Life after titanium framelock flippers

Keep in mind there are many places like California, where I live, where you must carry fixed blades open and not covered by clothes. This is not always possible, especially without looking dumb. Can you imagine wearing a jacket but have to lift it above your knife so that it’s showing?
 
Try a Spyderco Native. There are a whole bunch to choose from and they are one of my personal favorite knives ever. There is something about the way Spyderco does their lock backs, or backlocks... that just speaks to me.
 
Dfunk1210 said:
Keep in mind there are many places like California, where I live, where you must carry fixed blades open and not covered by clothes. This is not always possible, especially without looking dumb. Can you imagine wearing a jacket but have to lift it above your knife so that it’s showing?
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^^^This. I bought a Guardian 3 (great knife!) before realizing that even an untucked T-shirt would make it illegal to carry. :(

On the brighter side, I don’t have to ration my knife money between fixed and folders.
 
MSchott said:
Really? Titanium (4-5 oz’s) and in a pocket versus in a sheath on a belt. Which is more discreet?
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Yes you can and I do

I wear suits most days and a pocket clipped folder is well just plain stupid looking and not an option for me

A small fixed blade worn in a horizontal sheath weak side I carry a gun strong side is hidden by a suit jacket or when dressed casual an untucked t shirt

You can’t conceal a pocket clip

When carrying a folder I also carry in a horizontal sheath weak side and it disappears just like the fixed blade on my belt line

I’m sorry to tell you that your not to discreet with an over built frame lock hanging on your worn out front pocket...in fact quite the opposite

Example

Tonight I just walked into a baseball game where there is no weapons allowed

No one was getting in with their pocket clipped folder showing on their front pocket

I walked in with a sport coat and a pair of jeans with a knife worn in a black horizontal carry sheath on my weak side and a scandium titanium 357 on my strong side smiled at security and they waved me on
 
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JParanee said:
Twist the handle hard when the blade in something and you can accidentally disengage the lock

Some poorly designed liner locks do the same
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Yes, I've heard that complaint before now that you mention it.

I don't usually use folders really hard, but you could be tempted to with the overbuilt ones and no guarantee that the lock is "over built".
 
archieblue said:
Try a Spyderco Native. There are a whole bunch to choose from and they are one of my personal favorite knives ever. There is something about the way Spyderco does their lock backs, or backlocks... that just speaks to me.
Click to expand...


I agree Spydercos compression lock and Janichs designs have really interested me of late

 
danbot said:
Yes, I've heard that complaint before now that you mention it.

I don't usually use folders really hard, but you could be tempted to with the overbuilt ones and no guarantee that the lock is "over built".
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I don’t mean to offend anyone’s taste but I’m involved in the industry a bit and when I’m at the shows the over built frame locks in the industry are kinda a joke

Look at any real operators and they are going with small fixed blades lie the Blood Shark or something like Dom Raso’s Winkler made little fixed blade
 
JParanee said:
Yes you can and I do

I wear suits most days and a pocket clipped folder is well just plain stupid looking and not an option for me

A small fixed blade worn in a horizontal sheath weak side I carry a gun strong side is hidden by a suit jacket or when dressed casual an untucked t shirt

You can’t conceal a pocket clip

When carrying a folder I also carry in a horizontal sheath weak side and it disappears just like the fixed blade on my belt line

I’m sorry to tell you that your not to discreet with an over built frame lock hanging on your worn out front pocket...in fact quite the opposite

Example

Tonight I just walked into a baseball game where there is no weapons allowed

No one was getting in with their pocket clipped folder showing on their front pocket

I walked in with a sport coat and a pair of jeans with a knife worn in a black horizontal carry sheath on my weak side and a scandium titanium 357 on my string side smiled at security and they waved me on
Click to expand...
That's concealed though. I think @MSchott is saying an unconcealed pocket clipped knife is more discreet than an unconcealed fixed blade. But I think a small pocket sheathed fixed blade is fairly descreet as well.
 
