Swapping out the caged bearings with Skiff Thick Washers 

Thanks man! There are SOOOO many options out there 🤣

Yeah, I thought the heavier blade on the FSD would help with the closing, but even if I swing it, it takes a couple tries to close it. Might need to switch back to bearings eventually. I’m planning to replace the Arius, Paysan, and Mcnees next. Agree with you about fall shut frame locks, just seems unsafe 😅

It does take more messing around to dial in the action with washers. Like on my gen 1 mcnees with a backspacer, if I was to fully tighten down the body screws my action was terrible with washers and with bearings it didn't matter so much. So I had to lock tite the body screws and just leave them snug. I've even measured the bearings with calipers and measured the washers and had to finely sand down the washers surface to get it exactly how I wanted. Very rarely do drop in parts just work perfectly, especially on knives with tight tolerances. But is possible, every spyderco knife I own is on washers and there all amazing.

Interesting, I don’t have a very refined way of sanding down washers - what method do you use? I’ll gently push down on the washer with my index finger over 320-400 grit and go in a circular motion 15-20 times each side and each washer. I get the feeling that is not the best way lol. I’m looking forward to testing the thick washers on those other knives. I’ll have to keep your advice in mind about the Mcnees 👊🏼 🙏🏼

@@AggroSamurai No complaints so far! Thanks for the shine homie 🙏🏼