Liners vs linerless

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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I have a question about multi blade knives with liners and without. For example, I have a Schrade jack, with a spear main and a pen blade, and the blades are right flush against each other. I have a Utica jack with spear main and pen blade, and there is a liner dividing the two. I've got other jacks/trappers/stockman/etc with and without dividing liners. On those without I haven't really seen blade rub too often, but I'd still like to know why some include liners and some don't. I'm guessing this is slipjoint 101, and I must've missed that class, but I'll still ask.
 
I remember from a prior discussion that "scale" is the correct term and that "liners" is forum/collector lingo. There's a short description of the purpose on GEC's website. It would be interesting to hear perspectives from some of the knife makers.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/pocket-knives/knife-terminology/
Scale
The lining or side of a pocket knife, usually made of brass. The scale usually has a cover attached on the outside, but on some knives the scale also functions as a cover. A “center” scale is assembled in the middle of each knife to separate the operating parts from each other. A center scale can be full scale or a cut-out scale that has the front part cut out. A “cut-out” scale may also be placed in the side of a knife to provide more working clearance for the blade.
Click to expand...
 
Manufacturing preference. Buyers choice. Some blades just work better with one or the other. Also, some multi-bladed knives will have 3/4 spacers between two back springs. A lot of variety on this issue. Opinions vary on what is best configuration. Most casual knife buyers won't know the difference.

Mike
 
supratentorial said:
I remember from a prior discussion that "scale" is the correct term and that "liners" is forum/collector lingo. There's a short description of the purpose on GEC's website. It would be interesting to hear perspectives from some of the knife makers.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/pocket-knives/knife-terminology/
Click to expand...

Man is that confusing. Coming out of combat and tactical knives a scale is the handle. Like G10 scales. So is a thing that goes on your head a hat, cover, or cap? [emoji15]
 
I think it was Eric (CSC) that said "scale" is the industry term. I might be creative remembering but I think he teased that he knows right away that someone is a "forumite" when they say "liner". LOL.
 
You learn something every day on BF. So, I've been using scale and liner, when I should be using cover and scale! Question is will anyone else know what I mean if I switch lingo?:confused:
 
EyeDog said:
Man is that confusing. Coming out of combat and tactical knives a scale is the handle. Like G10 scales. So is a thing that goes on your head a hat, cover, or cap? [emoji15]
Click to expand...

Yes. :)

I think it is best to use the terminology of whomever you are conversing with. If I were writing to a manufacturer/maker, I'd say scale. Otherwise, I'd say liner. As long as both parties know what they're talking about, whatever you call it is acceptable. However, Bernard Levine in Levine's Guide uses the term liners with a cross reference to side scales.
 
coolio said:
You learn something every day on BF. So, I've been using scale and liner, when I should be using cover and scale! Question is will anyone else know what I mean if I switch lingo?:confused:
Click to expand...

I think that often the 'hood' or community you hang with defines things by their particular usage and definition.

A few months ago I bought a book on the value and history of pocket knives. What a fun read. First thing I noticed was that terminology seems to evolve or change over time. There are great diagrams in the book labeling knife parts and blades, many of which were new to me.

I think manufacturers have some standard definitions but they don't translate well at the street level. So if you search Google for 'knife scales' you get thousands of pages on knife handles...not on what I call spacers. And--Google can't be wrong! [emoji6]
 
RDaneel---agree: spacer, liner, scale, handle, as long as we agree on what we're describing, no problem. Do my test: search Google on some of these terms and you'll see that they use more urban language in their searches.
 
RDaneel said:
Yes. :)

I think it is best to use the terminology of whomever you are conversing with. If I were writing to a manufacturer/maker, I'd say scale. Otherwise, I'd say liner. As long as both parties know what they're talking about, whatever you call it is acceptable. However, Bernard Levine in Levine's Guide uses the term liners with a cross reference to side scales.
Click to expand...

That seems to agree with how Case apparently sees it. In their 'Knife Anatomy' diagram (below), they show the 'liner' as being what others might call the 'scale', to which the 'covers' and bolsters are attached.

anatomy.jpg



David
 
coolio said:
...Question is will anyone else know what I mean if I switch lingo?:confused:
Click to expand...

I switch up depending on who I'm talking to. In the forum, I generally use "liner" but otherwise I say "scale". I mentioned it in this thread because the information that I quoted from the GEC website is under the term "scale" and I thought it might need an explanation.
 
From A.G. Russells Glossary, http://www.agrussell.com/Glossary/a/101/

"Liner
Thin sheets of metal between the blade and the handle material of folding knives."

"Scale
To knife people the word scale refers to the handle parts on each side of a full tang hunting knife or the parts on the sides of a pocket knife or folder."

It looks like there are many answers to the same questions. :D
 
One thing that's nice about a cut out center scale/liner is that it's easier to clean inside the knife.

It can vary for the same pattern and even from the same manufacturer... the Moore Maker 2-blade sowbelly has a full center scale/liner whereas the 5-blade sowbelly from Moore Maker has a cut out, presumably to give the blades a bit more room.
 
The liners/scales establish the shape of the frame which is generally comprised of the liners/scales and springs. If anyone has LVG4, it is interesting to see just how many words have been used to describe the same thing (i.e., liner, scale) throughout the history of cutlery.
 
coolio said:
You learn something every day on BF. So, I've been using scale and liner, when I should be using cover and scale! Question is will anyone else know what I mean if I switch lingo?:confused:
Click to expand...

On a 'scale' of 1 - 10, I'd say the chances are zero. That about 'covers' it! ;) ... so much for the one 'liners'!
 
There are several valid definitions of 'scale'

This taken from a 1930s edition of the Oxford Dictionary which references the terms being used a century before in the 1830s

IMG_1934.jpg


Myself, I've always stuck to scales for handle material, liners for the internal metal parts and spacers where needed. dislike the word .cover' sounds too temporary, or is it hiding something....:D

Language fractures into dialects and varieties, special terms are very liable to be used in an individual or quirky way each gains currency amongst a set group of people. Pants/trousers type of thing.

Thanks, Will
 
As far as the center scale on a two bladed jack, for example. If the knife is well made a full scale gives it a classy look, IMHO. Like on the SFO Radio Jack.

I used to think that the cut-out center scale was a cheap way to make a knife. Now I think it is just a different way to build a knife.
 
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