Has anyone actually worn out a titanium lockbar (without a steel lockbar insert)?

AJR576

AJR576

Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
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I have titanium frame locks that include a steel lockbar insert (ZT 801, 550, and a Spyderco Domino) and a few that don't (including a Benchmade Subrosa).

Specifically, the Subrosa is an assisted opening knife which causes it to fire open / lock up pretty hard. Regardless, it has very little wear on the "bare" titanium lock face and locks up as tight as new which makes me curious to know if anyone has actually worn out a titanium lockbar without the steel insert?
 
I'm curious about this also. I see a lot of posts from guys that are scared their knives without inserts are going to wear out in no time. I just can't bring myself to buy into it.
I have a Spydie Southard all black that is my favorite Spydie......must've flipped that bitch a gabillion times!! Excellent flipper!!!
The lock up is still in the same spot when it was new a year ago. No stick at all and locks up tight as a drum. I have never adjusted the pivot either.
Pretty sure this is blown out of proportion. Seems like an urban legend to me until some proof is posted.
Joe
 
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It is a misconception that the steel lockbar is to help reduce wear. It is for reducing/eliminating lock stick that is common among Ti framelocks.

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K.O.D. said:
It is a misconception that the steel lockbar is to help reduce wear. It is for reducing/eliminating lock stick that is common among Ti framelocks.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I've heard that as well but most seem to promote it as a more durable means for decreasing the wear on the lock face.
 
I own several 2010 Emersons. Never had an issue with the lockbar wearing out.
 
I've worn out my thumb. Does that count?

Chris Reeve doesn't seem to think it's an issue. I'll defer to his judgement.
 
I have worn out titanium lock framelocks, but never steel lock inserts, or linerlocks. I love steel lock inserts, they never show any wear, even when you grip the knife very tight time after time. Whenever my titanium locks wear, I carbidize the lock face.
 
I've never worn one out but I've been carrying and using a Bradley Alias everyday, including as a work knife, for about a decade (no steel lock insert). And despite being opened and closed multiple times every day, if not several times a day, it's still going strong. It currently has about 1/16" of space between the ball detent and the opposite handle.

I would attribute part of it's longevity to the fact that I don't open and close it compulsively, nor do I wrist-flick it open.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Chris Reeve doesn't seem to think it's an issue. I'll defer to his judgement.
Click to expand...

^This^

OP I've had a Subrosa for at least 3 years and my experience with it is much like yours. It's been opened many hundreds of times and I don't think the lock bar engagement has increased hardly at all. Here's a bad pic of it.

DSC00441_zpsjeh1d9hq.jpg


I do like having a hardened steel insert and have a few ti frame locks that do. But folders like the Subrosa and Slysz Bowie have shown me I'm lacking nothing without one. I've had no sticking issues with them at all either.
Maybe as they see a lot more use over time I may learn otherwise.
 
In my opinion lock inserts have alot of advantages especialy for manufacturers.
You need to have more precise lock geometry if you have titanium on steel otherwise you will have lock-rock or lock-stick. With steel on steel you dont need to have perfect geometry for lock to work correctly.
If they screew up geometry on lock insert they can just take new lock insert and replace it. In case of lock without insert they can throw away whole titanium scale.
Plus it's great for marketing purposes.
 
I absolutely agree with powerslave. The geometry doesn't have to be perfect if a manufacturer or custom maker screws it up its a tiny piece of steel to replace instead of a whole locking side. And they don't ever have lock stick. Ill take one all day but I also agree it is not necessary to have one. A well done ti frame lock works fine with out it. And a couple years ago a custom maker told me that is why he likes using them, makes it easier if you screw up less wasted material. And for the ops question I haven't ever wore one totally out I have had a emerson that locked up 100 percent lock up, but im not sure if the liners are titanium or steel on them.
 
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