I go through phases. I have already gone through my FLF phase, and I still EDC them A LOT, but I found the keepers and sold the rest, which is what I do with every style of knife I have. Right now I am ending my fixed blade phase, hopefully there will not be another phase! There have been too many already!
 
dirc said:
Really cool mod to a spydy, but personally I've never liked stag or bone type scales. I don't know why, but I always found they look like they should give a great grip, and never do. Maybe it's just me? (or is it whatever they use to seal it? epoxy or ?)
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I have a few bone and mammoth and they're more than grippy enough for what they are. My concern is that they are more fragile than non -natural materials. I don't aim to abuse my stuff but slips happen.
 
danbot said:
Yes, I've heard that complaint before now that you mention it.

I don't usually use folders really hard, but you could be tempted to with the overbuilt ones and no guarantee that the lock is "over built".
Click to expand...


I’ve told this story on here before but I’ll tell it again

Many years ago I was Bowfishing alligators in Louisiana

I was actually with RJ and Jon Paul of swamp people way before they got famous

They were just guys with alligator tags that’s buddy New

They didn’t have Airboat’s than :)

Jon Paul was a kid in high school :)

We stick a gator and he wrapped himself up in the line

We got him in the boat and taped his mouth

When it was time to dispatch him you take a knife and separate his vertabre at the base of his skull

All I had was a Emerson Cq7

When you stick something it does not like it and the ,eat of my finger disengaged the lock and I cut my finger pretty bad

I made a dumb mistake

But when you are using a blade in adverse conditions you make mistakes

Since that time I’ve discounted most liner locks and I won’t buy a frame lock

Sorry for the long story Danbot
 
JParanee said:
Yes you can and I do

I wear suits most days and a pocket clipped folder is well just plain stupid looking and not an option for me

A small fixed blade worn in a horizontal sheath weak side I carry a gun strong side is hidden by a suit jacket or when dressed casual an untucked t shirt

You can’t conceal a pocket clip

When carrying a folder I also carry in a horizontal sheath weak side and it disappears just like the fixed blade on my belt line

I’m sorry to tell you that your not to discreet with an over built frame lock hanging on your worn out front pocket...in fact quite the opposite

Example

Tonight I just walked into a baseball game where there is no weapons allowed

No one was getting in with their pocket clipped folder showing on their front pocket

I walked in with a sport coat and a pair of jeans with a knife worn in a black horizontal carry sheath on my weak side and a scandium titanium 357 on my strong side smiled at security and they waved me on
Click to expand...

Umm if they weren’t frisking you couldn’t you just unclip the folder from your pocket and stick it down in your pocket and walk past security just the same?

Not criticizing your point though.

I find in cold climates when it gets cold and we have to wear sweaters and thick jackets I can often access a folder clipped to my pocket faster than I can access a fixed blade which requires pulling the bottom of the jacket up.
 
JParanee said:
I’ve told this story on here before but I’ll tell it again

Many years ago I was Bowfishing alligators in Louisiana

I was actually with RJ and Jon Paul of swamp people way before they got famous

They were just guys with alligator tags that’s buddy New

They didn’t have Airboat’s than :)

Jon Paul was a kid in high school :)

We stick a gator and he wrapped himself up in the line

We got him in the boat and taped his mouth

When it was time to dispatch him you take a knife and separate his vertabre at the base of his skull

All I had was a Emerson Cq7

When you stick something it does not like it and the ,eat of my finger disengaged the lock and I cut my finger pretty bad

I made a dumb mistake

But when you are using a blade in adverse conditions you make mistakes

Since that time I’ve discounted most liner locks and I won’t buy a frame lock

Sorry for the long story Danbot
Click to expand...
I liked the long story and I agree, it can be a safety issue compared to a fixed blade in that scenario. Hard use is subject to all kinds of less than normal duty.
 
Lapedog said:
Umm if they weren’t frisking you couldn’t you just unclip the folder from your pocket and stick it down in your pocket and walk past security just the same?

Not criticizing your point though.

I find in cold climates when it gets cold and we have to wear sweaters and thick jackets I can often access a folder clipped to my pocket faster than I can access a fixed blade which requires pulling the bottom of the jacket up.
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Yes but than I’m altering my carry method and there fore changing what I’ve tried to commit to muscle memory

Th point is in day to day life it’s easier to see and pick out a pocket clip than a knife worn the way i do

Everyday I’m in and out of buildings in a proffesional setting

The other day I went from a mayors office to a large abandoned building where you are walking on old heron packets in an hours time

My kit is worn in the same spot every day

In my world pocket clips are a tell and draw attention

Plus you know how stupid you look in a suit with a pocket clip screwing up your pants :)
 
danbot said:
What turns you off of frame locks so much?
Click to expand...

