Pin System: Difference between revisions

From BalisongWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
added info. still need to proof read. some sentences are very jarring. big thanks to Stitch for sharing so much information and helping me
proof read everything, added some stuff, moved some stuff. should be pretty final now
Line 5: Line 5:
To understand the pros and cons of every pin system, it's important to first learn about material hardness.
To understand the pros and cons of every pin system, it's important to first learn about material hardness.


Properly heat treated steel tends to be in the 58-60HR range, depending on the steel.<br>
There are many different scales on which hardness can be measured, but the most widely-used for steel is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_hardness_test Rockwell Hardness scale C]. It is often abbreviated to HRC.
Unheat treated steel tends to be in the 35-41HR range.<br>
Titanium tends to be around 36-38HR.


The higher the HRC number is, the harder the material is. The harder a material is, the more brittle it is, meaning it can snap, crack or shatter more easily. The exact opposite is the case for materials with a low HRC number, they become malleable. For example: The handles of the [[Nabalis_Canyon|Canyon]] are very thin and are made out of heat-treated stainless steel and some users have reported that their handles have snapped after drops. While the [[Squid_Industries_Tsunami|Tsunami]] also has very thin handles, the handles are made out of titanium and the most titanium is going to do, is deform. That is because titanium has a much lower RC and is therefore less brittle.
Properly heat-treated steel typically falls in the 58-60HRC range, depending on the steel.<br>
Non-heat-treated steel is generally around 35-41HRC.<br>
Titanium usually has a hardness of about 36-38HRC.


While keeping in mind that higher RC materials are harder, and lower RC materials are softer and therefore more malleable, we can extrapolate that if two materials with different RC, the softer material will always give way to the harder material.
The higher the HRC number, the harder the material. Harder materials are more brittle, which means they are more prone to snapping, cracking or shattering. Softer materials (lower HRC) are more malleable and deform under stress rather than breaking. For example: The handles of the [[Nabalis_Canyon|Canyon]] are very thin and are made out of heat-treated stainless steel. Some users have reported that their handles have snapped after drops. Meanwhile, the [[MachineWise_Slift_V2|Slift V2]] also has very thin handles, but they are made of titanium. Rather than snapping, titanium will generally just deform because of its lower hardness.
 
If two materials that both have a high HRC hit against each other, one, if not both of those materials will be at risk of snapping, cracking or shattering.<br>
If two materials with different hardness ratings make contact, the softer one will always yield to the harder one, meaning that the softer material will get squised and deformed.
If two materials that both have a low HRC hit against each other, both of those materials with squish and deform each other, but the ammount is very small.


==Different Pin Systems==
==Different Pin Systems==


There are currently 3 types of pin systems which balisongs utilize.<br>
There are currently three types of pin systems used in balisongs.<br>
There are many different scales on which hardness can be measured, but the most widely-used for steel is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_hardness_test Rockwell Hardness scale C]. It is often abbreviated to HRC.


===Zen Pins===
===Zen Pins===


If the stopping mechanism is a stainless steel pin which sits in the handle, the mechanism is called a "Zen Pin"-system. There are multiple syles of zen pin systems, but they all have in common that a pin is inside the handle.
If the stopping mechanism is a stainless steel pin housed inside the handle, it is called a "zen pin" system. There are multiple implementations of zen pin systems, but they all have in common that a pin is inside the handle.


====Press-fit====
====Press-fit====


Press-fit Zen pins are typically only used in [[Construction#Channel|Channel]] balisongs, as this system depends on the structural rigidity that channel construction provides. A stainless steel pin is pressed into a hole which is slightly smaller than the pin itself, creating a tight [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_fit Interference fit] The pin is held in place by friction generated from the pin being slightly larger than the hole, ensuring it stays securely in place during use. An example of a balisong which uses this type of Pin system is the [[Squid_Industries_Krake_Raken|Krake Raken]].
Press-fit Zen pins are typically only used in [[Construction#Channel|Channel]] balisongs, as this system depends on the structural rigidity that channel construction provides. A stainless steel pin is pressed into a hole which is slightly smaller than the pin itself, creating a tight [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interference_fit interference fit]. The pin is held in place by friction generated from the pin being slightly larger than the hole, ensuring it stays securely in place during use. An example of a balisong which uses this type of Pin system is the [[Squid_Industries_Krake_Raken|Krake Raken]].


