frame lock popularity?

R

raisins

Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
32
Hi,

I swear I'm not trying to start anything ;) I've owned knives with various lock types (frame locks, liner locks, back lock, axis lock, ball bearing lock, compression lock, and maybe some others I'm forgetting). I've not owned any custom knives however. My most expensive knife was a spyderco manix 2 sprint run in cts xhp. I like frame locks but am having trouble understanding there seeming dominant role among custom/semi-custom/very top end knives (especially knives of the at least slightly tactical variety). Am I wrong that this lock type is the most popular among this set? I like frame locks, but given other choices, I'm wondering why they so often win out and are chosen. Is there something about them I'm missing or not appreciating? The advantages to them I see is are clean lines, a certain ascetic beauty along those lines, greater strength than a liner lock, simplicity leading to reliability, and the possibility of a firm grip cinching in the lock. Also, it seems it might (and I don't know as I've never made a knife) be a more straightforward lock to produce (fewer moving parts (which gets back to the reliability thing) and also it seems you have to make just a few cuts to the scale). So, it seems I might've answered my own question with that laundry list of good points, but still there are good points of other locks too and so I'd expect others to be more represented than what my informal surveys have indicated. Is part of it that other locks are more likely to be patented? Full disclosure, I like frame locks, but my favorite lock I've tried is the spydie compression lock. Sorry if this is a worn out topic, and thanks in advance for any replies.

-r
 
I'd just like to say that I do not harp on the type of lock my knives have.. (although i do like frame-locks over anything, if not for nothing its just is straight-foraward and natural thing for my thumb by now =p). But, think about it.. when people talk about their folder lock "failing"... really how does it fail? A spine-wack test... In real-life.. you use a knife by pushing/slicing on an object.. consider how you hold your knife and which way a blade closes... its just about impossible "if your using your knife right" to have it close on your fingers... anyway thats just my take on it.. to sum up... the lock isn't that important.. i mean over-all you dont even need a lock on a blade.. because it IS impossible for it to close on you while cutting anything..
 
Liner/Framelocks are simple with less parts than any other locking system. Basically using parts that would have to be there anyway in most cases to act as the lock, not to mention they're both very effective. Spyderco has barely just started to perfect the Comp lock so I doubt we'll see anyone using that anytime soon esp if it's patented. Same with the other manufacturer designed locks.
 
The problem I have with frame locks is that they typically have a finished scale on only one side. I prefer to have a finished scale on both sides.
 
i agree with OP me personally i love me an axis lock(yea i know about the omega springs but its never happened to me personally) and /or a compression lock

i dont like liner/frame locks cause you can cut yourself when closing the thing shoot i just about cut through the tip of my thumb about 3 hours ago with my lum tanto (and i got blood stains all over my carpet to prove it too)

plus they are faster to use in a hurry too

i really dont get the frame lock thing i mean i am always getting the exposed side of the frame with my middle/ring finger when closing too and you always have to worry about oil on the tang i mean its a pain
 
I'd agree wholeheartedly accept in the unlikely self defense situation. In that case, most people would be glad that their knife locked open.
 
A lot of locking mechanisms are proprietary. When you think about it, back locks, liner locks, and frame locks can be used by near anyone, but other locks belong to certain companies. Spyderco has the BBL and the compression lock, Benchmade has the Axis lock, Cold Steel has the Tri-Ad due to Andrew Demko, Kershaw has the stud lock due to Ken Onion. I don't think that other makers or manufacturers can use these types of locks without permission or until the patents run out on them. This leaves the framelock, liner lock, and back lock AFAIK.

I could be completely wrong though. :D
 
I think a well made framelock is really a thing of beauty, and that is probably a big reason custom knives feature it. Especially since many locks are proprietary, like Tony8179 mentioned. That leaves only linerlocks, framelocks, and backlocks for many people to use, and it is hard to appreciate a custom made backlock. Framelocks also are easy to close one handed. That said, I prefer the triad/axis locks to any other
 
I like the framelock because it's a good strong lock that is easy to use, and because I like the appearance of it too.
I always lay my framelocks on the table with the lock side up, because I like the appearance of the framelock better than the plain scale on the other side.
I've never broken any kind of knife lock, so to me it is a matter of what I like to use, and what I like the looks of.
 
bdmicarta said:
The problem I have with frame locks is that they typically have a finished scale on only one side. I prefer to have a finished scale on both sides.
Click to expand...

I agree; either have titanium scales on both sides, or G10 on both sides. I do not like that mix-and-match look.
 
jossta said:
Liner/Framelocks are simple with less parts than any other locking system. Basically using parts that would have to be there anyway in most cases to act as the lock, not to mention they're both very effective. Spyderco has barely just started to perfect the Comp lock so I doubt we'll see anyone using that anytime soon esp if it's patented. Same with the other manufacturer designed locks.
Click to expand...

I really like the compression lock. I like the fact that the lock bar is making contact not only with the blade tang, but also the stop pin. Most liner locks that fail do so because the lock bar bets pushed off of the tang; with the comp lock I dont see how that could happen.
 
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