Overly stiff Paraframe frame lock- seeking advice or replacement recommendations

S

supaslim

Joined
May 8, 2014
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Since I was 17 I had been toting around a cheap old Gerber Paraframe for daily use, and I loved the damn thing- didn't hold an edge the best, but it did what I needed, was light weight, looked nice, and fit my hand (I'm a woman, so I appreciate the slightly smaller handles they have).

Unfortunately, it abandoned me a couple days ago in Wisconsin while I was on my way to Minnesota, so I expect to never see it again. Went out today and bought a replacement Paraframe hoping it would live up to its predecessor, and I'm less than satisfied. When I had bought the first Paraframe, it was a little stiff, but after a couple weeks of regular use it was broken in and I could open and close it easily (but it was also the display knife so was probably a little broken in by the time I got to it). This knife? I need to wedge a screwdriver between the lock and the frame as a pry bar to get it closed, because I simply cannot shift the lock with my thumbs. This is the stiffest knife I've ever handled.

I'm not a knife building/disassembling pro, I just happen to need a knife for work and play. Does anybody know anything I can do to break this knife in, and at least get it to the point where I can close it without reducing my thumbs to ground meat?

Alternately, can anybody recommend a similar knife (light weight, similar size, frame lock, affordable on a low income) to replace this piece of crap?
 
Boker Subcom or Subclaw.
There's even a titanium handled Subcom for $50 or less.
 
supaslim said:
Does anybody know anything I can do to break this knife in, and at least get it to the point where I can close it without reducing my thumbs to ground meat?
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Welcome. I would suggest running it over with a truck, then setting it on fire, and then tossing it in a sewer. That should remedy things. :D

Those Bokers stabman mentioned are nice little framelocks.
 
Ha, thanks guys. They might be a hair too small in the handle though- I cut open reinforced bags of clay and plaster and other snaggy materials all day and I worry about losing my knife in the heavy machinery if I don't have a good five fingered death grip on it. It might be a good starting point for my hunt, though!
 
I do like the Ontario Rat, good thinking. I'll look into it and the ESEE. Both look like they could work as my daily carry. Thanks, all!

I think I'll box the Paraframe up and send it to my brother as a surprise present. Let him deal with it. Who knows, maybe after a few months of abuse from him it might actually be usable.
 
Just throwing out suggestions.

Ontario Utilitac II comes in different handle and blade shapes and is also plenty affordable.
 
grownstar said:
Just throwing out suggestions.

Ontario Utilitac II comes in different handle and blade shapes and is also plenty affordable.
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+1 Utilitac II.

Also a nice Cold Steel Large Voyager would give you plenty of blade and a nice grippy handle... not a frame/linerlock though, it's a lockback.

If you're sticking with lower prices, check out the Buck Vantage Pro large, very nice for the money, or anything from Spyderco's budget lines, Tenacious (small) Persistence (medium) and Resilience (large and my fave). Great linerlocks.
 
stabman said:
Boker Subcom or Subclaw.
There's even a titanium handled Subcom for $50 or less.
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The Subcom is a great little knife/money clip. It's the only knife from Boker I own because in part it is designed by CLB. If that design does not float your boat, look into a Kershaw Skyline, or Chive. Very neat knives and can last a lifetime when taken care of.
 
RevDevil said:
The Subcom is a great little knife/money clip. It's the only knife from Boker I own because in part it is designed by CLB. If that design does not float your boat, look into a Kershaw Skyline, or Chive. Very neat knives and can last a lifetime when taken care of.
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I don't own a Skyline but they are super popular around here. I love Kershaw and would not hesitate to buy one, it's a tad too small for my taste and I think it's only a one position carry clip. But I still wouldn't hesitate to buy it if one was in front of me.
 
I would recommend a Kershaw Leek. You can find one for a good price, it's light and very slim, and if you want to be unique I've seen a lot of different colors out there, but the normal one will be the cheapest I'm sure.
 
I think a leek is too thin. A skyline would be good.

Ontario Rat is an awesome knife for an even more awesome price.
 
I should also recommend a Spyderco Delica4 if your budget permits, supaslim. A lower cost alternative would be a Meadowlark2 from Spyderco's budget byrd line. Both are lockbacks, however; hope that's not a problem for you.
 
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