Anyone else getting burned out on framelocks?

[bearcut]

Amazing, I was just thinking about this.

I'm pretty tired of framelocks now. There are so many of them and they pretty much look the same on the lock side. I'm passing on a lot of new knives because of this.

 

[eric_j]

I used to love frame locks, but they're unreliable in comparison to an axis or lockback:

Axis > Lockback > Frame > Liner

I only rate the lockback below the axis because you're more likely to accidentally bump it. Another plus to the axis is that it only disengages when pulled away from the blade, so the only time you could possibly accidentally disengage it is when you won't be getting cut by it (and your fingers would need to be out of the blade path, anyhow). Then you have the axis with an added safety, which, short of catastrophic structural failure or gross negligence, should never be possible to accidentally disengage in such a way it could hurt you.

Frame and liner locks are bad because you have to stick a finger in the path of the blade when disengaging it. For this reason, an accidental disengagement will be much more dangerous.

 

[Stoney26]

I like framelocks because theyre beefier than linerlocks, and because theyre more simplistic than axis locks. I have no experience with tri-ad locks yet, although i want to. It may not be as strong as the axis lock appears to be, but there's less parts. Less parts=less things that can potentially break. IMO

 

[o4tg]

I heavily dislike not having a grip on one side. So I've never been a fan, even if they are stronger. I think a hybrid of the two is the best option though.

 

[bpeezer]

I dislike frame locks, but then again I dislike every locking mechanism I've ever encountered on a knife. They all leave something to be desired from a mechanical standpoint. Then again, most people don't buy knives for the beauty of the locking mechanism

 

[22-rimfire]

Frame locks are okay. I just prefer just about any other lock to a frame lock. I just bought a Kabar Dozier folder and it doesn't have any lock and I like it even though this particular knife is chinese made. Wanted to give this one a try. The other Kabar Doziers are Taiwan made. They are a great value.

 

[ToddM]

I think as a couple others have mentioned that a well executed and designed frame/liner lock is a thing of simplistic beauty and function. However, it seems that few companies/makers are producing them consistently at a high level these days. A day can't go by that we don't see multiple posts from people having issues with rock lock, lock bars going to 100%, too early of lock up, lock bars slipping, slight spine taps collapsing locks etc. and on knives costing a LOT of money.

Seems most liner/frame locks I've played with lately have some movement when even non-impact pressure is applied, I've seen it personally in samples of ZT, Spartan, Microtech, Strider, etc. More interesting is that of all the frame/liner locks that I've owned, the liner locks seem to have less issues than the frame locks, despite their higher price tags. I thought it was just rose colored glasses but I pulled out a bunch of my old liner locks (BM 975, Stryker, military, CRKT M16, original MT socom, EDI genesis, etc.) and put about a dozen of them through the same tests, and not one had a single issue, no rock lock, no lock bars would go to 100%, even hard spine smacks would not budge the lock, no lock slipping under non-impact pressure trying to force the blade closed etc. and not one of these knives was nearly as expensive as my recent purchases.

If I take my most recent purchases (strider, ZT, spyderco, Spartan, MT socom elite, BM, CRK) of those that are liner/frame locks I'd say at least 2/3 have some blade or lock movement when open, three were bad enough to have the lock compromised under non impact pressure and needed to be returned. The others I don't believe are a lock failure concern, but evidently just poor execution.

 

[CharlesIV]

Nope FrameLocks All The Way!

 

[kreole]

I, for the most part, stopped buying them a few years ago. Every so often a design comes through that's nice enough I'l overlook that it has a frame lock, however; it's not a deal-breaker.

 

[toker]

I like any well built and implemented lock, but I'm a huge fan of framelocks simply due to the ease of cleaning and maintenance. Axis locks and compression locks are not nearly as easy to take apart, clean and reassemble.

 

[Wolverine666]

I love frame locks. Thick slab of titanium locking into place with a loud "clack". Music to my ears.

I also really like the Axis , Compression and Ball Bearing locks to.

I hate liner locks.

 

[RevDevil]

Frame and liner locks are bad because you have to stick a finger in the path of the blade when disengaging it. For this reason, an accidental disengagement will be much more dangerous.

But wouldn't this be the case with any lock? If you are gripping the knife, your fingers will always be in the path of the blade. Also, when unlocking the blade, I've never had the knife swing closed on me. Putting fingers in the path of the blade in this case doesn't present a danger to me.

 

[jkulysses]

I have a couple that I like but after using the Compression Lock on my PM2 for a couple years now it is the lock that I compare all other locks to.

 

[duro]

I used to hate frame locks and liner locks, But now that I have a few good ones they are growing on me.

Though I still kinda look at frame locks as unfinished liner locks. Another scale on the other side would look nicer in most cases IMO.

Take a look at sub-frame locks. Microtech and Guardian Tactical are making some nice ones.

 

[jill jackson]

I love a frame-lock!

 

[JBoone]

My SnG is my favorite knife. Nuf said!

 

[marthinus]

IMO there is a reason why liner and framelocks make up almost 90% of the market.

Michael Walker decided not to patent his liner lock, Chris Reeve did the same, in a time where it seems everyone is trying to patent their design or attempting to keep the design exclusive I have a great deal of respect for those that do not go that route.

A proper executed liner or frame lock is a safe lock and there are extensive posts on how important design and execution is with these locks.

I will never get tired of a good liner and framelocks.

 

[crom]

Nope, but I'm moving away from liner locks these days. Too many are too skinny.

 

[spyderco lover]

I've been burned out by them for a little while now.

It definitely seems like all the really nice designs were nothing but frame locks for a while, I think things are turning around though.

I really wish there was some more innovation, just something different than a frame or liner lock but just as easy and strong

I'm still dreaming of the day I can buy a kershaw or benchmade with a triad lock

 

[RemyKaze]

IMO there is a reason why liner and framelocks make up almost 90% of the market.

Michael Walker decided not to patent his liner lock, Chris Reeve did the same, in a time where it seems everyone is trying to patent their design or attempting to keep the design exclusive I have a great deal of respect for those that do not go that route.

A proper executed liner or frame lock is a safe lock and there are extensive posts on how important design and execution is with these locks.

I will never get tired of a good liner and framelocks.

So basically, it is because liner and frame locks are readily available? That's the most realistic conclusion; simplicity, strength etc aside. I would imagine it takes a lot of time and money to patent a new lock type.

I'm for Axis and Compression all the way, with a well done Walker Liner Lock in third. The Military and Gayle Bradley are recommended often for a reason.