Favorite Lock Type

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Favorite lock is no lock- small fixed blade, bk14 or the custom I got from hardedge knives. I really dont know why more people here dont carry small fixies- they go into use and go into safe quicker than any folder, are cheaper, stronger, fewer compromises (no thumbstuds or flipper tabs in the way, no spydie holes to make the blade huge wide).
Second favorite is liner lock. Would be frame lock but I am a lefty and always end up with my thumb on the lock bar and making it too hard to open. Third is the low lockback like a buck 110. Hate mid lock backs like cold steels demko lock. No leverage.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
Axis. Only lock Ive ever had zero problems with. Alot of framelocks and lockbacks are fantastic. Though have had issues with them on some knife models . Ease of use, fast deployment and overall durability choose axis. For unbreakable strength lockback or frame.
Click to expand...

Interesting sir. I actually find the opposite. I view my AXIS locks as being unbreakably strong but less durable because of the omega springs (I've had 3 break). On the other hand I see my framelocks lasting for a long time but not nearly as strong as the AXIS.

:thumbup:
 
Here is an interesting video from BladeHQ that helps to answer the question. Except they only test cheap Chinese knives.. I'd love to see how a beefy Strider, Microtech or even CRK would do in their test.

But it is very entertaining..


[video=youtube;4KmHfbG7z7g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmHfbG7z7g[/video]
 
Butterflies

Lockbacks where the lock is at the back of the knife.

I really do like the Barry Wood type, but it loses out because there really isn't any one handed opening to them.

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Middle ground -

Linerlock - When it's great, it's great. When it's bad, it's bad.

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Axis locks left me cold.

Mid-lock type lockbacks, I don't fully trust. I've have more unlock on me, than the old style tail lockback. For some reason, my hand just loves to work all it's flab right into the middle of my hand when I grip a knife. Maybe I should try a Spyderco with the little cut out, that might help:).
 
The back lock is the current best lock and has been since its inception. I have seen frame locks and liner locks fail on the simplest tasks and do not consider them safe for anything but a small pocket knife (and most of them not even that). The Triad Lock is the best of the breed but I also like Spydercos lock backs.
 
1. Lockbacks (I prefer ones that can be safely closed one handed.)
2. Framelocks
3.a Slippy with a finger choil (simular to framelocks)
4. axis lock or simular (the springs have a tendency to break)
Liner locks (when they are good they are good.... When they are bad I bleed)
 
Lycosa said:
One that won't fail. I can even safely operate a slip-joint. :)
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:D Hi Rolf...

Ya know... I thought about sayin' this same thing but you beat me to it. My fav lock type is a well made one that I can trust rather than a specific type of lock. And yes, I grew up with slip joints, too. That may be why I focus more on reliability than type of action. I've had some bloody awful cheapos in a few different lock styles that were totally unreliable . That's made me appreciate the design execution and good materials that the higher class companies and makers use more than focusing on a particular style of lock.

If everything else is equal, I have preferences for which type of lock is easier for me to use. If I could pick a favorite folder and have any style of lock on it, the order I'd choose would probably be:

1. Liner, 2. Compression lock, 3. AXIS or BB, 4. Mid lock or back lock, ... 7. Frame lock.
 
For me it is always a Framelock that I prefer. I have had one fail, and they have a lot of little annoying issues that other locks just don't, but I love the look, sound, and use of a good FL. When I'm backpacking I usually have either a DFly, Delica, or Endura on my though. Hard to beat a Lockback when you are using it hard I think.
 
Clinto. said:
Here is an interesting video from BladeHQ that helps to answer the question. Except they only test cheap Chinese knives.. I'd love to see how a beefy Strider, Microtech or even CRK would do in their test.

But it is very entertaining..


[video=youtube;4KmHfbG7z7g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmHfbG7z7g[/video]
Click to expand...

Speaking of hard use tests, have you guys seen this one? Has English subtitles. That guy also has a lot of other hard use tests on his YouTube channel, some of the more notable ones being Spyderco Tenacious vs. Ontario RAT 1, Umnumzaan, and ZT 0550.
[video=youtube;KQFjNbJpRE4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFjNbJpRE4[/video]
 
WuGod said:
Favorite lock is no lock- small fixed blade, bk14 or the custom I got from hardedge knives. I really dont know why more people here dont carry small fixies- they go into use and go into safe quicker than any folder, are cheaper, stronger, fewer compromises (no thumbstuds or flipper tabs in the way, no spydie holes to make the blade huge wide).
Second favorite is liner lock. Would be frame lock but I am a lefty and always end up with my thumb on the lock bar and making it too hard to open. Third is the low lockback like a buck 110. Hate mid lock backs like cold steels demko lock. No leverage.
Click to expand...

Legality, convenience, social mores. I find small fixed blades to be primarily annoying, but good on anyone who likes and carries them. Cheaper is pretty much a myth, though. Unless you have a source for S110V fixed blades for $110...
 
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