Arc- Lock question.

Piccabob

Piccabob

Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
16
This is my first post on the SOG forum. I own a Flash I and a Flash II aluminum so I'm familiar with the SAT spring-assisted opening. The action of the Flash II is like a "legal switchblade!"

I'm a bit confused though about the Arc-Lock series of knives. SOG's website, sogknives.com, lists one of the features of the various Arc-Lock knives as follows:

"Speed: Spring-assisted action provides fast and smooth one-handed opening."

A few commercial knife websites use the words "spring-assisted," or "spring-assisted lock," when describing an Arc-Lock knife and one website states that "spring-assisted" refers to the lock, not the blade.

I'm particularly interested in a SOG Vision. Could someone please explain to this poor dumb newbie exactly how the Arc-Lock works and what "spring-assisted" means in this case? Can the blade be flicked open easily with the thumb?

Thanks everyone!

Bob
 
here is a link to benchmade's web site, they have an axis lock, which is VERY similar...
http://benchmade.com/locking_mechanisms.asp
i can open these style knives as fast or faster than the flash series and faster than my auto/switchblades. you can open them with the thumb studs or with just a flick of the wrist(with minimal tuning). vision series knives have a LOT stronger blades and locks than the flash series(i have both). the night vision would be an EXCELLENT CHOICE! i have the night vision and for the price it is a great knife, not too big, not too small, the blade tension is adjustable, the lock is ambidextrious, thumb studs are on both sides and the pocket clip is revrsable and/or removable. better hurry and get one, rumor has it the night vision is discontinued(if my information is correct).
 
I'm sure someone at SOG will weigh in, however, I'm not sure how much detail SOG wants to reveal about their Arc-Lock mechanism.

Your specific question: I'm particularly interested in a SOG Vision. Could someone please explain to this poor dumb newbie exactly how the Arc-Lock works and what "spring-assisted" means in this case? Can the blade be flicked open easily with the thumb?

First, I can highly recommend any knife in the Vision series. I have the X-Ray, Mini X-Ray, and Night Vision NV70(one of the best looking blades in my opinion).

In any case, I believe what's needed to help answer your question is to distinguish between the following:

Spring assisted opening

Spring assisted "self opening" but REQUIRING MANUAL AND DELIBERATE effort to open

In the latter, the REQUIRING MANUAL AND DELIBERATE effort is what separates a spring assisted self opener from a switchblade. A switchblade is activated by pushing a button. Switchblades are, of course, illegal.

To address your question about "flicking", I can assure you that the "non-Flash series" knives can be opened easily, very quickly, and efficiently.

I hope this helps answer your question....
 
Okay guys thanks very much for the info. I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to know the inner workings of SOG's Arc-Lock mechanism. I was confused as to the meaning of the term "spring assisted" with respect to the Arc-Lock on the Vision series. Here's why:

Some commercial knife websites seem to imply that the spring assists the release button, but the blade itself does not have any spring assistance. Click here and scroll down the page to No. 2 and you'll see an example of what I mean.

SOG's website, IMHO, seems to imply that the blade is spring-assisted. Click here and once again scroll down to No. 2 and you'll see what I mean.

I have a Flash I and II and also several Ken Onion SpeedSafe knives so in my mind, "spring-assisted" means that the blade snaps open and locks into position once you initiate the opening of the blade with the thumbstud.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about spring-assistance with respect to the Vision series.

Thanks again for helping me out! :)

Bob
 
the vision and flash models are not the same, as in spring assisted. the flash(kershaw-onion, etc)style knives use an assisted "opening" the vision(benchmade axis, etc)use a spring "lock". if you "break in" your knife, adjust the tension, lightly oil(militec-1 or white lightning), when you pull back the lock, you can flick the blade open. i prefer to use the thumb studs for opening and for closing one handed, pull the lock back and lightly flick you wrist, you can even use gravity if it is tuned just right. you don't want it too loose or the blade will "wobble", you don't want it too tight(for obvious reasons). i can have the vision opened as fast or faster than the flash. the vision series is, IMO a lot beter made knife(although the flash is fun to play with).
 
Hi,
Yes, the web site DOES, unfortunately, say "assisted", which the Vision is NOT (the Flash IS). That being said, the Visions are one of the smooooothest opening knives around, great fun to flick open and shut!!;)

The lock is centered by 2 springs (one in either handle), so that it is always under tension, and has no rattle.

If you want more dtail, let me know and I'll post a pic of the lock workings...:eek:
 
Hi Bob,

Thanks for your post here in the SOG Forum and welcome to Bladeforums! :)

As I'm sure most knife knuts are aware, "spring assisted" refers to knives that include a spring to propel the blade out. SOG's ArcLock knives do not have that feature. What we have is a typo on our website. Our Flash series and our Blink are "spring assisted."

It's a long story, but this typo has been fixed at least twice in the past, but it accidentally gets changed back. Thanks for the heads up, because I didn't know it was wrong again. I'll work on getting it corrected.
 
Thanks very much for the replies Ron and everyone! Really appreciate the assistance! :) I finally understand how the Arc-Lock works!

Now if I can just get my wife to put a new Night Vision under the Christmas tree...

:D

Have a happy holiday season!

Bob
 
Note: The "spring assisted" comments should be corrected on ArcLock pages of our website. Let me know if any more are found.

Thanks. And sorry for the confusion. :)
 
The action of the Flash II is like a "legal switchblade!"
Click to expand...

