Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
- toocool006
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- Location: New Orleans
Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Hey y'all,
I recently came across this awesome maker who is doing caged ceramic bearings as aftermarket products for bearing knives:
https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collections/bearings
I've got some in a non-spyder that I was able to get confirmation on sizing from a buddy, but I am wondering if anyone has already done this mod for a mantra 2 or is able to accurately measure the factory bearings for potential replacement if the sizing might line up? I have a modded mantra 2 that is one of my favorite knives and would love to see if I can smooth out the action just a bit.
Thanks for any insight y'all can provide :D
I recently came across this awesome maker who is doing caged ceramic bearings as aftermarket products for bearing knives:
https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collections/bearings
I've got some in a non-spyder that I was able to get confirmation on sizing from a buddy, but I am wondering if anyone has already done this mod for a mantra 2 or is able to accurately measure the factory bearings for potential replacement if the sizing might line up? I have a modded mantra 2 that is one of my favorite knives and would love to see if I can smooth out the action just a bit.
Thanks for any insight y'all can provide :D
~andrew
- Abyss_Fish
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- Location: Minnesota, USA.
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Ooh I didn’t know stuff like that existed. I’ll probably get some for myself :). I’d recommend nabbing some calipers and measuring yourself, you can get good enough ones on amazon for not much.
Lightly insane.
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Really want this
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
I was thinking about this today. Has anyone measured their Mantra's bearings? I can't find my calipers or I'd do it.
I haven't had any issue with the factory bearings...
But, better bearings are better!
I haven't had any issue with the factory bearings...
But, better bearings are better!
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Bumping this to see if anyone in the know might be able to chime in!
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
I have old eyes and an inexpensive set of digital calipers, so consider these measurements approximate:
outer diameter around .338" / 8.52 mm
inner diameter around .185" / 4.75 mm
bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm
pivot diameter around .175" / 4.45 mm
I switched the calipers between inches and mm and measured twice.
I assume all the stuff is metric and you can probably round to 8.5mm, 4.75mm, 1mm, and 4.5mm.
outer diameter around .338" / 8.52 mm
inner diameter around .185" / 4.75 mm
bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm
pivot diameter around .175" / 4.45 mm
I switched the calipers between inches and mm and measured twice.
I assume all the stuff is metric and you can probably round to 8.5mm, 4.75mm, 1mm, and 4.5mm.
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Hello CJK, thank you for sharing the bearing dimensions for mantra 2 I have a quick question about the "bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm" are you talking about the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the "cage"? I hope you can remember this to help me because I bought a spyderco mantra 1 from used and the bearings were replaced for washers by the previous owner, I would like to put the knife back on bearings but I don't have the original ones.. Thanks in advancecjk wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 10:00 amI have old eyes and an inexpensive set of digital calipers, so consider these measurements approximate:
outer diameter around .338" / 8.52 mm
inner diameter around .185" / 4.75 mm
bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm
pivot diameter around .175" / 4.45 mm
I switched the calipers between inches and mm and measured twice.
I assume all the stuff is metric and you can probably round to 8.5mm, 4.75mm, 1mm, and 4.5mm.
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Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Dear Jjsim:
Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.
Stay safe,
Mike
Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.
Stay safe,
Mike
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
The diameter of the ball bearings.Jjsim wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 4:07 amHello CJK, thank you for sharing the bearing dimensions for mantra 2 I have a quick question about the "bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm" are you talking about the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the "cage"? I hope you can remember this to help me because I bought a spyderco mantra 1 from used and the bearings were replaced for washers by the previous owner, I would like to put the knife back on bearings but I don't have the original ones.. Thanks in advancecjk wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 10:00 amI have old eyes and an inexpensive set of digital calipers, so consider these measurements approximate:
outer diameter around .338" / 8.52 mm
inner diameter around .185" / 4.75 mm
bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm
pivot diameter around .175" / 4.45 mm
I switched the calipers between inches and mm and measured twice.
I assume all the stuff is metric and you can probably round to 8.5mm, 4.75mm, 1mm, and 4.5mm.
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Thank CJK
So would these Skiff bearings be perfect for mantra 1 and 2 ?
https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collect ... mm-16-ball
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Thanks Sir Janich! I'm a big fan of your knife designsMichael Janich wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:59 amDear Jjsim:
Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.
Stay safe,
Mike
- dull&blunt
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- Location: not too sharp nor pointy
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Believe me when I say it's worth the money to at least attempt to make them work in your Mantra.
I purchased Skiff's bearing for my Dice despite that model not being listed on the compatibility chart. It was the BEST money I've ever spent on any knife upgrade. The Dice uses the same bearings as the Domino, the plastic ones that run on washers. If those are the bearings in your Mantra, get the Domino sized ones.
Something else to consider:
Skiff's bearings worked in my Dice without the washer.
