Lock engagement issue on a liner lock flipper?

M

mbp

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Jan 26, 2015
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Hello everyone. I just received a custom knife I ordered (no need to give specifics at this point in case I'm just overanalyzing this issue.) It's a liner lock flipper, titanium liners. The lockup is very early... possibly too early.

When I flip the knife very lightly--just enough to engage the lock--or when I pinch and open the knife very slowly, the lock does not fully engage. The lockbar moves over onto the tang, but doesn't really engage, so that I'm able to close the knife without releasing the lock. This happens every time I open the knife enough to "just barely" move the blade into locked position. There is an audible difference between opening the knife with force vs. putting the blade "just barely" into position.

I have never had this happen on any of the 4 other knives I have owned from this maker (all titanium liner locks) or any other liner lock, for that matter. Now, I'm not sure if some of this issue is "user error" due to me opening the blade very very lightly, but I'm concerned by it as I feel the lock should be engaging fully no matter how much force is used to open the knife. Sometimes I like to open my flippers with a "pinch and roll" so as to not make a ton of noise especially in a public setting.

What do you guys think? I've emailed the maker asking for his opinion, but not sure whether or not I should insist on sending the knife back.
 
I've only seen this on cheap Kershaw knives. Maybe let the titanium wear in a bit?

Sent from my Z987 using Tapatalk
 
Many like their liners and framelocks to barely grab? Not really sure why but ive seen many makers change their designs to have very partial lockup, vs. The old school full contact that liners used to have. Im just guessing but ill bet said maker was tired of getting warranty for my lock is too stable and far in, and it will wear even deeper returns and just changed his tolerances to have a very low percentage lockup of the bar. Which is ironic since many of these knives never get used to cut anything so wear in of the lock isnt going to happen.

So thats my guess....or its defective. Only way to be sure is to contact the maker and find out.
 
It'll break in over time. I wouldn't worry about it personally. Just flip it for a bit while watching TV and I'm sure you'll see the issue resolved.

Since it wasn't designed to function with that sort of use, you can't really fault the machine. Because it's a flipper, it's probably meant to be flipped open with some force. The lock not engaging when opened very lightly is sort of like a stoppage when a Glock is shot while limp wristing.
 
[video]https://goo.gl/photos/mfnUmvw2qj3wQVem8[/video]

Here's a video that shows what I'm talking about.
 
no it is not your fault. who said knives should always open with force? sounds to me a defected product.

edit: the vid confirms its a bad product.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
It'll break in over time. I wouldn't worry about it personally. Just flip it for a bit while watching TV and I'm sure you'll see the issue resolved.

Since it wasn't designed to function with that sort of use, you can't really fault the machine. Because it's a flipper, it's probably meant to be flipped open with some force. The lock not engaging when opened very lightly is sort of like a stoppage when a Glock is shot while limp wristing.
Click to expand...

Yep. Some Folks like to flip open knives hard nowadays, even non flippers and then arent happy when the lock bar settles deeply.

Glock dont malfunction on limp wristing. Only kahrs and other poorly designed firearms with 350 to 500 etc break ins before functioning do.;) jokes aside, tight tolerance guns tend to jam up until parts wear in.
 
Can you post a video of it actually engaging and locking? Based on that video i would say you may have problem. But a quick fix could be just to crack that baby open woth some serious wrist action a few times. If the lock doesnt start to settle in then definitely think about sending it back for a adjustment.
 
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