Just a note from the LEO side, I don't consider it to be switchblade, and I really don't care that people carry switchblades I can open most of my knives just as fast anyway, BUT I have talked to District Attorneys and State Attorneys and one US Attorney that say it is a switchblade no matter what it's called if the blade is assisted by a spring or spring "like" mechanism in opening it. I took a Kershaw with the "assisted" opening in to show one of these guys and he looked at me and said "yep switchblade", I showed him how it worked, showed him the knife taken apart and he said "yep switchblade". Just letting you know what you can look forward to :)
 
According to the federal definition of a “switchblade,” there are one of two key elements which make a knife a “switchblade.” Let me quote:

The term "switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade which opens automatically
  1. by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or
  2. by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.[/list=1]Reference the full text from Bernard Levine’s website here.
Click to expand...
  1. So, the district attorneys mentioned have missed the “button IN the handle” part of the law.

    I’m not saying that if the law were to be rewritten today, if it would include “assisted opening” knives. But rather as it is currently written, assisted opening knives are not included, for there is no “button in the handle.”
 
NGK-Webmaster,

Thanks for the helpful advice and insight. Don't want this to turn into a legal thread, however, are you saying that Attorneys, District Attorneys, and US Attorneys simply say it's a switchblade because they feel it's a switchblade(because of the spring assist)?

What about interpretation of laws and Title Code surrounding switchblades? State laws? Federal laws? What would a JUDGE say? How would he/she interpret the law? Guess it depends on the state or Federal laws?

"Your Honour, sir, I was merely showing my new knife to my friends and some passerbys exclaimed - Switchblade!!!! call the cops!"

"Your Honour, my Flash knife(exhibit A) does not open by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife"

"Furthermore, Your Honour, the knife in exhibit A does not open with inertia, gravity, or a combination thereof"

"Therefore, Your Honour, I implore to you to please help me understand how my new Flash knife could be considered a switchblade"

"Your Honour, I move this case be dismissed as the knife clearly does not meet the criteria set forth in the US Title Code"





U.S.C. TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 29 - MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORTATION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF...


§ 1241. Definitions

As used in this chapter -

(a) The term "interstate commerce" means commerce between any State, Territory,
possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.
(b) The term "switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade which opens automatically -
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.
 
1st- The DA is a state attorney and will follow state law over federal on such matters; obviously state laws vary from state.
2nd- A DA is free to interpret the law as he sees it. He may not win in court but whom the crap wants to go to court for anything right or wrong.
3rd- The US Attorney does go by fed law, but still is free to interpret it as he sees. Most attorneys will pick one part of that law and make it the basis of the case and ignore the rest.
4th- All of the above attorneys I talked to are not going to go after anyone just because they had a knife in their pocket, or even used it to defend themselves (rightfully). They will stick ever charge they can find on you when you have been caught for something else and just happen to have what they may consider a illegal knife in your pocket. The Police Officer who stops/arrest you for whatever charge is really the one who make the decision on charging you, if he thinks it is a switchblade and charges you the DA will prosecute the charge even if he knows he won't win.

What I was trying to say in the original post was not that I think they are illegal but just for you to check your local laws and make yourself aware. I really have to apologize for even starting this I didn't mean to say anything to hurt SOG they are great knives. The spring assisted opening like I said before is of no big deal to me as a LEO. It doesn't bother me for people to carry/use any knife they want as long as they are not using it on me and at that point I don't give a frig what kind of knife it is!!! It’s a bad one at that point :)

I will find the laws on knives in Virginia later today and post so you all can see what I was getting at. In Virginia the Law on knives is very little, there is no length law, There are two places you will find knives mentioned in the books, one is under the concealed weapons carry law and it sort it says you may not carry: a switchblade, dirk, dagger, bowie or ballistic knife concealed. Then there is a law referring to switchblades in particular. Like I said I'll post them for anyone to read.

Sorry for stirring up the sheet Ron. Old LEO habit to stick my 2cents in on stuff :)
 
what is LEO?
i do know laws change in court depending on who you are and who you know, whether the charges are right, wrong, made up or you are framed. i live in a small southern town and the city officialy are all corrupt and do ANYTHING they want, but they prosecuted me on completely made up charges and they ALL know it. i think it sucks that our court system is so corrupt that this is possible. they absolutely made up charges and prosecuted me, it was like a nightmare and i could not believe it was happening in America. i called the state reps, governer, senate, etc. ya wanna know how i know what i was told? recently laws have changed(i don't know about other states, i live in, UNFORTUNATELY, alabama)and small towns have the ultimate power to make or break laws as they choose. the highest i could go was to the mayor, and yes, he was "one of them " too.
 
NGK/Ron@SOG,

Sorry from me too for perpetuating the legal thread and casting any negative light on SOG. It was not intended. I was merely trying to point out who enforces the law(LEO), who makes the law(State and Federal entities), who interprets the law(Attorneys, Lawyers, Judges), etc.

I was also trying to make the point that just because an Attorney thinks/feels/deems/classifies/etc. an object to be something it is not, is wrong. It should be appropriately argued in court. Period.

While it would be a real drag to have to do it, I'd fight to the top arguing this one. That is, of course, if that was the only charge against me. From what NGK says, that's typically not the case.

Now, excuse me, I really must go as I need to order my two SOG Flash knives...


P.S.

NGK, thank you again for your real world insight.
 
Hey Guys,

No harm here (except maybe the slight off-topic conversation :) ). I've felt all the comments to be fair and constructive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top