Framelock VS Linerlock

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solidknife

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Jan 2, 2010
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Hey guys, I just want to hear your opinions on Framelocks VS Linerlocks and why you feel the way you do. The ups and downs of both, strength, reliability, ease of use, knives that show examples of either a well made, or not so well made lock. Thanks.
 
solidknife said:
Hey guys, I just want to hear your opinions on Framelocks VS Linerlocks and why you feel the way you do. The ups and downs of both, strength, reliability, ease of use, knives that show examples of either a well made, or not so well made lock. Thanks.
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I like them both as long as you get a solid lock up. liners lock mechanisms tend to be a bit thinner that frame locks. but all in all, either one should work just fine if well designed.
 
It depends on who manufactures them. I have nothing but faith in my Spyderco Military, not blind faith mind you. Some feel it is not a good linerlock. My Sebenzas, Umnumzaan, and the Striders I had had very sturdy and reliable frame locks. My Skirmish had a great frame lock. However, I am not too sure about the frame lock design on my Alias I. I was not happy at all with the frame lock on the Subrosa. I would like to pick up one of the Military frame locks.

Nothing beats a well made full tang fixed blade though.
 
Yup, the alias 1 frame lock had very little contact with the bottom of the blade. The contact patch was minimal, I wonder why they did that? Of the sebenzas and buck tnt I have, the frame lock contacts the bottom of the blade the full length of the lock. But I do prefer the frame lock since once locked, when you hold it your hand keeps the lock in place. That is the main thing. Also, the fact that the frame lock is usually MUCH thicker.
 
Yes, very true. I did not mean to state that it is much stronger as most people believe, just that it has a lot more surface area to resist wear.... so that it should outlast a liner lock to the point where it travels all the way to the other slab or doesn't lock properly. Or at least logically it does. Does everyone agree on this?
 
Overall I think I prefer liner-locks.
Most frame-locks that I have used are not quite as comfortable in my grip as most liner-locks that I have used.

Both are plenty strong for anything that should be done with a folding knife IF the lock geometry is right.
 
Incahiker said:
Yes, very true. I did not mean to state that it is much stronger as most people believe, just that it has a lot more surface area to resist wear.... so that it should outlast a liner lock to the point where it travels all the way to the other slab or doesn't lock properly. Or at least logically it does. Does everyone agree on this?
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Not necessarily. The concept looks good on paper, but in reality there are a number of factors in lock wear, such as how the faces are hardened, what materials are used, tang radius, et al.
 
A.P.F. said:
Not necessarily. The concept looks good on paper, but in reality there are a number of factors in lock wear, such as how the faces are hardened, what materials are used, tang radius, et al.
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All true...you can't (IMO) really make general statements about linerlock vs. framelock. You have to talk about and compare specific knives.
 
Well, let's talk about Mr. Reeves sebenza for a frame lock. I have been wondering this myself now that I own a couple of sebenzas. Considering I will not be flicking the crap out of the knife and just using it normally, how long do you think I have before the materials wear away and I need to have it sent in to Reeve's place to have it refurbished? Has anyone ever worn away a Reeve integral lock on a sebenza to where it won't lock properly? If so how long did it take and what were the conditions?
 
I prefer framelocks because they are typically stronger and almost always easier to disassemble & reassemble.
 
I like both liner and frame locks. The reason I choose a frame lock over a liner lock is the fact that my hand keeps the lock readily in place at all times.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
It depends on who manufactures them. I have nothing but faith in my Spyderco Military, not blind faith mind you. Some feel it is not a good linerlock. My Sebenzas, Umnumzaan, and the Striders I had had very sturdy and reliable frame locks. My Skirmish had a great frame lock. However, I am not too sure about the frame lock design on my Alias I. I was not happy at all with the frame lock on the Subrosa. I would like to pick up one of the Military frame locks.

Nothing beats a well made full tang fixed blade though.
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I love fixed blades! Actually, the only reason I use folders is because of the convenience, portability, legal reasons and "cool factor". I wish every folder design came with a fixed blade counterpart. I have experience with both locks and I consider them (with some exceptions) to be a safety feature, not "structural." I have found however, that both locks can be pretty strong.
 
Incahiker said:
Well, let's talk about Mr. Reeves sebenza for a frame lock. I have been wondering this myself now that I own a couple of sebenzas. Considering I will not be flicking the crap out of the knife and just using it normally, how long do you think I have before the materials wear away and I need to have it sent in to Reeve's place to have it refurbished? Has anyone ever worn away a Reeve integral lock on a sebenza to where it won't lock properly? If so how long did it take and what were the conditions?
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My Classic 2000 Sebenza is ten years old and still good to go. Not even close to wearing down the lockbar. :thumbup:
 
Both can be just as reliable as their materials and construction allow.

Personally I prefer a steel liner lock, provided the steel is of good thickness, say .06" or thicker.

I prefer the linerlocks on the ZT 0350 and ZT 0200 above most framelocks, but it's a personal preference.

The best of both worlds are the Kershaw Leek and Shallot--SS liner lock, and it's thick, thick, thick.

Best,

heekma
 
It depends on the knife for me... I've owned more liner locks than frame locks, but I don't have a major preference for one design or the other.
 
heekma said:
The best of both worlds are the Kershaw Leek and Shallot--SS liner lock, and it's thick, thick, thick.

Best,

heekma
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funny, as I prefer my linerlock blurs and my crkt crawford/kasper over my leek and shallot, even though my leek is definitely the sharpest of the bunch.

I find my leek and shallot to be too thin in the hand and it took some "break-in" before I could close either smoothly. My linerlock knives don't have this issue, and the LAWKS helps to keep the liner in place on the c/k.
 
Tony8179 said:
I like both liner and frame locks. The reason I choose a frame lock over a liner lock is the fact that my hand keeps the lock readily in place at all times.
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That's the reason i favor frame locks over liner locks-- the hand squeezing on the lock bar helps prevent it from being laterally displaced under force. The harder you squeeze the harder the lock bar bears on the blade.

About lock face wear: I can't speak for Reeve but my faithful Benchmade 750 Pinnacle from the mid to late 90's has finally worn down enough that it's starting to exhibit some blade play. I think most of the wear has come from abrasive particles in the inevitable pocket dirt that has gotten into the mechanism.

DSC_4528.jpg
 
I just sent in, and received back, a 1997 small Seb that was heavily used. Lockup was still solid at about 95%, but I wanted double lugs and it had a little lateral play (which did not affect lockup). There was no charge for tuning and sharpening the knife, and the work was done very quickly. So...I don't think I'd worry too much. That one was 13 years old and still solid - and got "fixed" fast and free.

Incahiker said:
Well, let's talk about Mr. Reeves sebenza for a frame lock. I have been wondering this myself now that I own a couple of sebenzas. Considering I will not be flicking the crap out of the knife and just using it normally, how long do you think I have before the materials wear away and I need to have it sent in to Reeve's place to have it refurbished? Has anyone ever worn away a Reeve integral lock on a sebenza to where it won't lock properly? If so how long did it take and what were the conditions?
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That is awesome, is the lock up still at 95%, was anything said of it or is that still a good lock up? Anyhow, with the years you guys are getting out of it that sounds great to me.
 
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