====Screw Zen====
====Screw Zen====
<!--This zen pin system can be used on any type of knife. sandwich: rep, channel: telesto, chanwich:


The screw zen pin system uses a [[https://thetruelink.com/products/5-32-shoulder-pin?_pos=1&_sid=667aadb5d&_ss=r threaded pin]], or just a [[https://thetruelink.com/products/3-16-stainless-straight-pivot-6-64 threaded barrel]]. This pin is usually held in place by a small cutout in the handle in which the pin snaps into place, making the screws redundant. While the barrel is usually held in place only by the screws. An example for a balisong with a screw zen pin system is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Replicant|Replicant]] and an example for a screw barrel system, is the [[Henninger_Design_Telesto_v3|Telesto v3]].
The screw zen system is only used in [[Construction#Channel]] or [[Construction#Sandwich]] construction knives. The screw zen pin system uses a [[https://thetruelink.com/products/5-32-shoulder-pin?_pos=1&_sid=667aadb5d&_ss=r threaded shoulder pin]], or just a [[https://thetruelink.com/products/3-16-stainless-straight-pivot-6-64 threaded barrel]]. Threaded shoulder pins are usually held in place by a small cutout in the handle in which the pin snaps into place, making the screws not necessarry for this type of construction to work. The barrels, however, are usually held in place by just the screws. An example for a balisong with a threaded shoulder pin is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Replicant|Replicant]] and an example of a screw barrel system is the [[Henninger_Design_Telesto_v3|Telesto v3]].
<br>


The screw zen system is sometimes called "Tunable zen system" which imples that they can be tuned. This is however wrong because if your balisong [[Bind|binds]] if you tighten the Zen screws, it does not mean that you tuned your screws wrong, it means that either there is something wrong your [[Bushing|bushings]], or [[Washer|washers]].
The screw zen system is sometimes called "Tunable zen system", implying that it can be tuned. This is however misleading because if your balisong [[Bind|binds]] when tightening the zen screws, the issue usually never lies with the screws, but with the [[Bushing|bushings]], or [[Washer|washers]]. If you want to learn more about this, check out [[Pivot_System#Unexpected_Binding]].


====Hidden Zen====
====Hidden Zen====


Hidden Zens are only used in either [[Construction#Sandwich|Sandwich]] or [[Construction#Chanwich|Chanwich]] construction knives. That is because this style of construction requires a pin being placed inside the handles and this is only possible if there is a way to open up the handle, which is not possible on a [[Construction#Channel|Channel]] knive. An example for a sandwich construction knife with a hidden zen system is the [[Squid_Industries_Titanium_Krake_Raken|Titanium Krake Raken]] and an example for a chanwich knife with a hidden zen system is the [[Squid_Industries_Tsunami|Tsunami]].
Hidden zen pins are only used in [[Construction#Sandwich]] or [[Construction#Chanwich]] construction knives. This is because placing the pin inside the handle requires the handle to be be disassembled, which is not possible on a [[Construction#Channel]] knive. An example for a [[Construction#Sandwich]] construction knife with a hidden zen system is the [[Squid_Industries_Titanium_Krake_Raken|Titanium Krake Raken]] and an example for a [[Construction#Chanwich|Chanwich]] knife with a hidden zen system is the [[Squid_Industries_Tsunami|Tsunami]].


====Heat Treated vs Non Heat Treated Zen Pins====
====Heat-treated vs Non-heat-treated Zen Pins====


Heat treated zen pins run the risk of shattering, because the hard blade is hitting the hard zen pins, while non heat treated zen pins will deform over time, making the handle gap smaller, as described in [[#Material_Hardness]]. An example for a balisong which utilizes heat treated zen pins, is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Replicant|Replicant]]. An example for a balisong which utilizes non heat treated zen pins, is the [[Squid_Industries_Krake_Raken|Krake Raken]].
Heat-treated zen pins run the risk of shattering, because the hard blade is hitting the hard zen pins, while non-heat-treated zen pins will gradually deform over time, making the handle gap smaller, as described in [[#Material_Hardness]]. An example for a balisong which utilizes heat treated zen pins, is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Replicant|Replicant]]. An example for a balisong which utilizes non heat treated zen pins, is the [[Squid_Industries_Krake_Raken|Krake Raken]].


===Tang Pins===
===Tang Pins===


Tang pins work very simmiliarly like [[#Press-fit|press fit zen pins]]. The only difference is that a single pin is pressed inside the blade. An example for this type of pin system is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Alpha_Beast_3.0|Alpha Beast 3.0]].
Tang pins work very similarily to [[#Press-fit|press fit zen pins]]. The biggest difference is that a single pin is pressed inside the blade. An example for this type of pin system is the [[Bladerunners_Systems_Alpha_Beast_3.0|Alpha Beast 3.0]].


