Compression Lock - I'm decompressed. Great knife but ...

It's fine if you don't like it. Everybody is different. Just because I like it and you don't doesn't make the compression lock a good or bad locking system. I have a Spyderco Shaman with a compression lock, which works great. It might even be my favourite lock type, but that's just me🙂
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Plenty of choices out there. I don't care for frame-locks. YMMV.
Click to expand...
Frame locks are OK, but for a hard use folder, you do have to be careful with them. I'll take a frame lock over a liner lock.
As far as choices go, see my reply to Docscoot; you are both right but ...

Another Shepherd said:
The compression lock and Spydie hole are what make Spyderco great. Granted that my Caribbean does not drop closed, but it will close with a moderate wrist flick. In fact, you can open, cut with, and close the Caribbean without even shifting your grip.
Click to expand...
I can flick it closed enough to disengage the lock, then reposition and or use an object (desk edge, bench, table, etc.) to close it the rest of the way. Other than the beloved Buck 110, and I do mean beloved, I've gotten spoiled with one-handed opening and closing. In this day and age - the functionality of the compression lock, for me, seems like a giant step backwards.
chalby said:
Plenty of people love or hate the compression lock(like most things) but if you are right handed and find it difficult to use, then you must be doing it wrong. It's one of the most popular fidget-friendly mechanisms available.

Maybe watch some youtube videos to see how other people use it?
Click to expand...
It's telling that after being a knife enthusiast for decades and decades, owning many (too many) knives and having owned (then sold, traded, gifted) hundreds of knives that I have to go to YTU (You Tube University) to operate a folder. ??
RugerNurse said:
Interesting. I found the axis lock to be hard to use. The compression lock just presses like a button. Don’t have to drop a bar down or anything.
Lock types are pretty personal. What works for one doesn’t for another.
Click to expand...
See my comment below in response to cmfkfragoon.
Docscoot said:
Love the compression lock, I've actually sold nearly all of my Spydercos that don't have this lock. Lots of options out there though, no shortage of lock choices for you! [...] Try 'em all, sell what you don't like :)
Click to expand...
You are right - unless you want H1 or LC200N for fishing, diving, snorkeling, swimming and generally be in, around, under or otherwise with salt water - especially the even saltier water of the Florida Keys and northern Caribbean. The "unless" portion of my position is amplified when I contracted a serious infection of the Gottahatitz disease once I laid eyes upon pictures of this beautiful knife, made by a company that I like and have favorable experiences with their products (and service), made with LC200N, updated serrations and - did I mention, drop dead gorgeous ... at least in my eyes. Oh, and its ergos fit me like it was made for me.

cmfkdragoon said:
I find the compression lock easy to use but the axis lock unintuitive and difficult.
Click to expand...
Roger that. In fact, after experiencing a failure of one (of the two) Omega springs in my Adamas I was advised that pulling back on both release buttons was preferred because it avoids the lock pin/bar asymmetry that apparently stresses the Omega spring(s). Whatever!

Fortunately, I can simply hold the Adamas with everything on my body clear of the blade's path, retract both lock bar buttons and flick the knife closed. I liked the Adamas until I got an AD-10 (or three), 4-Max (or two - Italian is the SQ) and 4-Max Scout (or three); after those the next step up is fixed blades IMO.
Random Dan said:
I recommend pinching the handle between your thumb and fingertips and pressing the lock with your pointer finger. Then you can wrist flick the blade closed with no danger at all to your fingers. Super easy right handed, but harder left handed because you'd need to actuate the lock with your thumb, with removes opposition.
Click to expand...
This ^^^
That is what I ultimately settled upon for operational modality. I emphasize "settled" because what was intended to be serious love affair turned out to be more like (from what I am told) dating a stripper - it may be good but ...


Thank you all for your comments and suggestions; I do appreciate them. I still like Spyderco (the Caribbean a little and the Compression Lock - not at all!) but I have to close with this:

Reflecting now upon the Caribbean and my Salt Series knives (H1 and LC200N) it reminds me of the cartoon drawing of a poor old couple with ragged clothes and worn out shoes sitting in front of a dilapidated shed of a house/shelter in an overall appearance of being destitute and dejected.

The wife says to the husband, "So, what did you think of the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard divorce case?"

