Didn't realize this "topic" had history....
Jim,
I didn't realize that this topic had been discussed before.....I didn't mean to "dredge anything up".
I will say this, that this subject WAS considered during the design of the orignal custom MADD MAXX, and reviewed during the initail engineering of the Camillus production CUDA MAXX. We WANTED the clip right were it is....and yeah, it happens to look good and carry good where its located. When you move the clip"off line" of the pivot, away from the lock area, it doesn't ride quite as well in the pocket. Also, as demonstrated to me by Bob Kasper, a totally exposed lock bar[on a frame lock] can be DISLODGED by the users grip in dynamic, forceful "bladetwisting" moves.
We wanted the clip just where it is,.....centerline for good carry, and slightly shielding the lock bar, but still allowing firm pressure applied by the "trigger finger" to the outside of the lock bar in the "hammer grip" and "fencer's grip" holds. Also, as Anthony points out, the clip keeps the lock bar from pushed too far "open" and therefore taking spring tension OFF the lock. That can be a serious problem.
Jim,
I know from years ago on bladeforums that you are a voracious proponet of the sturdy "megafolder" concept. I'm with ya, I carried a SIFU for quite awhile myself[in jurisdiction where I couldn't carry my 1911
]. When Darrel was conceptualizing the MAXX, I was envisioning a folding coffin handled bowie, and I knew that we would want to do a collaboration. This lock is as stable as any folder I have worked with, custom or production. There is NO COMPARISON with a .125" frame lock to a typically .50-.60" thick liner lock......much of the stability comes from simply more Ti to steel contact area on the lock surface. Also it is MUCH "stiffer" so there is no flex problems that plague liner locks. When most properly done liner locks fail under impact it is due to the realitively thin, springy Ti liner flexing under impact and sorta "bouncing" off the lock.
Again, there is no comparison off the MAXX's frame lock to a liner lock......we have thousands of them on the street, and lock failure has not been an issue for us.
But, there is always something for folks to disagree on, so if you don't like the clip, 3 T6 torx head screw are all that hold it on, its your option to take it off
But I don't accept the clip placement on the CUDA MAXX 5.5, or the coming CUDA MAXX 7.0[yup, that is a 7" blade
], as a design flaw. It is exactly where our concept, and our testing, told us we wanted it to be.
If you want a knife that will NEVER unlock and fold up on your fingers, buy a fixed blade. Remember, folders are just "pre-broken fixed blades". But if you need a big knife that folds in the middle, I think you, and as is most every customer that I have talked to, will be very well served[and happy] with a CUDA MAXX frame lock.