Favorite Lock Type Poll

What is your favorite lock type on a folding knife?

  • Back lock

  • Top lock (ex. A.G. Russell K-31)

  • Liner lock

  • Compression lock

  • Axis lock (or similar)

  • Slipjoint (no lock)

  • Button lock

  • Other

  • Frame lock

Results are only viewable after voting.
I voted Compression lock. Same fidget factor as the Axis-lock, but with no worries of springs to break. I don't live in the USA, so spring breakage is probably my worst knife-related nightmare at the moment.

(Actually, I'm carrying a Cold Steel American Lawman at the moment. I like the Tri-Ad lock, but on some new knives there's some breaking in required before the Tri-Ad works smoothly, so it unfortunately isn't my favourite lock-type. I'd still take it over a frame-lock or liner-lock though.)
 
:) No lock is perfect . All require some compromises . The Tri-ad sometimes needs break-in and needs some space , but the pay off is substantial .

No other simple to operate lock offers the inherent strength , reliability and longevity at a reasonable price , IMO .

If you need or just want a lock that comes as close as possible to a fixed blade , without extra pins or safeties to fool with , at an affordable price , the Tri-ad is the obvious choice .

Some locks are liable to inadvertent opening if the handle is subjected to twisting , and / or force applied to the spine . Not the Tri-ad !

If you need a very strong lock for work , hard use or emergency/ survival , you can count on the Tri-ad lock . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
DocJD said:
:) No lock is perfect . All require some compromises . The Tri-ad sometimes needs break-in and needs some space , but the pay off is substantial .

No other simple to operate lock offers the inherent strength , reliability and longevity at a reasonable price , IMO .

If you need or just want a lock that comes as close as possible to a fixed blade , without extra pins or safeties to fool with , at an affordable price , the Tri-ad is the obvious choice .

Some locks are liable to inadvertent opening if the handle is subjected to twisting , and / or force applied to the spine . Not the Tri-ad !

If you need a very strong lock for work , hard use or emergency/ survival , you can count on the Tri-ad lock . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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Jeez. Why don't you and the triad lock get a room already :D:p
 
I need to update my previous statement. I forgot about one knife. The Salt 2. For some reason, my Salt 2 wharncliffe feels as close to Triad lock solid as any Spyderco I've owned. Not quite there yet, but close. I carry it clipless in my left front pocket every day.

c7m2p3 said:
there is virtually no way anyone is letting you get on a plane with any kind of knife now and if it is a private plane like the movie, at that point im bringing guns as well which makes making spears an afterthought.
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A spear doesn't run out of ammo, and it creates distance. So if I were alone in the dark, in a wild setting with predators on the loose, I would much rather have a spear than a gun. A spear and a fire to dance around with it. Of course, come sun up, a rifle would be nice, but even then my spear is my walking stick.
 
David Mary said:
I need to update my previous statement. I forgot about one knife. The Salt 2. For some reason, my Salt 2 wharncliffe feels as close to Triad lock solid as any Spyderco I've owned. Not quite there yet, but close. I carry it clipless in my left front pocket every day.



A spear doesn't run out of ammo, and it creates distance. So if I were alone in the dark, in a wild setting with predators on the loose, I would much rather have a spear than a gun. A spear and a fire to dance around with it. Of course, come sun up, a rifle would be nice, but even then my spear is my walking stick.
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Why not have both? My general point was less about spear efficacy and more about basing pocket knives around survival. If I were to find myself on an expedition into northern Alaska, im taking fixed blades, rifles, the works. A strong knife is great, but when we are talking about basing what we carry to the local store based around a movie depictions of a survival scenario in the wilderness you've lost me. Maybe my calculation would be different if I lived and worked in close proximity to swaths of uncharted land but I don't.
 
c7m2p3 said:
when we are talking about basing what we carry to the local store based around a movie depictions of a survival scenario in the wilderness you've lost me.
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Me too.
 
Voted other. Since getting my Demko AD20, the shark lock has become my favorite. It's also WAY too fidget friendly, I can't stop messing with this thing!
 
pbubsy said:
Voted other. Since getting my Demko AD20, the shark lock has become my favorite. It's also WAY too fidget friendly, I can't stop messing with this thing!
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I really like the look and function of the shark lock. My one question is if the lock tab gets in the way of gripping the knife? It looks to be right where I would want to rest my thumb on the AD20 which would make it rather uncomfortable for hard use which is what the AD20 looks to be made for.
 
I don’t really have a favorite folding lock. I voted “other”, because in my mind the ideal “lock” is fixed blade. Folding knives are for light work and when used correctly should put little or no stress on the locking device.

n2s
 
Frame lock in my opinion is best, it wont close on you because it a thick piece of metal, I can't rely much on a liner lock because of the thin liner, still a smooth lock, but not as robust and aggressive as a frame
 
The last thing I consider in a knife is the lock. I don't buy trash, so I know that from the liner lock to the Triad, it will be fine. I care a lot more about literally everything else.
 