Although this question wasn't directed at me, I'll answer with my own issues.

To me, the frame lock and liner locks have inherent flaws.

Firstly, both essentially rely on friction to be "locked". There's a fine line between the lock being "solid", and being unsafe. It doesn't simply rely on the contact between the blade and lock surfaces, but also the integrity of the rest of the knife. Also, a knife could be locked better with a solid thwack when opening the knife, or barely locked if gently opened. I think a knife should be locked when locked, unlocked when unlocked, with no varying amount of lock-up inbetween. Granted, a quality frame or liner lock should be as safe for normal use, but you never know.

Second, the nature of the lock means that it'll wear. Yes, all knives wear, but frame and liner locks are the most susceptible. Carbidization and/or lock inserts is a good idea, but it's still a part that wears, and wear can mean unsafeness.

Third, the position of the lock can compromise the security of the lock when gripped. See Joe's story above. Myself, when using the Spyderco Sage 2, I found that a tight grip would actually undo the lock. People say that a tight grip will hold the lock bar tight and keep the knife locked, and that makes sense in theory, but in practice with that particular frame lock my hand would actually push the lock open. Surely, this varies from knife to knife and person to person, so for some people with some knives, it might be an unsafe choice. A liner lock with it's (typically) thinner stock and weaker lock means that it can similarly be accidentally disengaged.

Finally, as some have already mentioned, closing the knife puts your digits - mainly the thumb - in the path of the blade. This has long been my primary beef with frame and liner locks, and the main reason I'm such a fan of the AXIS lock. Flip it open, unlock it and flip it closed, all without needing to even touch the thumb studs. The flipper can act as a stop though, so that's a good development, even if it is incidental to the intention of the flipper tab to be the opening method. However, I'm still not a fan.
 
4mer_FMF said:
^^^This. I bought a Guardian 3 (great knife!) before realizing that even an untucked T-shirt would make it illegal to carry. :(

On the brighter side, I don’t have to ration my knife money between fixed and folders.
Click to expand...

My exact problem. So many fixed blades I would love to carry but it’s just not practical
 
Planterz said:
Although this question wasn't directed at me, I'll answer with my own issues.

To me, the frame lock and liner locks have inherent flaws.

Firstly, both essentially rely on friction to be "locked". There's a fine line between the lock being "solid", and being unsafe. It doesn't simply rely on the contact between the blade and lock surfaces, but also the integrity of the rest of the knife. Also, a knife could be locked better with a solid thwack when opening the knife, or barely locked if gently opened. I think a knife should be locked when locked, unlocked when unlocked, with no varying amount of lock-up inbetween. Granted, a quality frame or liner lock should be as safe for normal use, but you never know.

Second, the nature of the lock means that it'll wear. Yes, all knives wear, but frame and liner locks are the most susceptible. Carbidization and/or lock inserts is a good idea, but it's still a part that wears, and wear can mean unsafeness.

Third, the position of the lock can compromise the security of the lock when gripped. See Joe's story above. Myself, when using the Spyderco Sage 2, I found that a tight grip would actually undo the lock. People say that a tight grip will hold the lock bar tight and keep the knife locked, and that makes sense in theory, but in practice with that particular frame lock my hand would actually push the lock open. Surely, this varies from knife to knife and person to person, so for some people with some knives, it might be an unsafe choice. A liner lock with it's (typically) thinner stock and weaker lock means that it can similarly be accidentally disengaged.

Finally, as some have already mentioned, closing the knife puts your digits - mainly the thumb - in the path of the blade. This has long been my primary beef with frame and liner locks, and the main reason I'm such a fan of the AXIS lock. Flip it open, unlock it and flip it closed, all without needing to even touch the thumb studs. The flipper can act as a stop though, so that's a good development, even if it is incidental to the intention of the flipper tab to be the opening method. However, I'm still not a fan.
Click to expand...
Great post Planterz! All valid points and I agree. Under certain usage it does fall short. And even accidental mishaps can be dangerous.
 
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