I Don't Trust Liner-Locks

[ACP230]

I bought my older son a liner-lock knife and he took it off to college.
After a couple of years of daily carry and normal use, no real heavy cutting, the liner-lock got so loose the knife was sort of dangerous to the user.

I bought my son a lock-back blade to replace the original knife.

I have a couple of liner-lock knives in my collection, but I'd never depend on one. Give my my Buck Ranger, small Browning lock back, or K-BAR Dozier Design over a liner-lock any day.

Anyone got something good to say about liner-locks? I sure don't.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I don't either. I've never had to stab anybody with mine, but I'd be afraid it might fold. I did cut the end of my thumb off with it though. In too much of a hurry when I closed it. Took 3 months to grow back.

 

[mndart]

Wow! Who's the maker? I will stay away from that one. I have never had problems with my Dalton liner locks.

I'm with you though, I prefer a lockback or a framelock.

 

[raz-0]

All liner locks will fail with the appropriate stabbing motion. I've had good one's and cheap ones, and there is one type of impact that will make the lock release on all of them (and not due to fingers being wrapped around). Imagine going to stab something, and coming in at an angle that would skip off the surface if it were a plank of wood, but the surface material catches it. (easily replicated with a phone book or any paperback more than 1/2" thick) Realisticly, I'd say the odds of this type of strike rearing their head in honest utility usage are zero. In a fighting situation, the kind of grab and mass you owuld need, not landing a solid hit stabbing someone with some hefty web gear on might do it, and I'm pretty sure you shouldn't take your liner lock hog-hunting.

That being said, I've found it a LOT easier to make a traditional lockback knife fail in several ways. Many of which would apply to daily utility type usage.

As for age, it REALLY depends on the manufacturer's design and techniques. If it doesn't have a solid detent groove in the locking liner, stay away. Also, as nice and light as it is, my knives with titanium liners are not aging as well as ones with properly designed steel.

Surprisingly, some of the liner locks holding up best are on my leatherman wave. They still lock up like they were new, and get used a lot.

There are no locking mechanisms that are going to perform as well as a nicely made fixed blade knife.

 

[c_yeager]

I have never had any type of folding knife fail under any kind of use I have put them to. Of course I tend to cut with the EDGE rather then the SPINE to that may be part of it. Honestly there arent many cutting chores that put much if any stress on a lock at all, asside from stabbing which is pretty limited in application.

With that said I carry a very sturdy frame-lock just because I like it.

 

[stv]

My Spyderco Military has a liner lock and has proven to be very sturdy. That said, my hand first goes to my Civilian, which is a lockback.

 

[Soap]

I don't trust them either. My preference is for a balisong, lockback, frame lock, or a button lock like on my Dalton. I feel the most comfortable with a bali.

 

[Model520Fan]

I don't trust liner locks, either, partly because as a child, I owned or handled ones made with brass liners. I also don't fully trust lockbacks, although they are mostly better. The Italian folding stilettos aren't too bad for safety, but the best I've seen (outside of a flip-flop knife or a butterfly knife) is an Emerson-designed auto by Benchmade. It's an out-and-out crossbolt. But you still have to keep your finger away from the (recessed) button.

 

[Model520Fan]

That said, my hand first goes to my Civilian, which is a lockback.

Any kind of lock, including none at all, would work fine on a Civilian. I can hardly see that blade closing with any actual use, unless a BG smacks the back of the blade. Great single-purpose knife!

 

[carpettbaggerr]

That's why I like the LAWKS. I doubt I would ever be able to do anything to make the my Crawford-Casper close, if it's engaged. But I have a good imagination, and the thought makes my fingers tingle. And I can imagine any lockback failing under similar usage.

That's why they make sheath-knives.

 

[Boats]

My axis lock equipped BM 806D2 is the only folding knife have that I trust completely. Of course it is a modifed type of bar locking mechanism that runs perpendicular to the stress that would be placed on the blade.

 

[Soap]

Boats' post reminds me that I really like the Axis lock as well and own a few of 'em.

 

[Ol' Badger]

c_yeager is correct

I think the locks are ok. But if you are stabbing them into something and using them to support weight they will give.
Just look at Cold Steel's lock test. How many people put 50 lbs of weight on the handle of their knives? I'd be more concernd with the blade and its edge than what the handle can hold. Hell, even McGyver used his cork screw to climb out of a hole

 

[Kjay]

I've heard a lot of grumbling about liner locks failing but danged few real examples. ANY folding knife will fail if pushed too hard. I've got liners, lockbacks and axis locks and none have failed. I use my to cut not stab through car doors or 2x4's. In a defensive situation I'd trust my BM's and Spyderco liner locks to not fail with a hard stab.

 

[Kingcreek]

I too, have used many knives with different locks and never had one fail.
Any knife that is designed to fold just might fold sometime. If in doubt, they make some very sturdy fixed blades. I've never had one of those fail either.