compression lock, why is it stronger?

M

martin j

Joined
May 16, 2001
Messages
692
Hello,
I have read the Spyderco description of the compression lock, and I have handled Salsa in a store. I understand why it is safer without being under the handle in in cutting edge way ,but why is it necessarily stronger than the liner lock?
Besides being on top not the bottom, is it different from the liner lock?
Thank you,
Martin
 
Well here is my take on it. On a normal lock, closing force on the lock works on a longer piece of metal which can flex more and thus a greater chance for lock release. WIth the compression lock bar sitting between the blade and the stop pin you have a short piece of metal that can resist more force withour bending or moving. Sorry if my explanation is less than clear. Its one of those things that is clear once you understand it, but hard to explain I suppose.
 
Actually, yes that clarifies.
So it isn't exactly like liner lock, as stop pin supports pressure and not lock bar "spring." Do I have this correct?
Thank you.
Martin
 
Pretty much. Here's a pic of an open Gunting trainer so you can see how it works:

<img src="http://glocktalk.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=568951">

Spyderco should really put that pic on their website. Their current one sucks.
 
Looks like a safer liner-lock:) but a liner lock nonetheless.:(
 
Thank you for your excellent picture! It shows clearly how direction of the tang's pressure (upward) cannot dislodge the spring bar.
I agree, Spyderco should use this image to illustrate their lock. Thank again.
Martin
 
Looks like a solid locking system. Who designed it? Is it a Spydie exclusive?
 
Originally posted by martin j
Thank again
Click to expand...

No problem. I forgot to mention before but the picture was taken by the late James Mattis, not myself.

Originally posted by Harry Callahan
Looks like a solid locking system. Who designed it? Is it a Spydie exclusive?
Click to expand...

It was an in-house design at Spyderco and yes, it is an exclusive design.

Originally posted by Nimrod
Looks like a safer liner-lock:) but a liner lock nonetheless.:(
Click to expand...

What do you mean?
It is similar to the liner lock in the way you disengage it and by the fact that the lock is part of the steel liner. Besides that, it's pretty different. Stress is placed in a completely different direction with the stop pin at the other end of this force. This means that it isn't just the liner bar stopping the closing action. The compression lock wears far slower than a liner lock as proven by my hundreds of kinetic, inertial, and hard openings of my Gunting. It still locks up dead center.
Go ahead and spine-whack the crap out of a compression lock: you won't hurt it a bit. Trust me.
In fact, spine whacks or pressure on the spine just pinches the liner between the tang and the stop pin, ensuring that it won't go anywhere. No chance of slippage like on some liner locks.
To the eye, the liner and compression lock seem similar, but in principle they are very different.
 
<a href="http://www.sergium.izet.pl/images/knives/spyderco/compr_lock_01.jpg" target="_blank"><IMG align=right SRC="http://www.sergium.izet.pl/images/knives/spyderco/compr_lock_01_tn.jpg" border="2"></a>TOTS, nice explanation!
Here is another picture what I have made of my stripped Vesuvius. Basically here the “normally” positioned Compression Lock, Bram Frank has designed his GUNTING with the lock operated in opposite direction, probably for safety purposes. Actually I have three Compression Lock equipped knives – Gunting, Vesuvius and Ti-Salsa and I can’t say with clear cut what direction is more natural for me. Greatly probably this is the question of habit...

But the side conclusion is pretty clear: Compression Lock is more lefty friendly than Liner Lock.
 
Thank you for additional pciture Sergiusz! Yes, now i clearly see strength improvement of compression Vs liner lock. It is simpler than Axis lock even, and it appears stronger and more secure.
Martin
 
Martin, you are quite right about advantages.
However Compression Lock is also not completely free from drawbacks, at least as each other lock format.

In my opinion the main drawback is pretty weak closed position retention. Gunting and Vesuvius display it more or less on Liner Lock level.

This matter is noticeably improved in newer Salsa and Lil’ Temperance (ooppss, forgot his one counting Compression Lock equipped knives I have personal experience with). Looking onto these 4 knives it is clearly visible that Sal tries different methods to solve the closed position retention issue. Probably Lil’ Temperance has the best solution of them, however I would like it to keep close position even small bit firmer. The solution used in Temperance construction allows it, this is only the question of matching surface shape.
 
Hi guys. Thanx for all of the great pics and explanations.

We're currently working on a variety of new ways to retain the models closed. We'll continue to modify until we get it to where one cannot open it, than we back up. We have a number of new unique possibilities.

Where did that pic of the two guntings come from? Can we get it for Warren?

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
Where did that pic of the two guntings come from? Can we get it for Warren?

sal
Click to expand...

It was taken by the late James Mattis.
I don't know who Warren is (your webmaster?) but he can just save it off of this thread or you can tell me where to email the pic.
I don't know the legality of it, however. I don't think James would have had a problem with you using the photo but I can't speak for him.
 
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