I handled the E-Lock recently. Fit and finish were fine and actually very decent given the price. The F&F was definitely better than a new (2004?) Benchmade AFCK that I handled, if that can give you some idea of the quality.
The lock release is that bar on the side of the scale. I believe the inner side of the bar has a protrusion that engages a notch in the blade to keep it open. So to release the lock, you press down on the non-pivot end of the bar with a thumb. I thought that the bar was a bit too easy to depress. It required roughly the same amount of force needed to pull back an Axis button. I would worry about the lock being accidentally released when the handle is gripped tightly.
I've also handled the older Bladelock. I just remember that it was a rather heavy knife for its size.
