Which Liner-Lock knives do you trust the most?

I trust my Spyderco Military, Benchmade Mini Dejavoo, and Kershaw Junkyard Dog II.

But I use them fully mindful that any lock can fail. If what I'm doing requires me to do hard stabbing, or put downward pressure on the blade, then I generally grab a fixed blade.
 
As geometries of the interfaces change, the reliability of locking mechanisms change as well! Some types of locks (Axis for example) may become more reliable with wear, whereas other types of locks may become less reliable with wear.

Companies I feel do a great job with liner-locks:
BladeTech
Spyderco
Kershaw
Emerson
Benchmade

Companies I feel don't do that great a job with liner-locks:
CRKT
Lone Wolf
Leatherman
Gerber
Buck


Regards,
3G
 
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totally trust mt emerson custom CQC13 & CQC6, also my crawford perfigo & kasper, BM 800 AFCK, most any MT LL, most any spyderco LL, most any EKI LL.
 
Al Mar Mini-SERE is my favorite liner lock. It has always worked and held strong for me under the hardest of circumstances.
 
Foster Knives Lake Classic Folder.
This is one of the best kept secrets out there. It is an awesome knife.
 
Kershaw Scallion, Leek, Blur.... all sturdy. Buck Alpha Hunter, super! The best yet, to me, is the Buck #419 Folding Kalinga Pro in S30V - perfection!

Stainz
 
Benchmade Emerson 975-SBT and my large Al Mar SERE. I am not a fan of liner locks, but these two have stood up to steady use (and abuse) without any problem.
 
I always check the lockup on every knife I get before I trust that knife. But generally speaking, I've never had a problem with Spyderco or Al-Mar's liner locks, and I've had a few of each. I don't carry the Nomad much and I traded the mini-SERE, but those locks were reallt solid and never varied from the spot where they originally locked up when new.

I still use my Spyderco Militaries and have never had a problem with them locking up. The only Strider liner lock I have is a RCC, but it's always been good and solid. The only other liner lock I use is on my Buck 881. The liner lock on that one is nearly as thick as some frame locks and it's been solid, although very rarely used.
 
I trust my Emerson custom CQC-8, it's basically a framelock with handle scales. My 99 Commander would be next. Others would be from Benchmade- 975, 800, Spyderco Military. I prefer liner locks with thicker liners, the Military being the exception. It's very thin but has been 100% so far.
 
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