titanium frame locks, what's the big deal?

[GronK]

I've got no problem with frame locks, but I can't stand titanium frame locks without a lock bar insert. Even the Senbenza I owned had a very sticky lock. I've tried every trick in the book to fix them (including sending them in for warranty) but the titanium frame locks still feels absolutely terrible when being disengaged.

They're not for me. Give me a stainless steel frame lock any day.

I have two Sebenza 21's and a Ti Mili. The Sebenzas have no insert and the Mili does. There is minimal sticking with all. The Mili may be just a bit smoother. A bit of "stiction" makes it more secure and is a good thing unless it gets so bad you have to use both hands or a screwdriver to unlock.

 

[akula83]

Because this is a titanium frame lock and after 16 years of use its still going strong.

That is one awesome looking knife. My Sebenza came this way and it works perfect, so I guess the whole Ti/frame lock thing works for me.

 

[Czechmate]

I've got no problem with frame locks, but I can't stand titanium frame locks without a lock bar insert. Even the Senbenza I owned had a very sticky lock. I've tried every trick in the book to fix them (including sending them in for warranty) but the titanium frame locks still feels absolutely terrible when being disengaged.

They're not for me. Give me a stainless steel frame lock any day.

A nice stainless framelock with high end blade steel would be pretty sweet.

I remember reading an awesome article ages ago with Sal Glesser talking about the strengths and weaknesses of Ti versus Steel regarding lockup on folders. Basically, from what I remember his preference was like materials matching up with like (steel on steel) because of similar hardness.

My Google-fu is weak as I can't find it... :foot:

 

[unwisefool]

I've owned a lot of titanium frame locks and never had one that was "sticky." is it really that prevalent?

 

[Jeru]

I took a standard Millie liner lock to the beach and had issue with sand in the lock. All from 20 minutes of lying on a dune. No hard use, no extreme environment. Just a few grains of sand that got into my pocket while at the beach for the day.

EDC'ing Millies for about eight years and have a girlfriend who's originally from Natal, Brazil. Visited her family several times and as Brazilians do, spent whole days at the beach. Never encountered this problem or anything like it whatsoever.

 

[asdf12345]

EDC'ing Millies for about eight years and have a girlfriend who's originally from Natal, Brazil. Visited her family several times and as Brazilians do, spent whole days at the beach. Never encountered this problem or anything like it whatsoever.

If that's the case, it supports the fact that frame/liner locks require so much precision and refinement that small variances can cause problems, thus you have knives whose locks are susceptible to problems, and some knives whose locks aren't.

Anyhow, to admit and discuss the fact that titanium frame and liner locks are finicky, hard to maintain, and easy to cause failure in would be to call into question the secondary market value for such knives, especially high dollar customs by newer makers inflated to 2-3x their original sale price. I'm not an enemy of this type of lock and it serves my uses well, but there is so much variance in quality and design across different manufacturers and inconsistency between one manufacturer's individual knives.