front lock-lockback?

P

paulwesley

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
655
i'm sure this is a stupid question..plz brear with me i am still learning. Whats the difference btwn a front lock and a lockback??...thx/paul
 
Al Mar popularized the front lock. It is simply a lockback with the lock release toward the middle of the handle. A traditional lockback is what can be found on the buck 110, with the lock release toward the rear. Al mar's front lock is quite handy when you get used to it because you can collapse the blade one-handed much easier than you can a regular lockback. All Spyderco lockbacks use the "front lock" style release.

Hope that helps.
 
Another advantage the front lock has over the traditional lockback is the protective "kick" located at the tang. When the blade is snapped shut the kick makes contact with the lockbar and stops the blade from going any further. Tradtional lockbacks don't have this feature so the blade edge is allowed to smack the internals. Try squeezing a Spyderco blade and getting the edge to hit anything in there.

(NOTE: It is possible with the Centofante III due to the lack of a kick. Why he designed it that way is a mystery. Also, the Assist model was specially designed to be squeezed when shut to make the carbide glass breaker operate).
 
Nope. Blade play does not always happen with these locks -- they're just as strong as any other lockback. It varies from one individual knife to another. Spydies with FRN handles can develop vertical blade play if they're abused, however (like chopping, too much spine-whacking, etc.).

Peace.
 
i hove a native, a caly jr zdp and a new adventura that all have a little vert blade play and it kinda bugs me,,,,got a email to spyderco tech support as we speak....ive been told in the past its normal
 
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