How do framelocks differ from linerlocks in terms of WEAR?

Everything else being equal, whether the lock is made of titanium or stainless steel, frame locks tend to be thicker.

Thicker material takes longer to wear down than thinner, everything else again being equal.

Therefore, for the same amount of use, liner locks should wear down long before frame locks.

FWIW, unless you use your knives really, really hard, a good quality knife such as the Benchmade Gravitator should last you for a lifetime of use without any noticeable wear on the liner lock.
 
In the only knife I own that does have severe wear (CRKT M16), there is no effect whatsoever. Still passes extremely severe spine whacks, still locks up great and unlocks smoothly. No play whatsoever.

My one other liner lock has been used for...three years or so now, and it was my only EDC for two of those, and it has no wear at all. CRKT Urban Shark.
 
I look at a frame-lock as being a thick liner-lock.

As the issue with liner-locks is area of contact and spring tension maintaining that contact (as well as contact geometry), I prefer frame locks.

Theoretically, all materials being equal, the frame-lock should outlast a liner-lock.

If the liner-lock is made right, though, I don't see it wearing to the point of failure for a realitively long time without hard use or adverse enviroment (abrasive grit, for example).
 
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