How about revisiting the dodo?

Death's Head said:
How do Dodo owners like that lock? Heard it was a bit difficult to close for some.
Click to expand...
I like the ball lock, and I believe it suits the Dodo very well.

I do agree it is a little hard to get used to, especially for one handed closure. But with a little practice it can be done as easy as the rest.
 
I love the ball bearing lock. It had some "stiffness" at first, and took a brief time to get used to, but after a day or two it became a favorite of mine. An ingenious locking mechanism, so simple yet so solid. Long live the Dodo!
 
The ease of use on the BB lock depends on the user's fingernail habits. I don't bite my nails, and actually keep them a bit longer than most people do, and that gives the tip of my thumb the added toughness, rigidity and leverage when disengaging the lock one handed. I've let my friend's that bite their nails try it, and they can't do it because their thumb tip is to smmoth and sensitive to disengage it.
 
Nail-biters - forgot what a disadvantage they are in when it comes to knives (not just BB-locks, either).

Thanks for reminding me.
 
I found it difficult to close myself. I just handled the knife at a store. Didn't carry it for an extended period of time. I was thinking if the lock style was something to that you had to get used to. I found the lock very smooth though.
Would you guys say that it is not as easy to close as the Axis and ARC lock?
 
Death's Head said:
I found it difficult to close myself. I just handled the knife at a store. Didn't carry it for an extended period of time. I was thinking if the lock style was something to that you had to get used to. I found the lock very smooth though.
Would you guys say that it is not as easy to close as the Axis and ARC lock?
Click to expand...

It depends on which one. I have the Poliwog and the Dodo (both ball bearing locks), and the Poliwog lock seems to be far easier to actuate when you want to close the knife. The Dodo's ball bearing is kinda buried in there, and it's tough to get your fingers in past the G-10 to actually move the ball. On the Poliwog, it seems to be much more exposed and is easy to grab for a quick one-handed close.

I need to get around to posting an ergonomic comparison of the two knives, as I feel they're actually quite different.
 
The blade closes just as easily as an axis lock, the only difference is that the ball is recessed, rather than sticking out like the axis lock. Over time you will get much better at unlocking it, handling it in the store is probably a bad misconception that has turned people away from it. Unless it is nearly impossible for you to unlock in the first place, you will eventually be able to unlock it with ease.

That said, even though the ball lock may be harder to disengage, I personally find it to be more secure, just as smooth, and with less blade play than the axis lock. In time, you will get just as good as unlocking it as you would with an axis, with these added security features as well.
 
The ball lock is in a constant state of evolution. As I understand it, in its latest configuration in the DP Dallara, it is much easier to accuate.
 
I just use the tips of my index finger and thumb. Fingernails or no, this seems to work well for me.
 
I would buy any blade on a Dodo handle as long as Spyderco makes a fully serrated version of it as well:grumpy:

I have no trouble opening and closing the Dodo one handed(and I keep my fingernails very short[no, no biting:D ]) the only thing is that I haven't had much luck with the ball bearing locks. From two of the 3 Dodo's I had, the lock failed by thumb pressure only:mad:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top