Favorite Lock Type Poll

[abcdef]

I like that lock on the Extrema Ratio RAO.

 

[sailfish]

Had to go with frame lock. The effective, minimalist design does it for me.

 

[jbmonkey]

tri-ad lock. voted other as its too different for a backlocks or midlocks to be in the same category.

 

[Tx308]

I only recently picked up a Deka with Hogues ABLE lock and I've got to say I'm hooked on it. Enough so that I'm waiting on a Bugout to arrive and can forsee more of the AXIS type locks being added to the accumulation in the future.

 

[Mrs_Esterhouse]

No Stop Lock like in the Parata?

 

[Silent H]

That was a very tough choice between the Axis and Button lock. I would rate them about equal.

 

[MBG]

I voted "other" because there was no "anything but a compression lock" option to choose.

I'm good with all other lock types, just don't like that one. It's a tier thing, where my preference is something like:

1. Any Demko lock, AXIS (and all clones, including CBBL, ARC, etc.), button lock
2. All other lock types that aren't frame locks
3. Frame locks

---the line of suckage---

4. compression locks & whatever the hell that Wild Steer WX or whatever it was used

Did you have a bad experience with a compression lock, EvilGreg?

 

[DocJD]

-the line of suckage---

 

[DocJD]

Once you have a Tri-ad , ( improved back lock ) dialed in ...your troubles are over for many years .

Unlike many other locks , there is no tendency to push the blade off center , or other common maintenance problems .

A brilliant , but simple and robust , self adjusting lock . Very strong and reliable even in hard use .

 

[Murphjd25]

Chris Reeve Framelocks are all I have anymore, they are really good!

 

[Sigsog226]

Button lock is my favorite, but not enough (non autos) with them.
Then I'd vote compression followed by axis.

 

[insta9ves]

Triad Lock
Shark Lock

 

[Therom]

I have voted Compression lock
I like it because it offers a good balance between fun and safety

However as a good CRK/RHK fanboy I have to say that a well done frame lock is just excellent


If I had to rank the locking mechanism, based on personal preferences only, my scale would be:

1) compression lock and frame lock
2) liner lock
3) axis lock and button lock
4) back lock
5) slip joint

slipjoint is special for me.
I think a slip joint is good to go
After all the best protection is just to use the right tool for the right job and if you don’t do something stupid you don’t need a lock on a folding knife
But from the point of view of the hobby, I have almost no interest in slip joints, even through some are excellent

 

[skyhorse]

I like all of them

 

[Hal]

I voted liner lock - but - it'ss not really a favorite - per se,..
I tend to trust a liner lock more than any other type.

 

[craytab]

Once you have a Tri-ad , ( improved back lock ) dialed in ...your troubles are over for many years .

Unlike many other locks , there is no tendency to push the blade off center , or other common maintenance problems .

A brilliant , but simple and robust , self adjusting lock . Very strong and reliable even in hard use .

And realize that CS sold them not "dialed in" for years. I had one that was unusable until I took it apart and bent the spring. I know they have fixed this "issue" because I had the same knife in a later iteration that was noticeably easier to use. And no, your troubles aren't over for years. There are plenty of reports of issues on the tri-ad lock from CS, just like any lock from any company. Stuff happens, and beyond QC issues, the Tri-ad lock will serve the end user who uses a knife as a knife just as well as any other lock if "troubles" for many years are a concern. let's not use this thread to put our favorite brand on a pedestal, shall we? Topic is you favorite lock....

I've had most but I keep coming back to the back lock that Spyderco does. Simple and effective. Does everything I need and nothing I don't (unlike cold steel with the tri-ad lock, If I need that much strength I'll choose the proper tool rather than a folding knife). Might it be that it comes on the designs I like? Sure I guess. The back lock on the Siren is so smooth. I hate the the "drop shutty" trend nonsense, but on the Siren back lock it really makes one hand closing so easy! I like the button and axis lock as well but I worry about detent retention for my uses. Framelocks are fine but the are so prevalent and require more attention to get them right. Never liked the idea of the lock disengagement being right where the blade will close.

 

[evilgreg]

Did you have a bad experience with a compression lock, EvilGreg?

Yep, I find them a bit fiddly to operate, comparatively and had one cut me ages ago on a model that had the blade edge along side the tab.

It's a balance for me of "does it securely lock the blade" and "how easy is it to operate". This is where locks like the AXIS lock kill it, to me, by nailing both things.

 

[A.L.]

Voted for the good old back lock. Always feels like solid enough and something that works for years and years to come (as in not wearing out).

 

[Weiss]

I really like Andrew Demko's Tri-Ad lock.

 

[insta9ves]

And realize that CS sold them not "dialed in" for years. I had one that was unusable until I took it apart and bent the spring. I know they have fixed this "issue" because I had the same knife in a later iteration that was noticeably easier to use. And no, your troubles aren't over for years. There are plenty of reports of issues on the tri-ad lock from CS, just like any lock from any company. Stuff happens, and beyond QC issues, the Tri-ad lock will serve the end user who uses a knife as a knife just as well as any other lock if "troubles" for many years are a concern. let's not use this thread to put our favorite brand on a pedestal, shall we? Topic is you favorite lock....

I've had most but I keep coming back to the back lock that Spyderco does. Simple and effective. Does everything I need and nothing I don't (unlike cold steel with the tri-ad lock, If I need that much strength I'll choose the proper tool rather than a folding knife). Might it be that it comes on the designs I like? Sure I guess. The back lock on the Siren is so smooth. I hate the the "drop shutty" trend nonsense, but on the Siren back lock it really makes one hand closing so easy! I like the button and axis lock as well but I worry about detent retention for my uses. Framelocks are fine but the are so prevalent and require more attention to get them right. Never liked the idea of the lock disengagement being right where the blade will close.

Just because the dude voted for Triad lock doesn’t mean he’s trying to put his favorite brand on the pedestal. Triad lock is patented by cold steel, so it’s only available from CS knives.

The thread is asking people to vote for their favorite lock. Everyone has their preference, back lock is a great lock, but other people prefer Triad lock. No need to shoot other people’s opinion down.