Liner and Frame Lock Reliability?

[KeithAM]

Edited because by the time I posted this, Vinny (RazrBreed) was already gone.

 

[rifon2]

The creator of the modern liner-lock himself never felt that his own liner-locks needed an additional safety.

Right, his own - meaning the ones he turned out with his own hands.

I'm assuming this is what you mean, Esav.

 

[tirod3]

Production liner locks seem to be much less reliable - even up to $200 - so I now avoid them, too.

Custom or high end, hard use liner locks, that's something else. But I chose to avoid any compromise and stick to frame locks now. I see that it provides thicker stock, less bending, more friction, and more precise lockup because of the necessities of manufacture and design. Pretty much eliminates value engineering, i.e., thin liners, flexible grips, and no production oversight.

When you're sure you make them right the first time, accessory locks aren't needed.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Right, his own - meaning the ones he turned out with his own hands.

Exactly.

 

[Siggyhk]

I don't consider very many liner locks hard use knives. Of all the knives I've had, liner locks seem to be consistantly more problematic and untrustworthy. I have never had any problem with a axis lock, but I do feel more overall confidence in a quality framelock. I do think the axis has a bit more longevity in it too. My bottom line at this point is that I wont buy another liner lock from a production company unless I fall in love with the design on the knife. With a framelock I feel that I'm in constant control of the lock. A liner just seems to do what it wants.

 

[coop1957]

I don't know about anyone else here, but I have used over my many years knives with linerlocks, lockbacks and framelocks and have yet to have any of them fail on me. I am as confident with a linerlock as with a framelock or lockback, in any order. Unless the knife in question was poorly made, I personally don't worry that much about whether one type of lock is more likely to fail than another. I don't think I abuse the knives I use so again I don't think much about it. Maybe if one does fail on me then I may have different thoughts about it but until then, I'll buy whatever knife that I like regardless of the lock type. I will say that I think the framelock appears to be the stronger of the different types but that's just my own observation.

With rational thoughts like these this thread is in danger of dying a rapid death!

 

[zpaulg]

This maybe the most absurd thing I have yet to read on BF, and that's saying something. :jerkit:

He said it!

 

[misque]

So, turns out Razrbreed was Vinny the idiotchild. :thumbdn:

Trolls are trolls no matter what new skin they try to wear. :barf:

Now, the real question is, will this child ever get a clue that he's not wanted here? JEEZ! :jerkit:

 

[SIFU1A]

could have been sucky luck, like I said my griptilian and ritter grip pass it fine. Thogh if possible I do ask you to try the test and report your findings. you will notice I hit the knife not to hard but not close to the handle, I hit the knife about 3/4 the way from the pivot.

i do that to every knife i edc, if they wont pass i wont carry them, my axis BM's have all passed.

that a CRKT would fail it i dont think is news to anyone.

edited to add: huh, he's gone?? razzr was vinny lol?

 

[misque]

LOL!

Yeah, he fessed up in another thread right before getting Das Boot, yet again!

 

[T.K.C.]

My Kevin Wilkins Avalon 3 is the best liner lock I have ever had. But, I generally buy frame locks. That is just me.

 

[OilMan]

I don't think that a custom hand-made liner-lock would fail, but otherwise there seems to be no difference between high end and low end liner-lock failures...

I think they do... (And it actually closed on two fingers but I didn't want to get blood all over my camera on the deeper one.)

In my experience only, I have seen framelock lockbars and liners slide over the tang of a badly mated lock interface when under pressure. Enough to where I've had both disengage.

What am I carrying now? A framelock. Why? Cuz I trust this one (RJ Martin Havok) and have tested it myself before it went into my pocket. Plus it's cool.

 

[sgbeskin]

Oilman,
I've had the same thing thing happen to me with a custom made liner lock. I won't say the maker, but he is highly regarded. The liner slipped off the blade cutting a feed sack!!! Cut me pretty bad, so bad that I now have a terrible scar and a huge knot on that knuckle. I went back to framelocks or just slipjoints.

 

[hardheart]

I avoid liner and frame locks, having only bought one recently so I could try out the blade steel used in the folder. Sure enough, the frame lock failed spine whacks both hard and snappy. I filed the lock face to fix it. Axis and lockback for me.

 

[SIFU1A]

any lock given the right circumstances will fail.

 

[allenC]

any lock given the right circumstances will fail.

True.

But in my experinece, liner-locks (without the LAWKS feature) are inherently more prone to failure than lock-backs, Axis-locks, Compression-locks, Ball bearing locks, Arc-locks, Ultra-locks, button-locks, and Balisongs.

So, with so many other locking knives available, I really can't see a need to buy a liner-lock.

 

[hunter3030]

Most of the work i put my knives to isnt that hard, but ones that would use most, i hit the spine on somthing hard to see if it will fail. My liner locks started to slide a little but the blade didnt close(prolly would have if I hit it harder). My Axis locks and lockbacks wouldnt show any sign of failing. I would say go with an BM Axis lock very reliable, over a liner or frame lock.

 

[razorsdescent]

I for one am not a fan of the axis lock, hav ei owned one? yes.

Did it fail? No.

Some people just dont trust springs.



but i think its rediculous that people keep expecting some lock to be as strong as a fixed blade. now striders, hinderers, sebenzas, and a host of other good frame locks, are out ther along with some great liner locks like emersons, and lone wolfs. so when someone says that the liner or frame lock doesnt compare to an axis lock or a frame lock thats B.S it just has to be exacting, id trust my life on my emerson k-bit.

knives like oberland, and extrema ratio have rock solid lock backs.

As for the axis lock as a strong lock, it seems like yeah it is. unless you physically break that peice of metal in there its probably going to stay engaged.


really everyone has there own preferences for their own reasons. people on this sight will be debating the best locking mechanism for years to come(or at least till the busse folder arrives)

if you like a knife and trust its lock then screw what others think it your knife not theres.

happy knife hunting.

 

[JackBauer24]

This is a hornets nest that has been kicked. A well made frame lock, lock back, liner lock or Axis lock should have an extremely low faillure rate. You will probably get hit by lightning before a lock failure occurs.
Troll on.

I dunno. Dude could be like me. I can break/cause anything to fail. My axis failed.

 

[allenC]

I for one am not a fan of the axis lock, hav ei owned one? yes.

Did it fail? No.

Some people just dont trust springs.

I have a friend who said the same thing...

I asked him this:
What firearms would you trust to defend your life and lives of your loved ones?

He said:
An AK-47, a Smith&Wesson .357 revolver, or a Glock 17.

I then said:
They all have springs, ya'know?

I can't repeat what he said after that!

but i think its rediculous that people keep expecting some lock to be as strong as a fixed blade.

It depends upon which folders and which fixed-blades you're talking about...
The common household steak knife is a fixed-blade 100%.
But I'll bet that a Spyderco Manix is stronger than the average household steak knife!