Frame lock surface contact

[sadmin]

Has anyone ever experienced a performance issue from a frame lock (steel insert or naked) that had either worn its way too far over to the opposite side OR just had a knife that began with too much frame / end of blade contact? I am asking bc this isnt something I had overly considered in the past but I see more comments and reviews on it and get how it could be an issue long term. Now that I inspect some of my frame locks, I see that some are in the 75% contact range and am wondering how that plays out in the field.. if they were 100%.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Never had a problem with frame or liner locks: Emerson, Spyderco (GB 2), Sebbie 21. Most knives today are produced with CNC technology with very close tolerances; wear on mine after thousands of openings is practically undetectable. I don't flick my knives, so that may have something to do with longevity of the locks.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

In general the lock settles in and doesn't move much after that. If they move(and they can for a few reasons including bad heat treat) they could reach 100%. As long as the lockbar doesn't actually touch the opposing scale, the lockup should remain solid. If it does touch then it is time to send the knife in for repair. Until then don't worry about it.
None of mine have actually touched, but some have been very late and one that I had in the shop was determined to have a bad heat treat and fixed to prevent this from happening.

 

[brownshoe]

I have frame and liner locks in steel and Ti for 20+ years. None have worn so much as to effect performance. Lock bar inserts are BS in my experience.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's really a non-issue... These locks are as reliable as tomorrow's sunrise

 

[ferider]

Has anyone ever experienced a performance issue from a frame lock (steel insert or naked) that had either worn its way too far over to the opposite side OR just had a knife that began with too much frame / end of blade contact? I am asking bc this isnt something I had overly considered in the past but I see more comments and reviews on it and get how it could be an issue long term. Now that I inspect some of my frame locks, I see that some are in the 75% contact range and am wondering how that plays out in the field.. if they were 100%.

Yes, I have. A Spyderco K2 which continued to have lock-stick until the lock touched the opposing scale.

For knives that don't have lock-stick (or not anymore after wearing in), it's usually not an issue (with or without steel insert). A steel detent ball will wear quicker than the lock.

In other words, just make sure the lock doesn't stick.

 

[brownshoe]

I've had liner and framelocks travel, but it was due to a loose frame and tightening it up put the lockbar back in place.

 

[Dergyll]

I've had liner and framelocks travel, but it was due to a loose frame and tightening it up put the lockbar back in place.

This is correct. I've had an old SS leek that had a Franelock travel. If I squeeze it even a little the lock bar would be like 80%. I have a newer leek that does not exhibit this issue...I'll take some time later and fix the damn thing, its ooollld though.

 

[3fifty7]

Yes, I have. A Spyderco K2 which continued to have lock-stick until the lock touched the opposing scale.

When I got my K2 5ish years ago it was at about 50-60% lockup. Now that I’ve put it through a few years of hard use it’s about 90%. I’m wondering what’s gonna happen at 100% and or touching the opposite scale, I guess it’ll eventually loosen up and develop a little vertical blade play.

Maybe I could get a reblade in MagnaCut.

 

[jbmonkey]

I've had both liner and frame locks move to 100% just from using, but in fairness I was using them to cut sugar cane. I should have used a fixed blade on. normal cutting of packages and soft items won't put wear on them like that.

 

[3fifty7]

I was using them to cut sugar cane

Sugar cane you say...

 

[jbmonkey]

Sugar cane you say...

yep. i grow it for chewing. ill see if i can dig a picture up..... found them...



so cutting through to remove the joints is very hard.

 

[3fifty7]

Looks like some old Blue Ribbon.
Im a sugar cane and rice farmer.

 

[jbmonkey]

Looks like some old Blue Ribbon.
Im a sugar cane and rice farmer.

I call it florida red, but have no idear what it really is. got it from north florida sugar cane farm selling it. they turn it into syrup. i planted it and just chew it. love the stuff.

 

[Dergyll]

I remember back in China we chewed corn stalks...having REAL sugar cane would make you one popular kid (with the girls).

 

[jbmonkey]

I remember back in China we chewed corn stalks...having REAL sugar cane would make you one popular kid (with the girls).

never tried that, even though corn was always grown round here. sweet tasting? we use to chew on bahia grass seed stalks as a little kid though.

 

[Sonnydaze]

CRK knives...sebbies and such...were intentionally manufactured to be at 80% when NEW.
CRKs don't move. the term is manufacturing excellence.
i've owned at least 30 CRKs.

 

[severedthumbs]

CRK is actually 50%-75%. A 80% engagement would not pass qc and would be returned to the work floor to be fixed before departing CRK. They have a go/no go gauge to check it accurately.

 

[jbmonkey]

CRK knives...sebbies and such...were intentionally manufactured to be at 80% when NEW.
CRKs don't move. the term is manufacturing excellence.
i've owned at least 30 CRKs.

id like to see if it wouldnt move at all cutting up sugar cane.

 

[toker]

Never had a problem with frame or liner locks: Emerson, Spyderco (GB 2), Sebbie 21. Most knives today are produced with CNC technology with very close tolerances; wear on mine after thousands of openings is practically undetectable. I don't flick my knives, so that may have something to do with longevity of the locks.

I have the same experience with Emerson, Spyderco, ZT, etc. Thousands of openings and I haven't noticed any noticeable wear. One big difference. I do flick open all my knives.