Lockup on framelocks

M

MoreToasties

Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Messages
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While browsing the sales forums, I have noticed people advertising their framelocks as 'fresh' or under 50%. I always figured that more frame in contact with the blade means s mire secure lockup. Explanations, anyone?

Thanks from Canada, dudes.

-Toasties
 
Ive Never read the words or term"fresh and under 50%".

Ive got several frame locks(CRK & Strider).They all lockup at least 65%

plus. A couple in the 85% range. I think frame locks are one of the stongest

most reliable locks made.
 
Someone used the term fresh in an email, however I have seen many knives advertised at under 50% as if that was desirable.

Was I misinterpreting?
 
I only have 2 frame locks, 1 @ 50+ % the 2nd @ about 65 - 70% both are rock solid lock-ups.

I think you're worrying too much! ;)
 
It just depends on what descriptors are used I guess. I say early lock up for those that come out just barely engaging or still not quite to the full thickness of the lock. Good solid full lock up in my view or descriptor is for those that the thickness of the lock fully gets in behind the blade on. Middle lock up would be just that, and late would be for those that the lock travels clear across the contact on. With frame locks of thicker slab thickness some further clarifications are often used and speak of the thickness of the lock itself and how much of that thickness actually comes out behind the blade. I read the description quoted as it meaning that if the lock is .125" thickness that .0625 or 50% of that lock thickness is what he is approximating as coming out to engage the blade when you snap it opened.

With frame locks it is not as necessary to have full contact because of the thickness. You can have a lock that comes out 50% for the life of the folder and it will perform quite well. Heck I've had some that have done that and some that have moved out past that point. No diff in performance really. Just sometimes in how much the lock moves out and at other times maybe some diff in how much more the lock sticks if it moves out there that far. It should self adjust for wear since thats the nature of the spring in the lock to do that. Most look at this because it can vary from knife to knife and if a knife was made with 65% of the thickness coming out from the first opening or even 75% yet another is for sale with 50% coming out they'll read it as if the one coming out further equals more wear. Its not always the case though. It just happens with them sometimes where one will have a different personality than another. Personally I prefer 65% to 85% of the lock thickness behind the blade but thats just me. I have others that are much earlier than this and it never kept me from snagging those either. Both work. Both are within tolerance and have no problems or concerns.

STR
 
True, more contact generally means more secure lockup but the emphasis on 'freshness' is more to indicate the length of service life left for the lock.

On another note, many more things plays a part in determining how good is a framelock's lockup. For me I particularly like the curved tang contact surface as well as a-not-so-steep angle of the blade tang.

More stuff can be said but a bit sleepy, halfway around the world you see...
 
I agree with STR - I like to have the full width of the frame lock behind the blade at lock-up, which on most of my frame lock knives is considered 60-70%lock-up.

The only frame lock knife that does not meet that requirement at this time for me is my XM-18 - where the lock up is "early" or "fresh" at around 30%. I have no problem with this at all as this particular knife is designed that way.

I think the only time a high percentage lock up becomes a problem is when the detent ball (if there is one) starts to come in contact with the opposing scale. For most knives that requires a trip back to the manufacturer for repairs.
 
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