Taco Bearings also offers upgraded bearings for the Domino, but they run on a washer like the stock bearings (Taco includes a new set if I remember correctly).
https://tacobearings.com/
I purchased Skiff's bearing for my Dice despite that model not being listed on the compatibility chart. It was the BEST money I've ever spent on any knife upgrade. The Dice uses the same bearings as the Domino, the plastic ones that run on washers. If those are the bearings in your Mantra, get the Domino sized ones.
Something else to consider:
Skiff's bearings worked in my Dice without the washer.
Taco Bearings also offers upgraded bearings for the Domino, but they run on a washer like the stock bearings (Taco includes a new set if I remember correctly).
https://tacobearings.com/
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Hi Dull&Blunt, thank you for your response I posted a message before your answer on the post but since I am new on the forum my messages must be checked by a moderator..
I was actually saying that I was planning to buy Skiff bearings, this model: https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collect ... mm-16-ball . Because according to CJK's measurements it would be the perfect model but I still have a doubt because I don't know if our friend CJK is talking about the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the plastic cage when he says that the thickness measures 0.41 (1mm) inch so I don't really know
But I'm sure that the bearings of the mantra 1&2 are not the same as the Dice, Domino and Southard because the pivot diameter is bigger and the ball of the bearing too
I was actually saying that I was planning to buy Skiff bearings, this model: https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collect ... mm-16-ball . Because according to CJK's measurements it would be the perfect model but I still have a doubt because I don't know if our friend CJK is talking about the diameter of the ball or the thickness of the plastic cage when he says that the thickness measures 0.41 (1mm) inch so I don't really know
But I'm sure that the bearings of the mantra 1&2 are not the same as the Dice, Domino and Southard because the pivot diameter is bigger and the ball of the bearing too
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
"bearing diameter .041". / 1.04 mm" = Diameter of one ball
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
I have no idea as I have not tried those or any aftermarket bearings.Jjsim wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:00 amThank CJK
So would these Skiff bearings be perfect for mantra 1 and 2 ?
https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collect ... mm-16-ball
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Ok thank you very much CJK for your patience and kindness
I'm going to order the bearings from the Skiff link that I posted, we'll see.
They are equivalent to your measurements
I'm going to order the bearings from the Skiff link that I posted, we'll see.
They are equivalent to your measurements
- dj moonbat
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Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Sweet! I was thisclose to ordering these myself. Now I'll have some advance recon. Thanks for your willingness to investigate.
- dull&blunt
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Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Please post back here and let us know about your results! I would love to add a Mantra 1 to my collection one day so I'm very interested.
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
Thank CJK
So would these Skiff bearings be perfect for mantra 1 and 2 ?
https://www.skiffmadeblades.com/collect ... mm-16-ball
[/quote]
Those should work ok as long as thickness isn't an issue
I took my Mantra apart and measured everything. The measurements I got were close what CJK previously posted. What concerned me was the OD. They have to fit in the recess on each side of the handle. From the dimensions on the Skiff's website those bearings are a little smaller in diameter. So they should be ok.
One thing I noticed is that the ball bearings on the Mantra washers are tiny. They seem a lot smaller than .041". I forgot to put the calipers on them and already put the knife back together. The ball size shouldn't really matter anyway as long as the overall thickness of the whole assembly is close to what's currently in the Mantra
I went ahead and ordered a set for my Mantra but I'm not sure they'll be much of an improvement. For me the big improvement was adding a ceramic detent ball because the original had a big flat spot on it. I also tuned the detent on it. So it's really good as is. We'll see how the different bearings work. I ordered a set of the Taco bearings for my Southard and they didn't improve anything. I ended up taking them out and now they're sitting in one of my knife cases.
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
Re: Aftermarket Bearings for Mantra 2?
The Skiff bearings arrived today.
Mantra bearings on left, Skiff bearings on right...
I was a little concerned that the Skiff bearings might be a little too thick. It turns out they're actually about .005" thinner
I went ahead and installed the new bearings. I had to tighten the pivot all the way to center the blade. I usually tighten the pivot on the original bearings. So the centering thing might be normal. I hadn't really noticed it before. So hard to say
Anyway, the bearings work fine but they're honestly not any better than the originals. They might even be a very slight step down. They're really close. I've said all along that the bearings and action in my Mantra were pretty good. So trying to improve on them was a long shot.
@Jjsim the Skiff bearings you ordered are suitable replacements. However, I think you might need the original washers to make them work
Mantra bearings on left, Skiff bearings on right...
I was a little concerned that the Skiff bearings might be a little too thick. It turns out they're actually about .005" thinner
I went ahead and installed the new bearings. I had to tighten the pivot all the way to center the blade. I usually tighten the pivot on the original bearings. So the centering thing might be normal. I hadn't really noticed it before. So hard to say
Anyway, the bearings work fine but they're honestly not any better than the originals. They might even be a very slight step down. They're really close. I've said all along that the bearings and action in my Mantra were pretty good. So trying to improve on them was a long shot.
@Jjsim the Skiff bearings you ordered are suitable replacements. However, I think you might need the original washers to make them work
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!