Sharp Lock Bar Shoulders on Frame Locks?

[Chronovore]

People with frame locks, have you ever noticed a sharp edge or corners at the top of the lock bar ahead of the interface with the blade? It's a spot that you might never touch on some knives but on others, it might catch or rub a little on that first finger during use. This can happen with liner locks too but seems more prominent with frame locks. It isn't just cheapies either. I've noticed this on several nicer knives from reputable companies such as WE and Olamic.

Sometimes, it is the titanium. Sometimes, it is the steel insert. Sometimes, it is both. Whatever the case, I hate it.

So how common is this? Do you have any knives where it really bothers you? Have you ever smoothed it over with a file? (This can be a tricky proposition with anodized titanium as you'll be left with a shiny spot if you don't re-anodize.)

 

[J. Doyle]

I hate it. I've seen it on a lot of knives, including a ton of customs.

I take great care to break/ease/round all edges and corners on my knives. No sharp edges except the one that is supposed to be.

It's one of the key differences between good and great.

 

[Leo Greer]

I’ve seen it on quite a few of my knives, but it’s never bothered me with the way I tend to grip them. The way my hands are built, I pull towards the back of the knife and usually never engage the flipper tan area.

Honestly, the first time I actually stopped and noticed the sharp edge was unboxing my new Synapse XL. I was looking at the lockup and noticed it.

 

[jill jackson]

This WE 037 isn't sharp on cut out edges at all. It has been milled along the edge it looks like to me.

https://imgur.com/a/d6ecpcX

 

[DrFish]

I hate this. It’s like they’ve designed the knife to be perfect in the closed position, with no regard to what they might feel like with the blade locked open. For me the issue is the bit of the handle ahead of where the cutout for the lockbar was made. At its worst they just leave it a raw cut with a sharp right angle and there’s a corner right where you grip.

I’ve seen this on very expensive knives, not just cheapies and mid range.

 

[jakemex]

This is why needle files etc were made.

 

[Chronovore]

This is why needle files etc were made.

Yes, and I've gone that with a few knives. However, the shiny edge or spot it creates can stand out unpleasantly against anodization or texturing. I just wish companies would get this right from the factory. If it is a cheap enough knife, then whatever. However, on a $200+ knife where they took the trouble to round everything else off...

 

[Leo Greer]

I think they don’t because it isn’t really ever talked about as an issue. Until now at least. What percentage of their customers even notice? Enough for them to do it? If a knife has sharp edges all over the scales, it’ll get talked about and the knife will get a bad rap. How many people talk about lockbar shoulders?

It would be a nice buff to F&F to know they cared enough to get those tiny areas, but what’s it worth to them?

I’m not trying to dismiss any of y’all’s points—they’re al valid complaints and opinions—just trying to see things from the designers’ perspectives.