Curious about strength and durability of ceramic BBL

[peacefuljeffrey]

I've noticed that the Spyderco knives that still offer the Ball Bearing Lock (there are much too few of them) use a ceramic ball bearing whereas way back when, they used a spell ball bearing.

What's the story with the ceramic one? Why does Spyderco prefer it now? And most importantly, how does it compare strength-wise to a steel version? Can it be shattered with sufficient pressure? And what about shock, such as a "spine whack"? Have any of these ceramic balls been known to crack or shatter, even if it took full-on torture testing to do it? I'm looking for reasons to trust the ceramic ball.

[Evil D]

By design a sphere is extremely strong but I do wonder about chipping. There are some people who swapped ceramic balls in years ago before Spyderco made the change, maybe they can chime in with some long term info.

[SF Native]

Lots of benefits. Less friction for smoother action. Won't rust.
As for strength, I don't know but there has been tons of advancement in ceramics in the last few decades coming out of space programs and such. I wouldn't worry. Heck, I think they use one the manix and that is one of the beefier models.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

[attila]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

If you look in between the handle scales with the blade not locked or closed, you can see the stainless steel-looking bearing ball.

[SF Native]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

If you look in between the handle scales with the blade not locked or closed, you can see the stainless steel-looking bearing ball.

You are correct. Never knew that.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

If you look in between the handle scales with the blade not locked or closed, you can see the stainless steel-looking bearing ball.

Cool, yep, there it is! :)

Now my next question is, if something were to happen to the polymer cage, would that be catastrophic to the function of the lock? As in, would the ball be unable to stay inside the knife?

[Robbob]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

If you look in between the handle scales with the blade not locked or closed, you can see the stainless steel-looking bearing ball.

Cool, yep, there it is! :)

Now my next question is, if something were to happen to the polymer cage, would that be catastrophic to the function of the lock? As in, would the ball be unable to stay inside the knife?

I believe it would fall out as the cage is what's holding it in the scales. Even if it did stay in place, though, there would not be a convenient way to operate the lock.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I have a Manix 2 and a Manix 2XL. Honestly, since I've never taken them apart, I don't even know what kinds of ball bearings they have.

If you look in between the handle scales with the blade not locked or closed, you can see the stainless steel-looking bearing ball.

Cool, yep, there it is! :)

Now my next question is, if something were to happen to the polymer cage, would that be catastrophic to the function of the lock? As in, would the ball be unable to stay inside the knife?

I believe it would fall out as the cage is what's holding it in the scales. Even if it did stay in place, though, there would not be a convenient way to operate the lock.

I see that as a terrible weakness, and it is the ONLY thing I don't like about my Manix 2XL.

[yablanowitz]

I've noticed that the Spyderco knives that still offer the Ball Bearing Lock (there are much too few of them) use a ceramic ball bearing whereas way back when, they used a spell ball bearing.

What's the story with the ceramic one? Why does Spyderco prefer it now? And most importantly, how does it compare strength-wise to a steel version? Can it be shattered with sufficient pressure? And what about shock, such as a "spine whack"? Have any of these ceramic balls been known to crack or shatter, even if it took full-on torture testing to do it? I'm looking for reasons to trust the ceramic ball.

Don't trust it. Buy one, beat the dickens out of it and let us know what happens.

[Wanimator]

I've seriously suggested a ceramic ball to for the Manix 2 and XL. A Silicon Nitride ceramic ball would take all the abuse with stride. Plus no galling or real worry with race lubrication.

[kelpie]

The only experience I have is with the new D'allara 3. edc for 3 months and I like the ceramic ball a lot. the ball "rides" on the blade tang all the way around from shut to open, and hardly loses contact going from open to shut (it may not even, very hard to tell). I'm not an engineer (so take this for what it may be worth) I think that this consistent connection could work to remove "shock" from the ball? it doesn't feel "bang clang"

- my comparison point is the axis lock, feels like the axis imparts more "thwack"

[zhyla]

I don't think the ball will fall out of a Manix 2 if the cage fails. But doesn't matter, it's going in for repair either way.

Wear resistance is all that matters for CBB in my opinion. You're not going to crack a ceramic ball before the blade shatters.