Anyone else getting burned out on framelocks?

[d.weglarz13]

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.

This. It seems Frame locks are the cause of a LOT of problems and issues.

 

[HwangJino]

Maybe cheap framelocks id avoid.

my sebenzas lock changes but no where near lock failure, ive actually never heard of a sebenza with a failed lock... not that im well informed.

 

[Stays Sharp]

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

Or a Spyderco. Many lockbacks from the company, I'd like to see what they can come up with having the Triad lock. Great ergos, deployment hole, steel options... imagine adding the Triad to that mix.

 

[jill jackson]

Flippers are best with frame locks. With all the new flippers coming out with bearings I doubt they're going to go anywhere until someone invents something that works as well with flipping.

 

[RemyKaze]

Or a Spyderco. Many lockbacks from the company, I'd like to see what they can come up with having the Triad lock. Great ergos, deployment hole, steel options... imagine adding the Triad to that mix.

The Tatanka will have the Powerlock, which is supposed to be somewhere of a level with the Tri-Ad. Plus it's a sick looking knife.

 

[gooeytek]

Nope. Keep the framelocks and beefy linerlocks coming! Simple is good.

I only have 2 knives with a backlock, 1 with a compression lock, 1 with an axis lock. The rest are framelocks with several linerlocks. Never had any of them fail me yet, even my knives with no locks. Use them right, there'll be little difference between them.

That said, titanium framelocks are my favorite type of folder.

 

[cEdge]

I don't have a problem with any style of lock albeit I prefer either a liner lock or frame lock. I just want it to be well designed and work as intended.

 

[SoCal_kid]

Backlocks por vida. But seriously, I love my umnumzaan. That being said... The locking mechanisms are all fun as long as they "fit" my personal style. Some incantations of lock seem better than others. Just my hands I guess.

 

[blame it on god]

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

Thanks, I took a look and like a few of them. Sadly none of them are lefty friendly. Bummer.

The Tatanka will have the Powerlock, which is supposed to be somewhere of a level with the Tri-Ad. Plus it's a sick looking knife.

That is pretty sweet looking, And it is lefty friendly. See Spyderco gets it. When will everyone else?!?

 

[AddictedToGear]

I tend to like a variety of locks, when it comes to customs I like frame locks, but my favorite so far is a bolster lock when gives you the strength of a frame lock with the looks of a liner lock by having two show sides. Button locks are still nice and I like axis locks as well. I am fairly flexible when it comes to locks, but I have been on a ti-framelock kick, but I do carry many different locks that depend on the brand of knife I am carrying many times.

 

[fetzer85]

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.

I bolded the only legitimate sentence in this post - the rest is some combination of opinion & speculation worded as fact.

Am I the only member on this forum who hasn't experienced lock failure? Some of you are so quick to go around judging this lock and that lock as well as inform us which ones are 'better' or 'safer' than others. They are ALL good designs and usually when one fails they're either being abused, put through some illogical 'test' or filling in for the job of a fixed blade.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The best lock? A full tang fixed blade .

 

[willic]

I am a traditionalist. I have steered away from framelocks and more tactical looking knives. Then Scott from usamadeblade led me to a Sniper Bladeworks.... WOW.... It carries so well clipped in my pocket, it is a really usable sized blade, it's quick to draw and open, I LOVE the one handed open.... I'm a changed knife person! I want to try a Strider soon. I want to see more framelocks!

-Will

 

[WRGreen]

All the fun one-handed knife open-close, open-close play aside, when I get bored with my liner or frame locks, I dig out my older lockbacks or slipjoints and put them back into circulation. Small fixed blades are really a great way to go also. Good sheath/carry systems can make comfort, safety and discreet concealment from fearful public scrutiny fairly easy and still provide safe instant access. The soft click of well fitted kydex, the cut made, the return to sheath click and off to the next task can be as rewardelicious in stealth and speed points as the vault-like click of a well-made frame/liner/button/etc....

 

[gvarr]

I actualy prefer a well done stainless steel framelock over a titanium framelock, a stainless steel frame lock hardly show any wear and lets just be honest, titanium is not that much lighter than steel anyway. and stainless steel is much more affordable than titanium.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I actualy prefer a well done stainless steel framelock over a titanium framelock, a stainless steel frame lock hardly show any wear and lets just be honest, titanium is not that much lighter than steel anyway. and stainless steel is much more affordable than titanium.

Exactly! The frame lock on my ESEE Zancudo is well executed in fit and function. I cannot say the same for my Strider PT.

 

[Sulaco]

I've only seen one frame lock done really well and it made me realize what I had suspected all along - that most folks don't do it really well.

Funny thing, the best liner lock I've seen is on a knife which cost me less than $30. Anyone guess what it is and where it's made?

As for my personal preferences, I think the AXIS lock by Benchmade is my favorite. I'm left-handed and a true ambidextrous lock is a huge plus for me. I also like the ease of use one-handed (either hand) and reliability. I've never had one break and you can see how long I've been around. I've had AXIS lock folders even longer. I one used a single Mini-Griptilian for over 6 years daily and it never once failed. I even had it in the Atlantic Ocean on several occasions and after scrubbing rust from the Omega springs, it still worked perfectly and locked up tight as a drum. I never should have sold it but I had worn the blade down to a nub and didn't feel like sending it in to be replaced.

 

[CJZ]

Flippers are best with frame locks. With all the new flippers coming out with bearings I doubt they're going to go anywhere until someone invents something that works as well with flipping.

Flipper and axis lock makes a great combo.

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

Flipper and axis lock makes a great combo.

I feel like this could be more true with a larger knife than the Butch Ball. Think a 943 with a flipper

 

[Jake_Lucas]

I'm not, but the skin on my thumb definitely is.

Knives with more relief cut opposite the lock are easier on the thumb, but the only real problem is that I sit and play with them too much