Bushing: Difference between revisions
removed heading counter cuz i've managed to enable auto heading counting |
fixed Outer Diameter of the bushing section |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
===Traditional=== | ===Traditional=== | ||
The traditional bushing system is by far the most popular pivot system. So much so that people often refer to traditional bushing system, as just "bushing".<br> | |||
In a traditional bushing system, the bushing goes inside the [[blade]] and gets sandwiched by two [[washer|washers]] on each side. It is generally agreed that the Traditional bushing system is the superior one. | In a traditional bushing system, the bushing goes inside the [[blade]] and gets sandwiched by two [[washer|washers]] on each side. It is generally agreed that the Traditional bushing system is the superior one. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 24: | ||
===Outer Diameter=== | ===Outer Diameter=== | ||
Often abbreviated to OD.<br> | Often abbreviated to OD.<br> | ||
Unfortunately there is no standard for bushing sizes. Some balisongs may use the same bushing size, but this is not guaranteed. For example:<br> | |||
[[Bladerunners_Systems|Bladerunners Systems]] uses 6.35mm-6.36mm for their [[Bladerunners_Systems_Replicant|Replicant]]<br> | |||
6.35mm-6.36mm<br> | [[Nabalis]] uses 6.985mm for their [[Nabalis_Vulp|Vulp]]<br> | ||
6. | [[Baliplus]] uses 7.052mm for their [[Baliplus_Titanium_Barebones|Titanium Barebones]] clone.<br> | ||
7. | [[Squid_Industries|Squid Industries]] uses 6.326 for their [[Squid_Industries_Nautilus|Nautilus]]<br> | ||
To see a list of which balisongs use which type of bushing, check out the [[Balisong_list|balisong list]].<br> | To see a list of which balisongs use which type of bushing, check out the [[Balisong_list|balisong list]].<br> | ||
While some of those differences may looks small (for example: 6. | While some of those differences may looks small (for example: 6.985 vs 7.052), they can still dictate whether a bushing might or might not fit inside the bushing hole of a [[blade]]. You can use a small bushing for a larger bushing hole (for example 6.985 inside a blade that needs 7.052) but that will introduce problems. Please read [[Tune#Handles_move_up_and_down]] | ||
===Height=== | ===Height=== | ||
Revision as of 21:30, 28 June 2025
A bushing is a small cilynder, usually made out of some form of steel. For balisongs, some form of stainless steel is the standard.
Bushing systems
Bushings for balisongs usually come in one of two types: "traditional" bushing system, or "floating" bushing system.
Traditional
The traditional bushing system is by far the most popular pivot system. So much so that people often refer to traditional bushing system, as just "bushing".
In a traditional bushing system, the bushing goes inside the blade and gets sandwiched by two washers on each side. It is generally agreed that the Traditional bushing system is the superior one.
Floating
Sizes
Bushings have 3 measurements: outer diameter, inner diameter, and height.
Inner Diameter
Often abbreviated to ID.
The ID of most bushings will usually be the same, around 4.7mm-4.9mm (0.188in)
Outer Diameter
Often abbreviated to OD.
Unfortunately there is no standard for bushing sizes. Some balisongs may use the same bushing size, but this is not guaranteed. For example:
Bladerunners Systems uses 6.35mm-6.36mm for their Replicant
Nabalis uses 6.985mm for their Vulp
Baliplus uses 7.052mm for their Titanium Barebones clone.
Squid Industries uses 6.326 for their Nautilus
To see a list of which balisongs use which type of bushing, check out the balisong list.
While some of those differences may looks small (for example: 6.985 vs 7.052), they can still dictate whether a bushing might or might not fit inside the bushing hole of a blade. You can use a small bushing for a larger bushing hole (for example 6.985 inside a blade that needs 7.052) but that will introduce problems. Please read Tune#Handles_move_up_and_down
Height
The last axis of the bushing is the height. It is the only flat part of the bushing. There is no real standard in bushing height since every blade will have a different thickness.
Tuning
For an explanation on what tuning is and how it impacts the performance of a balisong, please read the tune article.
Tuning traditional bushings
In order to have a decent tune, you need to sand the flat part of the bushing so that it is only slightly higher than the blade. If your bushing is 0.025mm (0.001in) shorter than your blade, you have an undersized bushing and your balisong will most likely bind. You must also be careful to not sand your bushing at an angle because this will make your balisong bind, but only in specific handle positions. Some community members tend to call uneven bushings "lopsided". To counteract uneven bushings, makers have created tools to help mitigate this problem. Nabalis has created the Bushing Buddy and Knife Dogs have created the Pivot Lap.
Tuning floating bushings
Conversion
It is possible to convert different types of bushing systems.
Floating -> Traditional
A floating bushing system can be converted to a traditional bushing system. Currently the instructions are missing on how to do this, but a community member called Taktyc has created a video in which he announced that he will make a tutorial about this.