Why are frame-locks so popular?

[ugaarguy]

Frame locks are not the strongest locks. The Axis Lock, Triad Lock, BB & CBB Locks, and Compression Lock have all been tested to be stronger. All of those locks take advantage of the extreme compression strength of modern steels.

[paladin]

I think people appreciate the simplicity of design and authoritative clunk into place. It's one of the few locks that gives you a peek of everything that is going on which intrigues the tinkerer in all of us.

This simplicity allows it to be made quite strong and your grip pushes the lockbar further (or keeps it from unlocking as easily) into place so typically it's seen as very safe. That and they tend to be made with titanium which along with carbon fiber is like nerd gold. :p

Exactly what I was thinking point by point!

[RanCoWeAla]

The Perrin PPT is a frame lock with handle scales which is something you don't see very often

[this_is_nascar]

I think there's a lot of frame lock hype. A lot of people say frame locks are the strongest. If you need a strong knife, you don't want a folder! And in my experience, other types of locks are plenty strong regarding folder use.

+1

[paladin]

The Perrin PPT is a frame lock with handle scales which is something you don't see very often

Kershaw Groove is another similar concept. The PPT is a great package!

[Evil D]

Frame locks are not the strongest locks. The Axis Lock, Triad Lock, BB & CBB Locks, and Compression Lock have all been tested to be stronger. All of those locks take advantage of the extreme compression strength of modern steels.

The only thing making one lock any stronger than the next is how it is built. Sal himself has said they can make any lock stronger than any other lock. Basically locks are built to withstand a particular amount of strength, and there are more variables than the design itself that contribute to overall strength. Manufacturing cost and ease of use probably have more to do with overall strength than the design of the lock itself, since any lock can be built to withstand enough force that the tang of the blade will fail before the lock does.

[nirvanero]

I love the simplicity of a frame lock. Any well-designed lock, properly used and not abused is strong enough. OTH the strongest lock will fail when doing funny things like using your folder as a throwing artifact (no matter if it's an Extrema Ratio with the secuirty lock on or the incoming Tatanka).

[SpyderEdgeForever]

What about the Ring-Lock, like used on Opinel Knives, some other folders, and the old Cold Steel Twistmaster? Is that particularly strong? Some claim it makes the folder into a fixed blade.

[Donut]

The Perrin PPT is a frame lock with handle scales which is something you don't see very often

I have a hard time trying to figure out what the difference is between a frame lock and liner lock. Where is the line drawn? What makes one lock a heavy duty liner lock and what makes one a frame lock?

The Gayle Bradley, I believe would operate if you took the scales off and it has the lock bar cutout, but I think it's considered a liner lock and not a frame lock with scales.

I think the PPT is considered a liner lock, too.

[ugaarguy]

Nothing can make a folder into a fixed blade. Those ring locks are rather thin in the ring, so I have my doubts about them being stronger than some of the other locks mentioned. But I can't even recall seeing any test data on them, so who knows. Of course, a partial tang fixed blade isn't as strong as a full tang fixed blade, and a tapered full tang (as used on knives with stacked leather washers like the USMC fighting knife) isn't as strong as a full width full tang knife.

[Revival]

Frame locks are not the strongest locks. The Axis Lock, Triad Lock, BB & CBB Locks, and Compression Lock have all been tested to be stronger. All of those locks take advantage of the extreme compression strength of modern steels.

Do you have any more info on this? I would love to read up more about it.

[The Deacon]

I have a hard time trying to figure out what the difference is between a frame lock and liner lock. Where is the line drawn? What makes one lock a heavy duty liner lock and what makes one a frame lock?

The Gayle Bradley, I believe would operate if you took the scales off and it has the lock bar cutout, but I think it's considered a liner lock and not a frame lock with scales.

I think the PPT is considered a liner lock, too.

Personally, if the lockbar is thick enough to require a relief cut, I consider the knife knife to be a RIL, even if it has a scale over the locking side of the handle. I base that on the fact that Chris Reeve considers the Mnandi to have a RIL. Spyderco, OTOH, tends to call those knives liner locks. Not the first time I've disagreed with their nomenclature, probably won't be the last.

[nirvanero]

Personally, if the lockbar is thick enough to require a relief cut, I consider the knife knife to be a RIL, even if it has a scale over the locking side of the handle. I base that on the fact that Chris Reeve considers the Mnandi to have a RIL. Spyderco, OTOH, tends to call those knives liner locks. Not the first time I've disagreed with their nomenclature, probably won't be the last.

Just my thoughts. I consider the Perrin and the Groove, among others, frame locks.

[ugaarguy]

Do you have any more info on this? I would love to read up more about it.

Revival, here's a thread on the Benchmade forums where the 300 Axis flipper is tested to 615 in-lbs of torque and the blade breaks before the lock. The Seibert designed 755 MPR frame lock averaged 519 in-lbs. I'll let you read the thread and won't spoil you on the lock strength of the 275 Adamas. http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/ ... 3000838001

I'll try to dig up links to some of the other testing I've seen on the other locks mentioned.