Google sucks for sure, but I keep seeing this claim that they’ve removed “don’t be evil” from their code of conduct.

It’s still there, it’s just no longer the main motto and has been moved from the preface to the conclusion.

You can read it yourself; “don’t be evil” is literally in the last sentence verbatim, lol: https://abc.xyz/investor/google-code-of-conduct/

Just to confirm, what brand/model is your balisong exactly?

If it is indeed only on washers (with no bushings) then tuning basically requires the use of loctite or Teflon tape. You can’t full crank screws on a washer balisong, so you have to partial crank to just before the handles start binding, and then “lock” the screw tension in place with either loctite or Teflon tape.

It depends on the balisong. Do you know whether yours is on bushings, washers, or bearings?