I trend to enjoy frame lock the best.

Followed by compression lock

followed by button lock.

I find lock back serviceable, but I dont like it as much due to the friction created by the constant tension on blade by the lock mechanism. Really need to smooth out my supergold endura.
 
1. Back lock - feels the most secure and comfy. I have more BL knives than any other.
2. Liner lock - more comfortable than a frame lock. My current EDC is a Military.
3. Frame lock - it is the coolness factor.
4. Able/Axis/CBB lock - it is awesome when done right or tweeked.
...
Slipjoint - I have a few traditionals and SAKs, but I really want and need one hand opening and I want it to be quick.

Compression lock - not a fan. It creates a hot spot in the web of the hand, a sensitive area. Also, I don't fidget. But the worst of all is that the tip of the forward finger choil bumps into the tip of the index finger when closing, causing the blade to bounce back and stay open.
Finally, unlike the others, it is impossible to operate in thick, lined gloves.
 
kobold said:
1. Back lock - feels the most secure and comfy. I have more BL knives than any other.
2. Liner lock - more comfortable than a frame lock. My current EDC is a Military.
3. Frame lock - it is the coolness factor.
4. Able/Axis/CBB lock - it is awesome when done right or tweeked.
...
Slipjoint - I have a few traditionals and SAKs, but I really want and need one hand opening and I want it to be quick.

Compression lock - not a fan. It creates a hot spot in the web of the hand, a sensitive area. Also, I don't fidget. But the worst of all is that the tip of the forward finger choil bumps into the tip of the index finger when closing, causing the blade to bounce back and stay open.
Finally, unlike the others, it is impossible to operate in thick, lined gloves.
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That is a good point about compression locks that I haven't considered in the past with regards to use with gloves. I suppose the same problem would exist though depending on the cutout size for a liner lock or even a frame lock for that manner. Love the look of a Gayle Bradley 2 from spyderco for example but with thick lined gloves there is virtually no way you are going to get your gloved thumb in there to disengage that lock.
 
c7m2p3 said:
That is a good point about compression locks that I haven't considered in the past with regards to use with gloves. I suppose the same problem would exist though depending on the cutout size for a liner lock or even a frame lock for that manner. Love the look of a Gayle Bradley 2 from spyderco for example but with thick lined gloves there is virtually no way you are going to get your gloved thumb in there to disengage that lock.
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Yeah, the GB2 is in a class of its own. Sometimes hard to open bare handed even. Still I love it to bits.
 
kobold said:
Yeah, the GB2 is in a class of its own. Sometimes hard to open bare handed even. Still I love it to bits.
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I am tempted to modify one. I know I would probably screw it up but the combination of that thin hollow grind and M4 steel is really compelling.
 
gazz98 said:
I voted back lock. Most of my knives are back lock.

PS. I consider Demkos tri-ad lock (cold steel) a version of the back lock and not in the "other" category.
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I voted before reading the entire thread.
I voted "other." Most of my knives are back lock, liner lock, frame lock, Triad lock in fairly equal measure.

PS. I consider Demkos tri-ad lock (cold steel) a version of the back lock but sufficiently different to vote "other." Had i read this thread through before voting, I probably would have voted back lock with an asterisk. *

jbmonkey said:
tri-ad lock. voted other as its too different for a backlocks or midlocks to be in the same category.
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I agree, the TriAD lock, at the risk of inciting further discourse or appearing as a fanboy, is in a class by itself - certainly for the purposes of a poll like this one.

Smaug said:
Some members are all upset that I didn't make a separate option for Tri-Ad Lock. (It's a type of back lock, guys!)
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I'm not upset. You're forgiven. Don't do it again. ;)

In all seriousness, the poll did not seek votes for the "best" or "strongest" lock - but rather a favorite. McDonald's cheesburger, fries and a shake may not be the "best" or "healthiest" meal, but they sure sell lots of them.

I have a BM Adamas; I like the knife but do not like the Axis lock. Ditto for my BM 710 in M2.
Have have a bunch of Emersons, too many perhaps, but I do not like the liner lock.
I have a raft of Cold Steel TriAD lock knives and truly enjoy owning and using them, but there are things about the TriAD lock that are not as pleasing as the Axis or liner locks - neither of which I am enamored with.

Everything is a compromise; competing design criteria wrestle with this at every turn as well as within the turns. So, I said all of that to say this: my "favorite" is the TriAD lock (or, in the case of this poll, "other"), despite the fact that it does not open or close as smoothly or quickly as others. The TriAD lock is my favorite despite the idiosyncrasies of one handed closing - and the boo-boos I sustained mastering that feat.
 
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