This study investigates the tribological characteristics at the initiation of sliding (break-away friction) of several polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based materials including virgin PTFE (PP), PTFE filled with 25% black glass (PG), PTFE filled with 40% Bronze (PB), PTFE filled with 25% Carbon (PC), and PTFE filled with 20% glass fibre and 5% Molybdenum disulphide (PM), as well as standard white-metal Babbitt (BA) in lubricated sliding contact with a steel counter-face. Experiments were carried out using a reciprocating tribo-meter in the block on plate configuration with the specific goal of determining the friction characteristics at break-away under varying conditions. Apparent contact pressures of 1 to 8 MPa were applied with oil temperature levels of 25° to 85°C. Bronze- and carbon-filled PTFE and virgin PTFE were found to provide generally lower break-away friction and less variation in break-away friction over the course of testing than the other tested materials. Break-away friction tests after an extended stop under loading found bronze- and carbon-filled PTFE and virgin PTFE to be minimally affected by the extended stop whereas Babbitt produced a significant increase in break-away friction in the first cycle after stopping. Break-away friction for the four tested materials after an extended stop returned to pre-stop values after 1 stroke.