Detent wear on liner lock??

Ernie1980

Ernie1980

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
8,162
I hear frequently about the lock wearing on a liner/ frame lock and moving cross the tang and/or becoming loose. ( or at least people worrying about that happening) Several companies even have replaceable lock bar inserts to keep the lock up tight. I personally have only used one liner lock till the lock failed and it was a cheap work knife. To me it seems like the detent ball would wear before the lock bar in a quality knife, it has less surface area and rubs across half the blade each time the knife is opened or closed. Is my thinking way off?? Can someone perhaps enlighten me?
 
I dont think its a big deal, even in the detent ball wore down it would only effect in handle retention. The lock up would be unaffected.
 
The blade falling out would seem to be a bigger concern than the lock become lose because you could cut yourself when you reach in your pocket
 
Ernie1980 said:
The blade falling out would seem to be a bigger concern than the lock become lose because you could cut yourself when you reach in your pocket
Click to expand...
True, but I dont think it will ever get that bad. If it did though you could possible buy some detent balls from a knife makers website to replace yours. If you carry the knife tip up against the seem of your pocket it should come open any way.
 
Marty Young is making me a custom knife from his Bobcat design. I chose a liner lock. Anyways, at the end of our discussion he asked if I wanted a steel detent ball or ceramic. It all depends on what type of steel and how hard it is. How often you will use/open your knife. The more use..the more wear obviously. I said the ceramic ball would be the best choice compared to the 440c steel detent ball. Kind of cool that he took the time and suggested better materials without upping the price.
 
That is great that he asked! I will look him up. It is about time for me to order another custom knife anyways.......
 
The better makers use hardened steel ball bearings, and usually from 440C steel. Those will usually hold up for a very long time. The newer ceramics though are even harder than the steel bearings with an indefinate life span. CRK uses the ceramic ball bearing on the Umnumzaan not only as a blade detent, but also for lockup as the interface between the lock and the blade tang. These new ceramics are some tough stuff!
 
I have noticed, when disassembling my Cyclone, that the detent ball has worn down a bit at this point. The top of it is a bit flat. It still locks up fine and I have yet to notice a lack of handle retention. I've had it since 2008 or so and it's been used pretty consistently since then.

I'd probably file that issue under "Things that aren't going to affect you at all". :thumbup:
 
I can agree with that Dorito. It is going to take a LOT of opening and closing to wear down a properly hardened ball bearing detent ball. Even when you flatten it as DM described, you still have enough ball left to engage the detent hole.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top