A frame lock knife is a folding blade whose lock is an integral leaf machined from the same titanium or stainless steel slab that forms one half of the handle. When the blade is opened, the leaf’s spring tension snaps it inward so its bearing surface wedges solidly behind the full-width tang, creating a self-contained, vault-like lockup that prevents closure under heavy push, pry or twist loads. To release, the user simply presses the leaf outward with the thumb and folds the blade shut single-handedly. Because the lock bar is literally part of the handle frame, it is thicker and stronger than a separate liner, eliminating screws, spacers and extra parts to yield a slimmer, lighter profile. The design also exposes the lock’s working face, allowing easy cleaning and long-term serviceability. Downsides include right-hand bias, limited grip texture on the lock side, and the cost of precision machining.
