Integral Frames

[Tensaw]

I was wondering how you guys feel about folding knives with integral frames. Does this feature have real value for the knife buyer or just the maker showing off his CNC capability? I could see it being stronger than a sandwich construction, but I'm not sure that it's necessary. Maybe the inside of knife frame will stay cleaner? I own two knives with integral frames and while I think they're cool, I would have bought both if they had traditional frames. What do y'all think?

 

[kreole]

Hate them. More fiddly to take apart to clean, heavier than it'd be otherwise

 

[Tsujigiri]

It's mostly bragging rights over functionality. The backs of integrals are usually pretty comfortable since there are no gaps or misalignments of parts, though. And it's fewer fasteners to potentially lose and parts to potentially misalign when reassembling. On the downside, they are heavier and the pivots are tricky to get in and out, and if you somehow bend the lockbar out too much you can't easily bend it back.

 

[jfk1110]

Definitely about the skillz....Fixed integral as well.......!

 

[calm]

It shows the competency of the manufacturer, provides some advantages and is also currently fashionable.

There are similarly structured, but lower cost, folded steel traditional knives, that pull of a similar trick with one piece construction.

Japan, France, Germany

Boker and cold steel also make low cost one piece folded steel knives, I think.

 

[edgelion]

Opinel does the same thing, but with wood. Costs less. I get the appeal, but I'm not in the market.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I was just trying to convince myself to buy a Real Steel Sylph. And now I see they are out of stock. Go figure.

 

[K.O.D.]

I like my Spyderco/LionSTEEL Slym a lot, but would like it just as much were it not integral.

That being said, I have no plans to disassemble it. I have large hands and it just looks difficult to reassemble.

 

[Medieval Peasant]

It’s just one of those “cool” things that adds to aesthetics and quality. There are pros and cons to an integral, but if you’re buying one it’s likely not going to be your only knife. It fills a gap in the collection for me