Here is a bit of histrory and thoughts for those that dont want to search:
Sal Glesser on Military
Lock
Good points and good discussion.
I think that it is important to "peel the onion" in making these determinations. Also one must include "time" and refinement" in analysis.
Any lock can fail. If you didn't hear it. Any lock can fail.
Locks are bits of metal cut to very close tolerances and carefully balanced heat treats. The interface area is ciritical.
Failure can occur from error, out of spec, wear (time), dirt affecting the interface, excess force, which bends or coins the interface, etc.
Locks require maintenance, attention, occasional light spine tap to check. In case you didn't hear that, light is the key word. I see many locks that have seen "death by spine-wack". Expectations are often too high in this area, in my opinion. If a light tap defeats the lock, then inspection, cleaning, etc can save the lock. Each time it defeats, it "breaks" a tiny bit more. Continual spine whacking without making a change and expecting a change is not logical. It also ruins the lock.
With that in mind.
Each lock mechanism has advantages and disadvantages. Manufactures continually refine to reduce disadvantages. Eg: We're on our 3rd lock material on our Military in 10 years. As manufacturers learn more, they improve. (time again).
The Walker linerlock has some very nice advantages; easy one hand open and close, smooth action, easy to overcome closing force for easy opening, takes up little space affording far more flexibility in design. Simplicity of concept.
disadvantages; it's difficult to make reliablle. Much attention needs to be paid to the materials and hardness of the blade material (tang) and lock interface. (This is also true of lock-backs, Axis-locks, compression-locks, E-Locks, Reeve-Integral-Locks, ball-bearing-locks, etc).
On the Military we've contually refined this area. We use an offset concave arc ramp for greater reliability. We precisely control angles and hardness of the interface materials. We've gone to dual nested liners (very close tolerance) with focus on greater ridgidity. We could go to a LAWKS like CRKT and we' ve considered it, but at this time, we would prefer to evolve the Walker Linerlock to improve reliability without the addtional parts.
Does this make it perfect? Of course not. Any lock can fail.
But with the constantly improved materials, tolerances, hardness balance, they get better and better.
This is, IMO, true of any lock.
sal
Perhaps "Practice" and "theory" are two legs on the same body, taking turns to move forward.?
Some thoughts to share on the linerlock lock up. Linerlocks are very tricky with the angles of the mating of the tang/lock as well as the hardness of each surface and inheirant qualities of the materials. It is difficult if not impossible to create the right combination that will "lock" properly with light effort and still work well with heavy effort. When one "throws" out the blade using inertia, the force at contact is very great. More oftren than not, such force will push the liner farther over or "tighter" than the light aforementioned pressure was designed for. I would guess that in such a lock up case, the blade was snapped out using inertia and the liner simply locked up too tight to easily unlock. We also found that titanium was a little "grabbier" and "bendier" than steel and even magnified the problem more. I believe that most linerlocks that are opened as designed would probably not have a problem. (assuming geometries and hardness are proper)
sal
Military Design
Gene - Thank you. The Military Model was designed to be the "state of the art" Produc tion folder of the time. We believe the 2nd generation version is that. Every one of the many parts in this model was examined and refined. We listen to all of the comments (good and some negative), but our own constant testing enforces our beliefs. We believe that nested liners are more evolved and stronger than separate liners. And more expensive to produce. (Ask for favorite custom maker how much more they will charge you to nest their "full liner" just inside the scale like Spyderco's Military). "Form", in addition to the "pins" create rigidity. It may be possible to "white knuckle" a lock release, but this hasn't happened to our knowledge. Being able to easily close the knife after hard user with gloves on was a major consideration. Any of you that have had a folder lock open and not be able to close it? It's like a chain saw that won't stop...what do you do with it? The new "SecurLok" that Frank Centofante invented is scheduled to be added to the Military Model somethime in '99. This would eliminate the fear of accidental lock release.
The Military Model was not designed as a fighting knife, nor was it designed for suit and tie carry. It was designed to be the most dependable cutting tool accessory a soldier might need while in the "bush". The handle is a little larger to afford the dual grip potential. Design is always a great discussion because there are so many points of view. eg: blades are for cutting, handles are for holding. A 2" blade specifically designed for controlled cutting loses it's ability to control if the handle is only just long enough to cover the blade. Nothing to purchase on. A scalpel is a good example of this. What is the knife designed to do. Look at? by all means, balance the sizes to apperarance, use? tougher problem here. Just one designers point of view. I have avoided responding to this thread as it was my design in question and this was a comparision type question. It would be expected that I would be biased.
sal
Design preferences make the industry interesting. Both Gayle and Ed are of the opinion that the relief is not as safe as no relief. Both are highly skilled at designing knives, making knives and cutting with them. Both are champion cutters in competition. My linerlock designs include a relief. I'm often wearing gloves and I prefer them in general. I've heard many complain about my Military and Sage linerlock designs because they feel the relief is unsafe.
Both approaches are valid. That's why we make both. For those that want a relief, it's easier to create one.
sal
Military 2 as of 2013/07/24
Hi Eidah,
Welcome to our forum.
We've been making small changes to the Military for more than 15 years. More subtle changes that improve the model. We've had a Military 2 on the drawing board for many years. When we have enough refinements to actually create a Military 2, we'd like to. The model on the drawing board now has a "Stop-Lock". Some thoughts to share;
Making the decisions as to what we can do and what will make a difference in performance or safety.
Engineering the new model is a major project.
We're having difficulty meeting current demand in our Golden facility for all models.
All of our staff is operating at there maximum.
However, this might be an opportunity to bring it more together.
If you are interested, post all of the thoughts or improvements that you would like to see for the Military model, and your reasons for the mod.
I'll need the list compiled into one list so I can bring the concept to an R&D meeting without having to pull it all together myself (I'm pretty busy these deays).
Sal
Stop lock patent:
http://www.google.com/patents/US6918184
