Anyone else appreciate a good liner lock?

MattWRog

MattWRog

Gold Member
Basic Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Messages
2,540
Am I the minority in having a preference for a well executed Walker style liner lock in their modern folders? Especially Spydercos? Spyderco does any lock well but I would like to see more models with a liner lock. Credit to the compression lock because I know it will get honorable mention here but I like the uninterrupted lines of a liner lock frame and the smooth operation. I'd like to get a new Spyderco with a liner lock but having a hard time finding one that checks all the right boxes. I like around a 3" blade, 4" closed or so, slim blade profile, lanyard hole (I know cuts a lot of options down), steel liners and lockbar and VG10 or more premium steel. Country of origin isn't important. I really like the Double Bevel except for the blade grind of course and the Memory comes close with its slim blade profile. I know, just buy a Sage 1 and be done with it but I really would like something slimmer or narrower overall. Maybe hold out for the new Vrango but again I'd prefer a more conventional blade profile. Any other ideas or revelations anyone has had? Appreciate it.
 
Pfff liner locks? What a joke.... if they cant handle being repeatedly spinewhacked then what good are they? ;)
 
MEJ said:
Pfff liner locks? What a joke.... if they cant handle being repeatedly spinewhacked then what good are they? ;)
Click to expand...

I'm picking up what you're laying down. They seem to get a bad rap don't they?
 
Maybe the new GB2, or the Positron. Not sure if either have a lanyard hole though. But they will meet most other criteria
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
Maybe the new GB2, or the Positron. Not sure if either have a lanyard hole though. But they will meet most other criteria
Click to expand...

Forgot about the Positron, GB was always a bit large for me. 3/4 size GB would be perfect.
 
MattWRog said:
I'm picking up what you're laying down. They seem to get a bad rap don't they?
Click to expand...

Yep, these people just need to get their hands on a decent one.

Liner locks are easily my favorite lock type. Hard to beat the ease of operation imo. :thumbup:

You might try a starmate, the only downside being its on the pricier side and the scales could use some work.
 
MEJ said:
Yep, these people just need to get their hands on a decent one.

Liner locks are easily my favorite lock type. Hard to beat the ease of operation imo. :thumbup:

You might try a starmate, the only downside being its on the pricier side and the scales could use some work.
Click to expand...

Really dig Terzoula stuff too, again if it was 3/4 size I'd be all in.
 
Not sure what model is best for you. But yes, a well executed liner lock is probably my favorite. The Gayle Bradley is my number one.
 
Isn't the GB2 a little smaller than the original? I could certainly be wrong, lol. I've never seen either in person.
 
I love Spyderco's other locks, but I disagree about them doing liner locks well. I recall making a thread about it. My Tenacious' lock would disengage when light blows were applied to the spine of the blade. I'm not okay with that, and it seriously puts me off buying another liner lock from Spyderco.

Would be nice to see some lock strength testing regarding other Spyderco liner locks, though, especially the Military and the GB2.
 
Last edited:
Kwon Kwang said:
I love Spyderco's other locks, but I disagree about them doing liner locks well. I recall making a thread about it. My Tenacious' lock would disengage when light blows were applied to the spine of the blade. I'm not okay with that, and it seriously puts me off buying another liner lock from Spyderco.

Would be nice to see some lock strength testing regarding other Spyderco liner locks, though, especially the Military and the GB2.
Click to expand...

There is always an exception to the rule. I don't believe what you experienced is the norm. I'll leave the spine whacks thing alone.
 
Kwon, it's not fair to judge all Spyderco liner locks on one (faulty) example you tried. I have used many from them and haven't had any issues.

It's my favorite lock as well. Simple, easy to use one handed, and plenty strong when done right (as by Spyderco)

OP, check out the Lum Chinese. Maybe not as narrow as you're hoping for but it's an elegant knife that locks into the hand far better than you might assume from pictures.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I love Spyderco's other locks, but I disagree about them doing liner locks well. I recall making a thread about it. My Tenacious' lock would disengage when light blows were applied to the spine of the blade. I'm not okay with that, and it seriously puts me off buying another liner lock from Spyderco.

Would be nice to see some lock strength testing regarding other Spyderco liner locks, though, especially the Military and the GB2.
Click to expand...


once you spine wacked a folder, you intentionally messed it up. It is made to resist been accidently knocked out closed on your hand a few times, but not wacked on purpose... once you've done that, the lock will be prone to slipping un-engaged...

I would not test it by doing any thing else then simply applying hand pressure only on the spine. If you need something that cannot folder over, then a fixed blade will suit your need.
 
I value positive closure and closed blade retention and don't give a hoot about "flickability". If Spyderco ever decides to produce an "old school" backspring style liner 1 might be interested in one, as long as it was left handed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top