The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
If you are unhappy with the choice of locks currently available, here's a simple solution- design a new lock yourself (maybe not so simple).
Instead of criticizing others for not coming up with a new folder lock, why don't you try to invent a new one and see how easy it is (or isn't). If you are successful at inventing a better lock, get a patent, and then get rich licensing your superior design to knife makers.
I think it's funny when people complain that others aren't inventing something "better". Yet they themselves don't bother to try, or are incapable of doing so.
I've been using liners and a frame lock for many years and I've been very happy with them. In fact, sometimes I prefer them. Of course I'm not the type of person who always needs to have something new and different just to have something new and different.
Sometimes when browsing for a new folder I literally fall asleep from boredom and wake up in a puddle of drool after I've looked at 100's of knives all with frame/liner locks :sleeping: Why does it seem like so many companies, especially midtech and custom knife makers keep on pumping out knives with this locking mechanism? You see them on everything from gas station knives to high end custom folders. Isn't it time for them to expand their horizon with something new and more innovative?
Since the Axis lock and Compression lock I haven't really seen other makers build upon, improve, or innovate with a new locking mechanism to compete with how fast these are to both open AND close. I guess throwing on a frame/liner lock is the easy (cheap) way out. The incentive to invest in the R&D required to design something new isn't there if they can keep getting away with just throwing on the basic frame lock. I can only hope that one day this cycle will break![]()
I just wish there were more many more midlocks out there... midlock 710! Midlock Military! Midlock Sebenza! Midlock ZT0566!
Sometimes when browsing for a new folder I literally fall asleep from boredom and wake up in a puddle of drool after I've looked at 100's of knives all with frame/liner locks :sleeping: Why does it seem like so many companies, especially midtech and custom knife makers keep on pumping out knives with this locking mechanism? You see them on everything from gas station knives to high end custom folders. Isn't it time for them to expand their horizon with something new and more innovative?
Since the Axis lock and Compression lock I haven't really seen other makers build upon, improve, or innovate with a new locking mechanism to compete with how fast these are to both open AND close.
I guess throwing on a frame/liner lock is the easy (cheap) way out. The incentive to invest in the R&D required to design something new isn't there if they can keep getting away with just throwing on the basic frame lock. I can only hope that one day this cycle will break![]()
I know I am about to get blasted for this but here goes anyway. I despise liner locks. They are weak, tend towards failure, and the detent is the only thing marginally holding the blade closed. The come upon in the pocket or purse, fail with puncturing cardboard, large fruit, and other simple things. I have had a lot of them fail and more come open in my pocket so I quit buying them. I have one and only one, a Spyderco Cat, currently and a pile of them in my junk box from 'good' manufacturers. I wife tossed hers, too. I know a lot of people who have had similar experience and will not buy a knife with a liner lock. Some, however oddly, still do, thinking they will get a better result (didn't someone say that is the definition of insanity?)
I agree that more needs to be done to bring out new locks. The holy grail would be a folding knife as strong as a fixed blade. The Axis (and similar) and Compression Locks are a step in the right direction. They work, are strong, and easy to use safely.
Of course, this is my opinion, but it is based upon actual experience, and I know a lot of others who feel the same way. On our farm we used to laugh when a newby would bring one to work because it was sure to be a fail waiting to happen.
No, I read every post in this thread before replying. In your opening post you said "Isn't it time for them to expand their horizon with something new and more innovative?", and "I guess throwing on a frame/liner lock is the easy (cheap) way out."", and "...if they can get away with just throwing on the basic frame lock", and "Since the Axis lock and Compression lock I haven't really seen other makers build upon, improve, or innovate with a new locking mechanism...".I am extremely happy with certain locks that are available, you must of only read the title of the thread.