What the difference between...

[ColonialKnifeFan]

I know someone has the answer for this, 44 people on knifeforums have read my post and no reply. Either the question is so easy they think it's stupid to reply or it's for some other reason I am unsure of.

My question was, what is the difference between a frame lock and a integral lock? Same thing different name? or are they different in a subtle mechanical way?

David

 

[Th232]

Pretty sure they're the same thing.

 

[T.K.C.]

Yup, same thing, just different names.

 

[johnny reb]

I didn`t know either. Thanks.

 

[T.K.C.]

I believe Chris Reeve coined the term Integral Lock.

 

[dulleddown]

^^ I believe Mr. Frame coined the term Frame lock.

 

[Greg]

All this is IMO.---
A frame lock implies that there is both a frame and some scales that together make up each side of the handle. The frame has a 'bendy' bit that locks the blade.
Integral lock as used by Chris Reeves has a single slab that makes up each side of the handle, not a separate frame and scales. This slab has a 'bendy' bit that locks the blade.
They are the same principle--the 'Walker Lock', just a different terminology for a different construction type.
Greg

 

[never too sharp]

Sorry, Greg, what you described as a frame lock is actually a liner lock, the original Michael Walker design.There must be enough strength in the handle material of a frame lock(steel, titanium, etc.) to provide a confident lock-up. A frame lock implies that on the lock side(like a kershaw leek), part of the frame is spring tempered to do the same thing as a liner in a knife with handle scales. That is where the difference lies, a frame lock's frame is 'integral', where as a linerlock's frame consists of one or two liners and scales, or sometimes a plastic or FRN frame Frame lock and integral lock are the same thing, as T.K.C. said, one is simply a particular knifemakers name for it.