Folders locking strength

[bikerector]

Maybe I should try the delica again. I sold it stupidly. The back lock is pretty strong. Just not the easiest to close one handed

I usually brush the blade spine on a pant leg to close a lockback one-handed, same with slipjoints.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

Easy for you to say. Wait until you need to pierce the tires on your ex-girlfriend's car. Nothing less than a Tri-Ad lock will do.

What about a tried and true lock back? My 3 dot 1980-81 Buck 110 is a freaking tank and that lock is pretty damn strong. But I have always wondered about plunge locks like my Gerber 06 Manual or Ontario Strike Fighter.

 

[Boattale]

I usually brush the blade spine on a pant leg to close a lockback one-handed, same with slipjoints.

And Axis lock.

 

[jstn]

That thing has too many parts which introduces more ways for the lock to be compromised. I had one get damaged and fail to lock open afterwards. The scorpion lock is a similar but much better design.

You are correct. There are plenty of videos of the strap lock failing. It’s a cool lock and should do fine as a knife lock, but it’s not as sturdy as a Demko lock.

 

[Roguer]

To me the Lock Back knife is the "Safest" type of folder. Others who know of safer ones please post it .

Me, I use my folders in field for gutting critters and steel on meat/tissue use and for meat carving during large critter cutting season as well. Other wise its the smaller bushy type jobs. The heavy stuff is saved for the fixed blades or saw, hatchet, mattoc, maul, axe or what not.

My I'd like to hear more about what knives have the stronger lock backs. I moved to CS for the more affordable lock backs myself. But I still get the Code 4 and odd Recon 1 for Da'neice or Da'nephew along with the surplus buck 110 I have. I only gives knives away that I would trust to others as gifts.

 

[SpaceGhost88]

Is it easy to operate? It looks small. I’m curious about the lightweight para 3

Yep. Very easy to operate and easy to close with one hand. Check out any Spyderco PM2 or PM3 reviews on YT. Drop shut easy with one hand to close it.

 

[crn3371]

I don’t rely on a lock for my safety, I rely on proper use and handling.

 

[unwisefool]

You are correct. There are plenty of videos of the strap lock failing. It’s a cool lock and should do fine as a knife lock, but it’s not as sturdy as a Demko lock.

Ironically I had mine fail, posted about it on the Buck subforum, and was ridiculed and outright called a liar. It was like I insulted a family member.

 

[Chronovore]

Frame/Liner locks are weak...

I see this sentiment from time to time. I have to ask: weak against what?

In what real-life situation will the difference in lock strength between a frame lock and an axis lock be the difference between severe injury or not?

Really, whatever activity is going to test that is not an activity that you should be doing with a folding knife in the first place. So to put it another way, what portion of possible freak accidents that cause the injurious failure of one type definitely won't cause the injurious failure of another lock type?

 

[midnight flyer]

Ironically I had mine fail, posted about it on the Buck subforum, and was ridiculed and outright called a liar. It was like I insulted a family member.

Fanboys... mindless defenders of their unfailing devotion and belief... you should expect nothing less than ridicule and accusations from them regardless of circumstance if you don't share their devotion.

Go ahead and and post about your massive Sebenza failure here, and the fact it isn't worth what you paid for it. I dare you! Then add, "I like my XXXX a lot better because to me it is a better knife/value".

You will find some pretty thin skins around here, too. Not just in a dedicated sub forum. Although, it doesn't seem as sensitive as it was for a while.

 

[Wasty]

Generally I treat all folders as slip joints, as they are designed to fold.
So the strength of a lock does not bother me at all. It is more important that the lock is easy to manipulate and I don't have to put my fingers between the blade and the handle.

 

[bikerector]

Generally I treat all folders as slip joints, as they are designed to fold.
So the strength of a lock does not bother me at all. It is more important that the lock is easy to manipulate and I don't have to put my fingers between the blade and the handle.

They are also designed to stay open. Some are even designed to lock in the open position. The locks are designed to lock.

