Are liner locks pass'e?

Hoodoo · Oct 23, 1999

I've decided to stop buying liner lock knives. They seem to be too fraught with potential problems. My favorite liner lock is the Wenger line and I just saw a bunch of posts talking about the liner lock walking on these.

I know there are a lot of durable liner locks out there but isn't this an expensive crap shoot? Now that there are new and apparently reliable locking mechanisms out there, why should I buy another liner lock knife? My mini axis is suiting me just fine and I can't wait until they come out with an axis AFCK and how about some kind of an xlock Wenger? I hear Spydie has something in the works. I think I'll wait and in the meantime, concentrate on buying some fixed blades.

Rant off.

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Hoodoo

Cogita tute

Doc Mac · Oct 23, 1999

Well said. I feel the same way. While there are good liner lock knives to be had, I think that I already have most of them, and don't
see the need to gamble on any more. I've got
Military, Starmate, and a few others, and yes I noticed that my Wegner liner is moving over
to the other side and the knife is only a few months old.So it's lockbacks, rolling locks etc for me from now on.

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"How do I stop this thing?"

JW · Oct 23, 1999

My 1 yr old Wegner is still solid. My just-arrived Larry Chew custom is linerlock and looks like it might last almost forever.
The Spyd Wegner has seen and will see harder use than the Chew, but I have confidence in both.
Of course, sometimes a fixed blade is the best choice, depending on what you're trying to do. Folders aint fixed- no matter how good and solid they are.

Joe Talmadge · Oct 23, 1999

JW -- It's true, one should be careful not to have unreasonable expectations as to what a lock can do. On the other hand, you shouldn't let "folders ain't fixed" be an excuse. There is simply no reason to be too tolerant of a lock format in which it's a crap shoot as to whether or not it will wear in a couple months, or it will unlock when you hold it firmly or torque it, etc. Especially when there are established lock formats, and new emerging lock formats, that don't seem to be as plagued with problems.

All that said, there are manufacturers and custom makers who are better or worse at making liner locks. And I'm convinced that if you choose carefully, you can get a rock solid liner lock. My experience with Melvin Nishiushi definitely convinced me of that (I can repost that experience if anyone's interested). You just need to educate yourself enough to choose wisely. 'course, no testing will tell you in advance if you got one of those liner locks that wears all the way across the blade in just a few months.

Joe

RGRAY · Oct 23, 1999

Hoodoo,
Have you heard of any new Axis lock blades being offered like a AFCK? I'd buy an Axis AFCK.

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RICK LEFTIES UNITE

stjames · Oct 23, 1999

I still prefer a well made liner lock to a well made lockback any day of the week. Both might be considered "pass'e", but will continue to be employed with success for quite a while to come. I doubt that any newer lock will totally replace the current offerings.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA

Hoodoo · Oct 23, 1999

RGRAY,

Haven't heard about an axis AFCK except the folks at Benchmade sent me a message saying something to the effect that there are rumors and there are rumors.

So...who knows? My guess is that all things will come to those with patience.

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Hoodoo

Cogita tute

JoHnYKwSt · Oct 23, 1999

When I buy a non-liner lock knife. I know that knife will lock up solid, and will continue to lock up solid for many years to come.

If I buy a liner lock knife, it all turns into a gamble. The lock may lock up solid and perfect one day, and then when dirt and crud and oil gets into the lock area, it may become unreliable the next.

Also with liner lock knives, I have to worry about lock wear. I don't want to have to check where my liner is on the back of the blade and see how much life is left in my knife. I want to be able to use my knife worry free and not have to think about the fact that each time I open my knife I'm slowly rendering it useless(OK that was an exaggeration, you get the idea).

When I buy a knife I don't want it to be a gamble, I want the knife to work right and continue to work right.

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Johnny
[]xxxxxxx]=============>

HJK · Oct 23, 1999

To call something passe is to suggest that before it was passe it was au courant or trendy, which suggests it was made or purchased because of trendiness or style rather than function or art. O my Gawd!!
I like to think my liner locks weren't a matter of trend or style, but I do have reservations about their reliability and I do detect a strong movement away from them and to other locks ie axis, rolling...

King of Groove · Oct 23, 1999

Last I heard on the Axis-Lock AFCK is: NO. Someone pretty reliable posted on the Benchmade Forum, (can't remember who). He was pretty sure there wasn't going to be one.

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"If you fake the Funk, your nose will grow."
- W. Bootsy Collins

RKnight · Oct 24, 1999

No, most custom makers will continue to use liner locks, which can be fitted to function well. They may require refitting to dial them in just right. Once done properly, they work well.

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Regards,
Ron Knight

Yeah I'm crazy, but what do you want me to do about it

AlaChoctaw · Oct 24, 1999

No! As long as I'm buying quality knives from companies who stand behind them, I am not willing to give up the speed and ease of use that I get with a liner lock.If I'm buying junk, it doesn't matter what kind of lock it has, it's still junk!I do like the REKAT rolling locks, but they still don't seem as smooth in opening or closing as a well made liner lock,though mine are relatively new.Let's don't give last rites to the liner locks just yet!

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AKTI Member #A000934
"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional"

Hoodoo · Oct 24, 1999

I don't think most people bought liner locks because they are trendy. I think they became trendy because they were highly functional. Easy to open and close with one hand.

I love 'em. I just don't want to have to send them to the doctor's office for major surgery every time I turn around. Liner locks come on some pretty EXPENSIVE knives yet are we being asked to participate in an expensive game of chance?

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Hoodoo

Cogita tute

Are liner locks pass'e?

Sebenzanista