Are liner locks unsafe?

[SIFU1A]

there is nothing wrong with a well fitted liner lock some of the best custom self defense knives in the world are liner lock, ie pat crawford, ernie emerson, bob T, etc.

liner locks do wear with use though and ya have to keep an eye on them.

any good quality production is generally pretty good like BM, MT, EKI, spyderco, al mar, all good.

 

[psy-ops]

I don't think liner locks are unsafe. I just don't like them.

I prefer lock backs, and axis locks.

 

[brj]

the Walker liner lock is my favourite lock type on a folder, with axis second and midlock & compression disputing the third
i've used high end liner locks (spyderco, benchmade) through fairly cheap ones (magnum boker AK74 comes to mind) and all performed perfect for my regular usage
on the other hand i am pretty confortable with a vic or a spydie UKPK or t-mag, so i guess any type of well-done liner can be seen as an improvement over those

 

[neeman]

If you want to rely on any lock never failing, then...

You should be using a fixed blade.

 

[Rafael]

I guess it's understandable if you're doing a test applying force against the spine. But does that translate to real world use?

While working cutting something is a very confined space I gave a knife an accidental spine whack and it closed on me.

Under testing I noticed that when a knife is stuck in something and you pull it out, this often will put pressure on the back of the blade. This is something I do in the real world as well (but no longer with liner locks) Sometimes this will cause a liner lock to fail.

As I posted above, this doesn’t mean I don’t buy knifes with a liner lock. But I have more trust in a back or frame lock.

Rafael

 

[orthogonal1]

The issue is not whether or not liner-locks as a design are unreliable, the issue is the relatively high incidence of failure, notably failure on a "known" to be reliable locking knife, in actual use.

I have a few knives with reliable liner-locks, at least to date. But due to the failures of knives with liner-locks I've dealt with in the past, I will no longer recommend such to anybody. That way I no longer need be hassled with explaining why, for example, a liner-lock failed when used to stab a medium weight carbboard box.

There are better, more reliable locks out there. Buy a knife with one of the other locks.

 

[enderwiggin]

If you want to rely on any lock never failing, then...

You should be using a fixed blade.

So unless we're using fixed blades, we shouldn't worry if any locking system is or isn't more prone to failure, and just use whatever we can find?

 

[T.K.C.]

I have never had an issue with a liner lock. I have some incredible custom knives that have liner locks.

Like has been said, the people that HAVE had liner lock failures, have been on cheap knives, but yet blame the lock, and not the crappy knife.

PS:
I happen to prefer frame locks myself, and that is the majority of what I buy. But, there have been some knives that I just loved, but happpened to be liner locks; I trust the maker.

 

[Confederate]

There are many good, dependable knives with liner locks. It's just that I don't particularly care for them. With so many knives to choose from, anyone can get any kind of knife one wants. I simply choose to buy knives that have, in my mind, better locking systems.

Liner locks cost less money to produce, so it's a great way for a manufacturer to keep the cost down and the profits up. Boker produces many liner lock knives and they put out a decent product. And in my opinion, liner locks are a hell of a lot better than slipjoints.

Any liner lock can fail if stressed and there are better locks on the market. It's just like bikes. There's nothing wrong with a 3-speed bike, but why get one when you can get one with more gears for the same price?

I prefer frame locks, lockbacks and axis locks, all of which I believe are superior to liner locks. So when I see a liner lock, I just keep looking until I find a knife with a different lock. If someone gives you a liner lock, there's no reason to get rid of it, but if you're buying for yourself, there's no reason to get one.

 

[hardheart]

liner locks wear far too quickly for my liking. Lock engagement changes with opening force. I'm not talking wrist snaps and hard inertials; just how hard you push with your thumb affects the speed of blade deployment, which affects where the lock sits. I don't like seeing that on my knives, and I really don't like seeing pics of various 'high-end' liner locks and frame locks where engagement goes from 10% to 90% of lock face.

I like locks that wear in, not out. I've had liner locks in the $150 internet price range, I don't know if something magical happens to the steel or titanium past that price to eliminate wear.

 

[THG]

While working cutting something is a very confined space I gave a knife an accidental spine whack and it closed on me.

Under testing I noticed that when a knife is stuck in something and you pull it out, this often will put pressure on the back of the blade. This is something I do in the real world as well (but no longer with liner locks) Sometimes this will cause a liner lock to fail.

As I posted above, this doesn’t mean I don’t buy knifes with a liner lock. But I have more trust in a back or frame lock.

Rafael

The knife gets stuck in something that requires 150lbs of force going against the spine? (I realize it's not "against the spine," but the force vector is still in that direction...) Maybe a fixed blade is a better option? Or maybe a hatchet? lol

liner locks wear far too quickly for my liking. Lock engagement changes with opening force. I'm not talking wrist snaps and hard inertials; just how hard you push with your thumb affects the speed of blade deployment, which affects where the lock sits.

True, I've noticed this as well.

 

[BoxANT]

there's just too many poor made linerlocks out there.

however, a good linerlock should be just as good as a good framelock.

 

[Rafael]

The knife gets stuck in something that requires 150lbs of force going against the spine? (I realize it's not "against the spine," but the force vector is still in that direction...) Maybe a fixed blade is a better option? Or maybe a hatchet? lol

Actually you are right, I should use the proper tools for the job, but I carry a folding knife, not a toolbox.

Rafael

 

[orthogonal1]

a good linerlock should be just as good as a good framelock.

Despite being generally incorrect, the operative word being "should".

Frame locks have the potential advantage of less flexation of the "beam", i.e. the lock. Deflection theory for simple beams in any engineering book show this, as well as observation of the locks in question under stress. Less deflection of the lock is usually equated with higher lock reliability.

,

 

[jkarp_53]

Well, how it translates to me is it's MY fingers I still own all of.

So in the order of things, (and for me it's my Benchmades), Axis locks come first, Framelocks (like the 750) come second, and then Locking liners come next. The only locking liner I've ever been able to "whack" was my new 672, and once it worked in with a bit of wear, I couldn't produce that failure any longer. Still, do I trust it as much as my Axis 710? Heck NO...

My $.02? Cautiousness still applies to ALL forms of knife lock. Spend time with, and get to know that knife.

 

[winz]

As mentioned, there are plenty of liner-locks at every price range that are well made and rather safe. It depends on your intended use. Spyderco and Emerson made rather nice liner-locks, as does even cheapo CRKT with their LAWKS fail-safe. If you intend to try batoning a small EDC liner-lock folder, you're best trying a different kind of knife.

 

[rebeltf]

Don't these threads get a little old after a while ? No offense intended but this dead horse has been beaten to death over and over and over.

So I'll quote one of the gems of opinion and knowledge.

Any lock can fail , regardless of whether it's the much vaunted axis lock or not.

There are crappy liner locks and there are sturdy as all get out liner locks , my Outdoor Edge 'Magna' opens with a vault like 'click' , while my Shrade ( cant recall the model...) has a liner lock slightly thicker than paper that I would not trust in a strong wind.


There is nothing wrong with a properly made and aligned liner lock.

 

[akadave2]

Liner locks seem to have the market share from what Ive seen....plus I have yet to abuse a knife to a degree to cause a lock to fail.

 

[Jeremy Horton]

Spyderco Military and Strider Rcc, my two personal LINER Lockers edc's man they lock up like a steel trap.

 

[timsclips]

I recently started carrying a Rough Rider sodbuster linerlock. Paid $8 plus shipping and it locks up solid, came fairly sharp also. Well made knives come at all price points.