To get past the snarkiness, do you treat locks as if they don't work in other facets of life? Door latches and locks, car jack stands, padlocks, hitches, etc? Locks are generally a pretty trustworthy mechanism from my experience.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

Fanboys... mindless defenders of their unfailing devotion and belief... you should expect nothing less than ridicule and accusations from them regardless of circumstance if you don't share their devotion.

Go ahead and and post about your massive Sebenza failure here, and the fact it isn't worth what you paid for it. I dare you! Then add, "I like my XXXX a lot better because to me it is a better knife/value".

You will find some pretty thin skins around here, too. Not just in a dedicated sub forum. Although, it doesn't seem as sensitive as it was for a while.

hahahahahahahahaha

I see this sentiment from time to time. I have to ask: weak against what?

In what real-life situation will the difference in lock strength between a frame lock and an axis lock be the difference between severe injury or not?

Really, whatever activity is going to test that is not an activity that you should be doing with a folding knife in the first place. So to put it another way, what portion of possible freak accidents that cause the injurious failure of one type definitely won't cause the injurious failure of another lock type?

Weak in the confidence I have for it to not fold on my fingers when using.

Long story short, I trusted a liner/frame lock and it folder over on me. I avoid them entirely due to my personal experiences.

I use a knife as it was designed. However, there may be a situation where I suddenly need to use it as a pick-ax with the spine down. I need it strong and secure.

Thanks for asking : )

 

[Wasty]

bikerector
I think you missed the point I was trying to make:

I will use a folding knife never to the point where the lock would fail, here's where a fixed knife will just be a more handy option.

I grew up with slipjoints and like the easy one handed closing and have learned to respect a knife snapping shut.

So however strong the lock of a folding knife is, there is a chance of it failing or just stupidity, especially when the lock is perceived and marketed as superstrong.

 

[jux t]

bikerector
I think you missed the point I was trying to make:

I will use a folding knife never to the point where the lock would fail, here's where a fixed knife will just be a more handy option.

I grew up with slipjoints and like the easy one handed closing and have learned to respect a knife snapping shut.

So however strong the lock of a folding knife is, there is a chance of it failing or just stupidity, especially when the lock is perceived and marketed as superstrong.

Yeah, might as well get rid of folding knife locks all together and not talk about how some are stronger than others. Whew.

 

[Ruger 44 Redhawk]

To me the Lock Back knife is the "Safest" type of folder. Others who know of safer ones please post it .

Me, I use my folders in field for gutting critters and steel on meat/tissue use and for meat carving during large critter cutting season as well. Other wise its the smaller bushy type jobs. The heavy stuff is saved for the fixed blades or saw, hatchet, mattoc, maul, axe or what not.

My I'd like to hear more about what knives have the stronger lock backs. I moved to CS for the more affordable lock backs myself. But I still get the Code 4 and odd Recon 1 for Da'neice or Da'nephew along with the surplus buck 110 I have. I only gives knives away that I would trust to others as gifts.

Exactly. Of all the damn "super duper" steel knives I collected over the years, a lot of them worth a lot of money now because they are discontinued, they all sit in box collecting dust now. So, I went back to the 3 dot 1980-81 Buck 110 which is a tank compared to the newer ones. Thicker and heavier with the squared bolsters and the last year for the better 440C steel which is easy to sharpen to a razor. The primary reason also is no moving parts, springs or screws. Just all metal handle and a strong spring bar with a strong lock. That is all you need. Anything else can be done with a fixed blade. You can still find the 3 dots in prime condition for only $40 if you search. And I have to add just for the fun of it, the Buck 110 has killed a Grizzly up close and personal.

 

[sharp_edge]

Fanboys... mindless defenders of their unfailing devotion and belief... you should expect nothing less than ridicule and accusations from them regardless of circumstance if you don't share their devotion.

