A question about the Military titanium.

E

edmundl

Joined
Jan 28, 2010
Messages
63
I am interested in getting the newer model military titanium with the hardened ss lock-bar insert. The dealer I spoke to is not sure if the one they have in stock has it. What should they look for if it is the new model with the insert? If it is the older model. How much of a problem did they have with the older model as far as the lockbar wearing out?
 
It is very obvious if it has the insert or not. I have never seen or read of a problem. The insert was more of an improvement rather than a solution to a problem.
 
What he said, but to clarify further there is no new model; it's an improvement on an existing model. They do that all the time.
 
I have an unused Ti Military with the older framelock with no insert, is this something they can upgrade or replace at the factory?
 
I know of no way of telling if a titanium Military has the insert or not other than inspecting the particular knife in question.
 
I have "old" Ti Millie and it's no problem. The lock bar hasn't moved that I can tell. I think it was a solution to the possible problems of galling/sticking and wear after years of use. I have to desire to "upgrade" to a Ti Millie with the lockbar insert.
 
Here's a pic of the lock area. The bottom one with the insert is actually an M4 Military with the Ti facing scale from another Ti Military. The donor Ti Military had the insert as well, and I put the brown G10 scale on that one and gave it to my brother last month, so he basically has a Military that looks like the CPM-M4 Knifeworks exclusive, but with an S30V blade. The top Military is an older, NIB one that I bought from a fellow member that I am going to transplant an M390 blade into whenever the pre-orders come in.

It seems that the only way to guarantee that you will get one with the insert is to get pictures of the actual knife through the secondary market, or another M4 Military.
2011-12-01_00-27-55_721.jpg
 
colubrid said:
No one answered as to what this new insert is supposed to do?
Click to expand...

Basically, some argue that titanium wears faster, and sometimes becomes "sticky" with use. The hardened steel insert prevents this, because it extends past the titanium, so the lock face is steel. This insert would also allow a user to replace a worn or damaged lockbar/detent ball.

This is kind of a controversial topic (in the bladeforum world at least) because knife makers have been using all Ti lockbars for a while without issue. I have a Sage 2 that is holding up just fine.

Really, like another member said, it's a solution to a problem that (some would argue) doesn't really exist. Either way, the insert is a cool innovation, and definitely a plus to have, just for the piece of mind that if it ever wears out, it can be replaced (although I can't really attest to the availability of replacements).

I'm sure some steelhead will chime in with all the mechanics behind the whole "bad" Ti lockbar argument.
 
TiMillockbar.jpg


usermil2.jpg


The steel lockbar insert slows the wear that occurs between the lock face and bar. In the Ti Mil's case, it also prevents over-travel and might possibly be replaceable.
 
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