Best locking mechanism

I'd suggest searching past threads. Searching for 'locking mechanism' or some variant thereof will probably yield hours of reading on the topic.
 
Worst is probably the Nak-Lok. I can easily and consistently push my 480-1 Shoki closed with my bare hands. Probably would've been easier to just make the knife into a slipjoint.
 
Backlock/tri-ad is the strongest and safest.
Liner lock is the most convenient but I think a really thin or badly positioned locking liner is one of the worst things.But any lock that is poorly positioned can be dangerous.
 
Theres a big difference between a traditional backlock and a triad lock...More precisely one big pin that takes a whole lot of weight.

Definitely worth a search, there have been some good discussion recently
 
EricV said:
Theres a big difference between a traditional backlock and a triad lock...More precisely one big pin that takes a whole lot of weight.

Definitely worth a search, there have been some good discussion recently
Click to expand...

Yeah Agreed but I think they are both stronger than other locks and they are both located on the "back" of the knife..Hence the /
 
There's no "best" or "worst" lock type so much as there are trustworthy knife makers and crap makers.
 
I prefer a Ti-Framelock. Umnumzaan and ZT-030X come to mind. In fact my umnumzaan is in my pocket and the ZT is on my nightstand to be carried tomorrow.
 
It would probably have to be the framelock and the triad lock for sheer durability. if we are going for a strength test, i would throw in the axis lock as well, but i think it would get more easily gunked up than the aforementioned mechanisms.

NOTE: when i say framelock, i am assuming that the framelock is a manly framelock, like on the ZT 0300 series, not the lock on the leek. just throwing that out there.
 
I like the axis lock the best. It's smooth, doesn't push the blade to one side, retains the blade, is ambidextrous, wears well, is far stronger than you need, doesn't interfere with your grip, and can be closed quickly. No other lock has all those advantages.

Titanium framelocks are also pretty nice...
 
Most recent discussion. Started about the Axis but "evolved".;), as most of these discussions tend to do.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834949

I'd agree with Kaizen1 that there is no best or worst type, depends on whose and how they are making it, and the intended purpose.
Take Spyderco, for example, they make knives with almost every type of lock, and I doubt they produce one thinking it will fail.

Its probably also worthwhile to keep in mind that while we call them locks, they really are more safetys, and no substitute for proper handling.

If you really really want a "lock" that won't fail. neuron has a very good point in saying fixed. It's something I don't have to fret about with my Street Beat.:D

In my reading, the Tri-ad seems to rank at or near the top of most lists relating to "strength" or "toughness".
 
Worst so far for me has been a Frame lock. I was told that the Titanuim liner and the D2 steel have to "break in" so they can mate better.

Not sure how true this is, and not sure how much I believe it
 
its hard to say which is best, as pointed out, any lock manufactured well will be quite strong.

but to me, my favorite is the tri ad lock. followed by unusually thick frame locks.

dont really have a worst lock..
 
I would think that the best/worst would depend on what you want out of your lock.

Durability (how much can it support)? AXIS (~200 lbs), Tri-Ad (600 lbs), Ball Bearing (1000 lbs), or a good Ti-Framelock (100+ lbs).

Simplicity? Frame or liner lock. Good for people who don't want stuff gunking up their locks. Of course, debris can prevent proper lockup.

Smoothness of opening? So far, my favorites are the AXIS, Frame, and Linerlocks (especially a linerlock like the one on the HK14650, which has a ball-bearing for SILKY smooth opening).

All around gadgety goodness? Nothing beats an AXIS lock. Easiest one-hand open/close of any knife. You can flip it open and closed easily; it's as close to an automatic as you can get without actually having an automatic.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Durability (how much can it support)? AXIS (~200 lbs), Tri-Ad (600 lbs), Ball Bearing (1000 lbs), or a good Ti-Framelock (100+ lbs).
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Im curious where you got the Ball Bearing info from? I have seen videos where the ball bearing moved during spine whack/over strike testing and acted as a wedge forcing the frame to separate.
 
That's what the good folks over at Spyderco told me last time I was in the factory outlet shop. I'd think they wouldn't make claims like that unless they could back it up, due to the usual legal reasons, although I admit that I have not tried it personally. And I think generally the failures have been in the frame, not the lock.

-edit- Also, all of the failure videos that I've seen were the older BBL, not the newer, stronger version.
 
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