Help me understand : Why does a pure slicer needs a strong lock ?

C

Chapp

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Mar 28, 2018
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It's a question I keep wondering about. If you take the well-known PM2 or the Delica, both have a very strong lock mechanism. The backlock and the compression lock are both considered among the strongest lock around.

Yet, both the PM2 and the Delica feature FFG blade that are very slicey. My question is, why would a pure slicer needs a strong lock ? It's not like you're going to pry or baton with a FFG folder, unless you want to snape a FFG blade in half. I'm trying to understand the reasons behind the decision for the lock. Is it just a marketing argument or is there really a reason behind it ?

I understand that a Cold Steel Recon 1 or a Griptilian having strong locks because the grind of both blades are pretty tough, which means you can abuse those somewhat, but the Delica and the PM2 are far from it.

So what gives ? What's your take on it ?
 
It’s a fair question, OP. I’d say that on more than a few occasions, I end up in very awkward corners or restricted spaces using a folding knife. This sort of environment inevitably leads to slips and skidding at times. I have often been grateful for a working lock! I guess my question is, why not a compression lock?
 
You'ld be surprised what people do with such knives regardless of the grind or physical limitations and common sense.
 
Considering that the consequences for any kind of accidental closure are severe, a strong lock is always a selling point. I, like many others, have gotten a couple of bites over the years, either from pushing the limit with slip joints or lock failure. A little blood in an inconvenient spot is one thing, but those slicey blades can get to tendons quite easily and then they need stitches or surgery. I want a good lock on my knife the same way I want a working seat belt.
 
What they said. Plus in my work usage I fairly frequently push the tip of the blade into something like a length of PE pipe to make it easier to start the cut, particularly in inconvenient and awkward locations to work in. A lock is an extra safety margin to prevent the blade from closing on your fingers when doing that but something thin and slicey cuts it a lot better once you're through.
 
I would guess those locks were chosen for other reasons and their strength is merely happenstance.
 
Right tool for the right job. However my EDC is a small fixed BK14 and I slice, pry, cut & whittle with it.
If you are in a pinch, you need to trust that locking mechanism. I don't but YMMV.
I have a non locking Alox with me that only gets used when i definitely don't need a strong blade...
 
I've been bitten block failure cutting in tight spaces on a large hydrolic machine. I've been cut by lock failure while topping cardboard boxes. The blade hit frozen meat inside and folded like a wet noodle.

I was not batonning, or prying.

I've had several lock failures in addition to those were I was lucky and did not get cut.

Older brother was cutting heavy rubber (piercing it).

He had to have surgery to repair a tendon. It was rhe same model liner lock as I was cut with while topping boxes. Differenr physical knives, same make/model.

We stopped carrying them. I ground the edge and point off of mine and made it a child's knife so my kid could play with it and pretend to cut stuff while watching me work. He carried it for years as a little guy before graduating to a sharp knife.

I have Triad locks, and other strong locks.

I carry slipjoints as well.

I am careful about what I carry, and try to use knives appropriately.
 
I happen to like thin slicers and medium duty folders, having good geometry they actually cut pretty badly if the lock fails. I have grown fond of my fingers and would like to keep them attached if at all possible.

Any lock, no matter how well regarded, can fail regardless of how thick a blade is. If I need a strong knife I'll go with a heavy duty fixed blade over any "overbuilt" folder. It's never made much sense to me that a machete holds up to what it does being 1/8" thick, but you need 1/4" thick blade on a folder?
 
Danke42 said:
I would guess those locks were chosen for other reasons and their strength is merely happenstance.
Click to expand...

Honestly, that was my initial thought.

Manufaturers chose a lock for the cool factor, action... but I'm sure there are more reasons. Why is Spyderco so in love with the backlock system for their smallest knives for exemple ? Is it because it's the only lock you can run without liners for example ? I need to know.
 
fishface5 said:
The designs work well, so why redesign them with a "weaker" lock? It's not like they are bulky as is.
Click to expand...

Make them cheaper ? If you take the PM2 : the compression lock is an impressive piece of engineering, but I'm sure the knife would be cheaper with a standard linerlock, without losing much functionality. The Military is running a linerlock for example and it's perfectly fine, albeit less exotic in a sens.

Bigfattyt said:
I've been bitten block failure cutting in tight spaces on a large hydrolic machine. I've been cut by lock failure while topping cardboard boxes. The blade hit frozen meat inside and folded like a wet noodle.

I was not batonning, or prying.

I've had several lock failures in addition to those were I was lucky and did not get cut.

Older brother was cutting heavy rubber (piercing it).

He had to have surgery to repair a tendon. It was rhe same model liner lock as I was cut with while topping boxes. Differenr physical knives, same make/model.

We stopped carrying them. I ground the edge and point off of mine and made it a child's knife so my kid could play with it and pretend to cut stuff while watching me work. He carried it for years as a little guy before graduating to a sharp knife.

I have Triad locks, and other strong locks.

I carry slipjoints as well.

I am careful about what I carry, and try to use knives appropriately.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the argument about fingers safety is a pretty good one. Even a slicer can have a lock fail, it's true.

I've never heard of a Spyderco backlock or a compression lock failure though...
 
Chapp said:
Honestly, that was my initial thought.

Manufaturers chose a lock for the cool factor, action... but I'm sure there are more reasons. Why is Spyderco so in love with the backlock system for their smallest knives for exemple ? Is it because it's the only lock you can run without liners for example ? I need to know.
Click to expand...
I would guess it's related to the factory that makes those knives and what they're best at making.

Spyderco has been making some knives there since the beginning and Sal has commented on the long relationship with the Seki maker being something they won't cancel as a business decision even though they could get cheaper versions of those knives elsewhere now.
 
If I may, Spyderco has been making the Delica, lockback knife long before they started making the full-flat grind on those models.
In my opinion, they do both exceptional
 
I have to admit that your question got me thinking outside a bunch of boxes...

My take on it? I don't have the slightest idea, and I would reeeeaaalllly like to hear the reason for the lock choice on some pieces.

As for me, I don't require a lock on a slicer. I don't mind if a good slice-y knife has a lock, but I don't require it.

I imagine the backlock on the Delica has something to do with the simplicity of design and construction, more than the strength of the lock.

The PM2 is a pretty cool piece, and so probably demands a pretty cool lock. That's how I would look at it if I was R&D at Golden. :D

Folks use knives like fidget spinners nowadays... I wonder if fidget factor plays into this piece.

But if I had a U.K. Penknife with no lock instead of the PM2 I'd be just as happy with slicing away.
 
Why carry a folder , even a thin bladed slicer that's potentially unsafe ? :confused:

You might need to use a folder in some emergency or just chaotic situation that results in force being accidentally applied the the spine .

Iv'e been involved in a handful off such events and decided that would be the worst time to cut you hand . Trouble compounded .
 
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