminallawyer.pr ... blade.html
https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/blog/laws/ ... alifornia/
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--California-Legal-Auto--325

I am not so sure about that. I have been reading the same law. Here is the copy of definition of automatic knives:

Automatic Knives
California enacted a switchblade restriction in 1957. The original definition has been changed. The current statutory definition at § 17235 for “Switchblade knife” is as follows:
As used in this part, ‘switchblade knife’ means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. ‘Switchblade knife’ does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.


I google Spring Blade Knife:
What is a spring blade knife?
By definition it is a knife with a spring mechanism which completes the opening process of a blade after the user has applied physical force to start the process. Spring assisted knives will have a “flipper” or a “thumb stud”.Jun 23, 2014


Those Kershaw Spring Assisted Open knives fits the definition of Spring Blade Knife.

It would be so nice if those are legal. Law is very confusing. You should look deeper into this.

[Alan0354]

Speaking of the knife law, it is confusing whether a folding knife that has blade locking is considered as Dirk and Dagger.

[Mumbleypeg]

Recommend you use the guidance of AKTI (American Knife and Tool Institute) regarding legal or illegal knives in your jurisdiction. Under no conditions would I rely on Google search, which may find lord knows what, from any internet source. AKTI on the other hand is the gold standard when it comes to knife laws anywhere in the U.S., and their interpretation. AKTI have lawyers whose sole purpose there is just that.

After reading your posts over the past days since you came here seeking advice, I’m thinking you’re in search of a unicorn. If I have this summarized correctly, you want a knife that has a limited blade length ( can’t recall exactly but I think it was either 2.5 or 2.75 inches) capable of thrusting and prying, has to be capable of fast one-hand opening, but cannot be spring assisted. I don’t think such an animal exists, especially given your blade length limitation. (Which was probably the intent of the nanny-state lawmakers in Kalifornia to begin with). And to make things even more difficult, the knife you seek must be inexpensive. You want to use it for self defense and “survival”, but you’re not willing to spend much for it. What is your life worth? (Rhetorical question you don’t need to answer).

You might be able to find a small blade knife meeting most of your requirements, but when you throw in that it must also successfully function as a pry bar, you’ve eliminated all but a very small possible number of knives. Knives are made to cut. Prying is a whole ‘nuther task, for which knives by definition are not designed. You see, prying requires force applied in a direction perpendicular to cutting. I recommend you seek a small EDC pry bar built for such use (better check - who knows what limitations Kalifornia has on pry bars?), and a suitable knife. Especially given your budget limitations, trying to wrap both into one item is, well, a unicorn.

Not trying to be argumentative here, to the contrary just trying to give you some advice. Take it or leave it - it’s free.

Ken

[Alan0354]

I use "pry" to describe what is the weak point only, not that I expect to pry things. Actually I have 3 knives that fit what I want already. Those are all with ball bearings.

It is hard to know until I open them. So I just simply buy those with no ball bearings.

It's not I am asking for impossible as I found 3 already.

I should not have explain in such detail that people start thinking I am over concern.

I am looking for 3.25" to 3.5" blade. I am very close to buying this one already:
https://steelwillknives.com/our-knives/ ... 10-03.html

I was hoping someone have another suggestion I can look at. It's looking more and more nobody have any better suggestion at this point.

[Steamboat Willie]

A lot of Kershaw don't have ball bearings. Problem is a lot of them are ASSISTED open which is NOT legal to carry in Kalifornia.

Thanks

Actually they’re perfectly legal in California. Lived here all my life and have a small assortment of assisted opening knives. Bought most of them right off the shelf here.

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

A lot of Kershaw don't have ball bearings. Problem is a lot of them are ASSISTED open which is NOT legal to carry in Kalifornia.

Thanks

Actually they’re perfectly legal in California. Lived here all my life and have a small assortment of assisted opening knives. Bought most of them right off the shelf here.

Yup, me too. I can go to my local (in California) Big 5 Sports or Turner's Outdoors and buy any one of a dozen different Kershaw, ZT, S&W or CRKT assisted openers. But, the OP seems to want to believe whatever he wants to believe, so good luck to him.

[Alan0354]

Actually they’re perfectly legal in California. Lived here all my life and have a small assortment of assisted opening knives. Bought most of them right off the shelf here.

Yup, me too. I can go to my local (in California) Big 5 Sports or Turner's Outdoors and buy any one of a dozen different Kershaw, ZT, S&W or CRKT assisted openers. But, the OP seems to want to believe whatever he wants to believe, so good luck to him.

It's not what I believe, you read the post on the law I quote a few posts above. I am surprised this forum do not have post #.

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

It's not what I believe, you read the post on the law I quote a few posts above. I am surprised this forum do not have post #.

So, are all the stores in California that sell assisted knives are breaking the law?

Universal Citation: CA Penal Code § 17235 (2021)
17235.
As used in this part, “switchblade knife” means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. “Switchblade knife” does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.

[edge213]

Does anyone know where I can purchase Lamborghini that can pull my 50 ton cabin cruiser for under a thousand dollars???

[Alan0354]

Guys, I am just asking a simple question, any brand has folding knives that don't have ball bearings. I already checked out Steel Will, I ruled out Cold Steel and Buck and Gerber as they don't fit what I want. I am not interested in why and what, just some brand names, I'll do the rest.

It's a very simple question.

[bestgear]

Kobayashi Maru