Triangular Lockbar Stabilizer - Better or Worse?

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Feb 25, 2012
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Just musing about possible improvements to Hinderer knives... Which is an impossible task mind you. Now before I get flamed, just wanted to say that I'm throwing this idea out there for the "engineer" hidden inside of each of us. What I propose is a triangular, rather than circular lockbar stabilizer. The shape of the stabilizer would prevent lockbar movement away from the knife. I'm not a knife abuser, so I'm not sure if movement away from the handle is a problem, but IMHO, a triangular LBS would be of Hinderer over-design philosophy. It would put a unique touch to the standard LBS, and maybe warrant a new patent (jk on the latter!). But, in all seriousness, what do you think?

hinderer-lock.jpg

lockbarstab.png


The proposed Triangular LBS would also prevent movement along the blue arrow. We all know that the less movement, the stiffer, the less wear, and the less chance for failure. And you're welcome; my MS Paint skills are beyond reproach.
 
A solution to a problem thats does not exist IMO.

A Hinderer horse head stabiliser would look very cool though.
 
I believe with the height and depth of the lockbar, that movement in the direction you propose (blue arrow) simply does not happen. Grab the end of the lockbar where it meets the tang, pull in the direction you propose (and don't allow it to move left or right, only in the direction you propose) and tell me if it moves.
 
I see what you are saying but I don't think this is a problem let a lone a problem that needs to be solved. It just sounds like it would be a huge pain on the machining side since you could no longer lathe it and now it must be milled.
 
What benm11 said, but milling the cavity wouldn't even be an option, assuming you mandate the acute angles of the triangle. In order to manufacture it (sharp angles included - not advisable), an EDM process would be necessary. I don't see a cost-benefit to the design. I also don't see how it would be capable of inhibiting lateral movement of the lockbar, and honestly, that is not a plane of movement that was ever in danger of over-extension in the original design, thank you RDA. Keep in mind that the LBS is floating in situ. You would need an hourglass shaped LBS to do what you propose.
Rick is on target by adhering to the K.I.S.S principle. IMO, not even Rick's LBS is necessary.
Just how strong are your thumbs, anyway?
 
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Rick is on target by adhering to the K.I.S.S principle. IMO, not even Rick's LBS is necessary.
Just how strong are your thumbs, anyway?

Apparently Rick's are pretty strong, he overextended a lockbar on one of his knives he was using in an emergency when dealing with a car accident, this is what led him down the path of designing of his LBS.

And now you know the rest of the story...

(Paul Harvey reference intentional)
 
My thoughts are on those with impacted lives domestically and globally at the moment, but...

Over time, as I sat and thought about items brought to market...as I can and sometimes do make suggestions for change and potential "improvement"...I decided on a pilosophy that fits well here with the questions presented by the OP...

It's not my company, my knife design, or my decision on what knives are created by others. With that in mind, I look at a knife, learn about a knife, and decide if it is what I seek. Then buy it or want for it...simple as that.
 
It would be hard & more time consuming to mill out an angle like that but not impossible. I did check to see if there was any movement possible in the up & down direction & it does move both up & down about 1mm, this was the case on all my frame locks. That's why the LBS was put there to prevent the bar from bending down, not sure yet in a real use scenario how the lockbar would travel the opposite direction unless you were prying something or were trying to force the blade to close. I've got a lot of ideas for improvement but I like the way Hinderer did the LBS.
 
blue arrow is pointing in the direction of the strongest axis of the knife

when a knife is open, closing it with the lock bar in the correct position would impose no forces acting in that direction


the only time the lockbar experience forces in that direction are when opening the knife, and thats only from the drag of the detent, extremely small forces here
 
Apparently Rick's are pretty strong, he overextended a lockbar on one of his knives he was using in an emergency when dealing with a car accident, this is what led him down the path of designing of his LBS.

And now you know the rest of the story...

(Paul Harvey reference intentional)

Cool factoid, RDA.
 
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