Linerlocks-How far is too far?

[nbrown_303]

So i just got my second Emerson 3 days ago, a Gentleman Jim and i like this knife alot. It was pretty stiff when i first got it but after 2 days of opening and closing it while watching tv and just sitting around it is butter smooth just like my CQC 8. Since my experience with linerlocks is limited to my two Emersons, i really don't know how late is to late for the liner lock. My CQC 8 had been used pretty hard since i got it and has been waved open many times, and is about 50/50, but my new Gentleman Jim hasnt been used much in the 3 days ive had it, and has only been waved a few times because i usually use the thumb disk on it. I would say its like 90% tho. It doesnt always go this far, probably one out of every 3 openings. It all depends on how i open it. When i flick it hard or wave it, it is nice at 50%. if i flick it a little more slowly, that is when it goes over that far. The pics i took of it are kind of crappy but im hoping you can see what i mean. My question is, is this okay for a liner lock knife or is that bad? its brand new btw.

and one of the knfie for looking haha

 

[Muaddib1116]

In my experience (no emersons) liner locks generally engage more on a hard open. A careful slow open usually has less engagement.

 

[nbrown_303]

yeah that is true with the Gentleman Jim as well, if it is opened slowly it is 50%, but if u flick it it goes over farther. when waved for some reason it goes to 50%. So would you say that that is too far for a liner lock or is that okay?

 

[Muaddib1116]

I feel like whatever the case, 90% after 3 days is too much. The design is supposed to allow for wear, so 90% leaves little room.

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Try to take a photo at the minimum focus distance - I would slightly tighten the pivot for now as a precaution and not be too worried if there is a lack of any sticking going on when attempting to unlock and close the blade.

 

[neuron]

As others have mentioned, flicking or (in the case of Emersons) waving a liner or frame lock open will often result in a later lockup than a slower opening. I wouldn't worry about it for now, but if it develops vertical blade play or otherwise has problems with lock slippage, then it would be time to send it in to Emerson to take care of.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

I wouldn't be happy with that. It has the potential for vertical blade play if it moves over much more. I don't like liner locks much and this is one reason why. Some can wear out extremely fast and there is no way you can fix it other than sending it back to the manufacturer and having the lock replaced.

I haven't bought a liner lock in many years so maybe that is normal for an Emerson and someone with more experience will chime in.

 

[Metal Made Fox]

It's more of a matter of personal preference. Over 50% is completely unacceptable for me.

This is a common problem with Emersons. For some reason their liners seem to wear out in a couple of hours.

 

[neuron]

I haven't bought a liner lock in many years so maybe that is normal for an Emerson and someone with more experience will chime in.

Nah, it's not normal -- all of the Emersons I've bought have had lockups of 50% or less out of the box. As an example, here are lockup pics of three LNIB Emersons (CQC-7, 10, and 13) that I took when I listed them on the Exchange.

 

[hardheart]

keep in mind the ball detent as well, it will contact the opposite liner first, so see how close that it. Once it touches the other liner, there is no room for wear.

 

[nbrown_303]

Thanks for the responses, there is absolutely ZERO blade play in any direction so that was why i wasnt sure if it was a big deal or not. For now im just going to open it without flicking it real hard because it locks up fine like that, if it goes any farther over ill send it back to get fixed.

Neuron, thats how my CQC 8 locks up, ive been happy with that one because its seen some hard use but its solid

Im trying to take clearer pics but i have an old cannon a560 and its not that great for close up detail photos