Ball Bearing Lock - How does it work?

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marty123

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Oct 31, 2000
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How does the Spyderco's new Ball Bearing Lock work?

What benefits does it offer over other locks such as Compression, Liner, Lockback, etc.?
 
Here's what Sal told me about it:

The "ball" lock is essentially a steel ball bearing rolls into a cavity that is between the tang of the blade and the top of the frame. A spring keeps it in place. pulling the ball bearing back manually unlocks the blade. Very simple.
Click to expand...
 
Ummm.... sounds exactly like the Axis lock but a ball rather than a cylinder. How did Spyderco get around patent issues? And is there any chance we can see some pics besides the one on the Spyderco start page?
 
Besides the WTC knife, what other knives are going to be equipped with this lock?

Man, is there no end to the new locks from spyderco? Phantom lock, compression lock, ball bearing lock... wow..

Looks pretty sweet - when are we going to get more details? How does it perform in comparison with other locks?

Thanks!
-- Rob
 
Originally posted by ThinkOfTheChildren
Ummm.... sounds exactly like the Axis lock but a ball rather than a cylinder. How did Spyderco get around patent issues? And is there any chance we can see some pics besides the one on the Spyderco start page?
Click to expand...

On the other hand, SOG's Arc lock is an axis lock using a T-shaped locking pin instead of a straight pin, and that apparently was enough to not violate the axis patent. Cold Steel's ultralock, which was also an axis lock except with the slot running through the blade, was apparently too close for comfort.

I wonder if just the fact that it's not a straight pin, but rather a ball bearing, is enough to not violate the axis patent? After all, if SOG's T-shaped pin is enough to not be a violation ...

All this, of course, is just idle speculation. Until we actually see a ball bearing lock, we have no idea how similar it is to an axis lock. And, of the many things I'm not qualified to do, understanding patent violations is one of them :)
 
TOTC wrote:

<i>Ummm.... sounds exactly like the Axis lock but
a ball rather than a cylinder. How did Spyderco
get around patent issues? </i>

Hmm...

Sal Wrote:

<i>...a steel ball bearing rolls into a cavity
that is between the tang of the blade and the top
of the frame. </i>

I don't have any knives with the Axis lock, but I understood that the Axis bar actually held the blade open. In this case, the ball sidles up between the tang and the frame. Sorta like a compression-axis. If I'm wrong, please lemme know :D

Now we've just gotta wait and see how easy it is to get a grip on that li'l smooth ball bearing.
 
yup, imo the arc lock is almost identical to the axis lock i dont care what the engineers say cause when i opened them up and placed them side by side they look pretty damn identical to me. and the spyderco lock seems to be a similiar variant, but hey i'm supporting spyderco on this one, cause imo the axis lock is indeed the best locking mechanism out right now and if BM won't share it with the rest of the world then having variants is the next best thing
 
Originally posted by Grover_Cephas
I don't have any knives with the Axis lock, but I understood that the Axis bar actually held the blade open. In this case, the ball sidles up between the tang and the frame. Sorta like a compression-axis. If I'm wrong, please lemme know :D
Click to expand...

Well, that's how the Axis works also: it moves over the tang, technically, but it is being trapped between the tang and the frame when you try to close it. Operationally, the Ball Bearing lock sounds the same. Looks like it to:
<img src="http://www.spyderco.com/images/default_knife_lg.jpg">

All's fair in love and war I guess...
BM sidesteps to the oval hole and Spyderco sidesteps to the ball bearing...
 
And yes, Joe, I guess there are some intrinsic differences that somehow get around the patent.

So far I've only heard of the WTC knife having the ball bearing lock...
Wasn't the Kiwi originally going to have the ball bearing lock?
 
well spyderco is willing to try a lot of different things, locks, steel, clips etc. so im assuming if the ball bearing lock turns out good they will put it in upcoming models or current model updates
 
TotC,
Understood. I was confuddling "frame" with "stop pin".

Now, there was talk of a knife called the "Dodo", which was supposed to introduce the ball lock, but it looks like the WTC knife overtook it, importance-wise.

Also, I've heard some hinted references to the fabled Spyderco rigger's knife having the ball lock, but God only knows what's up with that.

So, yeah, The only other ball-locking knives I've heard about may not actually be coming.

And I'm still worried about the grip on that little SOB. :D
 
Heh. I guess we should just cross-check each other's posts before we post 'em. Then we'll both look like we know what we're talking about. ;)
 
Hi Guys. I guess I'll have to do an "Edge-u-cation" on locks. Maybe this weekend. I've been pretty busy of late.

All locks put something in the way of the blade closing. There are many ways to do this. Of the locks that grab the tang from the back of the tang, Rolling lock, Axis lock, Compression lock, Arc lock, etc., there are different details that make the difference.

Basically, the Ball bearing lock will work just fine without a liner. The ball is linear with the blade. The tang and the back spacer are capable of holding the ball in place. The Axis, Rolling,etc, have a part that rides over the tang and the shaft is secured in a liner.

sal
 
So what kind of strength is it showing? What about reliability?
Care to enlighten us on some of the tests you've put it through and how it's fared?
 
A folding knife lock is almost always made by putting something in the way so the knife doesn't accidentally fold when it is use. There are many ways to do this. Many have already been invented and I'm sure more ways will be invented in the future.

Blackie Collins invented a lock many years ago called the "bolt Action". The lock is a steel rod that slides forward into a postion that is in between the tang and the top of the "channel" created by the one piece handle. The lock is in line with the blade/tang.

The Williams / McHenry Axis lock slides a steel rod over the tang, but the steel rod is 90 degrees to the blade/tang and the ends of the rods slide forwards and backwards through slots in the liner.

The Bob Taylor Rolling lock is a steel rod that is also 90 degrees to the blade/lock. The steel rod has a cutaway that when rotated permits the steel rod to cross the tang like the Axis lock, but the steel rod dooesn't move forwards and backwards, it rotates into and out of postion. The ends of the steel rod are housed in steel liners.

The Spencer Frazier Arc lock operates like the Rolling lock, but instead of a steel rod, there is a "foot" on the rotating shaft that obstructs the tang. The ends of the steel shaft that hold the rotating "foot" are housed in steel liners.

The Axis lock, Rolling lock and Arc lock all house the ends of the steel rods (which cross the tang at 90 degrees) in a steel liner.

The Ball bearing lock slides the ball bearing forward in between the back spacer/frame/stop pin (one piece) and the tang. The bottom of the top part of frame/stop pin is radiused to hold the ball from sliding out sidceways. The tip part of the tang is also radiused. The ball bearing lock will operate without a liner as the ball does not have ends that need to be housed in a liner. A liner can be used for added strength, but it is not part of the ball bearing lock.

Any of the above locks can be made as strong as the meterials selected. The stronger the materials, the stronger the lock. All are difficult to make accurately and all of the manufacturers making these exotic locks are to be commended.

sal
 
Sal,
I got to handle some of the ballbearing lock protos at the Spirit of Steel this weekend, and the one thing that I have to commend you guys on for this lock is the elimination of the need to have liners. The handles became so thin and light, it reminded me of some (favorite)older model Spydercos that were just linerless g-10 and the blade, plenty strong but fast and thin. I personally think this new freedom of not 'needing' liners to preserve structural integrity is a big step forward. Excellent work on Spydercos part.

Ken
 
Sal, that's one heck of an explanation. I think I got how it's supposed to work ;)
Waiting not so patiently for other ball bearing locks... I don't have much money :(
 
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