Stupid question?

[Moleng1]

Hi all, I'm a noob here, but I have searched your forum for an answer to this, and can't find it

When I'm looking at the sales forum I keep seeing the term "early lockup" what does this term mean??

Thanks all

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

The lock up of folding knife with a frame lock or liner lock, where the locking tab engages early on....as compared to reaching the middle or farther along the blade tang's bottom.

 

[Allen R.]

When you have a liner or framelock they are referring to where the lock bar touches the blade early lockup means its towards the left side of the blade, the more a knife is used the more the lockbar will slide over to the right.

 

[Allen R.]

beat me to it !

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Ahh always happens to me too

By the way Moleng1, it was a good question. Better to understand than to make misinformed choices. Would rather see questions on basic knife anatomy and use, rather than a million posts trying to have others pick personal preference for them.

 

[Moleng1]

Thanks all, so I'm assuming the earlier the lock up the better, or not necessarily so dependent on the knife?

 

[Fancier]

There is a lot of discussion about how early of a lockup is too early. One side states that a lockbar that completely engages the tang of the knife (and allows the maximum metal on metal contact) will be more secure than one that allows less contact. The opposite side wants an earlier lockup thinking that the lockbar will last longer if it engages earlier.
If the lockup occurs very late (fully opposite the side that the lockbar is attached) you have the potential for blade play due to the lockbar not being able to travel far enough to engage completely.
Personally I like to see full engagement of a liner or frame lock. I'm not concerned about exactly how many thousands of times the lock will cycle before it wears enough to give blade play.

 

[Fancier]

There is also a lot of discussion about how the geometry of the strike point between the tang and the lock bar has a lot to do with how reliable the lock will be.
Also some knifes (the Benchmade MPR comes to mind) have an adjustable pin so that the lockbar engagement point can be adjusted. Depending on how hard you are going to use the knife this adjustable pin may become a liability since what can be adjusted can also become loose.

 

[JuJu-]

Good question! Like the others said better to ask something like this than what knife should I get the second tuesday of next week!

 

[Moleng1]

I got lots to learn here. I feel like I did when I first joined my watch forums!! It's fun to learn though, and I already know that I want a 3.5 Hinderer flipper, all I need to do is sell my car and get a second mortgage!! Thank god I'm not married anymore!! The ex hated my watch addiction, and with adding knives to the mixture, she woulda gone nuts!!