A friend of mine posed an interesting theory about the new "axial" lock designs (Benchmade Axis and REKAT Rolling Lock): Although they are stronger than most linerlocks and considered better designs overall, they are still essentially lockbacks. The only difference between these new designs and the lockback designs of the past is the placement of the lock itself (closer to the axis for more strength) and the placement of the release mechanism (placed so the lock can't be disengaged or loosened simply by gripping the knife, like some of the old "rocker" style lockbacks).
This means that these designs still have 2 disadvantages inherent in lockbacks:
1.) The blade can and will bounce if fired too forcefully (I've seen this for myself on a REKAT Pocket Hobbit).
2.) Everything is dependent on the operation of a spring under tension-the mechanism is in that way more complicated than a linerlock's. If the spring fails or loosens, then you're history. Granted it's highly unlikely, but as the theory goes, one would feel safer with a linerlock design because it locks the blade when a linear (or leaf) spring UNsprings, exactly the opposite of a lockback.
I sort of agree with this theory. As far as designing the perfect lock for a folding knife goes, we're not out of the woods yet. Anyway, I wanted to know what the rest of you guys think.
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Win
Knife lover, Philosopher, Humanitarian, and All-around nice guy
(all right, so I'm just a knife lover)
This means that these designs still have 2 disadvantages inherent in lockbacks:
1.) The blade can and will bounce if fired too forcefully (I've seen this for myself on a REKAT Pocket Hobbit).
2.) Everything is dependent on the operation of a spring under tension-the mechanism is in that way more complicated than a linerlock's. If the spring fails or loosens, then you're history. Granted it's highly unlikely, but as the theory goes, one would feel safer with a linerlock design because it locks the blade when a linear (or leaf) spring UNsprings, exactly the opposite of a lockback.
I sort of agree with this theory. As far as designing the perfect lock for a folding knife goes, we're not out of the woods yet. Anyway, I wanted to know what the rest of you guys think.
------------------
Win
Knife lover, Philosopher, Humanitarian, and All-around nice guy
(all right, so I'm just a knife lover)