5 Reasons EDC Frame Locks Are Inferior to Liner Locks
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The real reason to use Liner Locks is one that you didn't mention. Frame locks are indeed stronger than liner locks. However, Liner locks are much more likely to fail in the locked-open position, meaning that it won't come back down and chop your fingers if it breaks. Frame locks can withstand roughly 50% more force on average, but I'd rather have what is essentially a fixed blade knife as opposed to missing fingers if the lock fails.
Reason number 6: If you're a lefty like me, it's much more satisfying to reverse the clip and have a knife that's just as nice looking on the lock side as it is on the show side. Now, please do a video telling us why thumb studs are better than flipper tabs so I can feel even more superior. 🤓
He probably would make that video, if you weren't wrong. 🙊😅
Hole or nothing.
My CRKT Dextro has both flipper tabs and thumb studs.
They both work perfectly fine.
For me back flippers are best...but FRONT FLIPPERS ARE THE DEVILS TAINT...I hate em.
I love how the scales on liners look also for esthetic reasons don't have the cut out bar and the action doesn't change because of lock bar pressure. But that's why I think Bolster locks are becoming my favorite. Best of both worlds
I prefer frame locks over liner locks. They're easier to clean than liner locks in my experience. Mud, dust, blood n guts wash out easier with frame locks. Don't clean fish with a liner lock especially one that has milled liners for "reduced weight" . A fixed blade would be best but I just like using my pocket knife mostly.
I guess you make good points. In my younger days, I did not care about weight or the looks...but, now, in my older age, I've become a knife snob. NOW, I DO obsess about every little detail. Thus, I now lean to Slipjoints, liners, or fixed blades.
Very informative. I have liner lock on knives, but now I'm into fixed blades
I’m a frame lock man 100%. I find trying to disengage a liner lock to be much more cumbersome. I’ve got big ole paws for hands and many liner locks just aren’t cut/reliefed enough to comfortably use my big thumbs to disengage. Frame Locks, “Axis” locks, and compression locking knives are my choice.
My mother can't close them either. LOL
I have a Cru-Carta PM2 and I love the liner lock feature! And the ergonomics of being able to choke up higher is a plus for me! Everyone is different! To each it’s own I would say! Although I am open to trying a frame lock type of knife in the future!
Anyways! Awesome video Taylor! Keep ‘em coming! 👍🏼
Very interesting video. I agree I have a CRKT Pilar frame lock and I feel like that frame lock comes over really aggressively to lock the blade in place and its very noticeable when handling it and feels like you have to really force it back to disengage the blade.
Frame locks are my preference. They are a art form to me. The function is observable. When you get down to it a liner lock is for the most part a frame lock that’s covered anyway.
Super informative! Thanks Taylor!
I have frame locks, liner locks, button locks, lockbacks, axis locks, etc. I'm a sucker for a titanium frame lock for aesthetics, but I do like that axis and button keep your fingers out of the way.
Great video. Learned a lot.
Lock backs and fixed blades for me. Both my Dragonfly2 and my Craftsman folding utility knife are lock backs, and my other carry knives are small fixed blades--Izula and smaller. I have had plenty of liner lock knives and they've been fine, but lock backs are ambidextrous, which works out better in more situations.
I love frame locks, but in my everyday use on the job, I find liner locks easier. Probably weird, I know, but it’s just my preference. Although, I just dived in to the world of Spyderco recently and it changed the game for me.
Love Spyderco. Compression lock is great.
Great presentation, thanks
I don’t use frame or liner locks any more I sold them or face them away except for one my urban carry, it’s either a lock back , triad lock or compression lock, my smallest knife is the cold steel lawman of spyderco pm2 and largest I cold steel recon one or spyderco manix xl, I don’t trust the liner locks for hard use, but everyone has their own opinion. I don’t spent a fortune one my knives and I find I don’t need to customize as these are tools I don’t customize my wrenches either 🤷♀️
Thank you. I've had a general dislike of frame locks for years now, but had a hard time putting my reasons into words. Now I can.
Liner locks are nice and have their place. I have more liner locks than frame locks. But, there is no doubt that frame locks are stronger and more safe to use.
i feel the same way about frame locks
Interesting video ... I prefer liner locks for my small EDC blades because they are easier to deploy ... My 20CV Banter has a clean look with full Ti Scales compared to the similar We Elementum Frame Lock model.
Btw love your videos your channel has been the best thing for me
my thoughts;i never really thought about one or the other type until today when i watched your well done video,good info tks...
