Anyone else not into metal scales or framelock?

harronek · Mar 30, 2016

I like metal handles and my favourite knife is Titanium scaled .
I don't mind frame locks , but I don't own one at the moment .
I live and work in outback Australia and the temperatures we get here are as hot as you will find on any continent .
If sweaty hands and a titanium handles don't get along it news to me .
The only time I really noticed slippery hands was when I worked in a slaughterhouse for a couple of years , blood and continually washing down with water do produce an environment where it is difficult to hang onto a knife . Even then the plastic - nylon handled knives used are quite slick and don't have grip like indentations on the handle , but we didn't all stand around wishing that our knives had better handles .
What prolonged tasks are people doing with their EDC knives that metal scales become an issue ?

Ken

marthinus · Mar 30, 2016

Love my Ti scales. Only handle material I have used as a hammer on a small protruding pin on a pram without much damage.

Love my G10 and CF as well when I want to feel something different and then of course that o so sexy woods and ivory.

Thank goodness there are so many knives available to suite all of our tastes and wants in a single day.

P_Meticulous · Mar 30, 2016

Titanium is definitely my favorite knife handle material, however, it has to be done right. Adding some cool onlays, machined patterning/file-work, or stonewash will usually do the trick. I mostly like it for the feel and added weight (since most of my preferred folders are relatively small/thin in profile). It gives my smaller folders some more heft, which reduces the OMG I lost my knife jolt (you know youve been there).

Some of my favorite Benchmade models have Ti scales (while still utilizing the Axis lock mind you).

I love Ti even on my frame locks.. The machined bevels and modernized design cues make up for the lack of onlay eye candy.

d762nato · Mar 30, 2016

I'm beginning to like frame locks less and less these days and liking liner locks better. I had a custom Emerson eight with a really thick liner lock and it was great. I kick myself for parting with that one as they are hard to find these days and it didn't have the ti or metal handles either. So yes I wish knife makers would concentrate more on nice thick liner locks more so than frame locks these days.

I guess a frame lock is easier to produce than a liner lock knife though.

Todd21969 · Mar 30, 2016

I ended my Ti framelock phase about two years ago. Had several and carried a ZT0301 exclusively for a year.

I don't own any right now, I prefer the feel of G10. Love a well built ti Walker Liner Lock.

I still have an older Spyderco Police. Stainless scales, fully serrated that I'll never get rid of.

evolution80 · Mar 30, 2016

i agree - while i like my hinderers and the framelock makes for a sturdy lock mechanism - i must say i prefer having micarta or g10 scales on both sides - hence linerlocks are awesome

TimmyJ · Mar 30, 2016

The last few knives I've purchased have been Ti, framelock flippers. I find them to be sturdy, dependable and easy to deploy. I'm enjoying the style and appreciate their popularity right now. However, I look forward to the next successful design that takes the knife world by storm.

pathwinder14 · Mar 30, 2016

I've never liked metal scales. I want purchase on a handle. I want to know that it won't slip from my hands or move about on me if my hands get wet.

I only have one frame lock (Cryo in G-10). As far as locks and lock up go, it is fine. However the lock side is metal and that becomes a "grip" issue. I do not plan on getting any other frame locks.

JD Bear · Mar 30, 2016

I've always preferred natural handle material. Bone, wood, etc.. However that does make it difficult in the modern knife spectrum, so in that respect I would have to go with G-10 over metal. I understand that metal is a natural material, but I'm sure you guys get my point. There's not a lot of feel and texture to it.

palonej · Mar 30, 2016

I am glad there are so many choices for us......I have a few Ti frame locks and love them. Also love G10. Not too crazy about frn, although I have a couple.
Joe

David Martin · Mar 30, 2016

I'm not a fan of metal handles either. And don't care for the frame-lock. DM

bt93 · Mar 30, 2016

I generally shy from metal scales, but I do like the feel of my Spitfire. As far as frame locks, on the Buck Spitfire the release is mid frame so am able to close it one handed with a little nudge against my thigh. I have'nt carried that for a while though, it doesn't have a magnifying glass, or can opener and such. I like my SAK with the plastic handle just fine. A lot of SAK fans drool for metal scales. Check out the ruckus for the recently announced Pioneer X. I'm sure they're nice and cold when it gets below zero and you have to remove a glove to open it. Liner locks are nice but clumsy with the left hand, and being left handed, that's a pain.

jsm11 · Mar 30, 2016

bt93 said:
I generally shy from metal scales, but I do like the feel of my Spitfire. As far as frame locks, on the Buck Spitfire the release is mid frame so am able to close it one handed with a little nudge against my thigh. I have'nt carried that for a while though, it doesn't have a magnifying glass, or can opener and such. I like my SAK with the plastic handle just fine. A lot of SAK fans drool for metal scales. Check out the ruckus for the recently announced Pioneer X. I'm sure they're nice and cold when it gets below zero and you have to remove a glove to open it. Liner locks are nice but clumsy with the left hand, and being left handed, that's a pain.

Your reference to weather conditions affecting a knife is the primary reason I've steered clear of metal scales... Hot, hot in the summer and cold, cold in the winter...