Kershaw frame/liner lock question.

J

jdowell

Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
171
Hi folks~
I've been thinking about buying one of the high end frame locks. I was in Walmart and saw a Vapor 1640 for $20, so I decided to try it out just to see what I think about a framelock knife. I've never owned one, and folks around here talk like it's the best/strongest locking mechanism. This seems like a great little knife for the money.
My question is this. Is the framelock on the Vapor the same thickness as the linerlock on say a Blur? Does the Blur have the little ballbearing on the lock.

I wonder if people don't make too much of an issue about the strenth of a Kershaw linerlock as compaired to a frame lock. People are fussy, as is their right, but I personally am not going to shell out big money for a framelock knife, when a liner lock will do well enough. It's not like I'm cutting down trees with my pocketknife!

jason
 
The Blur does have the ball on the lock from the factory yes.

Kershaw's frame locks are typically strong because they are hardened stainless in most of them. Some like the Ti Leek and others in the Zero Tolerance knive like the massive 300 series folders are titanium frame locks.

It usually says ti somewhere in the description.

I've noted that Kershaw's contact for the liner and frame lock folders does not have such a sharp angle to it as other makes that compete with them and in my opinion and based on my own testing they hold up fine and actually tend to stay put under stress better than Emersons or even Spyderco liner locks so I'd say in that regard they are doing them better. I know they are harder to move to release compared to the others I've tested them against.

In fact the only liner locks I currently own other than those I picked up to purposely convert into frame locks are Kershaw knives.

Some like the JYDII and NRG (which are liner locks) step it up a notch because they are massively thick and strong liners of hardened steel in them. I really prefer those over the others that are thinner personally. Not that the others have given me any reason to not like them but I just feel more reassurance with the beefcake ones myself.

By the way, the Kershaw Groove is one heck of a frame lock and not that expensive. For about triple the price of that Vapor you bought you could have you a very smooth highly functional reliable cutting tool there easily.

The Vapor is a fine knife though and a lot of folks have noted its worthyness including myself.

STR
 
To give my opinion at a very high level... Frame Locks are usually stronger than a liner lock due to thickness. Also, when you grip a knife, your hand doesn't push against the liner lock, where as with a frame lock, there is additional pressure from your grip to keep it locked. BUT, I've never even had a liner lock fail... it's mostly a confidence issue, and that's important even if it's only mental. You will feel more comfortable using a knife in any situation if you trully believe that nothing will fail. As for the Frame lock generally being the strongest of ANY lock... I don't think that can be safely said.
 
Thanks for the info guys..
Hey STR, wasn't one of the conversions you made a Blur.
Is there a thread showing how you did it?
I would love to see it.

Thanks

jas
 
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