I lover Hinderer and Chris reeves knives. Never even thought about the lock and symmetry. They are just works of are. I have liner locks, mostly spyderco. Lover them too. My edc is a Sabenza with the tanto blade. Big one for jeans, small one for dress pants. Just bought your titanium box cutter to match. But my knives do live a pampered life.
The knife I carry everyday is a Gerber sumo knife it is a very good knife and incredibly sharp out of the packaging and is a no-nonsense pivot lock works great for left and right handed and is easy open and close I prefer this over liner locks because it is one handed and can be very easy to open and close
Spyderco's compression lock is my favorite. Basically liner lock, but on the back side of the handles. It basically guarantees your fingers are out of the way of the blade while closing.
They are stronger than both frame and liner lock but not as strong as lockback
@@stevefoster443yeah, that's why it Truly is the most efficient lock. I don't even mainly use my spider all of the time but I completely get it.
Generally frame locks are found on heavy use knives, where the lock gets tighter as you grip the knife tighter. Axis locks for me either way…
Very educational, liner lock fan personally
I love it when the yt pop up is there for a new vid
Hey Taylor, I don’t know if you’ll see this or not, but I have a question for you.
How do you get your Chris Reeves knives so snappy? I have a Sebenza, but it’s feels really tight. I’ve never held any other Reeves knives and I know the dual thumb studs make a difference, but it seems like mine is just stupid tight. I’ve fiddled with the screws but it just ends up adding a lot of blade play.
Maybe the Sebenzas are just stiffer/tighter knives, I was just curious if you had any tips. Carry on! -Ryan
No preference either way. It all depends on the individual knife. My personal experience is using liner locks and easier to actuate. Thanks to you Taylor for introducing me to Civivi. I carry an Elementum with carbon fiber scales every day around the house.
How does an axis lock stack up against these styles? I have carried one for awhile and I have loved it
The knife before my new button lock civivi was a frame lock and i liked it alot
I prefer framelocks mainly due to the more authoritive sound, but also perceived strength. As a fidget toy, that thump really makes a difference for me in a framelock when compared to a generally more tinny sound on a liner lock. All purely subjective ofc.
My current favorite folder is a Gerber sheepsfoot that's a frame lock. Reassuringly solid if poor ergonomics.
I had a frame lock knife. The lock bar would disengage if I held the knife with a "grabby" grip, it engaged at different level each time the blade was deployed, and ultimately the bar wore out and the whole knife just landed in a drawer, useless unless I find a way to replace half of the frame or recycle the blade (which itself is 14c28n and really great). Meanwhile I never had issues with liner locks.
The strongest lock I got is actually in a Baby Banter. Its liner lock is so strong mainly because of how small the knife is - this translates to tension. It's also the hardest to disengage.
Great video
THANK YOU, this one has been frustrating me for quite some time.
I like the liner locks. Ergos are high on the priority list for me, also like the ability to change it up.
I still prefer frame locks, but now I appreciate liner locks a bit more.
Never had a frame lock and have no strong opinion for or against them, but visualy I think that liner lock looks better. That said, I took a look at the Kaviso x Laconico Keen frame lock knife and this particular one is a fine piece of art! On my wishlist for sure!
YA........ I'm a fixed blade guy lol. great vid!
While I agree with a lot of your points I have never had a knife feel as good in hand to me as my ZT 0450ti. The problem you mentioned about putting pressure on the frame lock when opening is definitely something that happens to 90% of the people I hand the knife but its something that becomes a non issue very quickly with constant use
I just rocked my first frame folding knife at a very affordable price (40 bucks Canadian). The Gerber Paraframe I! For a 0.3lb 7" (opened) knife, I say I found a sleeper of a knife in design and quality. It was sharper than I expected. Overall, I am appreciating the simplistic design which incorporates the Frame lock beautifully.
Avoid the mini of that. Plastic washers & not enough handle. But gets enough right that the others sound good.
I certainly agree! They say “frame locks are stronger than liner locks,” to which I answer “really?” or “so what?” For one thing, some liner locks are as thick and strong as some frame locks, for another, if a lockbar is only as strong as its weakest link, the cutaway on a lockbar is at least as thin, and potentially weak, as most liner locks! Furthermore, the force in most cutting operations is directed toward CLOSING a knife, not opening it, so not much strength is necessary to keep it open. Of course that doesn’t account for every situation, so a lock is a good idea, but it doesn’t have to be super strong. A liner lock, being reasonably strong, is usually plenty strong enough. Then there are all the other reasons a liner lock is at least as good as a frame lock, e.g. they are easier to open and the unbroken clip side is better to display fine materials. I prefer liner locks, and rue the fact that so many of our best knives (in titanium) are frame locks (I did just buy a Vox Dapper, in full titanium, which has a liner lock, and it is wonderful).
