Do you think liner locks are safe?

hardheart said:
Some guys who lament about how 'they don't build them like they used to' when looking at equipment with thinner metal sections, metal replaced by composites, skeletonization where parts used to be solid, using industrial adhesives instead of mechanical fasteners, weight savings across the board for a minor or non-existent reduction in durability against the most extreme circumstance. They're harkening back to a day of more solid construction with less engineering and care for efficient material application. Give some of them a modern tactical folder with a thousand pound lock, and they'll tell you how back in the day you didn't need so much metal and strength in your cutting tools. I dunno.

I trust knife locks as much as I trust ratchet handle mechanisms, jack stands, parking brakes, deadbolts, elevators, nuts, bolts, screws, and anything else where my life and safety relies on two separate pieces of metal contacting across a relatively small bearing surface. I couldn't leave my house if I treated everything that locks like it was a slipjoint. My knives just aren't built that poorly, I guess.

What is the GB an example of? The guy said it would be operator error if he cut himself, its like you're saying the GB is an example of a liner lock that will cut you without it being your fault.
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I mentioned the GB as an example of a liner lock that's a bit harder than others to inadvertently disengage. ;)
 
You people got me curious about a knife with a good liner lock, but I still don't know what knives have good liner locks.
 
Keep in mind that when Michael Walker designed the liner lock, he didn't just say this bar moves under the tang and BAM! Its locked. No, he had very specific requirements regarding angles and shapes. A true Walker Liner lock is a very good lock.
 
Plasmio said:
You people got me curious about a knife with a good liner lock, but I still don't know what knives have good liner locks.
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To name just a few Spyderco Military and Gayle Bradley, and any Zero Tolerance with a liner lock, like the 0350 for example.
 
If you want strong lock just get a balisong. Although I have never had any type of lock ever fat this point in time fail on me, as some have already stated if you cut along the edge you should never really be pressing down on the lock. It just all depends I guess, it is all about preference.
 
Plasmio said:
You people got me curious about a knife with a good liner lock, but I still don't know what knives have good liner locks.
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Benchmade Gravitator and variants have a damn good liner lock.
Discontinued a long time though.

And the Spyderco Military of course.:)
 
IMHO All good liner locks:

DPX Hest 2 (It's also got the Rotoblock)
Al Mar Mini SERE (one of my all time favourite knives and the only knife I've ever let go of so much, I'm gonna have to get a new one)
Ontario Rat Cutlery (Great quality at a great price)
 
I have tried pretty much all the industry standard locks and own mostly liner lock knives now. And I completely trust them granted they are Emersons which are some of the better made liner locks made today. Sounds like to me your worried about disengaging the lock with your grip. Find a knife that has a proper cut out for the liner lock that does not leave it exposed.
 
MarkIII said:
I have tried pretty much all the industry standard locks and own mostly liner lock knives now. And I completely trust them granted they are Emersons which are some of the better made liner locks made today. Sounds like to me your worried about disengaging the lock with your grip. Find a knife that has a proper cut out for the liner lock that does not leave it exposed.
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That's a good idea. I'm looking into some that others suggested above currently.
 
pilgrimuk said:
IMHO All good liner locks:

DPX Hest 2 (It's also got the Rotoblock)
Al Mar Mini SERE (one of my all time favourite knives and the only knife I've ever let go of so much, I'm gonna have to get a new one)
Ontario Rat Cutlery (Great quality at a great price)
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I find the OKC RAT to be a good-looking blade.
 
I've never had a liner lock fail, and never cut myself because of one, but I have had lockbacks fail, under EXTREME abuse albeit.
 
Depends a) how well it is made b) what you intend using the knife for

On Traditional knives, if it also has a slipjoint spring it's a very trustworthy lock indeed. If the lock slips (unlikely) the backspring will keep it safe. Examples I have are from GEC knives and Queen Cutlery. They offer really secure locking for reasonable cutting tasks.

Use a knife safely and within its limits and there will never be any problems.
 
In my opinion liner locks are actually some of my favorite. And especially when the knife is designed in a way that helps prevent the blade from cutting ou even if the lock fails. For example, the flipper on most Kershaw/ZT designs will catch your finger and prevent the blade from closing. Or the choil on the Military and Gayle Bradley does the same thing. Those two combined features, in my opinion, make a safe lock even safer. Granted I've never had a knife fail, but it still feels good to know.
 
Anything from spyderco, Kershaw, ZT will have an excellent liner lock in my experience. I hear goods things about benchmade's liner locks as well.

Some of the liner lock knives I've tried from these that totally blew me away.
Spyderco Military
Spyderco sage 1
Spyderco PPT (More of a framelock)
Tenacious and persistence
ZT 0350 black and bead blast version
ZT 0200
ZT 0400
Kershaw.
Scallion
Volt 2
JYD 2.2
Blur
Cylclone
Zing

All have had terrific liner locks.
 
with millions of liner lock knives in use, and the dearth of accidents, I'd say they are safe. Nothing mechanical though, will save you from being stupid. :D
 
I have never had a liner lock of any quality level I've ever held fail on me due to an awkward or heavy grip. Nor has such a thing happened to anyone I personally know who uses a liner lock style knife. How the heck are some people holding their knives..?
 
Plasmio said:
I try and stay away from liner locks, I feel that if I move my finger too abruptly, I'll release the lock and slice my finger(s). I prefer lockback in general as I feel they're the safest, but I've heard of them wearing out.
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It would depend on the quality and thickness of the lock. I have gravitated to frame locks are are a variation of the liner lock and are much safer and stronger,
 
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