Question on liner (lock) thickness...

Originally posted by Arathol
It is not really fair to characterize the Military linerlock as too thin. As it is made of titanium, it's really several times stronger than a steel lock the same thickness and quite a bit lighter. That's how they managed to get such a strong lock and still maintain a very slim profile that fits well in the pocket. Thickness is not really the only determining factor in lock strength, what it is made of and how is just as important.
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Ti is much weaker, and wears much faster. More thickness means more material to wear before the lock travels all the way across the tang, or wears to the point of allowing inconsistent lockup and vertical blade play. Titanium and thin go together like water and oil.
 
The Spyderco Military liner is stainless steel, something like 420J, not titanium. If I'm not mistaken.
 
Is .188" thick enough?

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Well then, how about .192"?

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There are many factors that contribute to a lock's strength - including the length and width of the lock. And it doesn't matter how thick it is - if the geometry's not right it can seize up or it can fail.
 
Tom
Those are COOL!
I like beefy frame locks, and the overlays on those are done nicely. I just can't understand (for my own use) trying to put full scales over a frame lock and calling it a liner lock. If thats what people want, more power to them. I think that production companies have overhyped the thick liner idea though. The spyderco military used to be considered the big honkin folder that you couldn't destroy and now people are questioning whether its strong enough :confused:
I like how the slabs on those knives are contoured too. If your going to have a handle that thick, you have to do some work to keep it from being blocky. Those look like great users.
 
Thanks, Matt! :)

I call the overlay configuration on my frame-locks "3 piece suits." These are just one of the details I worked on for many months before taking the plunge into building this type of folder. It eliminates the chance of something accidentally getting wedged between the lock and the overlays.

People need to remember, as long as a knife can fold, it will fold. You shouldn't misuse a folder without keeping that fact in mind - unless you really don't care that much for your fingers! ;)
 
Matt, you are correct in that there is no need to put scales over what is actually a hefty framelock knife. The knife I posted above started out as an experimental framelock folder with some extra features. But it sat in a drawer unfinished for many months because those features didn't work out. Recently, on a whim I decided to throw some scales on it and cover up all the holes from my earlier experiments and call it a big fat honking knife just to get it finished and out of my face. But I'm finding that I rather like it. Why make a liner lock with ridiculously thick liners? Well why not? :p Why do people who live in cities drive SUVs? Hey, I least I rescued a knife that otherwise would have gone to the scrap pile. The SUV people don't have that excuse. ;)
 
Peter
I'm not tryin to say anything bad about your knife. Its just not my style. I can get away with carrying a fixed blade with no trouble, so I don't have much use for a folder that stout. I also carry a multi tool, so it does crow bar duty instead of whatever knife I'm carryin. Your knife is well done, just not my style.
The thing about putting full scales on a frame lock is that you lose the fact that with a frame lock your grip helps keep the lock in place too. If you had holes to cover up from other ideas, I know how that goes. I have several that went the same way, and nobody knows if you don't tell them ;)
 
Thanks for clarifying Matt. You were sounding a little negative there but I accept your explanation. You know, there is another reason for putting scales on what is already a good sized knife and that is for enhanced handfeel. A big knife should fill your hand, and whether it is boxy or ergonomically contoured, doesn't necessarily make a difference. Both can be surprisingly comfortable.

Tom, those are outstanding! :)
 
MIIISTER ANDERSON!

Very nifty. Extraordinarily wonderful.

Wish I could afford your work, but not on a student's budget. :)

One day, one day!

-jon
 
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