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

I own all kind of knives with all kinds of blade locking mechanisms and don't have a "problem" w/any of them.

Compression locks are actually a favorite of mine because of how I can release the lock and snap the blade out quicker than an auto and as quick as a waved blade.

But, FWIW, I "hate" that way the Caribbean looks -- which is butt ugly to me. So, to each their own. LOL! ;)
 
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I felt the same way about the compression lock. So, I bought a PM2 and swore I would carry it for a bit. After a couple days I was fine with it. To me it’s just a liner lock on top.
 
One other thing is that my serrated Caribbean had a burr on the flat side out of the box. A little stropping to remove the burr dropped the BESS score by about 20 grams.
 
While it might not be my favorite, I certainly appreciate the compression lock's ease of use. For me it's only real disadvantage is that it's not easy to use ambidextrously. Purchase with the offhand is pretty weak.
 
SALTY said:
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. ??
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Well I didn't think most people would have to. It isn't complicated, but you mentioned how it's dangerous and having to use two hands to close it etc. I can't even picture how you are trying to use it. Having said that, try handing a compression lock knife to a non-knife person and see how long it takes for them to work out how to close it, so...

If it is a case of a tight pivot, which does happen with Spydercos occasionally, try loosening the pivot(very slightly) and try it again. Even if it's not "drop shut" it should be easily operated, as others are describing, with one hand.
 
Obvious it is made for left handed folks?? That is a new one. Can hardly use with my left hand...

I personally love it. The ability to just hold the tab to shut easily and quickly, easy and satisfying opening with the hole... it is fun for sure, just awesome. Safer than a liner lock or framelock.

For me, it's mostly about compression locks and backlocks in their various forms. I occasionally use something with a ball lock, liner lock (RAT series??) or framelock, but not nearly as often. Just not as convenient as that quickness with the comp lock. Some people need to fiddle with it to get it right.
 
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Slice O Life said:

Surprised no one has linked this yet. NeroKnives basically covers most of why people don’t like the comp lock.
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Regarding the knife on the left, NeroKnives says that the cutout in the right-hand scale is too small for his finger to push the lock bar, and he would prefer a liner lock or frame lock. My experience is pretty much the opposite of that. I often have trouble getting purchase with my thumb on a liner lock or frame lock (except on a Sebenza, which has a larger cutout than most), but I have never had trouble getting my finger (or thumb) to push a compression lock. And NeroKnives says he gets hot spots from compression locks, but I get hot spots from liner locks and frame locks (especially with a Sebenza).
 
Another Shepherd said:
Regarding the knife on the left, NeroKnives says that the cutout in the right-hand scale is too small for his finger to push the lock bar, and he would prefer a liner lock or frame lock. My experience is pretty much the opposite of that. I often have trouble getting purchase with my thumb on a liner lock or frame lock (except on a Sebenza, which has a larger cutout than most), but I have never had trouble getting my finger (or thumb) to push a compression lock. And NeroKnives says he gets hot spots from compression locks, but I get hot spots from liner locks and frame locks (especially with a Sebenza).
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Different strokes for different folks, the compression lock just doesn't agree with my hands or fingers like Nero though
 
I have never handled a Caribbean but like the comp locks on my PM2s and Para3.

I find it easy to manipulate but I can’t really name a lock type that I don’t like either.
 
Put me down as another for whom it doesn't really work well. I'm a lefty with an XL glove size, and the only way I can close it one-handed is to release the lock, let the blade fall until the choil hits my index finger, rotate the knife in my hand and then push the blade home with my thumb. Definitely less ambidextrous than a lot of locks.
 
When I got my first compression lock, a sprint run CPM-D2 original Paramilitary, I didn't get the hype either. I was like what the hell is this? I didn't like the lock too much for a long time, but still used that Paramilitary as my main woods folder. I've been playing with my Para 2 the whole time I've been reading this thread and I like it now days. Would I choose it over an Axis lock, a button lock, or a liner/framelock? Meh, not particularly. However I do see the strength in the design and appreciate it quite a bit for that. Also my Para 2 is super smooth, so the compression lock works pretty damn good with this one being that it's so worked in. If another of my favorite brands made a knife with a compression lock and I really loved the design, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if I could afford it.
 
I find the compression lock to be simple, strong, reliable, and easy to use. It’s an ingenious invention. Provided no short cuts like making the angle of the blade locking surface the steepest ski slope in the world I like it.

The Caribbean is one of the best looking knives ever made by the way.
 
my unwarranted opinion that allows me peace of mind: good lock, easy access / easy deployment, quite strong since crushing a piece of steel laterally is harder than causing torsion on a piece of steel. that being said.. folding knife lock strength is mostly marketing and any lock is more than sufficient. If your task is such that lock strength is a genuine concern... a folding pocket knife is probably the wrong tool for the task.
 
Another Shepherd said:
Yeah, I put off buying a Caribbean for years because it hurt my eyes, but I'm getting used to it. I can look at it now without wincing.
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Another reason why I don't like the Carribean which has nothing to do w/the compression lock . . .

I have astigmatism and I can't look at the Carribean for any length of time w/o starting to get dizzy trying to focus on the lines. LOL! 🤷‍♂️
 
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