I own a Spyderco Lil' Temperance, and it has a compression lock.
I'm having trouble understanding why some individuals find it difficult, or awkward to operate ?
This is not a criticisim, or anything of the sort, it's just whilst I admit that I am fairly new to folder's, and collecting Spyderco's, I do not see much difference between operating a compression lock, to operating a standard liner lock.
The compression lock contacts the tang, and also uses a stop pin, which makes for an efficiently strong lockup, however in terms of opening and closing, I think that it is pretty much identical to opening/closing a liner lock,... with the only difference being that the lock is on top, and not on the bottom, and you push to the left, instead of the right. In my opinion, these are only minor differences, which I don't see as being an issue at all. I find one-handed manipulation to be just as easy, and in terms of blade play, I have to mention that my Lil' Temp actually has zero play both vertical, and horizontal, and in both the open and closed position.
I'd be extremely interested to know why others see it as such a big difference ?, and why it would even affect one's decision in regards to purchasing a particular knife ?.
The way I see it, is that the compression lock is a whole lot stronger, with the same difficulty in opening/closing a liner lock.
For that matter, I don't even understand why it's not simply called a liner lock, I am not fully knowledgable in the technical department, and so I simply see it as just being a variation of the liner lock.
Any responses that can assist myself in understanding why it's such a different mechanism in terms of operation, is most welcome, for it's a legitimate inquiry of mine.
I also plan to purchase a Para-Millie eventually, and I'd also be interested in knowing if play is a major issue in compression locks, since my only compression lock knife, being the Lil'Temp, has absolutely no play.
