I am curious as to which locks are the most durable in regards to general wear and tear. I'm not asking which lock is best for hard use. I want to know what kind of locks are most reliable in the long term and which won't fail me when I need them. For example, I've heard that the springs in Axis locks are prone to breaking. Please do not say fixed blade or collar lock, I am quite aware that fixed blades are stronger than every folder.
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Durable folding knife locks
- Thread starter DracoKrys
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https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/most-long-lasting-folder.1557870/
And a slight correction, Axis lock springs can break. They are however not Prone to breakage. It is a fairly uncommon occurrence.
In general, I think knife quality will make more of a difference than design. A great liner lock will likely outlast a garbage back-lock, even though the back-lock should have more resistance to wear.
And a slight correction, Axis lock springs can break. They are however not Prone to breakage. It is a fairly uncommon occurrence.
In general, I think knife quality will make more of a difference than design. A great liner lock will likely outlast a garbage back-lock, even though the back-lock should have more resistance to wear.
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All of the locks I'm familiar with will outlast you unless they are abused: lockback (Buck, CS), Axis (never had a spring break in 20+ years and multiple Benchmades), liner lock (Emerson), compression (Spyderco), Sebenza (Reeve).
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Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock.
evilgreg
Why so serious?
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Based on testing, the only commonly promoted lock on the forum that is prone to failing is probably the framelock as executed by CRK on the Sebenza. As long as you don't go with one of those, you should be fine. 
Now excuse me while I flee before the rabid cultists can find their torches and pitchforks . . .
Now excuse me while I flee before the rabid cultists can find their torches and pitchforks . . .
Ajack60
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I've always looked at it like this, you get what you pay for. The better known brands that have been time proven regardless of what type of lock is being used will usually be the best choice in searching for a good, reliable folder that will be dependable and last without issues for a long time.
Thanks for the replies guys
Why is that said? How is it prone to failing?
Based on testing, the only commonly promoted lock on the forum that is prone to failing is probably the framelock as executed by CRK on the Sebenza. As long as you don't go with one of those, you should be fine.
Now excuse me while I flee before the rabid cultists can find their torches and pitchforks . . .
Why is that said? How is it prone to failing?
GB940Rookie
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I’m fairly confident in the GB1’s liner lock.
SpySmasher
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If I had to take a barely educated guess about which lock in my possession would wear the longest, I would say Andrew Demko's Scorpion Lock. It's a little tough to see but it seems to have a lot of wear distance. Added bonus that it's strong.
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Its prone to failing in testing, as in, a great many of them have been tested to the point of failure to prove something about something, I'm not quite sure what. Evilgreg is just having a stir, as he does. Also a while back another knife company broke one to prove that their knife was stronger. Kinda poor form on their part, and it got a lot of attention at the time. Much drama, many anger, so hurt. Ya know, internet stuff.
BellaBlades
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In my opinion most locks on the market have been fine-tuned overtime and at this point they are all reliable.
It comes down to what works for you and what you prefer.
It comes down to what works for you and what you prefer.
There are lockbacks that were made/bought decades ago that are still being carried and used, and are still going strong. Just be sure to periodically check the well of the lock (lock notch) for lint or other debris, which could prevent the lock from fully engaging.
The only lock(s) I've had start to 'wear out' just from normal use (and not even very much of that) were a couple of Emersons I bought new sometime back in the late '90s. They developed 'lock slip' and started feeling 'mushy', if that makes any sense. The steep angle of the mating surface on the blade tang could have had a lot to do with that, probably by causing premature wear on the titanium locking liner. I have heard that Emerson's liner locks have been improved/upgraded in recent years.
Jim
The only lock(s) I've had start to 'wear out' just from normal use (and not even very much of that) were a couple of Emersons I bought new sometime back in the late '90s. They developed 'lock slip' and started feeling 'mushy', if that makes any sense. The steep angle of the mating surface on the blade tang could have had a lot to do with that, probably by causing premature wear on the titanium locking liner. I have heard that Emerson's liner locks have been improved/upgraded in recent years.
Jim
anthonycastorena2014
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The triad lock is going to be your best friend. Probably the most “low maintenance lock on the maker and just so happens to be the strongest. The bang for your buck factor is there as well. Some people hate, but performance over time does not lie. The Spyderco compression lock was also a good suggestion. “Easier” to operate and damn fun.
These questions seem to come pretty often...
All the locks should outlast you if not abused, unless they have either poor mating geometry (some frame and liner locks) or there is rapid wear between the 2 mating surfaces due to that poor geometry and incorrect materials used. There are some very well done liner, frame and compression locks out there, eg - Military, Sebenza/Inkosi, Gayle Bradley, PM2. If you want to know which lock will out last them all in a sort of 'forever' situation? then the answer is the Tri-Ad lock, simple design mechanics and is pretty much undisputed at this point.
