Ball bearing assembly for folding knife or tool

A method of operating a folding knife, the method comprising:

• providing a folding knife comprising:
• a handle portion;
• a blade pivotably connected to the handle portion and including a tang;
• and
• a ball bearing assembly disposed in the handle portion and comprising a first bearing race and a second bearing race each race having a ball housing in which a plurality of balls partially reside therein;
• and
• when the blade is in a closed position, applying an opening force to the blade to displace the blade from the closed position, thereby allowing the plurality of balls within each ball housing to roll along opposing sides of the tang of the blade as the blade pivots from the closed position to an open position.

A folding knife, comprising:

• a handle portion including a first side panel with a first side panel inner surface and a second side panel with a second side panel inner surface and a first side panel liner and a second side panel liner wherein the first side panel liner is positioned adjacent to the first side panel inner surface and the second side panel liner is positioned adjacent to the second side panel inner surface;
• a blade pivotably connected to the handle portion and comprising a tang, a bottom surface including a sharpened edge, and an upper surface opposite the bottom surface, the blade being pivotable relative to the handle portion between a closed position and an open position wherein the sharpened edge is exposed for use;
• a bearing assembly positioned between the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the tang of the blade, the first side panel liner and the second side panel liner each include an opening for mounting the bearing assembly and the bearing assembly comprising:
• a first bearing race and a second bearing race, wherein each bearing race comprises a ball housing;
• and
• a first screw for securing the first race of the first side panel and a second screw for securing the second race of the second side panel;
• and
• a plurality of balls residing partially within each ball housing, wherein the plurality of balls are positioned to contact an adjacent side surface of the tang thereby allowing the plurality of balls to roll along opposing sides of the tang as the blade is pivoted from the open position to the closed position or the closed position to the open position.