Request for specific Military liner lock closeups.

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dangreco

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Nov 29, 2009
Messages
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I have a huge, rather nasty cut on my left index finger from a failed liner lock. I swore I would never trust a liner lock again. Then, I discovered the magic of Spyderco and want a Military really bad (Millie w/axis lock and tip up is my perfect knife btw). But, it has a liner lock. People say it's strong. I can't find any good closeups of the lock engagement.

How have your experiences been with the lock? Post pics of the lock engaged?

More important: Has the lock ever failed on you?

Thank you so much for the help!
 
I have several Militaries, and they are part of my rotation. I have never experienced anything approaching a lock failure or unintentional disengagement. But I am also pretty easy on my blades, and don't engage in the kind of usage that might bring about an unintentional lock disengagement.
 
What knife were you using? What were you doing?

Not digging, just curious. Lock failure stories are always intriguing.

Here's mine; no failures but I haven't really used it for much. Just cuttin' stuff.
DSCF1470.jpg


From this thread.

Powernoodle, that doesn't look like a Military. Clip and liners look wrong.
 
there is a frame lock military out now, maybe that is your best bet?

obviously there will never be an axis lock military. as for tip up, well that can be done, although I prefer it to be tip down myself.
 
Thanks for the pictures and the link.
Here's the story: The knife, once upon a time, was a small somewhat crappy Mtech, they do knockoffs. 'Twas a black recurve, "mall-ninja" type blade. This was before I really discovered knives. I was 13 at the time, and I was carving some wood, just for fun. When I screwed up the carving I instinctively slammed the spine down on the block of wood.


6 stitches later, I decided that I would never again buy a liner locking knife.
 
The liner lock on the military is probably as good as a liner lock gets.

That being said, rumor has it that the military 2 will feature a new lock. If you look hard you can find pictures of the patent application for said lock.
 
I tripped the lock on a high end liner lock and cut me real bad


I carry fixed blade knives and I am impressed with the axis lock to name a few when I carry a folder

Still have liner lock knives but they always kninda make me nervous
 
Never had one fail or even look like it was close. I trust it completely.

I hate to mention it, but even Cliff Stamp didn't get it to fail. It just bent over blocking the knife from closing.
 
Josh K said:
Never had one fail or even look like it was close. I trust it completely.

I hate to mention it, but even Cliff Stamp didn't get it to fail. It just bent over blocking the knife from closing.
Click to expand...

I may be an idiot for asking this, but who or what is a Cliff Stamp?
 
I've always been somewhat ambivalent about linerlocks myself although I've carried a Military for years.

One the one hand I've never heard of a linerlock failing and folding up on someone when actually cutting with the edge. I have heard numerous stories of linerlocks failing when someone was, shall we say "unwisely" applying pressure on the back of the blade that is customarily used to close the knife. I myself was unwise in this respect with a REKAT Sifu and it cost me a couple of stitches. The lesson learned was that if a person thinks that a folder should be as strong as a fixed blade he will probably go play car tag on the freeway as well and be surprised at his hospitalization.

On the other hand I do expect a folder that is in nature "tactical" to stand up to the expected stresses.

As such the Military has fulfilled my expectations. Years ago I taped a telephone book to a 75lb bag to determine which of my knives were best at thrusting. During that testing I was thrusting so powerfully with the Military that the bag was swinging lightly and the blade penetrated over an inch into the book. I could feel the handle warping and twisting in my hand but the lock NEVER even offered to fail.

So take it for what it's worth, but the "wise" use of a Military is perfectly acceptable.
 
i've used spydercos when they only had rocker locks. all the rocker , axis, arc ,liner & frame locks i've used since the 1970s have never had a failure. one hi dollar custom rocker lock was not realiable but i checked it with a rag on my hand so i was'nt cut.however i always bought quality & never had a failure. frame locks are suspossed to be inherently stronger but you probably need a machine to make locks fail on the quality brands.
 
A very good thread on this very subject is here in STR's Backyard Knifeworks forum:

Link

The Military is discussed along with many other folding knives and locks.
 
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