- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
Lock cuts are a confusing issue even for many makers because even they as it turns out, don't always know all the reasons for why the lock cut or for where it is placed and how. Like with most things there is a reason. Originally it was just as Chris Reeve needed it to be. Thin enough to be workable for most users yet thick enough to be strong enough to work for a good stout folding knife in the field. To slide on the pocket smoothly Chris put the cut on the inside and for whatever reasons he did a double half moon with some tweaks proprietary to Chris to this day for how he does his Sebenza, probably to do with testing for strength and related issues with thumb pressure deemed 'sweet enough for a woman to work' yet still masculine enough to pass muster for most men.
Later most adopted a variance and if you were a tester or someone curious like early testers such as Cliff Stamp among others many times in reviews these variances such as one Strider/Buck being .080 while another was off that by a variance or one lock cut thin to such a thinness while another sometimes shipped at the same time only with a different blade would be something else. So even with same model knives there was a variance and most lock cuts were on the inside following the original frame lock maker Mr. Reeve. That is until Strider and a few other tactical makers came on the scene and put them on the outside. As is usually the case there was reasons for this as well. I mean honestly if you are going to be crawling around in combat with a folder clipped to your pocket do you really want it being pulled out so easy? No not in that case I guess but I speculate that this was why they chose to put the Strider tactical folder lock cuts on the outside. It could be a happy coincidence there but it made sense. So the SMF among others were made to snag the pocket if done with forethought and boy they do that so well one has to consider it must be purposeful. I heard about it all the time from a lot of the civilian users. It appears tho that some want to say it can't be that many because they never had anyone post about it or saw anyone post about it but if one stops to think about that it makes sense. They are on a obscure hard to find forum for most and they have such a rep for chewing on people that many ask questions about Striders in private since just asking what SnG means or SMF or anything else brings the house down on many. As a result when they have an issue they go elsewhere to solve it I guess. With Striders only. The number one request with some was can you make a clip that doesn't snag and tear up my pocket? Many wanted to know how to fix it so it can't catch. Spring it out is my only answer. So pros and cons yes.
Again my opinion. If you wear a uniform and are technically out of uniform if you fray your pockets frame locks with lock cuts on the outside can be an issue. I have listened to that also from some and when I designed certain of my clips it was geared toward pocket kindness and a happy medium for all features as a result of feedback like this. For some applications in the military or for combat the lock cut grabbing the pocket for you is a good thing but most consider it a nag. I hear about that too but not as bad now as at earlier times but of course I don't do the custom making stuff like I did either. I have a write up somewhere on my blogger but too busy to search. I had some time to type and I type fast so no issue there but if I have time later I'll post it unless someone else did. I should have read it first I guess. Anyway, lock cuts have a purpose and are needed. Besides they can be thin and still dig a fox hole cause we did just that with a ZT 0301 in testing and even with a thin cut the knife didn't fail or cry about it. Well, the edge did a bit yeah but it goes with diggin' dirt! :thumbup:
I see now that someone posted the link. Thanks I guess I got in late.
Later most adopted a variance and if you were a tester or someone curious like early testers such as Cliff Stamp among others many times in reviews these variances such as one Strider/Buck being .080 while another was off that by a variance or one lock cut thin to such a thinness while another sometimes shipped at the same time only with a different blade would be something else. So even with same model knives there was a variance and most lock cuts were on the inside following the original frame lock maker Mr. Reeve. That is until Strider and a few other tactical makers came on the scene and put them on the outside. As is usually the case there was reasons for this as well. I mean honestly if you are going to be crawling around in combat with a folder clipped to your pocket do you really want it being pulled out so easy? No not in that case I guess but I speculate that this was why they chose to put the Strider tactical folder lock cuts on the outside. It could be a happy coincidence there but it made sense. So the SMF among others were made to snag the pocket if done with forethought and boy they do that so well one has to consider it must be purposeful. I heard about it all the time from a lot of the civilian users. It appears tho that some want to say it can't be that many because they never had anyone post about it or saw anyone post about it but if one stops to think about that it makes sense. They are on a obscure hard to find forum for most and they have such a rep for chewing on people that many ask questions about Striders in private since just asking what SnG means or SMF or anything else brings the house down on many. As a result when they have an issue they go elsewhere to solve it I guess. With Striders only. The number one request with some was can you make a clip that doesn't snag and tear up my pocket? Many wanted to know how to fix it so it can't catch. Spring it out is my only answer. So pros and cons yes.
Again my opinion. If you wear a uniform and are technically out of uniform if you fray your pockets frame locks with lock cuts on the outside can be an issue. I have listened to that also from some and when I designed certain of my clips it was geared toward pocket kindness and a happy medium for all features as a result of feedback like this. For some applications in the military or for combat the lock cut grabbing the pocket for you is a good thing but most consider it a nag. I hear about that too but not as bad now as at earlier times but of course I don't do the custom making stuff like I did either. I have a write up somewhere on my blogger but too busy to search. I had some time to type and I type fast so no issue there but if I have time later I'll post it unless someone else did. I should have read it first I guess. Anyway, lock cuts have a purpose and are needed. Besides they can be thin and still dig a fox hole cause we did just that with a ZT 0301 in testing and even with a thin cut the knife didn't fail or cry about it. Well, the edge did a bit yeah but it goes with diggin' dirt! :thumbup:
I see now that someone posted the link. Thanks I guess I got in late.
Last edited:
did not see Steve had already posted above! 
