Locking %

H

hkemerson

Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Messages
5
I keep reading about what "%" the locking is and I assume that 100% refers to the titanium liner going all the way to the opposite side when it locks the knife, while 25% means it's a quarter of the way there. I'd like to ask a few questions.

1.) is my assessment correct ?
2.) are there any safety issues with it locking at 100%? or 25%? I hear it tends to go all the way to 100% as it gets older.
3.) if there are any issues, can EKI fix it or restore the 50% that seems to be ideal?

Thanks.
 
  1. Yes.
  2. No.
  3. Yes.

I had an HD-7 that sat at 100% for years and thousands of cycles.

When the knife gets to 100%, if there is an up and down rock with the pivot adjusted to no side to side rock, then rotate the stop pin 180 degrees. If there is still up and down rock, send it to Emerson.
 
Emerson only fixes lock bars that they find to be dangerous. 100% lock ups do not necessarily constitute dangerous.
 
I usually find later lock up safer. Depdnds on the knife and geometry of the lock, but i have very early lockup emerson.....not the factories fault. The person i bought it from replaced the stop pin with a larger size to make the lock up earlier. I was able to get it to slip open by merely pushing lightly on the back of the knife. I had to take it apart and rotate the stop pin to find a smaller part to allow for both a more secure lock up being later as well as allowimg the detent to hit properly. Finally got it to lock and close up safely.

Early lock up often allows easy lock failure in the lockbar coming off. Later lock up isnt always the best way but often the better of the two. Really depends on the knife and how the lock is designed. Too many folks worry about late lock up for fear it will move over to the other liner from wear. Cheaper knives can do this but better ones typically dont. Regardless you want move ment toward the other liner rather than the other way and the knife unlocks. That is a scary thing we hen it happens, especially if your fingers are in the way.
 
Where the lock sits has nothing, I repeat, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with safety, as long as the geometry is correct.

Linerlocks are quirky. The perfect geometry match can change depending on the knife. I've had some slip new, then lock tight once they wear in to the sweet spot. I've had others that locked tight early, then developed liner slip as the liner wore over to 80 percent.


The current trend of obsession with lockup percentage is retarded. The ONLY thing lockup percentage SOMETIMES, POSSIBLY indicates is potential for wear.

Notice, I said "potential." I've had knives come early brand new, then in three weeks settle at 50 percent. Others came at 75 and never moved. I have one that's stayed at 10 percent for years.

The point is, don't look under the bun. If your lock isn't defeating under reasonable closing pressure, it's fine. Remember though, nothing in life is 100 percent guaranteed. Including knife locks.

Thx.
 
I don't know about that,. I have had early lockup liner locks and though you are right its more about the interface an early lockup in the 25% range to me is dangerous. when holding the knife and using it there is a greater chance you could disengage the lock accidentally. if any debris gets into the interface there is more chance the blade will fold on you.

I would rather have a liner lock at 75-100% any day over early lockup .

I also have come to the point that I only buy/carry a liner lock of there is a finger choil or some kind of guard in the event of collapse I wont lose a finger.

I don't think any Emerson has that.
 
ponykid said:
I don't know about that,. I have had early lockup liner locks and though you are right its more about the interface an early lockup in the 25% range to me is dangerous. when holding the knife and using it there is a greater chance you could disengage the lock accidentally. if any debris gets into the interface there is more chance the blade will fold on you.

I would rather have a liner lock at 75-100% any day over early lockup .

I also have come to the point that I only buy/carry a liner lock of there is a finger choil or some kind of guard in the event of collapse I wont lose a finger.

I don't think any Emerson has that.
Click to expand...

The flippers...do.
 
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