Steel VS. TI for liner locks?

I have several custom knives by several makers and have noticed a trend with the liner locks. For this post I am going to compare 2 knives by Allen Elishewitz. 1 is an Omega M6 that I bought from Les, the other is an M5 I bought from a private seller. The m6 has a steel locking liner and the m5 has Ti. Both knives lock up tight, Allen did his job right on both. I have noticed though that the steel m6 locks up tighter than the m5. The liner on the m6 has also not moved nearly as far across the base of the blade with break in as the ti liner on the m5. I have noticed this same thing with knives by other makers and in those dreaded factory knives. My question is this: As long as many of us are satisfied with liner locks, (I am,) should we look past Ti to see if other metals will provide a more solid and longer lasting lockup? Just my rant for today, thanks for reading
Lewis
 
R

RKnight

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
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Yeah Lewis,

Ti is a big buzz. But, it wears faster than hardened stainless. I think is this common knowledge to people who know steel and it's properties. So why do custom makers use Ti locking bars? Satisfy the public and sell knives I guess.
 
If you use a steel for the spring side, eventually the steel will become fatigued and will not hold tension on the lock. Ti, has a memory and will not lose that tension.
 
A.T.

Glad you responded, I know you're a master. I believe what you have to say. If both of these statements are true, as I believe them to be, which will occur first. The steel fatiging or the Ti wearing to the point that either needs to be replaced to avoid failure.

Regards
 
Actually, I am not sure that the components are that critical. Both Ti and stainless steel have a reputation for being 'gummy' and 'galling.' I have noticed a much greater difference in the liner locks of inexpensive liner locks than in more expensive ones.

I have two A T Barr folders. The Ti liner lock on the large one (the blade is 0.16" thick and over 4" long) has just worn in nicely, so that the outside edge of the liner lock lines up with the outside edge of the tang. If you flip it open HARD, it is a very tiny barely noticable further fraction of an inch over towards the far side of the tang. I doubt I will live long enough to see the liner reach the right side of the tang.

I will take A T's word on Ti maintaining its' elasticity longer than Ti. He knows his stuff. However, I am not sure that it is a problem which will happen very quickly. Walt
 
I honestly cannot give a time frame on which will wear out sooner. The problem I have with a steel liner is (I think) the ability to bend it to the correct angle, before it's
heat treated.

Titanium is a bear to saw and grind. It's no fun to do filework either, butit sure looks nice when you anodize it. When a Titanium lock does wear down to the other side of the lock, the maker can install a larger stop pin. A stop pin .0010-.0015 larger in diameter will bring the lock back to the middle of the tang.

 
Weel, I know for a fact that AT knows what he is talking about, so I guess that settles it.
 
Steel is considerably stronger given equal thickness. Titan is stronger by "weight". Titan is "grabbier" than steel (preferred by some).

I don't think actual "galling" occurs with either steel or Titan. (where molecules of one material are actually tranferred to the surface of the adjacent material). Both steel and Titanium work well as Linerlocks if the geometry and two surfaces are properly made. More opinion.
sal
 
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