The jacket Taylor I need to know!
I tend to rotate my carry between a baby banter for work, and a mini orborne or a maxace black mirror on my days off. I love the lock and action on all three knives but I have to agree that from a practical perspective frame locks don’t even come close to liner or axis locks. As cool as it is to have the lock be part of the handle, and despite the theoretical added strength, I don’t need the strongest lock on earth to open a box. Still gonna keep frame locks in my EDC rotation because I think they’re cool, but this video echoes a lot of my own opinions on the matter
I normally have a button lock, triad , or a ball and cage lock.
I enjoy the new intro
In my opinion, a lock on a knife is just to prevent it from closing on your hand, and isn’t really an issue with any type of lock as long as it does it’s job flawlessly, regular/normal use of the knife is applied force on the edge of the blade and use of the knife also helps it from closing on your hand. To me, I believe if a knife doesn’t open up when you don’t want it to, and has good retention in the handle when closed, is a good knife regardless of the lock type
Does a liner lock become a frame lock if you remove the liners?
personally, I really like that the fact that framelocks change the shape of a knife when deployed. my hands are kinda small, so framelocks allow me to hold more "larger" knives comfortably, that I wouldn't be able to grip well if they had a liner / button lock
I'm a sucker for back locks and slip joints. I've always had cold steel and victorinox knives.
Same. My EDC is a Victorinox on keychain, and CS removable blade back lock for work and heavier use. Nothing fancy, just functional.
@@TDC7594 The gerber prybrid best suits me for work, it's screaming for a pocket clip though. Large tanto recon 1 takes my abuse outside of work. Finally the pioneer tends to all my other needs, I have it in a runt slip from H&T. The slip was a splurge but I like having a pen on me so it slips in with the pioneer.
Personally i carry a liner lock started with a Smith and Wesson which was terrible just bought a brand new Civivi Elementum i'm missing the thumb studs my old knife had but this knife with the cuibourtia scales looks absolutely beautiful the pictures on bladehq didn't do it justice
Perfect example would be the debate on weather or not the Holt specter v2 click clack frame lock is better than the V4 specter liner lock! Because they are equally high end but they say the liner lock has better longevity with deployments but you loose that sound they have been known for on deployment. I have both I prefer the “click clack” V2
Hey cool video,And good points about frame locks being inferior
I wanna see a framelock compression lock. It could either be way better or way worse. Either way would be unique
I’ve become a big collar lock fan, but I’ve definitely got more liner locks than frame locks
Wtf is a collar lock? Like an opinel? 😂
@@GarrettsGear Yeah, collar / twist lock. Opinel, Old Bear, or Nontron all make them
I don't trust keeping the CRKT Squid in my pocket. Had several close calls of the frame lock failing and opening + closing on my fingers.
I only have a single frame lock and it's far too stiff. My Benchmade and CIVIVI liner locks are fantastic. If you're worried about the strength of the locking mechanism you should probably be using a fixed blade anyway IMHO.
I prefer the look of framelocks. I usually prefer the lock side over the show side aesthetically
Thinking bolster locks are the perfect balance
If I have to choose between liner and frame I likely end up choosing liner just for ascetics. I definitely dislike having one scale in one material and the frame side being in another. If the frame lock is all in the same materials and textured... that's acceptable. A bolster lock is definitely the best of both worlds in that case.
That being said... I generally prefer a "finger safe" lock option over either frame or liner locks. Button locks are my jam... but compression locks, cross-bar locks, the shark lock, etc etc are all lock types I pick from if given an option.
My preference is neither. I prefer lockback (Native 5) or compression lock (Shaman). A liner lock or two have spooked me a bit with how little of the liner was making contact with the tang; didn’t feel safe. Both liner/frame are less fidgety given how you’re forced to put your digits in the way of the point end.
Out of maybe 30 knives, I only own one frame lock knife, for many of the reasons that you listed.
Shooting vids in the office? Nice.
Never had a liner lock fail
Most problem are addressed but a scale on the liner lock side.
