Quote
"Folding knives fold.
Locks foul with pocket debris and lint and aren't always as reliable as we want to think.
Locks on folders are like safeties on firearms.
They help prevent accidents, but shouldn't be a replacement for proper handling.
If you are stressing the lock, you probably need a FB or, most likely a screwdriver/wrecking bar/can opener/etc "
I'm well aware that folding knives fold, and locks can fail, but if you are stressing the knife so much that the lock fails, either you bought a Cheapie pos or you are just plain abusing the knife. I have hundreds of knives of all sorts, and have used them and cut/chopped/pried etc in every way imaginable. Never had a decent lock fail yet. If it doesn't have a decent lock I won't use it. Those "destructive tests" (I've seen many of those) are mostly hype also. Mostly designed to show how inferior the competitions product is. I have seen people demonstrate how a lock will fail by hanging hundreds of pounds on a knife, or pounding on it with a 16 lb hammer, or using a 4 foot pipe on the handle for leverage, then say "look, the lock don't work".UH-HUH. Any of the better makers such as Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech, etc make locking mechanisms that will stand up to most anything you can dish out. If you do manage to find a way to get a good one to fail, the stress involved would probably damage any small fixed blade like the ones mentioned here (that would be where the proper handling part comes in).
Another thing, carring a concealed fixed blade is in a lot of places a crime. Where I live, its allowed if its carried openly on your belt(up to about a 4" limit), but if its concealed(in your pocket) its a felony. A large folder on the other hand poses no problems.
"Folding knives fold.
Locks foul with pocket debris and lint and aren't always as reliable as we want to think.
Locks on folders are like safeties on firearms.
They help prevent accidents, but shouldn't be a replacement for proper handling.
If you are stressing the lock, you probably need a FB or, most likely a screwdriver/wrecking bar/can opener/etc "
I'm well aware that folding knives fold, and locks can fail, but if you are stressing the knife so much that the lock fails, either you bought a Cheapie pos or you are just plain abusing the knife. I have hundreds of knives of all sorts, and have used them and cut/chopped/pried etc in every way imaginable. Never had a decent lock fail yet. If it doesn't have a decent lock I won't use it. Those "destructive tests" (I've seen many of those) are mostly hype also. Mostly designed to show how inferior the competitions product is. I have seen people demonstrate how a lock will fail by hanging hundreds of pounds on a knife, or pounding on it with a 16 lb hammer, or using a 4 foot pipe on the handle for leverage, then say "look, the lock don't work".UH-HUH. Any of the better makers such as Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech, etc make locking mechanisms that will stand up to most anything you can dish out. If you do manage to find a way to get a good one to fail, the stress involved would probably damage any small fixed blade like the ones mentioned here (that would be where the proper handling part comes in).
Another thing, carring a concealed fixed blade is in a lot of places a crime. Where I live, its allowed if its carried openly on your belt(up to about a 4" limit), but if its concealed(in your pocket) its a felony. A large folder on the other hand poses no problems.
In the summer it disappears on my belt, to the point where I have to check to make sure it is there.
Although leather is quite attractive and functional, kydex is stiffer and will last quite a bit longer. But to each their own. 
