Do Liner lock knives break easily?

B

Butterboy

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Apr 6, 2015
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So i got a Mtech mt 378 a couple weeks ago ( i know it's a bad knife but i don't have alot of money ) and i it's a liner lock, i'm new to knives actually this is the only real pocket knife i own, i heard that each time you open a liner lock it flexes the liner and everytime you close it you are grinding away a tiny bit of metal and this causes the knife to break, i don't have money to constantly buy a new knife every month or so, can you guys plz tell me how long these knives generally last because i don't want this knife to break cuz i really like it thanks :p
 
I can't attest to why they do but I own several older cheap "chinamart" knives and eveyone with a liner lock have worn out and the lock will no longer engage on it's own. Maybe from compresison of not being opening or being opened to much but I've got 4 or 5 in this state. I've got one that opens and apears to lock and any real pressure on the blade and it will try and close. I have a 10+ year old liner lock gerber that was well used and the lock on it works just like the day I got it, minus a little play in the blade it self, possibly from wearing down of metal.
 
Butterboy said:
So i got a Mtech mt 378 a couple weeks ago ( i know it's a bad knife but i don't have alot of money ) and i it's a liner lock, i'm new to knives actually this is the only real pocket knife i own, i heard that each time you open a liner lock it flexes the liner and everytime you close it you are grinding away a tiny bit of metal and this causes the knife to break, i don't have money to constantly buy a new knife every month or so, can you guys plz tell me how long these knives generally last because i don't want this knife to break cuz i really like it thanks :p
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Mtech?
Yeah, it'll probably wear out.

Buy a better knife next time. :)
 
Break easily? Not so much, but they will break if enough force is applied.

Liner locks can and do wear quickly. I've had liners wear a millimeter or more in just one day.

I've also had liners that didn't wear at all over months. It depends a lot on how finely the surfaces are finished and the geometry of the lock face and tang.
 
Go out and use it. With a less expensive knife, no one can tell you how long it will last due to factors such as build quality and how you use it. As long as you don't abuse it, chances are you will become more frustrated with how long it holds an edge that with the liner lock. I've got inexpensive knives I've had for 30 years that might not win any contests on this forum, but they are still usable.
 
My experience is with custom liner locks-well made liner locks will last and often use some of the same techniques as framelocks such as carbonizing the lock face.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums Butterboy.

"i know it's a bad knife"
"plz tell me how long these knives generally last"

I'd wager that a "bad" knife isn't going to last very long.

If you want a knife that will last awhile, buy the best knife you can possibly afford. Saving up for awhile to afford a higher quality knife is also a good idea. It wouldn't surprise me if you can find very decent quality knives for around or under $30. I know that can be a lot of money for some people, but you get what you pay for.
 
All these people telling you to buy a more expensive, better knife.

Spend ten bucks on an Opinel #8 and you'll be set.
 
Butterboy said:
Do Liner lock knives break easily?
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As others have said, it is more a matter of buying a cheap knife than the lock type.

Liner locks have a reputation for failure because many inexpensive knives have liner locks. Liner locks can be made inexpensively, but inexpensive liner locks are often undependable.

A well made liner lock can be quite robust and dependable, but it won't be inexpensive to produce.
 
Hey man I have a spyderco tenacious that I had used for a while. It was my first of a long time addiction to quality knives. I don't use it any more and haven't carried it in a long time. It is in good condition and I would like for you to have it. It brought me a satisfaction I didn't know existed in a pocket knife. Let me know if you want it and we will figure out a way to get it to you. It is a 50/50 black blade.
 
anthonycastorena2014 said:
Hey man I have a spyderco tenacious that I had used for a while. It was my first of a long time addiction to quality knives. I don't use it any more and haven't carried it in a long time. It is in good condition and I would like for you to have it. It brought me a satisfaction I didn't know existed in a pocket knife. Let me know if you want it and we will figure out a way to get it to you. It is a 50/50 black blade.
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What a kind gesture. All credit to you.
 
it generally depends on the thickness and quality of the materials, a thick liner lock made of good steel is less likely to break than a thin liner lock made of poor steel but either one has a chance of breaking if excessive force is applied to the back of the blade or too much torque applied to the knife. however in general edc tasks a thin liner lock is probably going to be fine if you plan on using it hard a liner lock is not the best choice anyway.
 
knarfeng said:
As others have said, it is more a matter of buying a cheap knife than the lock type.

Liner locks have a reputation for failure because many inexpensive knives have liner locks. Liner locks can be made inexpensively, but inexpensive liner locks are often undependable.

A well made liner lock can be quite robust and dependable, but it won't be inexpensive to produce.
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This. I'm no maker, but even some reputable companies seem to struggle with lockface geometry and the other minutiae that goes into making a really good liner lock. Properly executed, it's an excellent lock, the problem is I don't know of any way to assess if the lock is properly executed without potentially damaging the knife, so I tend to stay away.
 
How long it will last is all dependant on the materials and workmanship of that individual knife and how you use it. I suspect you are looking at years unless you abuse it. Some cheap knives are just "cheap". Enjoy.

I have to say that liner locks are my least preferred in any folding knife, cheap or not. My ZT 0770CF has a liner lock as do a couple of my SAKs.
 
I've carried and used Kershaw linerlocks (some A/O) for years and never had any trouble or "breakage" with any of them. Also same for several models of Schrades (105 -106). I have had a couple work loose at the pivots until I started adjusting them to where I liked the lockup and feel and then putting a drop (with a toothpick) of super glue on the pivot.

Rich
 
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anthonycastorena2014 said:
Hey man I have a spyderco tenacious that I had used for a while. It was my first of a long time addiction to quality knives. I don't use it any more and haven't carried it in a long time. It is in good condition and I would like for you to have it. It brought me a satisfaction I didn't know existed in a pocket knife. Let me know if you want it and we will figure out a way to get it to you. It is a 50/50 black blade.
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Very kind gesture indeed :thumbup:
 
two things come to mind Butterboy

A: you are vastly over thinking the whole issue and,
B: probably should just go without a knife for awhile, and save up for something better than an MTech. :)
 
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