lockup question

[holmsie12]

On framelock/linerlocks, what is the benefit of an 'early lockup' over say a 100% lockup, I can't quite seem to figure this out.

 

[STR]

On framelock/linerlocks, what is the benefit of an 'early lockup' over say a 100% lockup, I can't quite seem to figure this out.

Some like it early, some like it in some, some like a full contact. Its all in personal pref in the end. From a makers stand point early is sought after since the nature of the lock is to move in with wear to self correct. Some call it self destruct. Either way its the nature of the lock to adjust for this as the knife is used. I personally like a little bit of my lock behind the blade to support it. I tend to like about full thickness of the liner for thin .050 liner lock types of knives I make or buy but if its a little earlier or a little later I'll pass it and deem it within tolerance. Frame locks I like about 60% of the lock thickness in behind the blade and try to shoot for that. Earlier is fine though and some can be very early if a customer asked for that. Properly built it should not matter about these plus or minus variances. Most wear in quite well unless they are abused along the way.

 

[holmsie12]

Alright, it just never made much sense to me. Even if a liner/frame shifts itself all the way across until it touches the opposite liner, it still is going to hold the blade, so I never really understood any benefits to an early lockup. I still see it as a later lockup to be a safer, and sturdier lock.