I am finished with liner/frame locks. I have had a number of them and all of them with the exception of one Benchmade Leopard have given me some sort of trouble. I cant speak for the CRK Sebenza since I havent had one of them and they may be great (should be for the money). All of my others have either had locks which stick or release very easily or don't lock properly. I haven't had one actually fail under normal use, but they have not inspired any confidence. The manufacturers which I have contacted have stood behind their product, but I have not had any trouble with my axis lock or any lock backs. I also haven't had any trouble with the two one hand knives from A. G. Russell. Does any one out there feel the same way or am I just over reacting?
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I am through with liner/frame locks!!!
- Thread starter Quy4n8
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hmmm, I've had a couple linerlocks, some good some bad. I've only had two frame locks and both where superb as far as lockup goes. One was a Camillus Dominator which was a very nice knife overall, the other is my Sebenza which is unmatched IMO. If I had the same experience as you I would probably feel the same way. You don't mention what knives these were though, were they all quality peices? You should give a Sebenza a try sometime, I'm sure it will not dissapoint.
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It's funny that I hear so much about how "aweful" linerlocks are, but the vast majority of folding knives I've owned and used have been linerlocks from various production companies and of about a hundred or so knives I've cycled through, I can only say that 4 disappointed me and only 1 was outright garbage. I've had linerlocks that have worn to the point that they reach clear across the tang and some that did not engage properly without some "tweaking" before being put to use, but I've been fortunate enough to never experience failure during actual use.
In my opinion only 2 production companies have no business making linerlocks: Schrade and Böker, but most others work just fine. Just how are you using your linerlocks? Are you prying with them? Twisting as you cut?
In my opinion only 2 production companies have no business making linerlocks: Schrade and Böker, but most others work just fine. Just how are you using your linerlocks? Are you prying with them? Twisting as you cut?
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I have 5 or so liner locks by Spyderco and they all function perfectly.
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Good for you! Another one for the club.
Actually, I don't think there's a lot of people who have sworn off framelocks. But there's lots and lots of us who don't like liner locks. Framelocks do share some of the liner lock's problems: locks sticking, ball detents not holding the blade in, etc.
If you're happy with axis locks and lockbacks, stick with 'em, there's plenty of good choices.
Joe
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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You may have gotten a few bad ones, you may be using them in a way that emphasizes their weaknesses. My experience doesn't match yours, though, and framelocks are about as strong a lock as you can get -- which is not to say a bad one can't be found 
You have to buy from a good company.
Have you tried a Camillus framelock, the EDC, Maxx, or Dominator? All excellent. Sebenzas are better than merely excellent, but they are more expensive than the Camilluses, too.
You have to buy from a good company.Have you tried a Camillus framelock, the EDC, Maxx, or Dominator? All excellent. Sebenzas are better than merely excellent, but they are more expensive than the Camilluses, too.
The liner/frame locks I have had trouble with are the Camillus Dominator, Microtech Kestral, a Benchmade Leapord Cub and a William Henry CO7 (I think that is the correct model number). The first Dominator I had did not let the blade go into the handle correctly (the point stayed even with the handle instead of going below, caught my finger on it twice). I sent it back and it was promtly replaced, but on this one the lock will stick and the blade is not centered properly. The Kestral has the same problem, the lock can be quiet difficult to disengage, but not consistently so.
I don't use the knives to pry with or in a twisting way, mostly light duty work, opening mail, boxes, cutting shrink wrap, etc. I know that some of this may be "knit picking", but these are all higher priced production knives and I expect them to work as designed. Camillus and Benchmade have stood behind there products and I have not contacted Microtech or William Henry, I am sure they will do the same, but I haven't had any problem with the other lock types at all, and this from less expensive knives. Just curious to see how many of you agree or think I am nuts. As I said, none have failed, they are just not good enough for their cost.
I don't use the knives to pry with or in a twisting way, mostly light duty work, opening mail, boxes, cutting shrink wrap, etc. I know that some of this may be "knit picking", but these are all higher priced production knives and I expect them to work as designed. Camillus and Benchmade have stood behind there products and I have not contacted Microtech or William Henry, I am sure they will do the same, but I haven't had any problem with the other lock types at all, and this from less expensive knives. Just curious to see how many of you agree or think I am nuts. As I said, none have failed, they are just not good enough for their cost.
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When I buy a linerlock folder and upon inspection see that the lock barely engages the tang or if it exhibits blade wobble even after adjusting the tension on the pivot, I'll send it back. Personally, I'd prefer a lock that's a bit harder to unlock and a blade that's not centered when closed over a sloppy linerlock that may disengage when slight pressure is applied, but I can understand why you would expect a bit more attention to detail on more expensive folders.
Consider how fast the lock will wear on a folder. I've had a few high-end production folders with linerlocks that have worn rather quickly (some more than others), not enough to interfere with routine stuff like pealing fruit, opening envelopes and such, but not suitable for their so called "tactical" use. Then again, others I've used have performed admirably and can still be found in my EDC rotation.
