liner lock liner material options

[Travis Fry]

After almost 100 fixed blades and a couple of folders I think I'm about to start making liner locks. I've been doing my research and I know everyone uses titanium for liners. I know and understand all the reasons it's the best material, and will eventually get some. In the meantime, are there other viable options for liner material that are less expensive while I'm learning?

I've got some .040" 304 stainless that I've used as liners on a lockback and some other stuff that seems like it'd function well enough to lock a blade and hold it. As I understand things it doesn't have to move much and really just needs to be able to repeatedly return to its position behind an opened blade without losing it's springiness over time. I think 304 will do this (though I'm testing it with another little side experiment). Is there any reason I shouldn't use it?

More importantly, has anyone used it that can give actual feedback?

 

[Jason Magruder]

I can't say how well 304 would work but titanium is cheap. Really cheap. A piece big enough to do a large liner lock can be had for $3 from www.AlphaKnifeSupply.com

Even with shipping it's still dirt cheap.

 

[Drew Riley]

I can't speak for thickness or type, but I can tell you that stainless liners make up the majority of linerlocks on the market today. From cheapies all the way to expensive ones....

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Good timing, asking myself the same thing! :thumbup:

 

[Frank Niro]

Unless the stainless is heat treated why not use the titanium? I use .050 on folders with blades about 3" long and .040 on those smaller. This is for folders with scales and bolsters or all just scales. Perhaps a just as important thing is does it have a back bar from the blade stop to the back or several stand offs. Frank