Framelock- does it matter which side the relief is on?

[Chiro75]

No, this doesn't mean I'm making folders now... I'm not making anything these days, but I've noticed on my framelocks that the relief that is milled for the lock to bend easier is sometimes on the inside of the frame and sometimes on the outside. Does it matter? Is this purely an aesthetic choice by the maker?

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I think that it is up to the maker. I like them on the inside so it does not break up the lines of the knife.

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

Doesn't matter. I put it on the inside if I have overlays (handle slabs) covering the area, on the outside otherwise, just 'cause I think it looks cool.

 

[Chiro75]

Thanks, that's what I figured, but with some of this metallurgy and machining stuff, what seems to make sense doesn't always! lol

 

[STR]

I think a lot of makers have done it both ways. Usually I put it on the inside if I'm mounting my pocket clip for tip up carry so the lock relief doesn't interfere with how the knife slides over the pocket rim. Some catch the pocket as the folder is extracted from the pocket with reports of the knife hanging up at times or making pockets wear faster in some spots. I've had folks write me about that on several occasions now wanting to know what could be done to make it stop. Some Strider PT users have mentioned this and I've run into it on a few that were converted to tip up carry coming from the factory with tip down and a lock cut on the outside. The JYDII SG2 frame lock can be problematic for this issue making clip position for when you flip it something to be extra precise about so it does not have this problem. Otherwise, no it doesn't matter really. There is some debate over which side is better but honestly, I think its six of one half dozen of another. They both work.

STR