smoothest closing framelock?

A

audiopile

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
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I have noticed that the good liner locks I have or had all have verly smooth and effortless closing action - while the framelocks I've got are all somewhat sticky in terms of closing effort - ya gotta give them a real thumb push in order to get the closing cycle started.
So - what are the best in terms of smooth closing action or is this just the way framelocks are?
 
Some are stiffer than others. The Kershaw Vapor II was so hard to open that I had to take a dremel and grind off the bump that holds it closed, and it still stays closed very well.
 
audiopile said:
So - what are the best in terms of smooth closing action or is this just the way framelocks are?
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My Bradley Alias is the smoothest. Better than my Chris Reeve knives (which have other advantages over the Alias). My Kershaw Bump is very smooth, too.
 
Mine is a Reese Weiland framelock re-handled Super CQC7. The blade drops when I release the lock. I've handled a seb and my knife is IKBS smooth.
 
Umnumzaan. The king of smooth. Alwayf fear the blade will cut my finger everytime I close the blade. Yes, it's that smooth !
 
Umnumzaan because there is no secondary hang up on the detent ball. Once you release the lock it's a smooth run to closure.

Of knives besides the Umnumzaan my XM-18 is the smoothest.
 
beluga said:
Umnumzaan. The king of smooth. Alwayf fear the blade will cut my finger everytime I close the blade. Yes, it's that smooth !
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I agree. The 'Zaan is the smoothest framelock because of its unique ceramic detent ball, and the perforated washers also help retain the lubricant (grease, in this case) over time.
 
I have got a lot of frame locks and the absolute smoothest one is the Prisma by GTC. Many users may not be familar with Gus's work, its top quality. He uses a bearing type pivot that he put a patent on.
The 2nd smoothest frame lock I have is a Lochsa by Scott Cook. Others are R.Hinderer, Sebenza, Strider PT after its broken in.
One I don't have but handled at a show was an Ikoma Harrier with the IKBS. This was smooth as glass- very close to the Prisma. I imagine there are many other IKBS frame locks that are very smooth but the Harrier was the only oneI've handled.
 
I think the OP is talking about how smoothly the lock disengages not how smooth the blade closes. I would have to say it's my xm18 or large sebenza tho I have had sebenzas with sticky locks!!
 
Umnumzaan.

The ceramic ball changes the whole equation. Nothing else compares.
It cannot stick.

It is nothing less than the re-invention of the framelock interface.
 
Yes - my interest is in that initial thumbpush to disengage the lock.To name but 2 - the Caswell EDC and Emerson CQC-14 both are very easy to disengage the lock and start the closing cycle. Although this seems to vary tremendously- depending oftentimes on how tight the pivot is adjusted- Sebenzas,Spydercos ,and Bladetechs all seem to take a fair push initially in order to start the unlocking cycle.The best framelock variation in my experience for smooth unlocking are the Spyderco compression locks .
 
I think the OP is talking about how smoothly the lock disengages not how smooth the blade closes.
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Sometimes it may not be a good thing for a lock bar to disengage too eaisly. It can cause accidental closing. If a lock bar "sticks" too much for someone using it all you have to do is rub a pencil (graphite) on the back of the tang. I've done this with my Strider SNG and PT - worked great. I've also had some frame locks that had very strong intregal locks and were a little hard to close. For the ones that I like to open & close all the time, I pushed the lock bar very slightly away from the handle and then they were fine. If someone decides to do this I caution to be very careful. If you over bend the lock bar it could ruin the frame lock and cause blade play.
 
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