Midgrade frame lock

F

fishbulb

Joined
Sep 18, 2001
Messages
1,196
Recently I've decided that I want a nice 3-4 inch framelock folder for EDC. Generally I like the Axis lock but I feel like a change.

The problem is an apparent lack of high end proudction framelocks. It seems that this market sort of jumps from the $50 Camillus EDC to the $250 Sebenza without a lot of options in between.

About the only one that I can think of is the BM Pinnacle and I think that I remember hearing varying stories about the quality of those knives.

So could I get some suggestions for a higher end production framelock and maybe some opinions on the Pinnacle?
 
Waddabout the discontinued CRKT s-2

Titanium handle and ATS34 blade. One has a 3" blade the other a 3.8".

They are pricey in the shops (bout as much as a pinnacle) but can be snagged online for ony 35-45 bucks.

The pinnacle seems to use a lower grade titanium from what the guys at Plaza were teling me. They illustrated this by showing me the fact there were no grooves ground out by the base of the lock to ease the motion. The S-2 uses the same titanium as the Seb.


I got one for my best friend as a gift and will soon aquire one for myself, my favorite CRKT by far.

..............
I have a Maxx and it is awsome, also a very good suggestion. If you dont have any qualms about havint a folding sword as an EDC.
 
Spyderco makes the Ti Sala, not quite a framelock but very similar IMO. And very good quality.

I would concur about the s-2 I have a small one and it is excellent, I don't know why people didn't buy them.
 
I recently acquired a BM pinnacle in a trade.

I would give it about a C+.

Benchmade could have done much better on this knife. It had some potential.

I like the blade shape and the framelock seems strong. The feel of the Ti handle is nice - not too slippery, not too grippy.

On the down side, it has a cheap, plastic backspacer, black screws, what looks to be a black plastic thumbstud, and the overall shape is not all that ergonomic (on the square side). The backspacer has these annoying grooves cut into it, which make it not all that comfortable to use.

It does not compare to the sebenza.

I wish the 750 had more options for the clip. IIRC, it is only tip down. I wish that it had a Ti or G-10 backspacer. I wish the thumbstud was not black.

It is a functional knife, but ugly and sort of cheap feeling. If you can get around that, I'm sure it would last you for years.

I do really like frame locks. From what I hear, they require very close tolerances and are difficult to produce. But, I think that given time, they will eventually replace the liner lock.

The greco folders look like a good deal. I'm sure they are very tough. I have not ordered one because:

1) The rough opening - for $75 (price to increase soon), I would expect it to be able to open fairly smoothly. I don't want to have to spend a couple weeks wearing-in a knife. Maybe in a $25 knife. Not in a $75 knife. For a few dollars more, I could get a nice Spydie or BM that is smooth as silk, more stylish, and almost as tough.

2) No clip. If I didnt want a clip, I'd buy a Buck 110.

Otherwise, they look great.

I think your best options are to either save up the $$$ for a sebenza, get a cheap FL2 or EDC, or spend your money on a different lock.

Unless of course, you can get a really great deal on a BM Pinnacle.

-- Rob
 
Originally posted by baraqyal
The greco folders look like a good deal. I'm sure they are very tough. I have not ordered one because:

1) The rough opening - for $75 (price to increase soon), I would expect it to be able to open fairly smoothly. I don't want to have to spend a couple weeks wearing-in a knife. Maybe in a $25 knife. Not in a $75 knife. For a few dollars more, I could get a nice Spydie or BM that is smooth as silk, more stylish, and almost as tough.

2) No clip. If I didnt want a clip, I'd buy a Buck 110.

Otherwise, they look great.
-- Rob
Click to expand...

The newer one are suppose to be better, ill report on it when i get mine after Christmas, more like on Christmas :D I imagine with a few tweaks it will be perfect :D
 
The issue with the Greco's being stiff was supposedly addressed and remedied with his flat ground series, we shall see come X-mas.

Will'em
We posted at the same time. You must share my excitment about gettin a Greco for X-mas.
 
