Kershaw Knockout lock engagement...is this normal?

[MolokaiRider]

I enjoy the Kershaw Knockout quite a bit. It’s a great edc, and popular for good reason.

I have 3 of these, and have noticed that when using the knife, the lock moves all the way over. All three of mine do this (Only took pics of two).

See below:



Lock engagement after deployment:




Lock engagement after using the knife to cut; the lock bar moves all the way to the opposite scale.



This kinda makes me wonder if this a design flaw. If the lock bar is already this far over, how much longer will the lock last without play?

Or is this just inherent to the design? Has anyone else noticed this?

At any rate, I’m going to keep using them. I suppose eventually I’m going to find out how long these will last.

 

[dkb45]

I actually just sent a Knockout in for warranty with 100% lockup (where the frame touches the opposing scale). My first Knockout didn't have lockup that late though, so I may have had a good one or we both have bad ones.

 

[shinyedges]

After owning/using a silly number of framelocks over the years I came to the conclusion that squeezing hard, like under heavy cutting causes excessive wear. Even if you don't force the lock bar all the way over initially and it stopped at let's say 50% lock up, if you squeeze hard under heavy cutting 10 times each time you force the lock bar over it is wearing material away and leading to a sooner than expected 100% lock up.

That said, the knife is still functional.


My 2¢ is don't use framelocks/subframelocks under heavy cutting if the movement bothers you. It did bother me so I just kinda moved away from framelocks and folders in general to fixed blades paired with some kinda slip joint:

 

[beachbum2588]

I enjoy the Kershaw Knockout quite a bit. It’s a great edc, and popular for good reason.

I have 3 of these, and have noticed that when using the knife, the lock moves all the way over. All three of mine do this (Only took pics of two).

See below:

View attachment 1023070

Lock engagement after deployment:

View attachment 1023071


Lock engagement after using the knife to cut; the lock bar moves all the way to the opposite scale.

View attachment 1023072 View attachment 1023073

This kinda makes me wonder if this a design flaw. If the lock bar is already this far over, how much longer will the lock last without play?

Or is this just inherent to the design? Has anyone else noticed this?

At any rate, I’m going to keep using them. I suppose eventually I’m going to find out how long these will last.

That's how CHRIS REEVES likes his knives,Cannot be all bad.

 

[GermanyChris]

The difference is it's moving during use which isn't good.

 

[Mo2]

Alot of my zt's do this too. Its because zt has poor lock geometry. Same with some Kershaws. It sucks for enthusiasts but most normals don't care.

 

[jill jackson]

Some ZT's will be pushed with thumb pressure all the way over, I've seen others of the same model I can't push over. Many of my framelocks of other brands seem to not move at all, or not very much. It depends on how the locking surfaces are fitted. Here is a ZT 0452cf, I had that was one of the worst, I replaced it with a G-10 0452 that will not move over when pushed.

 

[jbmonkey]

doesn't seem normal to me moving all the way over. sure harder cutting will deeper seat many frame locks and liner locks. ones that bottom out arent right imho

not sure theyll fail since they are moving the proper direction into lock not unlock but not sure I'd trust them completely. that's too much movement to me while cutting. I'd send them in and see what Kershaw has to say. maybe it is normal? sure doesnt seem like it though.

 

[marrenmiller]

This seems to be a common issue with ZT knives, particularly with their sub frame lock knives. Probably poor lock geometry, which seems to be a common KAI problem. If you try to force the blade closed with static pressure while it's locked open, does the lockbar shift in any way?

Part of me also wonders if this is due in some way to the relatively low handle stiffness and low stiffness of the joint between the lock bar and scales on sub frame locks.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I actually just sent a Knockout in for warranty with 100% lockup (where the frame touches the opposing scale). My first Knockout didn't have lockup that late though, so I may have had a good one or we both have bad ones.

I'd be curious to see if they are able to repair your Knockout. If you have a chance would you be able to share what resulted from the warranty?

After owning/using a silly number of framelocks over the years I came to the conclusion that squeezing hard, like under heavy cutting causes excessive wear. Even if you don't force the lock bar all the way over initially and it stopped at let's say 50% lock up, if you squeeze hard under heavy cutting 10 times each time you force the lock bar over it is wearing material away and leading to a sooner than expected 100% lock up.

That said, the knife is still functional.


My 2¢ is don't use framelocks/subframelocks under heavy cutting if the movement bothers you. It did bother me so I just kinda moved away from framelocks and folders in general to fixed blades paired with some kinda slip joint:
View attachment 1023123

View attachment 1023124

Thanks for weighing in. You have much more experience with framelocks than I do; I appreciate your insight on the premature wear. I have also noticed that I've been gravitating to carrying a small fixed blade in tandem with a folder more often.

Some ZT's will be pushed with thumb pressure all the way over, I've seen others of the same model I can't push over. Many of my framelocks of other brands seem to not move at all, or not very much. It depends on how the locking surfaces are fitted. Here is a ZT 0452cf, I had that was one of the worst, I replaced it with a G-10 0452 that will not move over when pushed.

That looks just like the Kershaw's lockup. After reading through the recent infamous ZT thread a couple weeks ago, it's fairly clear that Kai has some "tolerance" issues with fitment. Still wonderful knives...but it seems like it may be a good idea to handle a knife before purchasing.

doesn't seem normal to me moving all the way over. sure harder cutting will deeper seat many frame locks and liner locks. ones that bottom out arent right imho

not sure theyll fail since they are moving the proper direction into lock not unlock but not sure I'd trust them completely. that's too much movement to me while cutting. I'd send them in and see what Kershaw has to say. maybe it is normal? sure doesnt seem like it though.

I tend to agree. This seems pretty excessive. For now...even when lockup moves all the way to 100 percent, all three knives do not exhibit any rock. I guess time will tell if they fail...

This seems to be a common issue with ZT knives, particularly with their sub frame lock knives. Probably poor lock geometry, which seems to be a common KAI problem. If you try to force the blade closed with static pressure while it's locked open, does the lockbar shift in any way?

Part of me also wonders if this is due in some way to the relatively low handle stiffness and low stiffness of the joint between the lock bar and scales on sub frame locks.

The face of the lock is also coated... I'm wondering if this compounded the issue with the interface between the blade stop and lock face?