Question about SOG

M

MaxFisher

Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
922
I have a question about SOG's knives. I was wondering why SOG doesn't have any liner or frame lock knives. I have a theory as to why but I'm curious if anyone here can provide any insight into this for me.
 
Part of the reason is that Spencer was not a big fan of liner lock technology and rather than remaining/developing in that arena, he wanted to bring locks in a different direction.

As for other reasons, there may have been some.
 
Once again Ron beat me to the answer. Yes, we stopped developing liner/frame lock knives because Spencer was not a fan of them. He felt that SOG would be better off developing new and possibly stronger locking mechanisms, one good example is the Arc-lock. We feel that this helps differentiate SOG from the pack and creates products that are truly innovative.

Chris
 
That's pretty much what I thought. Liner and Frame lock designs just don't support the kind of innovation SOG brings to the market.
 
I really think the Arc Lock is the best lock item in all folding knives, batter than benchmade Axis Lock
 
Like them or not there is not a problem technically or structurally with either liner or frame locks. I can't say the same for some of the locks on SOG folders, most notibly the Twitch series. I have several SOG's, I prefer the fixed blades. I like the Flash lock which is similar to the Twitch, but when SOG went to the use of the two pieces of formed sheet metal to make the back lock that was a mistake. It is not a solid locking system. I understand why they did it, but it could have been done much better.


Vince.
 
The problem with the liner lock is that after tons of cycling of the knife, there's unique wear on the lock which creates blade play and lock malfunction. Also, if the lock isn't made just right, the same thing will happen (as well as the liner lock getting stuck with the blade in the open position). I've seen it on many knives by a handful of manufacturers. This has caused a lot of problems from customers who have had the lock fail and need some significant stitches.
 
To say that failures and injuries can only happen with liner locks is rediculous. Every type of lock is only as good as the quality of design, quality materials, manufacture, assembly and quality control when it is new. And every type of lock is prone to failure when worn. I know from experience because many of my knives go into the field rather than just sit in the closet. I have a couple of liner lock knives that I have put through hell for many years and they are still working perfectly. As far as the types of locks I trust; frame locks and liners are at the top of the list. I use them in extreme wilderness survival training, camping, hunting and other outdoor activities wher I cut rope & wood and even torturous things like opening cans when need be.

I am not trying to discount any type of lock like SOG seems to be. I have a SOG Blink which has a fine lock up system and I believe I can trust it and I also have a Twitch XL which I have yet to use much but it seems to fine as well. But to relate a story that was posted earlier on this forum I had a Twitch II which did not lock up solidly at all. I returned it three times without being fixed before I had to request that they send me a fixed blade knife to replace it. They even sent me another Twitch II which had the same problem. These were not used and worn out but new in the box and non-functional. So it does not matter what type of lock you are talking about; if it isn't made JUST RIGHT it will not work.

Like I said there are more elements to getting a reliable lock up than simply saying one design is flawed or another is the best. That is simplistic at best.
Design, Quality Materials, Manufacturing, Assembly and Quality Control must all work properly before the lock will.

Let me post a picture or two to illustrate my point.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/vjbknife/DSC19fd.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/vjbknife/DSC00020.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/vjbknife/DSC00022.jpg

Which one are you gonna trust your fingers to? Two pieces of bent metal or a liner / frame that is 2 to 3 times as thick and blocked up behind the blade. You make the call, but for me I know which one is at the bottom of my list for heavy usage.

I prefer liner or frame locks but I am not willing to state that one locking system is ultimately better than others or that one type is not worth using as SOG seems to be.

Regards, Vince
 
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