Military Frame Lock Question

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
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I just received a new Fluted Titanium Military a couple days ago. I've been out of town so today was the first chance I got to open the package and inspect the knife. This thing is gorgeous and looks perfect.

I do have one question about the lock : when I open the knife , the Ti frame lock snaps into place with a nice solid "thwack". But when I grip the knife , the locking part of the handle that is engaged under the tang moves a bit more inward (so that more of the frame lock is beneath the blade tang).

I don't own any other frame lock knives (aside from my old Umnumzaan which is currently at another location 120 miles away). So I don't know if this slight movement inward of the frame lock is normal. Or perhaps because this Ti Military is brand new it will break-in a bit (?)

I refuse to do a spine whack on any of my knives. So instead I applied light to moderate pressure on the spine with my hand to see if the lock up is secure. And it definitely feels solid and secure.

This could be nothing at all. My main concern is that I don't want the lock to slip and fail. But it doesn't seem likely from what I can tell. Now I'm just curious if this minor movement of the frame lock is normal.

SUB-QUESTION : on the non-locking side of the titanium scale , there seems to be a bit of a groove or a contour that goes from the pivot screw to about three quarters of the way down the handle scale. Now is this supposed to be there ? it's just that when I look at pictures online I can't see it on other examples of the knife. Maybe those of you who have the same knife (which is the fluted titanium military) could take a look at your handle and tell me if you have the same groove on the nonlocking scale.
 
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I own several frame lock folders and find most of them would do that slightly, esp. those with a lockbar insert. There was a thread talking a ZT0452cf behaved that way and the suggested solution is to tighten the pivot. With ball bearing, tightening the pivot does not to affect the smoothness as much as with washers, so watch that out.

BTW, congrats on the fluted ti millie. I just acquired a plain ti millie, which is also a great knife. I guess eventually I will also get the fluted.
 
sharp_edge said:
I own several frame lock folders and find most of them would do that slightly, esp. those with a lockbar insert. There was a thread talking a ZT0452cf behaved that way and the suggested solution is to tighten the pivot. With ball bearing, tightening the pivot does not to affect the smoothness as much as with washers, so watch that out.

BTW, congrats on the fluted ti millie. I just acquired a plain ti millie, which is also a great knife. I guess eventually I will also get the fluted.
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Thanks. I was saying to a friend earlier that eventually I'll get the plain Ti version too.

If this slight movement is the norm for frame locks then I doubt I'll be messing with the pivot since the knife opens and closes with complete and utter smoothness. Not to mention that the blade is perfectly centered so I'm not about to screw with that.
 
Update : I've noticed that a rather firm opening of the knife is the key to having a solid lock up. When I open the knife with a bit more authority rather than on the gentle side , the lock up is nothing short of "vault-like". This way there is no slight inward movement of the frame lock. "Problem" solved.

And I suppose it makes sense. Once again , live and learn.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Update : I've noticed that a rather firm opening of the knife is the key to having a solid lock up. When I open the knife with a bit more authority rather than on the gentle side , the lock up is nothing short of "vault-like". This way there is no slight inward movement of the frame lock. "Problem" solved.

And I suppose it makes sense. Once again , live and learn.
Click to expand...

I'd bet once it breaks in a little more it will always lock up to the "vault-like" point no matter if you open it with authority or gently. Sounds like new knife problems :D:thumbup:
 
Framelocks are not like Backlocks. With a backlock, even it you open it slowly it will fully engage. A framelock or linerlock on some knives may not engage as far as it is able if you open it slowly. It should engage enough to be secure, however.
 
I've been using the knife today and the locking issue has all but disappeared. I'm very pleased.

Now I'm wondering about the faint "groove" on the non-locking scale. See "sub-question" in my original post.
 
What? Really. (We dont know each other but) bro really, its bugging you that much. I feel bad, you seemed really excited about getting it. Can you post a pic, im curious what the groove looks like. If its a defect i sure spyderco would take care of it.
 
115Italian said:
What? Really. (We dont know each other but) bro really, its bugging you that much. I feel bad, you seemed really excited about getting it. Can you post a pic, im curious what the groove looks like. If its a defect i sure spyderco would take care of it.
Click to expand...

Yeah , I'm fickle that way. I still to this day have trouble posting pics on here. I can send them via email or cell. I've been examining the knife all day. I know it's incredibly minor but for almost $300 I shouldn't have any issues about the knife that bother me. But I won't return it. I'll sell it.
 
No groove here. But it has this
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both my military and pm2 have that notch.

To the OP - I was congratulating you earlier today just to find out that about 10 hours later you are selling the millie. But I do understand the feeling of having a brand new nearly $300 knife with some potential issues. BTW, I checked my new ti millie and did not find lockbar travel when pressed.
 
The 'notch' may be to ease removal of that piece.

Can you take photos, OP? No one seems to be sure of what you're mentioning.
 
I'm on an iPad and posting pics continues to evade me. Anyone who's particularly curious just message me with your email or cell and I can send you the pictures. I'm happy to do so.
 
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