Another vote for Greco folders. I have a flat ground Falcon that was stiff when new, but has broken in nicely. They are all stiff when new, but the flat ground models do loosen up. If you get one, order the scales kit as well. It really enhances the grip and makes it look good.
 
For me, personally the breaking in, adjusting, and customization is one ot the most attractive aspects of the Greco folders. I wanted something I could turn a wrench on. Maintenence and tuning is one of my favorite parts of my hobby.
 
Actually, I enjoy maintaining things as well. It really appeals to me that you can buy replacement parts, scales, etc for the folders.

I just don't really understand what would cause the stiffness issue that can't be fixed during production. Is it the locking bar? The finish on the blade? The washers? The pivot pin?

A break in period doesn't bother me too much. It's not the end of the world. But, from the stories I've heard, it sounds like the folder cannot be initally opened one handed.

If the new ones are better, it seems like it could be a real bargain. Still, I wish it had a clip.

-- Rob
 
Originally posted by TheSkinwalkeR
The issue with the Greco's being stiff was supposedly addressed and remedied with his flat ground series, we shall see come X-mas.

Will'em
We posted at the same time. You must share my excitment about gettin a Greco for X-mas.
Click to expand...


Ohh ya, you bet'cha:D :D :D
 
At the show this past weekend, I handled three of Greco's folders. I could open two easily with one hand. The third had a blade coating that made it fairly tough. They were quite comfortable in the hand. If I needed a hard use folder, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Chris
 
Wow, all that and not one "just get a Sebenza" post. Surprising.

The reason that I don't like the CRKT S2 is that the handle is ridiculously larger than the blade. I almost bought one a year or so ago until I handled one and saw how off the proportions were. Other than that it seems to be a great deal.

Actually, I would prefer a steel handle to Ti. Less wear, less bulk, and more strength. I know Ti has a lot of appeal from a high-tech marketing standpoint but I can't see any advantages that it offers as a folder handle other than a slight weight reduction. Not that I have any problem with Ti, I just don't see it as being worth additional expense.

The Camillus Maxx would be great except for the size. No way I'm walking around with something like that.

I would already own a Greco except for the thick "high strength low performance" blades. To be fair, I haven't yet handled one of the flat ground folders so it might be better; but thats not the impression that I get from others reviews. I do have one of his fixed blades and like it a lot, but I hate "bombproof" folders.

According to the Camillus forum they have something new and much anticipated in the works. Hopefully it will be a Baby Maxx.
 
all good points fishbulb. You are right about the handle-blade poportions on the S-2 being a bit funk-ay.

Man it would be sweet if Cammilus did a mini spearpoint Maxx.....something tells me I am not the only one who has expressed that here;)

some others we havent milled over are the "Closer to Sebenza Priced"

Darrel Ralph/Wilson tactical http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1500733
coming in at $275 MSRP maybe be able to snag it at about $175 at one of the internet site (calculated by seeing what percent of full retail Benchmades are selling for on NGK)

Or the upcoming Buck/Mayo
It sounds like its gonna be a whopping 300 greenbacks!! And I dunno if I should expect it to be discounted or readily availible due to the design's popularity. But I hope it will.
 
Originally posted by el cid
By the way, if anyone has a Greco Falcon, Raptor, Grifon or Whisper folder they want to trade let me know.
Click to expand...

Good luck finding that, I would just order one before the prices jump up again, is it me or are Grecos becoming the poor mans SEBENZA?
 
Originally posted by TheSkinwalkeR
Darrel Ralph/Wilson tactical http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1500733
coming in at $275 MSRP maybe be able to snag it at about $175 at one of the internet site
Click to expand...

I very seriously doubt that will happen. First, $175 is below wholesale. Secondly, There the tactical elite is more of a limited production item. I believe DDR said about 200 were made. I would suspect that there would be price control similar to that of Chris Reeves.

As far as a mid level framelock maybe Camillus has a good surprise for us soon. ;)
 
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