- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 3,148
I have done extensive testing on Titanium frame locks, both custom and production.
The main problem with any spring lock like a liner lock or frame lock is that each knife is an individual. Some locks are tough as nails and some fail fairly easily. It is all about geometry and the maker's QC.
I like AXIS style locks like the AXIS, UltraLock and Spyderco ball lock. You hear about isolated instances of these types of locks failing in various ways, but in general they are FAR more reliable than the typical frame lock or liner lock, especially over time. I have owned an Axis lock knife that would easily fail the spine whack test. It was an aberration, but it did fail.
The only liner locks I continue to buy are in small gents knives.
For hard use knives the Spyderco refined lockbacks are almost unbreakable in normal, heavy use. They are my preferred hard-use folders for the time being.
Dirk, the Maxx is very strong for a frame lock as it has a very long lockbar, but it is still hampered by the wear factors inherent in linerlock/framelock engineering that relies on a spring that is somewhat softer than the blade to form a good lock. Overtime, every titanium liner lock or framelock will eventually wear to the point where it will need repair, in my opinion, as there is not enough adjustment in the system to compensate for the design.
The main problem with any spring lock like a liner lock or frame lock is that each knife is an individual. Some locks are tough as nails and some fail fairly easily. It is all about geometry and the maker's QC.
I like AXIS style locks like the AXIS, UltraLock and Spyderco ball lock. You hear about isolated instances of these types of locks failing in various ways, but in general they are FAR more reliable than the typical frame lock or liner lock, especially over time. I have owned an Axis lock knife that would easily fail the spine whack test. It was an aberration, but it did fail.
The only liner locks I continue to buy are in small gents knives.
For hard use knives the Spyderco refined lockbacks are almost unbreakable in normal, heavy use. They are my preferred hard-use folders for the time being.
Dirk, the Maxx is very strong for a frame lock as it has a very long lockbar, but it is still hampered by the wear factors inherent in linerlock/framelock engineering that relies on a spring that is somewhat softer than the blade to form a good lock. Overtime, every titanium liner lock or framelock will eventually wear to the point where it will need repair, in my opinion, as there is not enough adjustment in the system to compensate for the design.