Go ahead and and post about your massive Sebenza failure here, and the fact it isn't worth what you paid for it. I dare you! Then add, "I like my XXXX a lot better because to me it is a better knife/value".

You will find some pretty thin skins around here, too. Not just in a dedicated sub forum. Although, it doesn't seem as sensitive as it was for a while.

Totally agree. Buck fanboys are just as ridiculous as CRK fanboys, Spyderco fanboys, and Cold Steel fanboys. See how many enemies I just made by this sentence.

I am actually a fan of these brands But I view them rationally and critically. If a model of a brand is good to me I say it's good to me. Otherwise I say it's bad to me. I am also very interested in hearing other people's experience with them, good experience but in particular also bad experience.

 

[sharp_edge]

I see this sentiment from time to time. I have to ask: weak against what?

In what real-life situation will the difference in lock strength between a frame lock and an axis lock be the difference between severe injury or not?

Really, whatever activity is going to test that is not an activity that you should be doing with a folding knife in the first place. So to put it another way, what portion of possible freak accidents that cause the injurious failure of one type definitely won't cause the injurious failure of another lock type?

I can imagine for example in a live-or-die self defense situation, a person hold a folding knife to defend against another person who swings a stick at him. The stick hits the spine of the Folder hard, which may cause the framelock to fold more easily than Axis lock, maybe?

But this is not my personal experience and the next poster says the guy should run Instead of using a folder for self defense.

 

[Chronovore]

I can imagine for example in a live-or-die self defense situation, a person hold a folding knife to defend against another person who swings a stick at him. The stick hits the spine of the Folder hard, which may cause the framelock to fold more easily than Axis lock, maybe?

But this is not my personal experience and the next poster says the guy should run Instead of using a folder for self defense.

You haven't seen my many speeches and PSAs about folding knives being terrible for self defense?

Running can be good if it's a viable option. Using force to defend yourself is something you do when you don't have other viable options. Defensive tools are things that help to adjust your odds when you do. The stick is a force multiplier on the part of the assailant. What happens to the knife in your example is yet another reason that folders are bad for self defense. Given the same hit at the same angle, etc.--assuming that the defender was successful in (1) getting out their folding knife, (2) deploying their folding knife to complete lock-up, and (3) properly positioning their hand to effectively use the folding knife; all while under violent assault--would the difference between liner, frame, axis, etc. really make the difference in injurious failure or not?

I'm betting it wouldn't. (Even if the lock holds, does the grip?) Further, the folding knife in this case ends up being a waste of valuable time and energy that could have been invested in a better defensive strategy. I've spent a lot of time on this over the years. Generally, the order of effectiveness for defensive tools looks something like this:

Gun --> Fixed Blade ----> Better Empty Handed Skills ------> Folding Knives

Given, you need to train with whatever you choose. Guns and fixed blades also require a proper carry system. For instance, just changing the sheath type or mounting location will slide fixed blades to one direction or the other. Other things like "yelling for help" might be on par with folding knives, depending on the type and location of the incident. At least folding knives have more immediate potential than trying to call 911 on a cell phone...

 

[Chronovore]

... And I have to add just for the fun of it, the Buck 110 has killed a Grizzly up close and personal.

While folding knives are generally poor defensive tools, one of the few recorded instances of successful use I've seen involved one of these sorts of knives.

A relatively large dog had attacked a little girl in a parking lot. It was trying to rip her up while a couple of adults were doing their unarmed best to restrain the dog and try to get the girl free. Under those very particular circumstances, a man had time and freedom of motion to get out what appeared to be a Buck 110, get it open, and get in enough stabs to end the threat. AFAIK, the little girl survived and will always have the scars to remember it. (There is an ASP video for this on YouTube.)

Under those very particular circumstances, would it have mattered that it was back lock versus a frame, axis, or whatever lock? I'm not so sure and other factors might matter too, such as having a handle that can be held securely and a blade long enough to get where it needed to go. Remember that any discusion of defense is necessarily probabilistic and multi-factorial.