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Subframe locks

T

Thegrossmaster

Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Messages
22
Was wondering how strong subframe locks are. On the Microtech DOC for instance, the lock bar itself is a nice chunk of titanium with a steel insert which is awesome, but what got me thinking was how the lock is actually attached to the frame. Basically, it's just by way of a little sheet metal and a couple screws. There's no way that can be as rugged as having the blade lock against the actual frame, the largest solid structure on the knife. It even seems to be an even weaker design than liner locks, where the liner is a large piece of steel the size of the entire handle and secured at several points throughout its length. Is my line of reasoning correct or am I missing something? Has anyone ever tested a subframe locked knife to see how well (or poorly) one would hold up?
 
What are you looking to do with the knife that's going to put that much stress on the frame?
 
My Kershaw Knockout is my only sub-frame lock knife, and I've got to say that it holds up just fine for edc use. I don't put too much stress on my edc blades, though. Mostly tearing down boxes, cutting zip ties and other tasks that are required at the receiving department I work at. If I need crazy strength, I'm reaching for my fixed blade.

 
A properly made (this being the key with all locks) subframe lock will be just as strong as a frame lock. In any circumstance, the blade is probably going to fail way before the lock will. As for impact resistance, it will have the same issues as frame or liner locks.
 
I see.
Anyways, it's really not a matter of what I would do with a knife, but if I were to drop serious coin on say, a custom DOC, it'd just be nice to know what I could do with it :)
 
Thegrossmaster said:
I see.
Anyways, it's really not a matter of what I would do with a knife, but if I were to drop serious coin on say, a custom DOC, it'd just be nice to know what I could do with it :)
Click to expand...

It'll be able to do the same stuff as a $30 Spyderco Tenacious, but with a lot more style :cool:
 
Speaking of style, I love that Knockout! The subframe lock has such a technical look to it. If they made the backspacer titanium, anodized it to be the same color as the lockbar, made it a manual flipper with an Elmax blade, put on a fancier pivot then sold it as a ZT... OMG I'd be all over that!

Hmm, I think I was subconsciously describing something like a poor man's version of my grail... the 777 :tongue:
 
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Thegrossmaster said:
Speaking of style, I love that Knockout! The subframe lock has such a technical look to it. If they made the backspacer titanium, anodized it to be the same color as the lockbar, made it a manual flipper with an Elmax blade, put on a fancier pivot then sold it as a ZT... OMG I'd be all over that!

Hmm, I think I was subconsciously describing something like a poor man's version of my grail... the 777 :tongue:
Click to expand...

I don't think titanium can be anodized black...I guess they should make the lockbar titanium too then ;)
 
Thank you for the compliment! The Knockout is one of my favorite knives, especially after Charlie Mike de-assisted it. After some pocket carry, the finish on the lockbar starts wearing a little quicker than the aluminum handle and gives it a cool "worn in" look :thumbup:

EDIT: I know what you mean about the ZT thing. What got me really curious about this knife was the fact that people were affectionately calling it the "poor man's ZT" haha. I had to see what the fuss was about, and they were right!
 
Grownstar, how did the de-assisting work out? Does it work as well as knives that were originally designed to be manual flippers, and is it a permanent mod or can the spring be put back in? I've always been tempted to convert my Cryo but was never sure about how well it would turn out.
Another reason why I love my Kershaws is because they still put ball detents on their assisted openers :)
 
^ I'd like to know as well, I had a Knockout but it was just too big so the assisted made closing the knife too much for my smaller hands, but if it can de-assist easy then I might give it another chance.
 
Thegrossmaster said:
Grownstar, how did the de-assisting work out? Does it work as well as knives that were originally designed to be manual flippers, and is it a permanent mod or can the spring be put back in? I was curious about converting my Cryo but didn't know too much about how well it would turn out.
Another reason why I love my Kershaws is because they still put ball detents on their assisted openers :)
Click to expand...

It worked out great. I'm horrible at this kind of stuff, so I had fellow forum member Charlie Mike drill a detent hole in the blade. I'm not too sure if the action of the Speedsafe will be affected. I mean, the handle scale still has that pocket so technically I could put the torsion bar back in if I wanted to. Just not sure how it will feel now that there's an actual detent hole keeping the blade in.

As for flipping, it felt a little gritty at first but I tore it down, cleaned and lubed it and now she flies open with a tiny bit of wrist flick! To top it off, the blade does the famous "Paramilitary 2" drop when I disengage the lockbar. I found this out the hard way. Good thing my thumb nail stopped the blade :D

I've seen many different people online who've modded their Cryos to manual, add bearings, change scales, etc. I would say have a blast, and if things don't work out, at least you're only out $30.
 
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