Any benefits of a titanium lockface vs steel lockface?

[sogflash]

Some titanium framelock knives have a steel instert, but not all.

Are there any benefits of having a titanium lockface over one of steel?

 

[matt1987]

Well the TI is softer than the blade steel so technically the TI will wear faster by itself than with a harder steel insert, it also helps so a lock won't stick to the blade's lock face. Some knives have their TI lock face treated to help this without a steel piece.

 

[sogflash]

I don't see it as a benefit that it wears faster.

 

[matt1987]

I don't see it as a benefit that it wears faster.

The plain TI wears faster against the blade. Stainless steel is harder so it has a longer life span.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

It is not a benefit, but it wears so slowly most people will never know it. But now makers are carbidizing the lock face to prevent this.

 

[sogflash]

It is not a benefit, but it wears so slowly most people will never know it. But now makers are carbidizing the lock face to prevent this.

Will the process have to be repeated after a lot of use?

 

[caminos]

So, the stainless steel lockface insert on a Microtech SOCOM Delta lockbar can be carbidized to smooth up the action?

 

[evanPGH]

From what I understand, carbidizing the lock face is done to prevent the lock bar from sticking under disengagement and offers no wear resistance. The titanium work hardens after being slammed into the blade over and over again giving it a long life span.

 

[stabman]

I personally like the lock-face to tang interface that develops once a titanium frame-lock has worn in. If it starts with an early lock-up, then once worn in it has a nice big contact surface. Once it wears to that point, it tends to stay there.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Exactly. Of all the things to obsess over, this is the least important.

I personally like the lock-face to tang interface that develops once a titanium frame-lock has worn in. If it starts with an early lock-up, then once worn in it has a nice big contact surface. Once it wears to that point, it tends to stay there.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Carbidizing does add wear resistance to the titanium lock face. Carbidizing is actually Tungsten carbide which is deposited on the lockface that will aid in sticky locks but its primary purpose is a coating that is harder than titanium. Due to it being a coating it overtime can wear off but can be reapplied.

So, the stainless steel lockface insert on a Microtech SOCOM Delta lockbar can be carbidized to smooth up the action?

Not really needed. If your lock is sticky on a knife with a steel lockface insert its probably dirty. The stickiness of a Ti lockbar is the different materials of different hardness creating friction or what us knife nuts like to call stiction. In your case I would suggest cleaning the lockbar face and the tang of the blade where it contacts with a solvent like alcohol. If after a thorough cleaning it still sticks rub the tip of a pencil on the lock bar and this should be sufficient. What you NEVER want to do is apply oil or grease to the lock as it will make the problem worse.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Will the process have to be repeated after a lot of use?

Newer Spyderco Military models come WITH a replacable steel lockbar insert. I suspect other good knives do something similar.

 

[SomeNewGuy]

More what depends on wear besdies steel vs titanium is the geometry of the tang. steel frame lock with a 75 degree angle cut into the tang for the lock bar to ride on is gonna wear fast.

 

[GMAHN]

I personally like the idea that an uncoated Ti lockface will gall and tend to stick to the lock face if there is pressure put on it. From my reading around it seems that with steel on steel or with a carbidized lock face you do have more of a chance of the lock slipping under pressure. This all goes along with the silly notion that liner and frame locks should come from the factory with 5% engagement which is a silly collectors notion that actually makes the knife less safe.