My idea of hard use is cutting through several piles of cardboard boxes, skinning large game, light chopping, heavy rope cutting or any task that requires you to apply heavy pressure to accomplish the cut. If I don't think a folder will cut it, I'll use a fixed blade instead. Again, most of my linerlock and framelock folders have worked as advertised from day one. Spyderco, Benchmade, Al Mar, Microtech, Kershaw, CRKT and Outdoor Edge are a few name brands I own whose linerlocks have never failed on me. A few from other brands have been sent back for minor QC issues, but the problems have always been fixed. Of course, some models are designed for harder use than others, but I've used them confidently enough and none have accidentally closed on me.
I do refuse to buy linerlocks from Böker and Schrade. They make decent slip joint folders and fixed blades, but I've yet to see one of their linerlocks that will give me enough confidence to use it for anything other than opening letters.
Consider how fast the lock will wear on a folder. I've had a few high-end production folders with linerlocks that have worn rather quickly (some more than others), not enough to interfere with routine stuff like pealing fruit, opening envelopes and such, but not suitable for their so called "tactical" use. Then again, others I've used have performed admirably and can still be found in my EDC rotation.
My idea of hard use is cutting through several piles of cardboard boxes, skinning large game, light chopping, heavy rope cutting or any task that requires you to apply heavy pressure to accomplish the cut. If I don't think a folder will cut it, I'll use a fixed blade instead. Again, most of my linerlock and framelock folders have worked as advertised from day one. Spyderco, Benchmade, Al Mar, Microtech, Kershaw, CRKT and Outdoor Edge are a few name brands I own whose linerlocks have never failed on me. A few from other brands have been sent back for minor QC issues, but the problems have always been fixed. Of course, some models are designed for harder use than others, but I've used them confidently enough and none have accidentally closed on me.
I do refuse to buy linerlocks from Böker and Schrade. They make decent slip joint folders and fixed blades, but I've yet to see one of their linerlocks that will give me enough confidence to use it for anything other than opening letters.
As a long-time supporter of liner-locks - you will be surprised to hear me say, I AGREE!
With few exceptions, I have had it with liner locks. I have only had two fail, and not at critical times, but the amount of adjusting that is required is not really acceptable.
Frame locks generally perform better in my experience.
However, I am prefering the smooth action of mid-locks and AXIS-locks (+ the ball lock and compression lock from Spyderco) these days. I also encourage you to look at the offerings from Grant Hawk - the action and lockup on his DOG and TOAD are fabulous.
With few exceptions, I have had it with liner locks. I have only had two fail, and not at critical times, but the amount of adjusting that is required is not really acceptable.
Frame locks generally perform better in my experience.
However, I am prefering the smooth action of mid-locks and AXIS-locks (+ the ball lock and compression lock from Spyderco) these days. I also encourage you to look at the offerings from Grant Hawk - the action and lockup on his DOG and TOAD are fabulous.
As Joe said, Welcome to the club.
You are not alone and you're not over-reacting.
I have also swore off liner-locks and frame-locks.
The reasons are simple:
You never know when one will fail until it's too late. And because of their design, they will eventually fail as the tang-to-blade geometry changes due to wear.
There are better locks on the market.
Just to name a few:
lock-back (mid-lock)
bolt-lock
compression-lock
axis-lock
arc-lock
ultra-lock
ball bearing-lock
balisong latch-lock
BladeLOCK
Rolling-lock
and others that I can't recall, why would you settle for an inferior locking system.
Happy hunting,
Allen.
You are not alone and you're not over-reacting.
I have also swore off liner-locks and frame-locks.
The reasons are simple:
You never know when one will fail until it's too late. And because of their design, they will eventually fail as the tang-to-blade geometry changes due to wear.
There are better locks on the market.
Just to name a few:
lock-back (mid-lock)
bolt-lock
compression-lock
axis-lock
arc-lock
ultra-lock
ball bearing-lock
balisong latch-lock
BladeLOCK
Rolling-lock
and others that I can't recall, why would you settle for an inferior locking system.
Happy hunting,
Allen.
Daniel Dorn
Gold Member
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- Apr 21, 1999
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- 5,318
I just noticed a strange thing. I own only one liner-lock knife! This is not by any design, or conscious preference, but I just now realized this. I do own two frame locks, and see a few more on the horizon, but there are no liner-lock knives on my To-Buy list. I guess I have sub-consiously steered away from them.
My only Linerlock is a MT LCC D/A, BTW. I guess I am interested in the Al Mar SERE 2K, though, so there are a few out there.
I can't believe I haven't noticed this in my collection before!
DD
My only Linerlock is a MT LCC D/A, BTW. I guess I am interested in the Al Mar SERE 2K, though, so there are a few out there.
I can't believe I haven't noticed this in my collection before!
DD