Hey Mark,
Would you put the mono-lock on a skirmish in that same category? I've got two of em... yer making me nervous!

Good reviews. It's really made me excited about the upcoming M4 Military. I have to at least see a prototype picture before I'll pre-order.

quote:

Originally posted by -shade-:
Hey Mark,
Would you put the mono-lock on a skirmish in that same category? I've got two of em... yer making me nervous!

By design, the lock on a Frame Lock is more reliable. It has a larger contact area, and more importantly, your hand holds the lock engaged when gripped (unlike the unexposed lock of the liner lock).

Don't count on that "your hand holds the lock engaged when gripped" theory too much in regards to frame locks.

Most people rarely use a "death grip", and many grips on a knife being used put little pressure on the bar portion of the frame-lock.

After a few failures and very bad knuckle scars..I agree with Mark G. and I try to avoid liner locks...unless for light duty. There was a time when all you could get was a liner lock it seems. Im glad the generation of improved locks came out led it seems by the axis lock! I like the military and Spyderco's out the box sharpness but have sold many Millies because I simply dont trust the thin liner. As for the sharpness I know Spyderco has a CATRA machine that test for the best edge geometry but I dont know if BM has one. I know that is making a TI frame-lock millie soon but I would still rather have a axis lock. As a matter of fact I hope BM makes another few large Rukus size folders with a better back ends and pocket clips than the Rukus. BM needs a new large flagship knife..with extra strong Omega springs!

I even started a "Mega Griptilian" thread as I would really like a 4' bladed Grip with slightly beefed up omega springs.

A Millie with a axis lock would be scary!

quote:

Originally posted by orthogonal1:
Don't count on that "your hand holds the lock engaged when gripped" theory too much in regards to frame locks.

Most people rarely use a "death grip", and many grips on a knife being used put little pressure on the bar portion of the frame-lock.

Agreed, however I believe there should be a higher margin of safety with a frame lock.

Until one tries to cut my hand off, then I will change my opinion.

See, at least I am doing real world testing!!!

The Skirmish lock sure SEEMS to be an ultra positive snap, and the chunk of Ti is beefy... takes more than a casual thumb push to unlock the blade. Being left handed, the tang is on my finger side in a thrust position (rather than against the palm) and I do feel my finger tips pressing... I wanna say it's solid as a rock, I guess I won't know for sure till I lose a couple fingers....

quote:

Originally posted by newcollector09:
Good reviews. It's really made me excited about the upcoming M4 Military. I have to at least see a prototype picture before I'll pre-order.

There's already a waiting list to get on the waiting list. If you really wait for pics, you'll be paying whatever the price is for these on the aftermarket, which is likely to be well above the initial sale price.

Hi Mark,

regarding your comments:

quote:

The liner of a liner lock, should be considered a "moving part." It does not move much, but it does move.

the liner lock not having moving parts is a point made by Bob Terzoula in his Tactical Folding Knife book (Chapter 4: Geometry of the Liner Lock), which could be rephrased as "has no small moving parts" as in springs, bearings, etc

quote:

The Military is NOT ambidextrous.

nor have I pretended so...

I agree with the rest of your comments, I mainly use my knives for cutting, maybe that's why I never had a liner lock failure, not even on cheaper models like the Taiwan-made AK74 Magnums (they do have nested liners though)

I lightly tested my 670 Apparition - it's liner lock is fine - similar to the 672 I have. The first one I worried over was a Kershaw Blur - then, years later, a Buck 419. Through much use, they all have been fine. My preference was always for a lockback - but I've read where ambitious knife-destroyers can make them fail as well. My later, BM-oriented, standard is the AXIS lock... but even it has been called into question.

I guess, as a 'lighter' user than most, any lock will do for me. I have a rather ecclectic mix of fixed blades to draw from when needed - and even some small prybars. Still, the 710's AXIS Lock seems 'appropriate' to me... it has all but replaced my mix of Buck 110s for EDC. Of course, the D2 is partially responsible - as is a less hollow ground blade (A basic 110 is a very 'fine' slicer!). An M4 710 would get my attention... but the current one is a pretty good mix - and certainly more to my liking than the Spydie Military, which I've handled - and didn't like. Handling the 710 was a mistake - I had to have one after that!

Stainz