Wet Liner and framelocks

Splat

Splat

Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
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How reliable are liner or framelocks when wet? I'm not talking about some Chinese $4 specials. I'm talking high-end brand-name knives like Benchmade, Kershaw, etc... I'm thinking about this now after getting an email from a buddy last night. He said his Emerson unlocked when he was working with it in the rain. (edit: I own an Emerson and love it) So, sitting here at work on a v-e-r-y slow day I figured I'd ask about this. Any thoughts?
 
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FWIW, I really can't see a framelock being any less dependable when wet unless the user uses a weak enough grip to allow the lock to move. So I guess this should really be geared towards liner locks.
 
I often hike up rivers here in Taiwan and that involves getting wet along with all the rest of my stuff.
I have never had any problems with my Emersons during those hikes and I tend to use them a fair bit.
I use it for stuff like making bamboo poles for getting past rough spots in the river and handeling snakes
to setting up tripods for cooking pots and making feather sticks or just poking around stuff.

I'v never had any problems back home in rain in Scotland either, I worked as a chainsaw
operator for years and regularly used a wet Emerson for all sorts of stuff then too.

I would always take a frame lock over a liner lock but I have never had any
problems with a liner lock that would cause me to never use one.
 
Given the fact that most knife enthusiasts oil the joints of their knives, don't you imagine that the locking surface of most of our folders has a thin film of lubricant on them? I think if it were a problem we would have discovered it way before now.
 
elkins45 said:
Given the fact that most knife enthusiasts oil the joints of their knives, don't you imagine that the locking surface of most of our folders has a thin film of lubricant on them?
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Most? Really? Myself and all of my knife buddies with liner or frame locks ensure the tang is free of lubrication oil. You're asking for trouble leaving it on there. But hey, you do what you like.
 
Most good frame/liner locks are not bothered by water or lube getting on lock tang interface. If your pivot is lubed with other than non flowing grease, some lube is always working it's way onto interface.

I have gone as far as trying a thin film of grease on lock bar face on a Sebenza to minimize wear and NEVER had an unlock issue.
 
elkins45 said:
Given the fact that most knife enthusiasts oil the joints of their knives, don't you imagine that the locking surface of most of our folders has a thin film of lubricant on them?
Click to expand...

Bingo.

I’ve never heard of this being a problem but a properly lubed and maintained knife should shrug off any problem like this.
 
Splat said:
Most? Really? Myself and all of my knife buddies with liner or frame locks ensure the tang is free of lubrication oil. You're asking for trouble leaving it on there. But hey, you do what you like.
Click to expand...

Even if you wipe it off don't you imagine that most lubricants exhibit some surface creep? If it can flow into the bearing surfaces it can also flow onto the exposed locking surfaces.
 
heres a link to some tests of liner locks. If a liner lock passes these it should work when wet. you can do a control test with the knife wet then dry. I'll bet it does'nt pass the dry test either, but would like to know your results, if you can post them. mk

http://www.agrussell.com/Articles/a/107/
 
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I never exposed a frame lock or liner lock to water
but use the knife properly & it won't close on you're fingers
 
No problems with either locking system, and I've used plenty of mine in the rain or in wet conditions.

I do spend quite a bit of time inspecting and maintaining my knives - even the ones who live in their boxes.
 
As I am new again to knives I am reading and learning about Frame Lock and Liner Lock folding knives and it seems the Frame Lock design has less failures in application.

My attraction to certain knife styles led me to the Kit Carson M16 which I like a lot but now realize its a Liner Lock. I thought at first what an annoying feature the AutoLAWKS was but now I know why he did it. What a brilliant Idea!
 
wildjim said:
As I am new again to knives I am reading and learning about Frame Lock and Liner Lock folding knives and it seems the Frame Lock design has less failures in application.

My attraction to certain knife styles led me to the Kit Carson M16 which I like a lot but now realize its a Liner Lock. I thought at first what an annoying feature the AutoLAWKS was but now I know why he did it. What a brilliant Idea!
Click to expand...

Could you explain to me why he did it?

IT certainly doesnt make the lock any stronger. It just ensures that you do not push the lock back without disengaging the LAWKS feature, making them more complicated to close.

I am still trying to find any benefits to it at all.:confused:
 
wildjim said:
As I am new again to knives I am reading and learning about Frame Lock and Liner Lock folding knives and it seems the Frame Lock design has less failures in application.
Click to expand...

True! but do not rule out a liner as a good lock for a pocket knife. A liner lock I have found if made correctly (this is very important!!!!) is an efficient lock! Not as strong as an axis etc obviously, but efficient for edc purposes. Detail to the design and making of a liner is very important.
 
Love liner locks and never had a problem with water/oil/mud/dirt/grass/debris with any of them.
 
Tripton said:
Could you explain to me why he did it?

IT certainly doesnt make the lock any stronger. It just ensures that you do not push the lock back without disengaging the LAWKS feature, making them more complicated to close.

I am still trying to find any benefits to it at all.:confused:
Click to expand...

The AutoLAWKS bar blocks the Liner Lock from moving sideways to keep the Liner Lock postioned behind the blade where it belongs. Brilliant Engineering!
 
wildjim said:
The AutoLAWKS bar blocks the Liner Lock from moving sideways to keep the Liner Lock postioned behind the blade where it belongs. Brilliant Engineering!
Click to expand...

And a total pain in the ass. :barf:

I tried to like the AutoLAWK feature, but I guess it just wasn't for me.
 
I prefer frame locks to liner locks for a lot of reasons, but, a liner lock is way thinner than the lock bar on a frame lock and should never have a problem with water or oil if made properly... smaller contact area. Thousands, if not more have been used in rain and water and industrial fluids (blood also) without lock failure.
 
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