I have no problem with the concept of an extra safety lock. I may not prefer them on my knives but they are a legitimate option that folks can use if they feel it provides something for them. It is the automatic engagement of said lock that annoys me. The fact that a manufacturer won't give the consumer the option to use the safety at their discretion, and thereby forces it to be dealt with at all times or else be completely removed, is more than a bit nanny-ish to me. It can give the impression that the manufacturer is not trusting the customers to make their own choice about using the safety.
Also, the automatic nature of the safety can make it harder than it needs to be for folks to disengage the safety and then close the knife one handed. Being able to put two hands on a knife to undo the safety and the liner simultaneously isn't always a viable option, and neither is necessarily keeping an open knife in your hand when you want it to be closed and back in your pocket.
Lastly, you mentioned you've read that the M4's lock was spotty. If you'd be so kind, can you direct me to where you saw this? As an owner of this model I would like to see the information/opinions and judge it for myself against my own experiences with the knife, which have been completely free of any trouble, liner lock included.
