Framelocks Jamming during cutting.

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I love a well executed frame lock and most of my long term EDC's are frame locks but I have been having a problem with lock bars jamming when pressure is accidentally applied to it during cutting. For example, the other day I was cutting zip strips with a Ti Framelock and had to apply a little torque to get the zip strips to pop. I cut about 12 of them and when I was done and went to disengage the lock it was stuck/jammed. I ended up having to wedge it free with a small screw driver. I am fully aware that grease on the lock face can cause a lock to do this and I never get any grease (or dirt, grime etc...) on the lock bar or contact surface of the blade.This has happened to me multiple times with multiple knives from high end manufacturers and am curious if others have experienced this or have any solutions.

 

[botdcypher]

I never had a jamming problem with a frame lock knife. However, my Buck Bones' frame lock came undone while I was cutting come 550 cords off a truck. That was the only time I had a locking system fail on me and cut my finger. Maybe I had a weird grip or something, but long story short. I never bought a frame lock knife again. I have the frame-lock-phobia.

 

[buckmaster96]

yes right now my kershaw leek is doing it when i cut or strop it on the lock side

 

[nopyo]

Well, when you cut with a lot of force, the blade is forced "open" ever so slightly more, and there is a bit of elastic (recoverable) deformation. As a result, the lock engages ever so slightly more as well since your grip is applying force to the lockbar. When you stop cutting, the recovered deformation force is redirected back onto the lock surface, causing it to jam.

The best way to unlock with minimal wear would be to push-cut a thick piece of wood (redirect all the force from the lock to the stop pin), then disengage the lock.

 

[MikeC]

Well, when you cut with a lot of force, the blade is forced "open" ever so slightly more, and there is a bit of elastic (recoverable) deformation. As a result, the lock engages ever so slightly more as well since your grip is applying force to the lockbar. When you stop cutting, the recovered deformation force is redirected back onto the lock surface, causing it to jam.

The best way to unlock with minimal wear would be to push-cut a thick piece of wood (redirect all the force from the lock to the stop pin), then disengage the lock.

Bingo