====Heat Treated vs Non Heat Treated Tang Pins====
====Heat Treated vs Non Heat Treated Tang Pins====


Tang pins must always be non heat treated, because this system relies on the tang giving way to the blade when it is pressed into the blade. If the tang is heat treated, the pressure of the hard tang can crack the blade. Another reason as to why the tang pin must always be non heat treated, is that the tang will make direct contact with the soft, titanium handles. In that case, both the soft tang pin and the soft titanium handles will have around the same HRC, so none of the two materials will give and none of the two materials will shatter due to a high hardness. So if the tang was heat treated, it would be much harder than the handles and the handles would give way to the tang pin and that would cause slapping.
Tang pins must always be non heat treated, this is because the pin needs to conform to the shape of the hole in the blade during the press-fit process. If the tang was hardened, pressing it into the blade could cause the blade to crack due to the lack of give in both the blade, and the tang pin. Additionally, tang pins directly contact the soft titanium handles. By not heat-treating the tang pin, both materials should have similar hardness, allowing them to deform slightly and absorb impact without causing damange. If the pin were heat-treated, it would be significantly harder than the titanium, causing the titanium to deform and eventually leading to [[slap]].


===Pinsless===
===Pinsless===


The pinsless system tries to achieve the same clean aesthetic as [[#Hidden Zen|hidden zen]] pins, but with a [[Construction#Channel|channel]] construction. Instead of using a zen pin, the area of the handle where the pin would normally be inserted is left unmachined. This uncut section of the handle itself acts as a built-in pin, eliminating the need for a pin. An example of a knife with a pinsless design is the [[JK_Monarch|JK Monarch]]<br>
The pinsless system attempts to achieve the same clean aesthetic as [[#Hidden Zen|hidden zen]] pins, but with a [[Construction#Channel|channel]] construction. Instead of using a zen pin, the area of the handle where the pin would normally be inserted is left unmachined. This uncut part of the handle acts acts as a built-in pin. An example of a knife with a pinsless design is the [[JK_Monarch|JK Monarch]]<br>


This type of pin system (or lack thereof) has received significant criticism, as it is considered the most prone to failure. Over time, it can lead to the development of [[slap]], due to the repeated stress on the unmachined section of the handle acting as a stop pin.
Due to the difference in hardness between the hardened blade and the soft titanium handles, this type of pin system (or lack thereof) will inevitably cause the handle gap to degrade over time, eventaully leading to [[slap]].

Revision as of 06:29, 1 July 2025

Pin Systems are used to keep the blade from hitting the inside of the the handles and to keep the handles from hitting each other. The latter is called slap.

Material Hardness

To understand the pros and cons of every pin system, it's important to first learn about material hardness.

There are many different scales on which hardness can be measured, but the most widely-used for steel is the Rockwell Hardness scale C. It is often abbreviated to HRC.

Properly heat-treated steel typically falls in the 58-60HRC range, depending on the steel.
Non-heat-treated steel is generally around 35-41HRC.
Titanium usually has a hardness of about 36-38HRC.

The higher the HRC number, the harder the material. Harder materials are more brittle, which means they are more prone to snapping, cracking or shattering. Softer materials (lower HRC) are more malleable and deform under stress rather than breaking. For example: The handles of the Canyon are very thin and are made out of heat-treated stainless steel. Some users have reported that their handles have snapped after drops. Meanwhile, the Slift V2 also has very thin handles, but they are made of titanium. Rather than snapping, titanium will generally just deform because of its lower hardness.

If two materials that both have a high HRC hit against each other, one, if not both of those materials will be at risk of snapping, cracking or shattering.
If two materials with different hardness ratings make contact, the softer one will always yield to the harder one, meaning that the softer material will get squised and deformed. If two materials that both have a low HRC hit against each other, both of those materials with squish and deform each other, but the ammount is very small.

Different Pin Systems

There are currently three types of pin systems used in balisongs.

Zen Pins

If the stopping mechanism is a stainless steel pin housed inside the handle, it is called a "zen pin" system. There are multiple implementations of zen pin systems, but they all have in common that a pin is inside the handle.

Press-fit

Press-fit Zen pins are typically only used in Channel balisongs, as this system depends on the structural rigidity that channel construction provides. A stainless steel pin is pressed into a hole which is slightly smaller than the pin itself, creating a tight interference fit. The pin is held in place by friction generated from the pin being slightly larger than the hole, ensuring it stays securely in place during use. An example of a balisong which uses this type of Pin system is the Krake Raken.

Screw Zen

Retrieved from "https://balisong.info/index.php?title=Pin_System&oldid=120"