How much coverage should there be on a framelock?

J

Jesse B.

Joined
Oct 23, 2009
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I'm still fairly new to user framelocks and I'm unclear about how much of the lock should cover the tang (hope I got the lingo right) to be safe and secure. I ask because my Bradley Alias II seems to usually stick at about 25-30%, where it achieves a solid lock-up. I'd feel a little more comfortable with more coverage, but wonder if there is some universal percentage which is most desirable, or if it varies by the knife.
 
Most of us prefer and fully expect a new liner or frame lock to have what we call "early lockup" which means 15% to 25% to start. This allows for wear because over time the lockbar will creep across the tang due to wear. Once the lockbar reaches the opposite side you will probably start seeiing vertical play which to some usually means that knife's life is over. 25% to 35% is a fantastic place to start, especially if the lockbar is Ti.

IMHO, your knife is how I would want mine to be. The lock strength should not be any less than it would be at 50% or more.

Jesse B. said:
I'm still fairly new to user framelocks and I'm unclear about how much of the lock should cover the tang (hope I got the lingo right) to be safe and secure. I ask because my Bradley Alias II seems to usually stick at about 25-30%, where it achieves a solid lock-up. I'd feel a little more comfortable with more coverage, but wonder if there is some universal percentage which is most desirable, or if it varies by the knife.
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sorry to hijack but I just got a Bradley Alias 1 today. I cant believe the lock it has either. Id say 30-40% Its really over the tang. These are awesome knives
 
Doesn't the Alias have the notch cut in the tang which prohibits the lock bar face from traveling past about the notch. Search here on the forums there are some pictures somewhere of this and I'm almost positive it was the Alias.
 
The lockup on framelocks depend on the knife. Like Sebenzas normally have a deeper lockup compared to other framelocks because of their tight tolerances reducing the friction/wear between the tang and lockbar. On regular production framelocks I would think the earlier the lockup the better, for me at least.
 
Early lockup is good (around 15-20 % for me in general) as long as it is not overly sticky and there is a fair amount of surface area in contact. I also really don't like it when the frame can "shift" under a hard grip. Have seen this in several framelocks (all Ti) from $100-$200 from a variety of manufacturers. Have yet to see this in my Boker Plus steel framelocks ;) BTW. Or in my Sanrenmu 710 for what it's worth.

That said, some of my fav Ti framelocks are the Spyderco Chokwe, Sage 2 and the Benchmade Skirmish. The Sebenza is pure production framelock perfection. I'm getting a Kershaw Speedform in a little so I'm really anticipating that.
 
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