Liner Locks?

Malazan · September 24th, 2007, 10:14 PM

I'm REALLY new to the knife thing. I'm looking for a folder in the 3-4" range. I've been reading alot of negetive things about liner locks. Are there any out there that you guys will recommend.

I would really like an assisted opener. The two that I have looked hardest at are

1. CRKT Crawford Triumph
2. ZT 400

rocky · September 24th, 2007, 10:17 PM

liner locks are weaker locks than other designs. How hard are you going to be using the knife. For most everyday uses , a liner lock should work fine. I use a Kershaw Blur, it seems to work for me.

roadrat52 · September 24th, 2007, 10:25 PM

My absolute favorite folder is my Benchmade Griptilion.
You don't need assisted open when you have a Benchmade.
Believe me, I have many assisted open knives.

Malazan · September 24th, 2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky

liner locks are weaker locks than other designs. How hard are you going to be using the knife. For most everyday uses , a liner lock should work fine. I use a Kershaw Blur, it seems to work for me.

I'd like to carry it as a backup defense weapon, to compliment my 229

mr. orange · September 24th, 2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadrat52

My absolute favorite folder is my Benchmade Griptilion.
You don't need assisted open when you have a Benchmade.
Believe me, I have many assisted open knives.

I have the same knife, and if you get any Benchmade with the Axis lock, you will see what he is saying. I guarantee I can swing open my griptilion faster than any AO knife.

rocky · September 25th, 2007, 12:02 AM

Benchmades Axis lock is good alright. I own a Benchmade. However, faster than a assist opener? Not for me. I found my Blur is faster than some Benchmade auto openers, but way faster(at least for me) than a conventional opener.

mcp1810 · September 25th, 2007, 12:04 AM

FWIW I don't own a knife with a liner lock. Lots of my friends do, and when they show them to me I can't help but notice the cool scars they all seem to have on the tips of their thumbs! These guys had previously struck me as being fairly sensible and well coordinated. Based on that I stick to designs that I figure will minimize my opportunities for self mutilation. I get myself in enough trouble as it is!

peacefuljeffrey · September 25th, 2007, 06:42 AM

Oh puhlease. I've had liner locks for a decade or more, and never once had one fail on me.

First of all, one needs to know what he should or should not be using a knife for. I dare say that 99% of the tasks for which you should be using a knife don't involve a hell of a lot of closing force being placed on the spine of the blade--much less enough to make it FAIL!! And a failure of a knife lock under such force would probably be more likely to sever a finger than just put a scar on it.

I also am firmly of the opinion that "assisted openers" are just gimmicks, and are desired mostly by those who don't know good knives or good features. I'm sorry if that offends some, but it's just how I have come to view them. There is nothing an assisted opener can do better than a waved knife, or even just one with a thumb-hole. And I'd rather use my Mini Griptilian, which can be flicked open effortlessly by depressing the lock, than a clumsy, over-thick assisted-opener. By the way, I'm sure that the springs in those things can fail just like in any other knife, and I wouldn't want to be relying on it at the time.

rocky · September 25th, 2007, 08:26 AM

My choice for a AO was I wanted a bigger knife blade, but have smaller hands. I find it difficult to open a blade and maintain a good grip. If the AO ever failed, It still opens normal.

mcp1810 · September 25th, 2007, 11:24 AM

The issue I was refering to with my friends was not a failure of the lock, it was a failure to get the thumb out of the way when closing it.

September 24th, 2007, 10:14 PM	#1
Malazan Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 56	Liner Locks? I'm REALLY new to the knife thing. I'm looking for a folder in the 3-4" range. I've been reading alot of negetive things about liner locks. Are there any out there that you guys will recommend. I would really like an assisted opener. The two that I have looked hardest at are 1. CRKT Crawford Triumph 2. ZT 400

September 24th, 2007, 10:17 PM	#2
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,767	liner locks are weaker locks than other designs. How hard are you going to be using the knife. For most everyday uses , a liner lock should work fine. I use a Kershaw Blur, it seems to work for me. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

September 25th, 2007, 12:02 AM	#6
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,767	Benchmades Axis lock is good alright. I own a Benchmade. However, faster than a assist opener? Not for me. I found my Blur is faster than some Benchmade auto openers, but way faster(at least for me) than a conventional opener. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

September 25th, 2007, 08:26 AM	#9
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,767	My choice for a AO was I wanted a bigger knife blade, but have smaller hands. I find it difficult to open a blade and maintain a good grip. If the AO ever failed, It still opens normal. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

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September 24th, 2007, 10:25 PM	#3
roadrat52 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OKC Posts: 89	My absolute favorite folder is my Benchmade Griptilion. You don't need assisted open when you have a Benchmade. Believe me, I have many assisted open knives.

September 25th, 2007, 12:04 AM	#7
mcp1810 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,161	FWIW I don't own a knife with a liner lock. Lots of my friends do, and when they show them to me I can't help but notice the cool scars they all seem to have on the tips of their thumbs! These guys had previously struck me as being fairly sensible and well coordinated. Based on that I stick to designs that I figure will minimize my opportunities for self mutilation. I get myself in enough trouble as it is!

September 25th, 2007, 06:42 AM	#8
peacefuljeffrey VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: south Florida Posts: 3,169	Oh puhlease. I've had liner locks for a decade or more, and never once had one fail on me. First of all, one needs to know what he should or should not be using a knife for. I dare say that 99% of the tasks for which you should be using a knife don't involve a hell of a lot of closing force being placed on the spine of the blade--much less enough to make it FAIL!! And a failure of a knife lock under such force would probably be more likely to sever a finger than just put a scar on it. I also am firmly of the opinion that "assisted openers" are just gimmicks, and are desired mostly by those who don't know good knives or good features. I'm sorry if that offends some, but it's just how I have come to view them. There is nothing an assisted opener can do better than a waved knife, or even just one with a thumb-hole. And I'd rather use my Mini Griptilian, which can be flicked open effortlessly by depressing the lock, than a clumsy, over-thick assisted-opener. By the way, I'm sure that the springs in those things can fail just like in any other knife, and I wouldn't want to be relying on it at the time.

September 25th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#10
mcp1810 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,161	The issue I was refering to with my friends was not a failure of the lock, it was a failure to get the thumb out of the way when closing it.