Problems with Lock Stick in Frame Locks

S

SliCed

Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
152
Don't jump all over me about this, this is my experience.

I have noticed that lock stick to be a problem with frame locks, and I have never had this problem with liners. On some knives, it may not be lock stick, it could be that the lockup is so strong that it is impossible disengage with one hand (thumb). I have had about 8 frames and 7/8 had this problem. I have had more than double in liners and have had nothing but smooth easy one thumb closing. I've had only steel on steel frames, but I have heard this with some titanium frames. Also, all of my liners are steel on steel, they didn't have problems, so why haven't the frames worked right?

I'm curious if you guys had this happen to you. Is it because they all weren't made right? Or is there some other reason? I have heard about graphite helping lock stick, but it didn't help this problem I had. I want to love frames, I love the simplistic beauty of them. If you have never noticed this, feel free to let me know too. It just seems like the top of the lock bar wasn't machined flat, or properly.. just a guess. (Last 3 I recently got rid of were 2 ESEE zancudos and a Kershaw Cryo) Thanks for the responses!!!
 
A frame lock is going to have a little more tendency for that than a liner lock due to surface area that contacts the blade. Ti on steel is more likely to do this.

I find I don't mind a very slight amount of lock stick when I do run across it. For some reason that stick is another cue that everything was/is tight and proper in the lockup.If there is too much stick I'd return the knife.

A lot of minor lock stick will work out over time as things break in.
 
I had a serious case of this when I EDC'd a gen 2 XM-18. So much that it hurt to disengage the lock most of the time. It sucks, but I didn't have that issue with the other two XM-18s I had, not any of the other frameloocks. My main EDC is a ZT 0620CF and I don't have any issues with it.
 
I have a Strider SNG and it had lock stick when I first recieved it. I took it apart and used my ultra fine stone from my spyderco sharpmaker and used it on the two spots that connect the blade and TI frame. More so on the blade. Now its so smooth it never sticks.
 
Interesting and thanks guys.

J_kocaj said:
I have a Strider SNG and it had lock stick when I first recieved it. I took it apart and used my ultra fine stone from my spyderco sharpmaker and used it on the two spots that connect the blade and TI frame. More so on the blade. Now its so smooth it never sticks.
Click to expand...

The fine or ultra fine stone sounds like a good idea as long as its perfectly perpendicular to the lock face on the lock bar.
 
I only had one lock be stick, on a ZT0551. it was after I put on a custom scale. came to find that the way the scale was on the skeletonized liner was just tweaking it a little bit. I loosened all the screws just a little, closed the knife, and tightened them and it has been fine ever since.
 
You may want to try a Kershaw leek, not that expensive and I've never had any issues with lock stick. I've gifted several to friends and they love them.
 
Easy fix. Rub some pencil lead on the contact points. After some time you won't even need to re-apply. Have to give credit to "Dirk" here
on the forums for that technique.:thumbup:
 
The ultra fine stone, and yes keep it flush with the lock face.
SliCed said:
Interesting and thanks guys.



The fine or ultra fine stone sounds like a good idea as long as its perfectly perpendicular to the lock face on the lock bar.
Click to expand...
 
I was close to returning my ZT 0561 to the store where I bought it from because the lock was VERY hard to disengage. It actually hurt my thumb, and I've got strong calloused hands.
I read about the pencil lead trick, tried it and saw some improvement. I kept using it and it finally broke in and is smooth now. I don't live in the US, otherwise I'd have returned it right away.

The rest of my titanium framelocks and linerlocks worked perfectly from day one. ZTs, Chris Reeve, Spyderco, Protech, etc. One sticky lock out of a dozen or so is not a bad ratio.

If you're worried about a titanium framelock being hard to close, look for one with a steel insert. There are several out there.
 
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