Folding knife lock strength. .. Go Buck!

This is not a big surprise. Lock back locks are the strongest. Liner locks are the weakest and hard users do not trust them. The good old Buck lock back is still relevant.
 
Interesting vid. Thanks for posting. True, not a big surprise that the lockbacks are the strongest. Glad to see how well the Buck 112 Ranger did, since that is my main EDC ... and, compared to most of the knives tested, I still prefer the classic looks of the wood & brass Buck. Heavy, but beautiful.

JT
 
I like the way these guys tested the same locking methods against each other rather than the way CS compairs their lock against other lock types. Was a bit surprised to see the Spyderco liner hold max weight.

The old lock back is still a tried and true system though. Thanks for sharing the video.
 
Their "average" results are deceiving. They need to take all knives to the point of failure for a realistic comparison.

If they decided max weight was 200#, would they be claiming that all locks were equal?

C'mon guys... if you're going to make a comparison, do it right and come up with something more definitive!
 
Tests like this are the exact opposite of my questions about lock/joint strength and durability.

What I'm primarily interested in is how a lock/joint design holds up to repeated hard CUTTING forces.

These are related. When a Lockback loosens up after repeated hard cutting forces, it is more prone to close accidently in a "sling-shot" type failure that can happen when cutting through a branch (or rope) and the blade shoots forward before the displaced lock bar can catch it. This effects pretty much all standard traditional Lockback designs, not just Bucks.

Product testing is tricky business when you're trying to predict actual performance in the field. I never put a tremendous amount of direct closing force on any folder. Who would?
 
I have not heard of a Buck 110 (or 112) backlock failing. (I was a teenager, when the 110 first came out) FWIW, I've not heard of any of the major manufacturer's Buck 110 clones (Schrade, Puma and possibly Case) backlocks failing, either.
The backlock is the only blade lock I trust.
 
The test results were fairly predictable in my opinion. I have never even came close to the amount that makes a linerlock fail so for me they are all very safe.

Just stick to a good brand and quality knife and stay away from the cheap imports.
 
What pinnah said, plus: I would test as follows-

1) measure the force and displacement of the locking feature (the "button" on a back lock, the sideways displacement of the liner on a liner lock, etc.) The idea is how much force and distance is necessary to release the blade?

2) apply the test load in the cutting direction. Remeasure the releasing force/displacement. In my opinion the knife fails when a cutting-direction force makes the knife permanently easier to unlock.

In my experience wear does this to liner locks. But here they are measuring strength, and it is a valid question.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top