Ti Framelocks - had all or some? Care to share?

[cchu518]

Have you had a Ti - Framelock and got rid of it or repeatedly purchased the same model or have collected Ti Framelocks?

For me one of the almost perfect knives that I've ever owned is a CRKT Drifter, its a smallerish knife, cheap, but stupendously solid. The lock up is great and with a little white Li grease it snaps open in a flash. Steel is not high end but totally usable. I wish they made one with better steel. The CRKT Apache is knife but it doesn't have a similar blade profile as the Drifter. I've also found a perfect EDC for me in and around the NYC area which is a slipjoint.

That said I still have "TFOtB" that is Ti-Framelock on the Brain and can't get over it. My last Ti purchase was a BM Pinnacle 750. It was all together too big of a knife for my liking but I liked everything about it. Ti just has that nice textural feel to it. The weight of Ti also throws you off and I thought to myself how could something so light be so strong and solid feeling. I'd like to explore other Ti Framelocks and would love to hear opinions about all the popular models. Boker Anso's, Bradley's, Spyderco's. You can chime in on CR's but I'm already sold and will eventually pony up the dough to get a small Sebenza probably. But mainly interested in hearing production models that are sub $200-ish.

My knife buying frenzy has somewhat diminished after figuring out what I like about knives and how utility, blade shapes and steels, handle material etc...size all fit into the mix. Having figured this all out, I can also finally admit that I want a Ti-Framelock purely because I like them aesthetically and to hell with the utility of it as an EDC.

So I would love to hear your personal pros and cons about which Ti framelock you have specifically owned in the past and what you consider a keeper or a catch and release. I.E. The Techno might be too small and chunky for the pocket, the Boker Anso is a big gritty etc...etc... thanks!

 

[Alberta Ed]

My Sebenza 21 is as close to perfect as it comes, I think.

 

[pvicenzi]

Because there are stronger locks available, some people don't like frame locks, but for me the frame lock is plenty strong.

 

[Rival1314]

If you like big blades go with a zt 0560 or 0300. A great all around edc is the zt 0550, its built like a tank, with a great lockup and smooth action. Plus its under the $200 you specified.

If you can spend a bit more a Umnumzaan is also a superb choice.

 

[cchu518]

I do like the ZT series but not enough to buy one as they are too much knife for my uses. Which is ironic as I had a Cryo for a bit. I needed it, got one, then hated it, reprofiled the edge a bit, then loved it but thought it was too small for what it was. Ultimately a ZT version would be too much knife for my needs though.

 

[dcmartin]

I love a good frame lock... Primarily, for me the aesthetics of it are what sells me. Most of my knives are Ti Frame locks... For what i use them, I don't need a super duper insanely strong spine whackable (is that a word?) lock. My frame locks have the ability to exceed the abuse i can put them thru.
Secondly, they are super easy to service... If your knife feels gritty, polish the liners a bit and sand the copper pivot bushings with some 1000 or 1500 sand paper. A good lube and voilla!
If i do sell one off, it's usually because I need to for funding of a bigger purchase... one of the deciding factors is always "How easily can i buy another"
I've had several DPx HEST 2.0's and I always wind up trading them but never selling them (as soon as the funds begin to add up I buy another)
I love the knife, version 2 i've had very good luck with... Spyderco...also a fantastic brand for frame locks. I have a Ti Millie (one hell of a lot of knife for $200, just too big for me to EDC all the time) a Techno, a Southard (not sub $200 but you can find one for $220 now and then right here). I have a Kershaws an OD-1... A Boker, Nano and an Anso 67 (the polished orange one) That one is extremely smooth and a lot bigger than i thought it would be... I'm sure a few others (in the $200 category) i forgot to mention. I"ve never had a problem with any of these, they are all super smooth knives...

As for the cons, the only cons i can think of is the lock slipping... That is unforgivable and can happen with just about any knife. I recently received a Microtech Whaleshark (not really a full on frame lock) with that issue.

I would say, if you like the looks of it, give it a try... It might surprise you. I've picked up knives in a trade that i thought were for sure going right back on the trade forum... Turns out I liked them much better than i thought i would.

 

[Czechmate]

I've had a few Ti framelocks and I've enjoyed all of them! That is, I haven't had any bad experiences or issues that I couldn't fix.

My list of past knives I've owned and liked/would recommended, price varies though:

Spydie Sage 2
Benchmade 755 MPR (I still have one left out of three!)
DPX HEST 2.0 - mine was pretty much perfect, I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would
Strider SMF Aluminum non-lock side
Strider SMF G10 lego
Strider SNG G10 lego
Combative Edge M1 - awesome underrated blade
ZT0550
ZT0551
ZT0560

Here's all I have left in the second photo, most can be acquired around the $200 price point. All are awesome knives... I have tweaked the lockup on the second ZT0300 so it is tighter than stock by a fair bit; same goes for Ontario Hossum R1 as it unlocked WAY too easily for such a massive sharp blade.

