AutoLAWKS Preference, Reliability?

[Confederate]

Just wondering what your opinions are regarding CRKT's AutoLAWKS? I don't have any knives with anything but the Lake and Walker Knife Safety in manual mode, and I don't want the automatic feature because I want to be in control of all features on the knife at all times. Even so, I'm curious to know what I'm missing, if anything.

How reliable is AutoLAWKS? How robust/durable is the system? Is it apt to work more, less, or about as reliably as the manual safety? And has anyone found any that don't work, or don't work well? (I've heard reports that they're not as reliable as having just the standard LAWKS, but if they fail, how so?)

Finally, if one has an AutoLAWKS, is there a way to make it operate manually?

Thanks!

 

[Confederate]

No opinions on AutoLAWKS?

 

[Fonly]

Never had a problem with my M21, locks perfectly.

 

[xxguitarist]

i prefer lawks, easier to close after tasks such as opening a letter, cutting some string, etc. and you can lock it when necessary for heavier tasks. auto lawks takes some practice to get used to, though its quicker to have fully locked if you need to be opening the knife and preforming something serious in the "right now" timeframe.

have an EMS or similar near you? some of their stocked models have autolawks.

 

[Confederate]

Well, most linerlocks don't have that feature, so being able
to open it and close it quickly should account for something.

Is there any way to shut off or disable the autoLAWKS feature?
I'd like getting an M18-14, but would rather not have the
automatic lock.

 

[Planterz]

I stay away from any knife that needs a secondary lock to be "safe". Especially when it requires a comparatively complex mechanism (the more complex something is, the more prone it is to failure and the more maintenance it requires) to operate. It also requires more fidgeting to close, which seems to invariably lead to accidents, as well as being a PITA.

 

[xxguitarist]

i believe you can disable the "auto" part of autolawks by removing the small coil spring.

Planterz, i've found that its rather unnecessary to use the extra lock, but it offers some reassurance still.
also, its not very complex- just a piece of metal that rotates into the space between the linerlock and frame, positively blocking the lock from being accidentally disengaged, by a finger or excessive force.

 

[tirod3]

Linerlocks are more prone to fail because the QC window to achieve "reliable" performance will increase costs to the point of paying for the LAWKS/AUTOLAWKS - if not exceed them.

Not wanting the auto function to work is really like choosing to use/not use the liner locking feature. Why not make it manual too, instead of spring loaded to the on position?

I have a M16 Ti with LAWKS, and in using I seem to push the lock on whether I meant to, or not, so it might as well have been auto. I include a thumb motion to disable when closing anyway, sure beats looking stupid when I depress the liner and it won't close because LAWKS is doing what it should.

Ehrrrn . . oh.

As long as the vast urban male market continues to lack hands-on training with tools, makers will have to cover their liability with safety mechanisms to make it the users fault - which it is anyway.