Do you have the new Skinny? If so, great - I’m glad closing it’s not an issue for you. So far the 2 guys that have said they have one, mentioned the lock access.
Of probably 25+ different liner locks I have, it definitely takes the most intention to unlock out of any of them. Shouldn't have to exercise uber-fine motor skills just to unlock a knife.
What’s interesting is Rick made the show-side Ti liner with a nice, ample cut-out. If the scale followed that cut-out, this would be a non-issue.
I'm beginning to wonder if the show-side scales just weren't cut correctly and they're actually supposed to follow the titanium liner's edge.
However, the problem is actually the lock-side scale if you're comparing it to a standard XM. Unlocking a standard XM comes so naturally, you don't event think about it.
You just put the middle of your thumb pad on the lock and shift left. Except now you can't do that because there's a scale there that's flush with the lock bar. You're thumb won't shift left.
On the bottom pic, you can see the skin on the inside of the lock-side scale where the thumb rubs (actually rubs the whole opening on the scale, before your thumb can dig into the lock bar.)
Dollars to donuts we see modified show-side scales.