All the locks should outlast you if not abused, unless they have either poor mating geometry (some frame and liner locks) or there is rapid wear between the 2 mating surfaces due to that poor geometry and incorrect materials used. There are some very well done liner, frame and compression locks out there, eg - Military, Sebenza/Inkosi, Gayle Bradley, PM2. If you want to know which lock will out last them all in a sort of 'forever' situation? then the answer is the Tri-Ad lock, simple design mechanics and is pretty much undisputed at this point.
evilgreg
Why so serious?
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Look at my post, cleverly hidden within it you will find a link to a test of the Sebenza in which it fails pretty hard. You have to click the link to get it.
Oh heck, here it is again since some seemed to miss it:
evilgreg
Why so serious?
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I do feel like our senses of humor align from time to time.I feel like you get me.
A couple of my most used knives are my rat 1 (steel liner lock) delica ffg (back lock) and manix 2 ffg (ball bearing lock)
The rat 1's liner lock has moved over almost completely to the other side, but still locks up very solid. I have had many liner locks and find that one that is done well will be very durable. This knife has seen moderate-heavy use.
The delica, has seen mostly light use, by that I mean no cutting that requires huge amounts of force, especially lateral or twisting. It still locks up okay and I have NO worries about it failing, but it does have up and down blade play which is fairly common with back locks. This is also the least robust knife of the three so take it as you want.
My manix is my choice for the most durable lock. I would say it is every bit is durable as a triad lock, which may get me some hate but IDC, its a very solid lock. In testing the, the knife will break before the lock. The lock is also self adjusting so if it does develop play, it the ball bearing will just slide further onto the engagement point of the blade. it also uses a coil spring instead of the omega springs of the axis lock which is much more durable and easier to take apart (although I have absolutely no worries of these omega springs breaking unless you are in a very corrosive environment.) My manix with its ball bearing lock feels much stouter than any axis lock I have handled, although I still do not know which one I prefer, I feel the ball bearing lock will be more durable. I have put my manix through very demanding cutting and prying. I have stabbed with it and slid it between handle scales on a fixed blade then banged it on a table in a spine wack motion to get the handle scales off the other knife. The knife still locks up PERFECT.
The triad lock is of course still the king of ultimate strength, but I think it is a bit silly sacrificing usability for strength.
Despite all of this, honestly you will probably never wear out a knife lock unless you use it as your one and only life long knife, and use it rather demandingly. (idk if thats a word or not)
Even a well made slipjoint with a strong back spring will work fine and keep a solid "lock up" speaking figuratively of course for a very long time. I have had a case trapper for close to 8 years with lots and lots and lots of use, and lots of opening and closing, This thing has almost always been with me. It still snaps open and I have all my fingers even though I use it just as hard as most of my other knives, and it doesn't even have an overly strong back spring like some slipjoints.
But anyway, hypothetically speaking, I think that the triad, ball bearing AND a very well made frame or liner lock is the most durable. Im adding frame lock because I have seen sebenzas that are 20 years old that still lock up perfect.
Sidenote; I have no idea how I allways write such long responses here, but struggle to write a 500 word response when doing my school work.
hahaha
The rat 1's liner lock has moved over almost completely to the other side, but still locks up very solid. I have had many liner locks and find that one that is done well will be very durable. This knife has seen moderate-heavy use.
The delica, has seen mostly light use, by that I mean no cutting that requires huge amounts of force, especially lateral or twisting. It still locks up okay and I have NO worries about it failing, but it does have up and down blade play which is fairly common with back locks. This is also the least robust knife of the three so take it as you want.
My manix is my choice for the most durable lock. I would say it is every bit is durable as a triad lock, which may get me some hate but IDC, its a very solid lock. In testing the, the knife will break before the lock. The lock is also self adjusting so if it does develop play, it the ball bearing will just slide further onto the engagement point of the blade. it also uses a coil spring instead of the omega springs of the axis lock which is much more durable and easier to take apart (although I have absolutely no worries of these omega springs breaking unless you are in a very corrosive environment.) My manix with its ball bearing lock feels much stouter than any axis lock I have handled, although I still do not know which one I prefer, I feel the ball bearing lock will be more durable. I have put my manix through very demanding cutting and prying. I have stabbed with it and slid it between handle scales on a fixed blade then banged it on a table in a spine wack motion to get the handle scales off the other knife. The knife still locks up PERFECT.
The triad lock is of course still the king of ultimate strength, but I think it is a bit silly sacrificing usability for strength.
Despite all of this, honestly you will probably never wear out a knife lock unless you use it as your one and only life long knife, and use it rather demandingly. (idk if thats a word or not)
Even a well made slipjoint with a strong back spring will work fine and keep a solid "lock up" speaking figuratively of course for a very long time. I have had a case trapper for close to 8 years with lots and lots and lots of use, and lots of opening and closing, This thing has almost always been with me. It still snaps open and I have all my fingers even though I use it just as hard as most of my other knives, and it doesn't even have an overly strong back spring like some slipjoints.
But anyway, hypothetically speaking, I think that the triad, ball bearing AND a very well made frame or liner lock is the most durable. Im adding frame lock because I have seen sebenzas that are 20 years old that still lock up perfect.
Sidenote; I have no idea how I allways write such long responses here, but struggle to write a 500 word response when doing my school work.
hahaha