I don't disagree with any of your points, but for some reason I just don't like any of the liner lock knives I own or have handled. I own a $300+ liner lock knife whose lock failed with about the same amount of downward force one would apply to close a very strong slip joint lock. The company sent me a replacement that works better than the first one, but I still don't have full confidence using the knife for much beyond what I'd use a slip joint knife for. Conversely, I love my frame locked Sebenzas and Spydiechefs and have never felt like those frame locks would fail on me even when applying torsion forces.
I love linnet locks being left handed I find them easy to close.
i just dont like metal handles has anyone made or is it even possible to make a framelock without a full metal side?
Liner locks are sometimes safer than frame locks. If you are torquing or twisting on a blade in the direction the blade unlocks, since you are twisting on the actual lock itself, it could unlock when you don't want it to and badly pinch or cut your hand. I've had this happen to me with frame locks that are easier to unlock.
totally agree, had that happen a few times myself
I love a titanium frame lock. In saying that frame lock with thumb studs takes some skill to open one handed lol
I've never had any luck with any kind of lockback 🗡️
I don’t know why but for me liner locks have always been a hassle to use. Had trouble closing the blade unless the liner stuck out far enough. Frame locks have always been easier to use for me.
IdK I like both dosen't really matter to me. On the other hand, I have been carrying knifes for a very long time, and I have had two liner lock's fail.
Looking at strength alone, frame locks are definitely stronger than liner locks, but not by much.
In a lock strength test liner locks are always the first ones to fail, followed by frame locks. At the other end, spine lock/lock back are the strongest.
These are some good reasons to prefer liner over frame though, since the liner lock on a quality knife is usuall more than strong enough to hold up to regular or even rugged usage.
Button or axis locks, anyone?
A liner lock always makes a knife seem a little bit cheaper to me although I know it isn’t true. Just a misconception I made when I was younger and first started collecting since most cheap knives have a liner lock. I’d choose a frame over a liner but axis over anything
*enters the Triad lock… hold my beer.
Try a Holt
Have had two liner locks, kizer and buck, buck would engage too far, kizer wouldn't engage at all. Not a fan of the lock style anymore lol
It’s like Taylor has never seen a frame lock with a show side scale…
I had a steel frame lock about 2.7 blade. It felt ridiculously heavy for the size I ended up giving it away maybe frame locks are better for heavy duty knives with a titanium handle …
Hidden linerlocks are my favorite
Axis or bar lock is the best but that’s because I’m a lefty
There Is A Type Of Framelock That Doesn't Mess With The Ergos, Look At The Buck Vertex, And The Kershaw Deadline And Reverb XL Knives....Not Sure Of The Name Of The Exact Lock Style.
Interesting
I really love full titanium liner locks. They're just easier to use IMO. My grail knife would be the Shirogorov CD full titanium F3.
The frame lock is only as strong as the relief cut, which in most cases is just as thin as linear locks.
I think bolster locks are the best of both worlds.
Reason 1(a): if you are left handed, you are exactly 7,462 times more likely to experience this frame lock pressure problem, which is why I don’t carry any of my framelocks.
If you consider a compression lock 🔐 a liner lock, definitely liner lock ✌️
Except for esthetics looks there pretty much the same, once the blade is open the frame lock is probably stronger because your hand is helping hold the lock in place, the liner lock is maybe a little easier in & out of pocket & a bit lighter weight, both good not perfect, there's a sacrifice for almost everything like ease of opening & closing & lighter weight. For me it's all about the blade shape & overall flow & usability.👍
Back locks specifically, no question about it. It's not just because I'm older and like older tech I grew up using. It's not just because liner locks seem cheaper, and are sometimes found on cheap, bad knives. It's because one-handed folding of a liner lock is counterintuitive, difficult, and dangerous. I like being able to take a knife out, deploy it, use it, fold it, and put it back, all with one hand. I'm sorry, but liners are just one more compromise forced on us that makes no sense.
nothing else sounds like a titanium frame lock closing
Nice video but those knives are dirty 😂
see also: dat Shiro Neon Zero life 😝
I like stickers
I don’t like frame locks, they destroy any fidget factor. Thanks for the video.
For me I prefer the liner lock over a frame lock cuz I got a new knife around a week ago it’s a liner lock and I fell in love with it it is in my opinion so much better then my old frame lock knife also the ability to change the scales is a main factor as well
I'm liner lock all the way for one reason only. Astetics. I can't stand the way it looks with a show side and then metal. The only frame lock I own is the gerber flatiron and its only because it was gifted.
This is a good theme for knife steel nerds jajaja
Liner ftw
Prefer titanium frame locks over liners or steel frame locks but liner lock over steel frame locks. 😂