frame locking, liner locking -- what's the story? Why is it better?

[MJR]

The Camillus Heat is a liner lock. The Camillus Dominator is a liner lock. If the locking "tab" is part of the frame, slab, scale of the knife it is a frame lock. If the "tab" is a liner inside the scale, slab of the knife it is a liner lock. Hope that clarifies a bit.

 

[cognitivefun]

but it is the studs on the outside that lock against the frame to keep the blade from exceeding its opening angle, if that makes sense. The lock liner lock keeps the blade from *closing*. So is this still a liner lock? I am confused

 

[KeithAM]

The Heat has a liner lock (sorry for mistake in earlier post); the Dominator has a frame lock.

What look like thumb studs on both knives are really just blade stops. In most other knives, the blade stop is a pin in the handle that the blade hits when you open it. All frame locks and liner locks require some sort of blade stop.

 

[MJR]

I believe a lock gets its name from the way it keeps the blade from closing. On the Heat and some other knives the thumb studs are used as stop pins. I was told or read (can't remember which) that a folding tactical knife has three points to keep the blade open, the pivot pin, stop pin (or studs), and locking mechanism. It is locked open by these three points. Moving the liner bar or frame releases one of the locking points and the blade closes. Yes, it is a liner lock.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

All frame locks and liner locks require some sort of blade stop.

Just to throw in a slight variation on the liner lock, Bob Dozier's "tab lock" is a liner lock that engages an entire, flat tang. Since the lock and the tang touch all the way up, no stop pin or stop studs are needed.

 

[MJR]

Just to throw in a slight variation on the liner lock, Bob Dozier's "tab lock" is a liner lock that engages an entire, flat tang. Since the lock and the tang touch all the way up, no stop pin or stop studs are needed.

I'm glad you mentioned that! I've been wondering if thats what the "Tab Lock" was, never had a chance to see one.

 

[airyq]

Since we are on this topic, what is a side lock? Appears to be a liner lock to me.
Is side lock another name for liner lock in order to avoid infringing Michael Walker's IP rights? Just like BM calls its frame lock a mono lock just so as not to use Chris Reeve's name of frame lock?