Is liner lock that bad?

S

seanuhthin

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Aug 17, 2009
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I want a Z0350, But I am not a fan of Liner locks. I would get a 301 (I want more) But 250$ is too much. The 301's only differences are that It is "slightly" Bigger and uses a frame lock, which is why I don't understand the price tag.

Has anyone had problems with liners?
 
Never.

Framelock is my favorite, then a liner lock. Don't care for any other type.
 
liner lock is not bad if its well made. However, even then I wouldnt trust it for harder tasks.
 
Then what do you think I should do? I only chose The 350 because Its specs are s30v stainless for the blade and G-10 for handles. I don't know of anything that similar to strider or with same specs and a frame lock... any thoughts?
 
There's nothing wrong with a well made liner lock. Kershaw makes some of the best. Folks whose word I trust who have ZT's report they are bomb proof.

go for it.
 
The strength of a liner lock depends on how well it is made. I have an Emerson A100 and the loner lock is very, very strong. The liner locks on ZT are also solid.

As noted, it also depends on what you are using it for. The Zero Tolerance knives have a reputation for strength; more than enough for normal uses. Striders are overbuilt, like tanks, and worth the money if you're going to dangerous places and you might encounter extaordinary situations.
 
I've owned my fair share of liner lock knives and haven't had any problems with any of them. Framelocks are more robust, but for regular edc, I think a liner lock is just fine.
 
It's worth nothing the locking liner on the ZT 0350 is thicker than some framelocks.
 
harkamus said:
It's worth nothing the locking liner on the ZT 0350 is thicker than some framelocks.
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Some.

However, the other advantage of frame locks is that when you grip the knife it is impossible to make it bend out. The harder you grip the stronger the lock.

For linerlocks it is possible to disengage the lock by accident during hard use. Quality linerlocks for normal EDC is fine. Ive had a CRKT and a Buck that will disengage the lock when I hit the spine.
 
BlazenGem said:
Some.

However, the other advantage of frame locks is that when you grip the knife it is impossible to make it bend out. The harder you grip the stronger the lock.

For linerlocks it is possible to disengage the lock by accident during hard use. Quality linerlocks for normal EDC is fine. Ive had a CRKT and a Buck that will disengage the lock when I hit the spine.
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Which is why Phil made me custom scales where both g-10 liners are the same size, without the finger groove cut out to disengage the lock easier.

I don't think most people have a problem choking a quality knife and having the liner lock disengage.
 
My problem with many of the linerlocks/framelocks is not the lock but the pivot developing play. Sideways play is easy to readjust, but up-and-down play requires some serious work to fix. AXIS lock never has any of these issues.

A minor problem with linerlocks is that you can cut your thumb when closing the blade one-handed, especially if you try to do it too quick for your own good.
 
BlazenGem said:
Some.

However, the other advantage of frame locks is that when you grip the knife it is impossible to make it bend out. The harder you grip the stronger the lock.

For linerlocks it is possible to disengage the lock by accident during hard use. Quality linerlocks for normal EDC is fine. Ive had a CRKT and a Buck that will disengage the lock when I hit the spine.
Click to expand...

Some of the lower end CRKT models are known to be insecure.

The OP was asking about a ZT, not a CRKT. There is no comparison between them, even if you look at the better CRKT's.
 
I had a liner lock made by Imperial in the 60's. It was brass or copper, I do not know. I threw & stuck it in a tree a zillion times & no lock failure. The scales came off but, the knife was still usable as a knife. I guess the liner lock on this one was tough. I know its knife abuse but, I was a young kid.
 
a well made linerlock is very good lock. Like said Kersahw makes good but so does Spyderco, Benchmade, Buck and anyother reputable manufacturer... But I wouldn't could much on cheap linerlocks from Cheap manufacturer like Mtech... Mtech's linerlock's seem and feel so fragile. With quality brand you will have no problems with liner's.
 
seanuhthin said:
I want a Z0350, But I am not a fan of Liner locks. I would get a 301 (I want more) But 250$ is too much. The 301's only differences are that It is "slightly" Bigger and uses a frame lock, which is why I don't understand the price tag.

Has anyone had problems with liners?
Click to expand...

The 301 costs so much because half of the knife is titanium.

knarfeng said:
There's nothing wrong with a well made liner lock. Kershaw makes some of the best. Folks whose word I trust who have ZT's report they are bomb proof.

go for it.
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This sums it up pretty well. There is nothing wrong with liner locks. Unfortunately most of the companies that make cheap junk knives use linerlocks. This has given them a bad name.

cotdt said:
A minor problem with linerlocks is that you can cut your thumb when closing the blade one-handed, especially if you try to do it too quick for your own good.
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You can cut yourself with any knife/locking system if you're not careful. If this is a problem for you, there is something wrong with your technique. On all of my knives, either the unsharpened base of the blade or the flipper, hit my thumbnail before anything could possibly cut me.
 
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Dekz said:
You can cut yourself with any knife/locking system if you're not careful. If this is a problem for you, there is something wrong with your technique. On all of my knives, either the unsharpened base of the blade or the flipper, hit my thumb NAIL before anything could possibly cut me.
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In other locking systems, you don't have to ever put your finger before the blade when one-handed closing, which is a safer design.

I also do not like nicks on my nails. Then everyone would know that I've been playing with my knives again.
 
cotdt said:
In other locking systems, you don't have to ever put your finger before the blade when one-handed closing, which is a safer design.

I also do not like nicks on my nails. Then everyone would know that I've been playing with my knives again.
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You can easily make the mistake of putting your fingers in the blades path with an Axis lock.
 
Kershaw is one of the companies that knows how to produce a well made liner lock, and in my opinion does produce some of the best liner lock knives.

I don't have a 0350 yet, but it is on my list.

One of the reasons for the price difference is that the 300 series uses titanium in its construction.

Tom
 
cotdt said:
In other locking systems, you don't have to ever put your finger before the blade when one-handed closing, which is a safer design.

I also do not like nicks on my nails. Then everyone would know that I've been playing with my knives again.
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Please re-read my original post. The UNSHARPENED base of the blade or the finger flipper make contact with my thumbnail.

And again, if you cut yourself closing a linerlock, you are doing something wrong.
 
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