The husband replies, "I never knew how good we have it."

Epic.
 
Last edited:
Another compression lock fan here. It’s incredibly smooth, my smoothest Spyderco lock, with a very tight lockup.
I have very large hands and have never had a split second of an issue closing it single handed with my right hand.
 
Compression lock is best lock. Well, maybe not, but it's certainly top 5. Simple, strong, easy to use. Better in some knives than others. Lots of people complain about things like the Shaman nub, or the Amalgam flipper, when using them, but they really aren't an issue. It's just people nit picking.

Personally, I'd take a compression lock over almost any other. I enjoy other locks, including the axis, back locks, and frame locks. Life's too short to have no variety. And if a lock isn't for you, there are plenty of others.
 
The Compression Lock is simple, ingenious, very strong and compact, although a bit different than traditional locks. I don't particularly favor it over others but I admire effective new designs.
 
The compression lock has been hit or miss for me. I've found it's less about the design itself and more about the size and shape of the cutout. My PM2 and 3 are fine, my Yojimbo 2 pinches my finger (stupid phone) on deployment. I briefly owned an Ikuchi, and the cutout was a bit difficult to access.

I'm fine with most locks, though I dislike framelocks. Though is more because I dislike metal handles. I also dislike axis (bm especially) and backlocks.

Love the Shark lock and Spyderco 's caged ball bearing lock.

As far as the OP, there is enough demand for the caribbean that you should be able yo find a buyer here on the exchange.
 
Last edited:
MolokaiRider said:
I don't mind the lock in itself, but it does have one single issue that stands out for me.

When cutting, it digs into my hand and can get kinda sore after a bit.

It is a solid lock though.
Click to expand...

Same here, for the PM2 in particular (web between thumb and index finger). The Shaman is fine, I guess the thicker scales help.
 
At this point I dont know why spyderco doesnt just use the button compression lock variation for all their compression lock knives. It is superior in every way, just needs space in the handle and room for the bladeshape for the lock to fit.
 
Problem: liner locks are relatively weak and the user’s finger is in the blade path when closing. Solution: the compression lock is much stronger than a liner lock and keeps the user’s fingers out of blade path.

If you don’t prefer it, cool. The locks meets Spyderco’s intended goal, though, and it has sold them a lot of knives to people who love the lock.
 
Another Shepherd said:
The compression lock on the Lil Native is badly designed. If I release the lock with my forefinger, the blade bounces off my fingernail, which annoys me. I find it less annoying to release the lock with my thumb, so the blade falls harmlessly on my forefinger, as with many mid-back-locks; then I can shift my grip and close the blade with thumb or finger. But that's still not as elegant as using the compression lock on most other models (other than the Shaman, which appears to have a similar problem).
Click to expand...
Get the cme, compression made easy. Addrd it to my lil native cru, and it is great. Has a cut out notch to accommodate the tang that tends to impact the finger.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    331.5 KB · Views: 3
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    354.7 KB · Views: 2
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    395.1 KB · Views: 3
I'm hoping that eventually, with more duty cycles, it will break-in to where I can flip it shut as in the video Dr. Harmony shared. Unless, of course that video was shot with a very loosened pivot. We shall see; I'm not ready to give up on the Caribbean, just more of a , I dunno, learning curve perhaps than I would have expected.
 
Also not a fan of the compression lock.

For larger Spyderco folders, I prefer the back lock. For smaller Spydercos, I prefer no lock.

The Lil’ Native Slip It is a terrific small knife.

I enjoy the frame lock on the Techno 2 but NOT on the swayback or Chef. They are too thin/small on those models - particularly the swayback - and interfere with my opening/closing the blade in a pleasant, natural way.

One handed opening/closing is not a necessity for me
 
I personally love the compression lock but I see why some might not like it so much. It is my favorite lock type really.

As far as it being a solution in search of a problem I don't necessarily agree with. It's a way of "improving" on a design that was good in it's own right. The compression lock is a reverse liner lock that is meant to improve strength of a liner lock. Just like the Triad Lock is meant to be an "improved" lock back.

With that being said I can certainly appreciate being psyched about a knife you've been drooling over only tk be let down by some detail. That's how I was with my Emerson in a way. The wave feature is that thing for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top