The lock seems to engage deep enough. I've seen worse lets put it that way.
The angle does appear to be ramped the wrong way or at least lets just say, "the optimum way."
What we could say is there are numerous examples of good locks out there and then there are better ones and of course there are bad ones too. This goes for all lock types.
Where this one sits? I'd say probably middle of the road based on what I've seen.
The space under the lock bar in the notch is a good thing. It allows for some lint to accumulate without intefering with the lock. Japanese locks typically have a very tight fitting precise contact and are disturbed by the slightest amount of pocket lint balls getting into the mechanism but if maintained they perform well. Most of the USA made lockbacks have a space under the lock like that pictured to varying degrees. Its considered fine by most makers and manufacturers. Contact angle is based on subtleties that I don't want to get into here. I personally wonder if that lock would be prone to popping up with a sudden shock to the tip third or spine of the blade. If it does its probably good it sinks as deep down as it does. Unless it has a lock for the lock bar like my Fulcrum II from Extreme Ratio did I'd be cautious of it I think in hard use or when testing it. It may work fine in most uses, but I think it could be optimized.
I'll just post some pictures for you to digest of a small sampling of what I've seen or snagged in the industry from various knives over time.
STR
First is a Mini Manix by Spyderco. Note the subtle differences in angle? This is a great lock up.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75588&d=1184978257
Here we have a Japanese make top, and one I consider poor bottom. You'd be shocked at how many I see worse than this.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=62286&d=1162908199
Here we have a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter. This is a great lock up also but note the fit difference of the Japanese locks. This knife sinks deep and its undercut is angled perfectly. You could probably sit on this thing opened after hammering it in a tree!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77270&d=1187575917
Here are two views and nicer close in shots for you to view so you can see the lock up a bit better. Note the Japanese fit again here. Also, note the old school lock from a lockback from the 70s made by Case. Nice to see improvements here I must say.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77600&d=1188012061
So rating a lock is tricky business. In many ways the one pictured will work fine for most folks. In others it has some areas I'd like to see done better.
I think someone hit some of my own thoughts on the head. Character has a lot to do with who I purchase from. However, with that said, there are some in the industry I flat out don't care for personally but I like their products and rate them very highly. I think its no secret who but when it comes to rating the products I call it like I see the product disregarding who is behind it or my personal feelings for that person or persons. If I did otherwise I would not be sitting here typing with a Strider PT in my pocket believe me. Nor would I rate locks like the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter so highly. I don't like a lot about Lynn Thompson and you can find a lot of bad to say about him but the fact is he demands great locks and most often he gets them. Many users thank him daily for this demanding nature of his. The fact is just because some sleezeball was the designer or owns the company does not make all the good law abiding tax paying citizens that work for them bad people. These folks deserve credit and support regardless of what the owners might be made of.
The product deserves an honest evaluation. If you can't do that or only do it half the time cutting a break for some while being critical of others I have little care for your opinion because you let your personal feelings interfere with your take on the product in the end line users hands.
If I judged this product by the fact that it appears they are snake oil salesman trying to make a quick buck by pretending to keep up with the big boys in design I'd not be honestly looking at what they created here in their shop or giving benefit of the doubt and believe me there is more than enough room for doubt here. Many designs are enhanced and added to by learning and growing taking what they can use from what someone else has done and leaving out other things they don't feel they need or can use to improve what they visualize in their own minds. This does not equate to theft of IP when the guy stealing it makes sure there are just enough differences to make it 'legal' it just makes themselves look bad unless they have a contract which was worked out between those behind the designs. I don't know that this is not the case personally. I have written Extreme Ratio to ask them personally if the Dark Ops company and ER have worked out some agreement because of the noted similarity in the knives. Once I have what I lack then I will comment on such things as IP theft among other things regarding this company. Suspecting something is so is one thing, knowing is something entirely different. I prefer to check the facts before jumping on the bandwagon pointing the finger. Its really not up to us to be policing the internet and the industry for sleezeballs. Leave that to legal. If what has been suspected is true then Dark Ops is just one of many other sleezeballs in this industry that have come to light in recent times. There are worse sins going on in the industry regarding false training and claims that many seem to know about but still find it easy to overlook.
Back to the question presented to me via email by Hob. Looking at the lock here I'd say its on par with most production folders on the market and is not a stand out for being really poor and not a stand out for being top shelf. Chances are you can get better for less money and less hype.
STR
. Thank you.
