> what solves the problem for us is not a knowledge base, but search

There are problems with search: you have to know to search for something, and you have to know how to search for it. In some cases this is an issue, in some it isn't. I have had many times over the years where I reviewed my notes and reminded myself of things I had completely forgotten. Search is useless in that case.

But in any event, there's no conflict between a knowledge base and search. They are different things and you can search a knowledge base.