Washers or bearings?

Short story: I was at a work Christmas function the other day, and everyone knows me as the “weirdo who carries a pocket knife.” Maybe not in exactly those words, but pocket knives are more or less illegal in my country (although lots of my workmates carry a Leatherman-style multitool).

My knife is a Benchmade Osborne, and I make sure to use it in any possible circumstances. I don’t want to be too precious with it, and I want it to be useful. I find that the more I use it, the more uses I find for it.

Anyways, as often happens, the knife became useful. Some friends needed a knife for food prep, and I gave it to them. They chopped up salami, cheese, tomatoes and gherkins to put on crackers (delicious!) Some others used it to open Secret Santa presents, and the host used it to help adjust some decorations.

Then another workmate asked to use it at the barbecue. I kinda knew it would get gunked up there, but handed it over without hesitation. He gave it back to me with the hinge and handle totally jammed full of grease, chunks of meat and sauce and said “now it’s a proper knife.” It was also noticeably blunt and had a couple of tiny scratches on the blade. Dick move? I don’t know.

So, I subsequently took it apart, cleaned and lubricated it, sharpened it and now it’s good as gold again.

To my point: would it have been a bigger problem if the hinge ran on caged ball bearings? This experience makes me want to stay away from bearings now, and I’m thinking of something like an Ontario RAT 1 if I ever lose my Osborne. What do you think?