Every time I hear a framelock isn't that strong..

[J W Bensinger]

Even with a Triad lock, you may not have any worries in the locked position, but the potential danger is in closing it. IMO, any Triad lock is a two-hand closer. Last summer, I lost 4 months of work due to a Triad locking knife closing on my right index finger (my job requires extensive use of my hands). I needed a good amount of therapy, and still must do finger exercises for it. It was user error to be sure, BUT, as many people do, when the accident happened, I was stupidly attempting to one-hand close the knife. Bad idea. Its guillotine-like closing action makes it far more potentially dangerous during closing than, say, my CRK Insingo, which does not fall shut or pull shut, as it has no backspring, let alone a super-strong one like the Triad lock's.

My point being that folding knife lock safetya is not just about when it's open and locked, but during the closing phase as well.

Jim

This^.
I had a couple of the CS folding Bushman knives around for a bit-that's a monstrously strong lock but closing them is bloody lethal if the user isn't familiar with the knife, and a careful two hand operation even if they are. Strong and safe are not necessarily the same thing.

As to frame locks I think the handle shape has a lot to do with it-I had one of the Camillus Maxx 5.5's that locked up very solidly unless you gripped it a certain way, and then it would get floppy in a hurry

 

[Glenn056]

I think for Triads if you wanna close it one-handed, you better practice with it at home under careful observation before you do it out in the field subconsciously.

Sent from the BatComputer

 

[SCWillson]

Yes, of course. But, I think if you look at a framelock with a steel lock bar insert lasts a long time, easy to use one handed with or without gloves(depending on the frame lock but in my mind I'm thinking of the zt 0560). So, if they were infinitely strong with those other factors I would think they would be an extremely favorable locking system. I think SCWillson was surprised with the attributes of a framelock and (theoretical) infinite strength that Vicarious Reality could claim that framelocks would still suck... seems like an extreme statement to me.

That's it exactly. No lock is perfect, and all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I just thought that a blanket claim that frame locks suck (and would suck even if their lock strength was infinite) is a rather extreme position, and not one I have seen backed up with evidence.

Having used liner locks and lockbacks for decades before I purchased a frame lock, I find it a trivial exercise to move my thumb and fingers out of the way once I've unlocked the blade. I haven't closed a locking knife on a finger or thumb in at least 20 years; doing it safely has become second nature.

 

[Goosey]

Even with a Triad lock, you may not have any worries in the locked position, but the potential danger is in closing it. IMO, any Triad lock is a two-hand closer. Last summer, I lost 4 months of work due to a Triad locking knife closing on my right index finger (my job requires extensive use of my hands). I needed a good amount of therapy, and still must do finger exercises for it. It was user error to be sure, BUT, as many people do, when the accident happened, I was stupidly attempting to one-hand close the knife. Bad idea. Its guillotine-like closing action makes it far more potentially dangerous during closing than, say, my CRK Insingo, which does not fall shut or pull shut, as it has no backspring, let alone a super-strong one like the Triad lock's.

I've never had this problem with a Triad lock knife, although I've heard this complaint about Cold Steel's "Pocket Bushman" thanks to the unique design. One also has to be careful closing the XL Triad models, but that's more due to blade weight than the backspring. Which model, specifically?

The one knife that did snap shut on my finger thanks to a beartrap spring is this guy:

 

[James Y]

I've never had this problem with a Triad lock knife, although I've heard this complaint about Cold Steel's "Pocket Bushman" thanks to the unique design. One also has to be careful closing the XL Triad models, but that's more due to blade weight than the backspring. Which model, specifically?

The one knife that did snap shut on my finger thanks to a beartrap spring is this guy:

The knife that shut on my finger was a Code 4 with the spear point blade, plain edge. Not a mega-folder, but its blade is certainly heavy enough. Like I said, user error, but that's never happened with any other knife I own, and I own many. I haven't really touched the knife much since then (18 months ago).

Jim