Liner lock wear

A

asdf12345

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Jul 4, 2014
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I recently got a used Microtech with a liner lock and it doesn't have the replaceable lock bar insert that's on the DOC, etc. I'm worried about eventual travel of the lock bar to the right hand side of the blade and the associated problems with that - plus it is an old discontinued model that I am not certain Microtech will have replacement parts for.

Now, the problem is - I flick my knives open. Constantly. Yes, it's a bad habit and it's not great for a knife but it's here to stay. How long would I have until the lock bar wears out? A year? Two years? Lock up is currently at about 50%.
 
By the way I am not moving my wrist at all, but I am hitting the thumbstud with a lot of force.
 
If you aren't moving your wrist you're just flicking. Much better for the knife.

What's the problem? You have a Microtech manual at 50% lockup. Sounds like things are as they should be. You should get long life out of it if you treat it right.

How long you get out of your knife due to wrist flipping depends on how often and hard it's done. Meantime, mow the lawn, have a lemonade, enjoy life.
 
Hmm, sounds like a self imposed issue. Microtech isn't doing much in terms of warranty/repair these days. There is talk of them moving or have already moved to one of the Carolinas. Not judging you, but flicking knives? Get yourself a tennis ball or something to resolve the nervous tick/anxiety, or buy a balisong and knock yourself out.
 
I do the same thing with my knives, no worries brother. I don't have any Microtech knives, but I have flicked a dozen or so of my knives literally tens of thousands of times each. I haven't killed any yet, even those with non-carbidized titanium or cheap steel lockbars. If you aren't using wrist action, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you start to see the lockbar start traveling significantly. If that happens, find another knife to be your flicker and just open the Microtech slowly from then on.

You could go with something cheap that you don't mind wearing out, or go with an Umnumzaan which has a shock-absorbing o-ring that lets you flick all day without fear.
 
I use to do the same thing. Why not buy a dedicated flipping knife. (I'm assuming you do this at home) That's all I can think of.

Edit: didn't see that amg beat me to it.
 
I don't see how flicking damages the liner lock(?). I would be more worried about the pillar or thumbstuds that take the pressure when the blade whams closed leaning to them. No?
 
A.L. said:
I don't see how flicking damages the liner lock(?). I would be more worried about the pillar or thumbstuds that take the pressure when the blade whams closed leaning to them. No?
Click to expand...

Titanium lockbars do wear out over time as they scrape across the tang (Ti is a lot softer than blade steel). This process is accelerated and compounded as the stop pin gets dented from repeated impacts. When the pins get dented, the lockbar has to travel farther to prevent vertical play.
 
Quality liner locks will break in to a point, then kind of stay there for just about forever.

I wouldn't worry about it being 50%, it likely won't get worse unless you abuse it.
 
I have a CRKT drifter, used it about a year... lockbar worn out, serious lock rock.
Contacted CRKT, I could send the knife in for repair or replacement, but I live in Europe (not gonna spend 20$ shipping costs:D)
Great customer service IMO for a 20$ knife IMO.
 
I've used a Socom Elite daily over three years very hard! No bladeplay! Microbar lock wear a little bit and went to the end. But there is no bladeplay and there is no room for the microbar lock to go. So the knive will last for very few years without change in lock or feel... best knive for me, and i have had tested very few knives.... !
 
Most companies don't even replace liners for warranty, they just put in new or slightly larger stop pins on knives that use externals.
 
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