Never Had a Framelock. Are They Uncomfortable?

[gazz98]

I do consider them a little uncomfortable actually. I have a large hand (2xl glove) and with no scale on the lock side, they are thinner then most knives. I prefer G10, micarta, frn, etc scales on both sides of the knife to make it fatter and, therefore, more comfortable in my big hand.

Is it a huge difference and deal breaker? Not really but I prefer a lockback or liner lock for the thicker handle.

 

[Lapedog]

I personally think the 'righthanded' framelock is better suited for my left hand, considering how its held when opened and where you can hold it to open it.
The righthand lefthand thing seems backwards to me.

I am pretty much ambidextrous with knives with preferences for certain task in an individual hand. (Left hand detailed cuts, right hand power chopping)

I usually carry framelocks and when I do it is almost always right handed one in my left pocket. I personally do not find right handed frame/linerlocks hard at all to use with the left hand.

 

[Tseg]

If I have comfort problems with any knife it is usually around clip placement. I ultimately had to remove the clip from my Umnumzaan. Luckily CRK sells a titanium clip hole insert.

 

[EdgeKit]

There’s a reason that show sides of knives aren’t shaped like a frame lock side: ergonomically you have to give up something to use a frame for the lock. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a frame lock knife will be uncomfortable, but given the choice, lock types that don’t compromise a handle design will tend to be more comfortable.

 

[fly36gti]

If I have comfort problems with any knife it is usually around clip placement. I ultimately had to remove the clip from my Umnumzaan. Luckily CRK sells a titanium clip hole insert.
True of some knives.

Too bad CRK couldn't have used a counter sunk fastener on that blank like they do on the rest of the knife, how hideous and out of place. But i shouldn't get started on CRK

 

[unwisefool]

Too bad CRK couldn't have used a counter sunk fastener on that blank like they do on the rest of the knife, how hideous and out of place. But i shouldn't get started on CRK

It's just a screw? No one sees it anyway, especially if you are using it. People get upset over the weirdest, smallest things.

 

[BenchCo Spydermade]

There’s a reason that show sides of knives aren’t shaped like a frame lock side: ergonomically you have to give up something to use a frame for the lock. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a frame lock knife will be uncomfortable, but given the choice, lock types that don’t compromise a handle design will tend to be more comfortable.

This. Its not.the lock, but the handle that makes a knife comfortable. Frame locks.do.need.to be cut out of the handle,.which in my opinion would tale away from ergonomic perfection, but for most edc needs a well done frame lock shouldnt bug you much.

It's just a screw? No one sees it anyway, especially if you are using it. People get upset over the weirdest, smallest things.

If the slight depression in the uniform flat is bothersome, wouldnt a screw sticking out be equally bothersome/the same issue kind of? Neither would bug me tho. Send me your imperfect expensive knives conpulsive people!

 

[sXePhenomenal]

QFT. This is consistently where I find emergent ergonomic issues in extended use, when they present.

Exactly! And why companies put gimping on the bottom of knives where your pinky and joint rides confuses me. It’s a hotspot on the best and machined of designs like the XM-18 you can bare down as hard as you want and it feels perfect except the butt of the knife that’s aggressively gimped its uncomfortable but not unusable sense it’s well done still it’s a sharp hotspot in hard use. The traction advantage is negligible

 

[l1ranger]

i've had no issues with hand comfort on the framelocks that I have used.

 

[GatorFlash1]

Some very successful knife makers cut their teeth by inventing the frame lock. Here is the big dog of frame lock folders.

 

[fly36gti]

It's just a screw? No one sees it anyway, especially if you are using it. People get upset over the weirdest, smallest things.

Well are the all that or are they so-so?
You cant have it both ways.

 

[sgt1372]

Frame lock, liner lock, back lock, ball lock, switch lock, compression lock, no lock . . . it's all the same to me.

 

[cistercian]

Frame locks are fine. Ergos depend on the style.
I have 5 ZT flippers which all feel great in hand as well as a
Spyderco Advocate flipper. They are all wonderful knives.

I figure if you are going to do a framelock, just do a flipper.
So much joy in the opening!

 

[unwisefool]

Well are the all that or are they so-so?
You cant have it both ways.

Is what all that? What can't we have both ways?

 

[Korean Hog]

If you're worried about the comfort of a knife handle, I'd look more at the width, length, thickness, and shape of the outline itself rather than the lock type.
I don't think any one particular lock type is inherently comfortable or uncomfortable; I really don't worry about the locking mechanism in terms of comfort while using the blade, just the above listed specs.
For example, I find the short and wide handle of the ZT 0350 pretty uncomfortable.
I prefer a knife handle long enough that I have a little wiggle room, at least enough that the butt of the handle isn't digging into my palm if I use a full four finger saber style grip.

Everyone's hands are different and it's not necessarily advisable to go by what one guy says is comfortable/ uncomfortable.

 

[VinnyFL]

Not uncomfortable at all, and I prefer frame locks as I find then easier to close and more sturdy if done well. The frame locks are always nicely finished with no hot spots to speak of except perhaps on the clip on a few.