Frame lock vs liner lock in spine whack test

[Marten]

There is merit in doing a spine "tap", of course. Jason was not referring to bashing the poor blade against something. A spine tap across the thigh is a fair indication. Another method would be to apply pressure to the blade/handle, attempting to close the knife whilst in a locked position.
Should it fail these simple and non abusive tests, I will not carry/purchase this.
Smashing the spine against something in order to test the lock is in my opinion simply ridiculous. The same could be said with regards to certain comments made that checking the lock's functionality via tapping the spine is marketing hype, not necessary and will ruin the lock... If you aren't interested in the lock integrity then carry a slip-joint.
Again, tap don't smash...
DKB45 - Wise words with regards to safe cutting practices. Yes, always assume that the lock could fail.

 

[Krav]

Whacking your spine will make you go blind....

I v e beeen whA cking M y. sp inne Si n. ce. T. H. E. Mid. 80ss. I c. A. N. See. Juxst fime.

 

[G.Moll]

Waiting for someone to post the guy beating a dead horse animation. I saw it in a thread around here somewhere.......

 

[JasonG]

Spine whacking (not the tapping that you are referring to) is the lock test equivalent of chopping through concrete to test the blade chip resistance. It is done by some people, but the majority of knife users view the act as mostly useless, and a very good way to hurt yourself. Knives are designed to have force applied to the cutting edge, and some knives were designed to he able to stab. Multiple tests have proven that locks aside from axis type and tri-ad locks are definitely safe, and even those can have unforseen catastrophic failure.

The safest practice is to always assume that your knife is just waiting to close abruptly. Learn safe cutting practices. Then when you incidentally apply force to the spine and the knife doesn't fail you can go about your business. There are far better lock stability tests.

Also note that every spine whack, even if the lock holds fine, does damage to the lock. It wasn't designed to sustain that force. It is never a good idea to needlessly test the limits of anything, especially when you are testing a limit that shouldn't be tested.

One last thing, I have seen some posts about people who had knives for a long time that fail the spine whack, but are 100% safe to use. I have had a few knives like that. Not a single accidental closure. No fingers chopped off. Only injuries sustained were from me being an idiot.

So how about asking the OP what his definition of spine whacking is before considering it a "inhumane" practice?
If someone brings up spine whacking, it doesn't necessarily mean hitting it hard as you can. It should be promoted as a soft/soft-medium hit to the back of the spine (two or three times), if one would like to test the quality and strength of the lock. (one or two hits wont damage it, if anything create a better mating surfaces on the lock face in my opinion.)

And If you want to test a knife that you want to abuse in the field, test it properly. It you break it and it fails, then its a soft knife. Buy an axis or a traid, then you can spine whack forever with perfect results. Then the user has confidence in his product. But don't say spine whacking is bad because it will fail any lock, because there are locks out there that can handle it no problems..... Just know that you can break some weaker lock systems. (hence the user trying to determine what is strong/not strong)

Its almost like you guys are in denial because you know your knives will fail this test, hence criticizing the method. The method is used by manufactures and enthusiasts who want to know how locks stand up against each other ect. Nothing wrong with it. Some locks can handle it, some cant. From personal testing, I have full confidence in using an axis over frame/liner, and without testing things for yourself, we are only left with relying on what "he said she said" and becoming internet ninjas. Then being shocked when you have your "hard use" knife fail on you in the field. (BUT its marketed as a hard use, military grade knife, how can this be????) - this is from personal experience, hence my strong opinion of test equipment for myself before relying on that product with my life.