Frame Lock Cutout?

[d762nato]

I've noticed some frame lock folders have the cutout on the outside and some mostly customs have the cutout on the inside. My question is why put them on the outside at all as the outside cutout tends to get caught on pants pocket ect. ect.

 

[mt666tm]

I agree! Ive sent feedback to a few manufacturers describing this issue. Ive sold a few knives that i really liked due to the pant snagging until i figured out an easy fix:

The solution is to shape a small scrap of Ti , plastic, aluminum, etc, and insert it into the cutout and secure it with automotive bodymoulding tape.

If you do a decent job and pick a material that matchs the frame and fills the gap flush to the frame it almost looks factory. It completely eliminates the problem.

I also find that the pocket clip can help. If it rests on the frame it seems to snag less. If it goes over the cutout and rests on the lockbar it snags more.

I wish all manufacturers would cutout on the inside. Even aesthetically it just looks way better. I have no idea why anyone would cutout on the outside. I hate it.

 

[LastRodeo]

I agree! Ive sent feedback to a few manufacturers describing this issue. Ive sold a few knives that i really liked due to the pant snagging until i figured out an easy fix:

The solution is to shape a small scrap of Ti , plastic, aluminum, etc, and insert it into the cutout and secure it with automotive bodymoulding tape.

If you do a decent job and pick a material that matchs the frame and fills the gap flush to the frame it almost looks factory. It completely eliminates the problem.

I also find that the pocket clip can help. If it rests on the frame it seems to snag less. If it goes over the cutout and rests on the lockbar it snags more.

I wish all manufacturers would cutout on the inside. Even aesthetically it just looks way better. I have no idea why anyone would cutout on the outside. I hate it.

Could you upload a photo? I would like to see how this looks.

 

[115Italian]

The cutout in the outside gives the lockbar linear support when the knife is open. Pressure from the blade on the lockbar is held in a straight line down the lockbar making for a stronger lockbar. With the cutout on the inside, a week spot is created. The pressure is not held as straight and could create lock slip. This is the explanation I was told.

 

[STR]

In testing there is no truth to any statements that one side of cut is better or more equipped to make the lock stay put due to forces down the lock or to help it to stay put or anything else. If the contact is done at the wrong pitch angle they all slide off with enough pressure. All that claim that one side is better is unproven and anyone that has truly tested the locks knows there is no truth to that. I know a lot of people believed it and wanted to believe it and so forth but I saw no evidence to back that up. I also add that great name makers such as Ken Onion have done knives with lock cuts on the inside or the outside at random seemingly and even on the same models like the Leek this is true. I've owned some of both types.

Originally the military spec called for the knife to stay put on a back pack or pocket or belt when crawling on the ground. The snag feature to make the knife grab the pocket was built in to keep the knife where it was in hard uses like crawling so it was not lost. To remove it you have to know how to use the clip properly.

There are two schools and one doesn't even know the purpose of why it was first put on the outside in the first place they just thought it was cool or saw a big namer do it that way and said that must be the right way and went for it in many cases. The unlearned side says its a pocket abuser and tears the pocket up. It does if you just force pull it off but that isn't the way you do it. The knife isn't a primary defense weapon so the need to quick draw the folder was not a requirement. Save that design for the primary weapons! You should lift up the clip and extract the knife gently up and over a little that is why the tongue was a little long on them and when you are done close it and put it back.

Most of the snag is the clips doing due to positioning and if one knows they intend to keep the knife they can simply have it moved so it is not right over the lock cut. I mean the deep cut can of course snag on the corners on some even then yes but the fact is the most of them are not that sharp anymore but half moon for the civilian market. Only the extreme use knives like the ones being carried by special forces or if not knives designed with that use in mind will and should snag to hold onto the clothing or strap or whatever it is clipped to.

 

[d762nato]

Thanks STR, I really like the looks of the cutout being on the inside of the frame. A lot of the cutouts are huge and just don't look as nice on the outside versus the inside imo.

 

[jbmonkey]

i read years ago the cutout makes unlocking the knife easier, but is a cutout even really needed? would it be impossible to unlock with bare hands and no tools if it was just a solid frame?

 

[ExtremAddiction]

I made knives in both variants and did noticed any difference in lock strength.
I do prefer to keep it inside but if handle contoured you cant do it inside .
.

.

 

[matt009au]

The cutout in the outside gives the lockbar linear support when the knife is open. Pressure from the blade on the lockbar is held in a straight line down the lockbar making for a stronger lockbar. With the cutout on the inside, a week spot is created. The pressure is not held as straight and could create lock slip. This is the explanation I was told.

This is what I've heard as well. Seems plausible.

 

[JB in SC]

Tom Mayo puts some cut outs on the inside and some on the outside. I've seen variations within the same designs IIRC.

 

[Danke42]

I like to see the cutout on the outside. It's a show your work kind of thing.

If you're an artist with a mill then it's another opporknockity to shine.

 

[G. Scott H.]

i read years ago the cutout makes unlocking the knife easier, but is a cutout even really needed? would it be impossible to unlock with bare hands and no tools if it was just a solid frame?

No idea, but I don't believe the sort of dramatic cutouts we commonly see are really necessary. I hate it when the lock bar is like 4mm thick but the cutout section is only 1mm thick. I recall a thread from several years ago discussing this and showing a custom knife or two where the cutout was very shallow, proving that making them super thin was unnecessary.

 

[palonej]

I was just thinking of this same thing.......the Southard comes to mind.
Spydie cut some nice smooth grooves inside the cut out.
Looks really cool.
Joe

I like to see the cutout on the outside. It's a show your work kind of thing.

If you're an artist with a mill then it's another opporknockity to shine.

 

[matt009au]

No idea, but I don't believe the sort of dramatic cutouts we commonly see are really necessary. I hate it when the lock bar is like 4mm thick but the cutout section is only 1mm thick. I recall a thread from several years ago discussing this and showing a custom knife or two where the cutout was very shallow, proving that making them super thin was unnecessary.

Agreed, Hinderer is guilty of this sin.