Questions about Frame Locks

[Heron Blade]

Hello forumites,

I've been drooling over framelocks for a while now and have no idea what these "percentages" being used to describe the condition of knife stand for. I'm guessing that it references how deep the bar locks up?

What is a 15% or a 70% state?
More importantly, what percentage is desirable and at what point would you (subjectively speaking) send a knife back?

Does a framelock increase in "locking percentage" over time? Will it inevitably reach a point where there will be blade play from prolonged use? Why does this occur? (from a bending bar or loss of material at the interface?)

Which will last longer - titanium or stainless steel framelock assuming the same geometry?


Sorry for so many questions and thanks in advance for answering/contributing :thumbup:
My googlefu is just not that good.

 

[res1cue]

It refers to how much the lockbar has traveled up the tang. The percentage increases with wear. Same geometry, steel will wear slower

 

[hank_rearden]

liner and framelocks are designed not to exceed 100% engagement because that will result in a "locked" lock. the engaged surface of the tang is concaved in order to stop the lock bar from exceeding maybe 60%, whether due to increased wear or sufficient force to bend the lockbar and cause it to go past 70%. so a well-designed locking system will not develop play even with the inevitable metal-to-metal wear, and is (reasonably) protected from excess engagement.

 

[Big Barn]

On most decent frame or liner locks - you'll wear out before they do. Can't say that on some/most of the knock-offs cause who knows what metal they use?