Could somebody please help me bust or confirm this myth?

[vwspdshp]

Thanks everyone for all your edumacative responses. So what do you guys think is the "average" lifespan of a liner-lock on a good brand knife (al mar, emerson) with average non-abusive usage?

10 yrs? more? less?

Should exceed 10 years with normal use. As I've said before, even with flicking you're more likely to deform the stop pin than the lock or blade. With most companies that's an easy fix. The pin I screwed up was in a Lone Wolf T1, and it lived through 4 years of flicking open 20-40 times a day. Today's knives are very high quality, and should stand up to a lot of use even with some flicking.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

The problem with liner and frame locks is that within a certain model knife some will work great and last forever while some have problems and you have no idea which you are getting. The problems can be that with certain movements cause the lock to walk and unlock instead of the lock getting tighter and more secure. Also, some seem to wear out much more quickly and travel across the tang so they wear out much quicker. This is just my experience and I have had a couple wear out rather quickly. I had one frame lock that didn't even get a ton of use wear out in a year to the point there was vertical play and almost a gap between blade tang and lock bar. I also was trying to hand pick a knife and the first I picked up would 'walk' towards the unlocked position just by repeatedly putting light pressure on the spine. I picked up another and it would move some but wouldn't unlock. The rest I tried seemed fine and were good and tight and didn't budge. These were all popular mid level knives that are discussed here on almost a daily basis.

I have had enough problems and have had them fail and I just don't trust liner and frame lock knives anymore. I'm sure there are plenty out there that work fine but when there are better designs available I don't see the needle to gamble on getting a good lock.

 

[nozh2002]

I don't know why I believe this, but for some reason I am under the impression that in similar frame or liner locks, titanium is stronger but wears faster.

I know that it is commonly accepted that titanium liner/framelocks are stronger, but is it true that they wear faster?

Titanium is not stronger then steel, it less stronger but much lighter and diamagnetic. Same weigh of titanium may be stronger then same weight of steel, but if we are talking about same sizes, steel will be stronger.

 

[res1cue]

well thanks for all the info guys, this is why i love this forum

flamtnbkr, were the liner locks you had bad experiences with from reputable companies?

And I do agree with you that all in all, I would much rather use a knife with CBBL, Triad, or Axis..but the appeal of the Al Mar Sere is irresistable!

 

[Professor]

I like the Axis too, but now you're into more parts. Not only the Axis module and springs, but typically 410 stainless liners and G10 scales. And I've never owned an Axis-locking folder that moved freely that didn't have some blade play in one direction or the other.

Another reason I opt for a ti framelock is my sweaty mitts, and the ease of disassembly and overall simplicity of ti framelocks. Try breaking down your Axis or Triad-locking knife quickly and easily for cleaning the way you can a framelock. It's a whole different ballgame.

Another thing to bear in mind is, how many knives/locking mechs have you or I worn out? In my 38 years if life, I've worn out none. Use your knives to their fullest, and use your warranty if the worst happens.

Just my .02.

Prof.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

As I mentioned in the last sentence of the paragraph they were all reputable companies and most were $50-100 knives.

I can clean a knife just fine with warm water, soap, maybe a brush/toothpick/Q tip, and compressed air. I have no problem taking apart knives to make modifications or to polish parts but dont see the need to do so just to clean them. I almost always use folders to clean animals so if I can get dried blood, meat, and fat off my folding knives I can't imagine what kind of funk would require disassembling the knife.

I have worn out knives and had some fail which is why I have ruled out certain lock types. I also have quite a few AXIS lock knives and once they are broke in I don't have any problems with blade play and they certainly don't have any more minute amount of blade movement than other lock types.

 

[Professor]

I hear ya. That's how I used to clean my Axis knives, with a bath and/or compressed air. Upon breaking down my beloved 705 for a more thorough cleaning back in 2002, I discovered significant oxidation on the 410 stainless liner that faced the G10. Sweat and water was being trapped there to do it's dirty work. It cleaned up, but took some time. There was a little bit of pitting which surprised me, but nothing major. However, I knew then and there that titanium was a'callin'.

As far as blade play, it always took a lot of tweaking and Loc-Tite on my 705, 710, and 930 to get them to the perfect balance point between ease of opening and having no blade play in any direction. Still, there would exist nominal blade play, the kind that I could live with, but the kind that does not exist with my Sebenzas.

Still, having had discussions with the Axis designers back in the day, the Axis remains a great evolution in locking mechs, and would be the only one I'd choose if for whatever reason Seb's were not available anymore.

Prof.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Well I have to admit that is not something I have thought about but something I haven't experienced either even though many of my knives come on the boat with me and spend a good portion of their time within a couple hundred yards of the saltwater. I don't take apart my knives looking for corrosion but have taken most of them apart at least once for some reason and never found any. And as far as pivot smoothness and play go I haven't had any issues once they are broke in and adjusted but that isn't to say it can't happen, just not what I have experienced.

I have handled many Sebenzas and they are a very well made knife but just don't do it for me. I'm not a big fan of frame locks and I really wish they would use some different steel or run their S30V a couple points harder. Maybe one day I will just look past those issues and try one out but from holding them I haven't felt the need.

Everyone's experiences in life lead them to a different place and I'm just relaying what I have found along my way which isn't going to be exactly what others have found. It's nice to be able to read what others have experienced that cause them to have a different view.

 

[Professor]

Everyone's experiences in life lead them to a different place and I'm just relaying what I have found along my way which isn't going to be exactly what others have found. It's nice to be able to read what others have experienced that cause them to have a different view.

You nailed it, my friend. Variety is the spice of life. And please don't think for a minute that the small Bone Collector doesn't beckon me.

Prof.

 

[Tostig]

How many of us on here have yet worn out a knife ? When you factor in that most of us own several dozen knives and rotate those in useage/carrying the chances of wearing out a frame or liner lock are pretty small. That said I've seen my Ti linerlocks start to wear way faster than the steel linerlocks.
A theory of mine regarding more expensive folders vs less expensive folders and their wear and tear - IMO folks tend to not use their more expensive knives as opposed to their less expensive knives. i.e. CRK Sebenza vs Spyderco Military , both are fine knives but I'm willing to bet that most expensive folders that some say on here last decades are not used for tasks that one would subject a less expensive knife for.

I enjoy all lock styles.

Tostig

 

[KLJTech]

Beautiful knife, I've yet to buy a Ti frame lock Military but its right up near the top of my list.