Does anyone do a lockback better?

DocJD said:
Cold Steel Tri-ad lock is simply the best designed / improved back lock in existence . :cool: :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Extremely rugged and strong with a rock solid lock up that requires little or no adjustments /maintenance long term .

The lock is self-adjusting as it wears .
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All good observations about the Triad.
But the third point brings up a very useful characteristic of the Triad. I got an Air Lite that had a bit of back and forth lock rock. My first Cold Steel blade over several years of purchases to have this issue. Thought about returning it. But it was relatively cheap, so I kept it and made it my daily user for a while. In 2-3 weeks the lock rock was gone. I ve taken apart CS folders before to look at the Triad mechanism, but I don t see how the self adjustment works. I just imagine that s a geat indicator of good longevity in a folder.
 
craytab said:
I wouldn't consider the tri-ad lock a true lock back, like what I think the OP intended. I also think the pivot area on most TL knives is far too big, necessitated by design, which makes most TL knives not in the same league with the cutting instruments Spyderco puts out. Much more of a big bruiser type knife than a fine cutting instrument. It's been said before but I'll say it again, If I want the strength the TL provides, I'll use a fixed blade. For actually cutting with folder, the TL is too cumbersome for me compared to a true back lock like what spyderco does.

So to answer the OP, no, nobody else does it as well as Spyderco*

*Except that first run of Sirens, that was a fail.
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A big bruiser knife rather than a fine cutting instrument?
I prefer knives that can handle a variety of jobs. Big knifes can handle small jobs better than small knives can handle big jobs. In my experience. I m not sure what defines a pivot area on a folder as being too big. I always thought bigger and stronger was better on a folder pivot. Does the small pivot make for a more fidget friendly knife? Even though it it may be weaker?

I admit I ve only carried 1 three inch blade for work in my life. And it was a Triad.

I think Spyderco makes a vey nice lock back. The Endura used to be my daily worker. I wore out a couple with lock rock (still useable but felt cheap at that point). My American Lawman and Recon 1 are still rock solid after years of hard work.

Would a fixed blade be even stonger. Probably, but I don t want to carry a fixed blade. I guess I ve I ve turned into a politcally correct wuss. Don t want to upset some of the sensitive people I sometimes encounter.😉
 
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All things considered, if you increase the pivot pin size, you have to take metal away from the blade for it to fit.
I have never seen a quality knife fail at the pivot.
 
whp said:
A big bruiser knife rather than a fine cutting instrument?
I prefer knives that can handle a variety of jobs. Big knifes can handle small jobs better than small knives can handle big jobs. In my experience. I m not sure what defines a pivot area on a folder as being too big. I always thought bigger and stronger was better on a folder pivot. Does the small pivot make for a more fidget friendly knife? Even though it it may be weaker?

I admit I ve only carried 1 three inch blade firvwork in my life. And it was a Triad.

I think Spyderco makes a vey nice lock back. The Endura used to be my daily worker. I wore out a couple with lock rock (still useable but felt cheap at that point). My American Lawman and Recon 1 are still rock solid after years of hard work.

Would a fixed blade be even stonger. Probably, but I don t want to carry a fixed blade. I guess I ve I ve turned into a politcally correct wuss. Don t want to upset some of the sensitive people I sometimes encounter.😉
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I don't think the size of the pivot is what craytab craytab was talking about. It's more like the shortest distance between the pivot and the cutting edge of the blade. CS folders do tend to have larger distance of that than other brands (Hinderer, ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, and Hogue are the ones that I compared to just now), hence what he said the blade is bit too far away from the hand.
 
sharp_edge said:
I don't think the size of the pivot is what craytab craytab was talking about. It's more like the shortest distance between the pivot and the cutting edge of the blade. CS folders do tend to have larger distance of that than other brands (Hinderer, ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, and Hogue are the ones that I compared to just now), hence what he said the blade is bit too far away from the hand.
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I see.
That doesn t usually bother me. But I do like the choil on the Lawman to give added control of fine work.
 
Stillshot2, now that it has been made abundantly clear to you that Triad Locks do in fact exist, I regret to inform you that most of those knives have thumb studs. There was a Cold Steel model with more of an opening hole design called the Golden Eye but I'm pretty sure they are discontinued.

Since you don't like Buck's offering in the Spitfire (I'm assuming that is the oval hole you referenced), the only other option I can thing of is the Ka-Bar Dozier with thumb notch, but they also have a more oval shaped hole and they are awkward to open IMO.

Based on your criteria, I think sticking with Spyderco is your best option.

If you are willing to compromise on the back lock, Spyderco has a lot of great knives that use other locking systems that allow you to safely and easily open/close them with one hand. An other alternative is the Benchmade Griptilian which has a thumb hole option.
 
Just buy Spydercos?

I’m going on a trip this weekend with other people and besides a SAK for the tools, I’m taking a police 4 LW for utility/whatever and an original, serrated pacific salt for IWB sports/swimming/fishing.

Even non knife folks can operate a back lock, nothing confusing on a Spyderco, I have no problem handing off either of the above knives…
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Agree with all of this, though I have to admit that the bombproof craziness of the Triad Lock has a place in my heart and my EDC rotation. 😉

I badly want to get my hands on a Bestech Tonic to see how that backlock stacks up. It seems really intriguing.
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Hackenslash said:
Damn you for making me go check out the Bestech Tonic!

A back lock with bearings and fidget factor?

