Frame lock vs liner lock

I

iBlade

Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
446
Can someone please explain the difference between these, for reference my old folders (now gone) had a bit on the back of the handle that you pushed in and then you could close the blade...I have not seen the other ones you talk about here in person and would love to know the differences and the pros and cons (pictures woulkd be nice).
I am trying to decide if I need a folder and if so what sort - at the moment I am leaning towards either an emerson comander or a Zero Tolerance 0301/0200 or a nice Kershaw...
 
Framelock operates just like a liner lock except an entire portion of the locking side scale performs the function of the liner. The ZT 0300 series is a really nice knife for the money.

Framelocks are said to be much stronger and safer than a liner lock. In either case you push the liner or frame to the left (looking at the bottom of the knife) to release the locking mechanism then fold the knife

Here's a picture of the locking side of a Hinderer XM-18 framelock. That section that is cut away shifts to the right when open to lock the blade in the same fashion as a liner lock. The ZT 0300's work the same way:

5.01.08%20043sm.jpg
 
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A Liner lock has a piece in the middle of the knife that holds the blade in its fixed position. You have to move this out of the way in order to close the knife.

Framelock is similar to linerlock in that a piece of the knife is used to keep the blade fixed instead here though the actual frame is holding it in place.

Liner lock
ak7404.jpg


Framelock
paraframefull.jpg
 
Arh - thanks guys that finally makes sense now!
I was trying to imagine the difference and now I can see it.
Certainly the framelock looks a lot stonger than the liner lock!

man those XM18's look sweet, if they were not as rare as hens teeth I would be getting one of those, especially with the flipper they look fantastic, still I am sure I will be happy with whatever i get in the meantime and it gives me something to aim for...
 
Also gripping the frame lock actually tightens the lock and prevents it failing on you.
 
iBlade said:
Arh - thanks guys that finally makes sense now!
I was trying to imagine the difference and now I can see it.
Certainly the framelock looks a lot stonger than the liner lock!

man those XM18's look sweet, if they were not as rare as hens teeth I would be getting one of those, especially with the flipper they look fantastic, still I am sure I will be happy with whatever i get in the meantime and it gives me something to aim for...
Click to expand...

The ZT 0300 series will keep your juices flowing for quite some time anyway ;) You won't be growing out of them anytime soon. You just become more addicted and buy more and better (arguably) knives as the addiction grows more chronic :D
 
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