Closing a Back Lock: PUMP

[DocT]

I love Spyderco knives and especially their mid-backlock designs. I see a lot of people on forums claiming that they prefer liner locks and frame locks to back locks because they are easier to close one handed than the back lock. These locks, however can put your finger in harms way when unlocking and closing. Some people like to close back locks by pressing the lock and flicking the blade downward onto their fingers. But, this is an invitation to a cutting.

The method I use to close a mid-back lock is as fast and easy to use as closing a liner lock and it is relatively safe, too. I use the PUMP method. While holding the knife with my fingers on the bottom of the scale and my thumb on the lock I Place my index finger in the hole (works on studs, too). Then I press the lock with my thumb to Unlock the blade. I use my index finger to Move the blade downward a tad and release the lock. Finally, I move my fingers out of the way and Press the blade closed with my index finger.

This is similar to closing a liner lock but the hand is slightly re-positioned. It is just as fast and easy, with practice, as closing a liner lock and more importantly, I have control over the knife at all times. This method works great with all Spyderco knives that have that hole.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

Interesting idea and method, but I'm still not a fan of the midback lock. A bottom lock is about the closest I'll get to lock on the spine.

 

[johnny_boy02]

Hey whatever works for you is a good option. Non of my current knives will drop freely when the lock is released. If I need to close my knife single handed I press the back of the blade to my thigh or chest. Very easy.

 

[CryoGuy5272]

Hey whatever works for you is a good option. Non of my current knives will drop freely when the lock is released. If I need to close my knife single handed I press the back of the blade to my thigh or chest. Very easy.

This is how I typically close mine as well. Have gotten it to one fluid motion from disengaging the lock to twisting and closing the blade into the handle

 

[snooka]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1312905-One-handed-Closing-Lockback

 

[DocT]

snooka thanks for the link. I did not realize others has posted on this. I fail to understand why people think that the mid-backlock is so hard to close as compared to a liner lock. Obviously, it is not. In fact, if you take a look at the mechanics, it may actually be safer.

 

[johnny_boy02]

snooka thanks for the link. I did not realize others has posted on this. I fail to understand why people think that the mid-backlock is so hard to close as compared to a liner lock. Obviously, it is not. In fact, if you take a look at the mechanics, it may actually be safer.

Person preferences I think. And the liner locks look better, less "old-school", and more "tacti-cool".

 

[snooka]

snooka thanks for the link. I did not realize others has posted on this. I fail to understand why people think that the mid-backlock is so hard to close as compared to a liner lock. Obviously, it is not. In fact, if you take a look at the mechanics, it may actually be safer.

No problem, i do share your opinion about liner/frame locks; used to have multiple, but hated the fact the blade touching your thumb sometimes when closing the blade.
Now i'm going with Axis, back and compression locks, the only frame lock that stayed is my Sebenza.
But like said above, i'ts all personal preference

Best regards

 

[bdmicarta]

YMMV.
The worst cut I ever got from a knife was while closing a lockback knife. I've been carrying liner locks and such for a long time and never had a problem with one of them.
Be careful of any knife with a blade that can drop freely, especially be careful of a lockback knife. The lockback forces you to put fingers or thumb on the blade opening side of the handle in order to have something to push against when you push on the lock, and you can see the problem if the blade can swing freely.

I keep repeating this warning as a public service announcement to people that carry lockbacks. There are 2 kinds of people that carry lockbacks- the people who have already been cut by one and the people who will be cut by one in the future.

 

[DocT]

YMMV.
The worst cut I ever got from a knife was while closing a lockback knife. I've been carrying liner locks and such for a long time and never had a problem with one of them.
Be careful of any knife with a blade that can drop freely, especially be careful of a lockback knife. The lockback forces you to put fingers or thumb on the blade opening side of the handle in order to have something to push against when you push on the lock, and you can see the problem if the blade can swing freely.

I keep repeating this warning as a public service announcement to people that carry lockbacks. There are 2 kinds of people that carry lockbacks- the people who have already been cut by one and the people who will be cut by one in the future.

Hence the finger in the hole or on the stud...control at all times.

 

[brancron]

This is definitely the best way to do it. Once you get the hang of it, it makes midlocks fairly indistinguishable from other locks in terms of speed and easy of closeup

 

[Rum. Monkey.]

Not sure how anyone who has used a knife more than twice would struggle with ANY lock. Let alone the need for acronyms. Odd

 

[Neko2]

I pinch the sides,press the lock and let the blade swing down. My fingers are never in the way.

 

[bdmicarta]

I pinch the sides,press the lock and let the blade swing down. My fingers are never in the way.

There are a lot of lockbacks with slick sides. I can't get enough friction on the scales to allow me to full depress the lock so I have to put thumb or finger on the opposite side of the handle. This might work on the FRN models that have lots of texture on the scales. It might not work on a model with stainless steel scales in the best of conditions, much less if your fingers are wet with "something".

 

[vanslem6]

I just use the unsharpened part as a choil and drop it on my finger. Tasman, Delica, Dragonfly, and even PM2 sometimes. I think I cut myself once in the beginning, but it's been a good while now.