TAKE MY MONEY!
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Ok, I’ve had my Tonic to play with for a bit and I’m very impressed. I love the look and feel of it. This is the highest quality Bestech branded knife I’ve ever handled; they’re playing in the same sandbox as Reate and WE with this knife!
View attachment 1956264
I’ve been bugged by a gritty feel in the action. I haven’t disassembled it because, well, backlock. I’ve applied a little lubricant to the pivot, but it made no difference. Then I realized what was going on.

The design uses a hardened ceramic ball on the underside of the lock bar. This lets the bar glide smoothly across the tang unlike traditional lock backs. That ball is wearing a polished race into the bead blasted tang and the action keeps getting smoother with use. I was able to get a picture.
View attachment 1956267
All in all, this is a fantastic little knife and I highly recommend. It’s been some time since we’ve seen innovation in the humble lock back and the Tonic really delivers!
 
…and at this price it should come with a pocket clip filler tab. I appreciate that this knife is fully ambi, but when you ask $300 for a knife, the filler tab should come for the ride.
 
Hackenslash said:
Ok, I’ve had my Tonic to play with for a bit and I’m very impressed. I love the look and feel of it. This is the highest quality Bestech branded knife I’ve ever handled; they’re playing in the same sandbox as Reate and WE with this knife!
View attachment 1956264
I’ve been bugged by a gritty feel in the action. I haven’t disassembled it because, well, backlock. I’ve applied a little lubricant to the pivot, but it made no difference. Then I realized what was going on.

The design uses a hardened ceramic ball on the underside of the lock bar. This lets the bar glide smoothly across the tang unlike traditional lock backs. That ball is wearing a polished race into the bead blasted tang and the action keeps getting smoother with use. I was able to get a picture.
View attachment 1956267
All in all, this is a fantastic little knife and I highly recommend. It’s been some time since we’ve seen innovation in the humble lock back and the Tonic really delivers!
Click to expand...
I appreciate the review, though my wallet does not thank you! 😜
 
sharp_edge said:
I don't think the size of the pivot is what craytab craytab was talking about. It's more like the shortest distance between the pivot and the cutting edge of the blade. CS folders do tend to have larger distance of that than other brands (Hinderer, ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, and Hogue are the ones that I compared to just now), hence what he said the blade is bit too far away from the hand.
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Not necessarily true . Example CS "Frenzy" is fairly slim . Top knife in pic :


Of course thicker is stronger .
 
DocJD said:
Not necessarily true . Example CS "Frenzy" is fairly slim . Top knife in pic :


Of course thicker is stronger .
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Just in general , for me Cold Steel Tri-ad lock models are some of the most ergonomic folders available .

My hands are only on the small side of medium mens size . Not huge bear paws .

Never had any difficulty using any CS due to the supposed pivot hugeness . :rolleyes:

IMO this is strictly an imaginary problem ! 💩
 
Hackenslash said:
Ok, I’ve had my Tonic to play with for a bit and I’m very impressed. I love the look and feel of it. This is the highest quality Bestech branded knife I’ve ever handled; they’re playing in the same sandbox as Reate and WE with this knife!
View attachment 1956264
I’ve been bugged by a gritty feel in the action. I haven’t disassembled it because, well, backlock. I’ve applied a little lubricant to the pivot, but it made no difference. Then I realized what was going on.

The design uses a hardened ceramic ball on the underside of the lock bar. This lets the bar glide smoothly across the tang unlike traditional lock backs. That ball is wearing a polished race into the bead blasted tang and the action keeps getting smoother with use. I was able to get a picture.
View attachment 1956267
All in all, this is a fantastic little knife and I highly recommend. It’s been some time since we’ve seen innovation in the humble lock back and the Tonic really delivers!
Click to expand...
I bought 2 tonics. Both had unacceptably heavy detent force for me. I opened them up oiled them and yielded the spring mechanism until it had the correct force. Now it is one my best knife actions.
 
dcoffe01 said:
I bought 2 tonics. Both had unacceptably heavy detent force for me. I opened them up oiled them and yielded the spring mechanism until it had the correct force. Now it is one my best knife actions.
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Yup, great knife with some new ideas, but there’s clearly a “wear-in/learning curve” to make it work optimally.

All things considered, it’s still sweet to have this kind of innovation with a back lock.
 
This is the beefiest back lock I have, a Hero by Homer Zhu. Love the sound that it makes when it locks up.
51942218431_e2c964679e_b.jpg
 
Hackenslash said:
Ok, I’ve had my Tonic to play with for a bit and I’m very impressed. I love the look and feel of it. This is the highest quality Bestech branded knife I’ve ever handled; they’re playing in the same sandbox as Reate and WE with this knife!
View attachment 1956264
I’ve been bugged by a gritty feel in the action. I haven’t disassembled it because, well, backlock. I’ve applied a little lubricant to the pivot, but it made no difference. Then I realized what was going on.

The design uses a hardened ceramic ball on the underside of the lock bar. This lets the bar glide smoothly across the tang unlike traditional lock backs. That ball is wearing a polished race into the bead blasted tang and the action keeps getting smoother with use. I was able to get a picture.
View attachment 1956267
All in all, this is a fantastic little knife and I highly recommend. It’s been some time since we’ve seen innovation in the humble lock back and the Tonic really delivers!
Click to expand...
Nick Shebazz does a disassembly video on the Tonic. It is easy to take apart and put back together.
 
Check out the Cold Steel Silver Eye: Tri-Ad lockback with a fancy spydie hole instead of a thumbstud, and S35VN steel...!
 
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