The spydie TUFF is probably my all time favourite though, you might say it's the SMF I've always wanted...

 

[cchu518]

Was the Techno too chunky to EDC, I've seen this complaint quite a few times?

 

[cchu518]

I saw that you didn't keep the SNG, SMF any particular reason specifically why they went? If you think MS is a douche that's an ok answer as well, lmao. Also under $200 used or otherwise is a must as I have a limited budget for knives at this point and especially going into the end of year Xmas season. Ugh.

I've had a few Ti framelocks and I've enjoyed all of them! That is, I haven't had any bad experiences or issues that I couldn't fix.

My list of past knives I've owned and liked/would recommended, price varies though:

Spydie Sage 2
Benchmade 755 MPR (I still have one left out of three!)
DPX HEST 2.0 - mine was pretty much perfect, I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would
Strider SMF Aluminum non-lock side
Strider SMF G10 lego
Strider SNG G10 lego
Combative Edge M1 - awesome underrated blade
ZT0550
ZT0551
ZT0560

Here's all I have left in the second photo, most can be acquired around the $200 price point. All are awesome knives... I have tweaked the lockup on the second ZT0300 so it is tighter than stock by a fair bit; same goes for Ontario Hossum R1 as it unlocked WAY too easily for such a massive sharp blade.

The spydie TUFF is probably my all time favourite though, you might say it's the SMF I've always wanted...

 

[dkb45]

Saying a frame lock isn't strong enough is like saying a Corvette doesn't have enough power because you could find a Veyron. I can fully understand not liking how the lock works, but saying you don't like it under the guise of the lock not being secure is a copout. A properly made frame lock won't fail unless the whole knife fails, or you are doing something terribly wrong.

That said, I have had 2 titanium framelocks that have impressed the hell out of me. First was my ZT 550. That thing was nearly perfect in every way, and the lock was so strong but easy to use. Second is my HK Conspiracy. I have been genuinely shocked by how good a $60 titanium framelock can be. Good steel, excellent factory edge, smooth action, perfect lockup... a winner all around

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

The one I got rid of that I would not buy again was the BM 755 MPR, because the pocket clip shredded my jeans. Great M390 blade, though.
Also sold a 3.5" XM-18 because it was just to large to EDC.

I currently own three Ti framelocks: 3" XM-18, and it is about as perfect a frame lock as I have experienced. The small Sebenza 21 is equally great. And my 3rd keeper is a custom: Michael Raymond "Estrella", which is beyond perfection in every way imaginable. Here are pics:

 

[cchu518]

Those three look awesome!!! They also don't look sub $200 either! hah hah! Do you use the Dam bladed ones?

The one I got rid of that I would not buy again was the BM 755 MPR, because the pocket clip shredded my jeans. Great M390 blade, though.
Also sold a 3.5" XM-18 because it was just to large to EDC.

I currently own three Ti framelocks: 3" XM-18, and it is about as perfect a frame lock as I have experienced. The small Sebenza 21 is equally great. And my 3rd keeper is a custom: Michael Raymond "Estrella", which is beyond perfection in every way imaginable. Here are pics:

 

[Czechmate]

I saw that you didn't keep the SNG, SMF any particular reason specifically why they went? If you think MS is a douche that's an ok answer as well, lmao. Also under $200 used or otherwise is a must as I have a limited budget for knives at this point and especially going into the end of year Xmas season. Ugh.

I traded them away to try out new stuff, all were good knives though. Also, I do agree with your thoughts on MS...

Everything except for the Kershaw Volt can be found for the pricepoint you're looking at, especially the Benchmade MPR, Spydie Sage 2 or Hossum Retribution 1 or 2. The Hossum's are not really framelocks but the Ti liner is thick enough to be a framelock. :thumbup:

Also, don't omit the ZT's! They're really nice knives and the 0560/0561 series as they have that sweet flipping action.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

My collection. Selling a couple just because they don't get carried. The SMF was too much handle and not enough blade for me, aesthetically speaking. It always performed for me, I just couldn't get over the dis-proportionate sizing. My Chris Reeve knives and my Hinderer (shortly Hinderers) are about as perfect as a production knife gets.

 

[cchu518]

Agree on the CR's I don't have a knife budget of $285-$350 right now for one, I might ask for one as a gift but I pool my income with my wife and we collectively have other hobbies.

I would like something Ti immediately to intermediately fondle for a spell. I don't even know if I will carry it as I'm liking this slipjoint business immensely right now. But I know that my mind will just wander on about it until I finally get one that's a keeper.

 

[HwangJino]

I think I prefer Ti framelock, but I only have crk.

 

[Franciscomv]

I like Ti framelocks, I haven't had any issues with lock strength so far and don't think I'll ever will. My favourites are the ones with two plain Ti scales, they look clean and simple.

Right now these are the ones I have: Sebenza 21, Protech TLR 3 Integrity, Ti Military, ZT 300, ZT 561. The Integrity is the one I use the most. I also have a ZT 801 and a 550 on the way.