A sheathed blade assembly (100) for minimizing or preventing contact between the moving interior blade and the exterior sheath. The assembly includes an exterior sheath (106) having a first portion (110) and second portion (112) with an inner lumen (132) therebetween, an interior blade (108) movable within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath, a first pocket (150A) within a first surface (152) of the interior blade, and a first ball bearing (148) within the first pocket. The first ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the first surface of the interior blade and the first portion of the exterior sheath. The assembly may also include a second pocket (150B) within a second surface (154) of the interior blade for a second ball bearing (148). The second ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the second surface of the interior blade and the second portion of the exterior sheath. The second pocket is in a staggered configuration relative to the first pocket.
