Frame Lock Question

J

JMaher

Joined
Mar 26, 2001
Messages
69
I am new to frame lock flipper knives. I purchased a Massdrop Falcon which I like but sometime it will not flip open unless I adjust my grip. It seems like I have to have a very light grip near the front for it too smoothly open. I saw other people with the same comment on the Massdrop site.

Is this common to all frame lock flippers or only to certain manufactures or knives? I have owned a Sebenza for many years and never noticed anything like this but then again it is not a flipper.

I am looking to buy another flipper but would like to understand this better first.

Jim
 
You're likely putting some pressure on the lockbar with your grip, forcing the detent further in and making it difficult or impossible to open.

It's an issue that can come up on any framelock, but some designs go a long way towards either mitigating or exacerbating the issue.
 
That usually happens to me on some smaller frame lock knives if I am griping the lock bar side too tight. It is worse on un assisted knives for me.
 
I have a ZT 0452 that is very hard to open if I grip the lockbar. I thought it was defective until I realized what I was doing.
 
Interesting. I would have said I was not touching the lockbar but I guess I am. Would this be more of a common problem with smaller knives such as the FF Falcon?
 
Insipid Moniker said:
You're likely putting some pressure on the lockbar with your grip, forcing the detent further in and making it difficult or impossible to open.

It's an issue that can come up on any framelock, but some designs go a long way towards either mitigating or exacerbating the issue.
Click to expand...

Could you name some of the ones that mitigate this?
Jim
 
JMaher said:
Could you name some of the ones that mitigate this?
Jim
Click to expand...
It's a bit difficult to go with specific ones, as hand size and grip will have a pretty profound effect but I would look at designs where your fingers may rest on the pocket clip rather than the lockbar itself, as that can help. I also find it crops up less with larger, broader knives, probably as there are more grip options available.
 
JMaher said:
Could you name some of the ones that mitigate this?
Jim
Click to expand...

Generally knives where the handle is narrow or short are more likely to experience this issue because there is less area on the handle to hang on to.

It definitely can be annoying and seems alot of people do it without knowing.
 
Some Ferrum Forge knives have the Hoback Rolling detent which would likely lessen the problem. I had a Septer a while ago and I don't remember having a problem with this. I have a few Shiro framelocks and even if I intentionally put pressure on the lock bar it still shoots open
 
The ZT 450 and 452 suffer from this pretty badly. Until you see what you’re doing, pressure on lock bar. It becomes second nature to adjust your grip.
 
CPP said:
Some Ferrum Forge knives have the Hoback Rolling detent which would likely lessen the problem. I had a Septer a while ago and I don't remember having a problem with this. I have a few Shiro framelocks and even if I intentionally put pressure on the lock bar it still shoots open
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I don't think I am willing to spend the money on the Shiro but they seem universally liked.
 
This is one of the reasons I prefer liner locks. I have a few with inserts in the lock bar just like on some framelocks. I also enjoy bolster locks, for example, the Liong Mah GSD, for the same reason
 
CPP said:
This is one of the reasons I prefer liner locks. I have a few with inserts in the lock bar just like on some framelocks. I also enjoy bolster locks, for example, the Liong Mah GSD, for the same reason
Click to expand...
Me too. And subframe locks.
 
JMaher said:
Are there flippers in liner locks or subframe (?) knives
Click to expand...

The liner lock flippers I have or had are the Shiro Sigma and F3R, the A2 A7, the Lionsteel Kur and my first modern knife, the Kershaw Volt II. I believe he Reate Wave and GSD would count as sub-frame locks. And of course the FFKW x MassDrop Gent.
 
CPP said:
This is one of the reasons I prefer liner locks. I have a few with inserts in the lock bar just like on some framelocks. I also enjoy bolster locks, for example, the Liong Mah GSD, for the same reason
Click to expand...

Definitely wish bolster locks were more common. They are very cool. There are things I like about liner locks, but generally I prefer framelocks. That is because in general if there is a type of knife that comes in both liner and framelock version then thd framelock version is generally slimmer and more comfortable in the pocket.

Liner locks usually are better in hand but honestly in an urban setting I am notndoing enough cutting where I need the benefite of a liner lock handle.

Sucks for me cause framelocks tend to be more expensive.
 
Lapedog said:
Definitely wish bolster locks were more common. They are very cool. There are things I like about liner locks, but generally I prefer framelocks. That is because in general if there is a type of knife that comes in both liner and framelock version then thd framelock version is generally slimmer and more comfortable in the pocket.

Liner locks usually are better in hand but honestly in an urban setting I am notndoing enough cutting where I need the benefite of a liner lock handle.

Sucks for me cause framelocks tend to be more expensive.
Click to expand...

One solution to the thicker liner lock issue is inlays. I bought the Reate Wave for that reason even though I hated the colors. The Mnandi is another good example of inlays even though it's not a flipper.
 
I kinda like framelocks that have this 'issue'. Muscle memory over time adapts allowing easy opening. I annoy my friends with them.:thumbsup: What's wrong with you? Here look it's easy.
 
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