How much lbs??

M

marcengels

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
62
Many threads about locks and lock strength these days but how much lbs. can a lock take?

For example:
- axis, triad and compression locks
- framelock (well made like Strider/Hinderer/ZT)
- backlock

Anyone who has numbers? :confused:
 
Sal Glesser does. ;)

Seriously, Spyderco has a machine they use to break knives and record the amount of force required to do so. I imagine other makers do the same, although I don't know it for a fact. Generally, the information they gain is used to refine their products but not released to the public to prevent encouraging stupidity. You know that as soon as a maker says "our lock can withstand ___ pounds of force without breaking" some fool will have to test it himself without the proper equipment, hurt himself doing so and sue the maker for damages.
 
At least one foot pound I'd wager.

Notice that is a torque in a common unit of measure?

:)
 
Last edited:
yablanowitz said:
Sal Glesser does. ;)

Seriously, Spyderco has a machine they use to break knives and record the amount of force required to do so. I imagine other makers do the same, although I don't know it for a fact. Generally, the information they gain is used to refine their products but not released to the public to prevent encouraging stupidity. You know that as soon as a maker says "our lock can withstand ___ pounds of force without breaking" some fool will have to test it himself without the proper equipment, hurt himself doing so and sue the maker for damages.
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Well said.
 
Yeah I'm thinking lock strength is pretty much unimportant as all locks are stronger then you need.
The reliability of a lock is more important.
 
Hawkings said:
Yeah I'm thinking lock strength is pretty much unimportant as all locks are stronger then you need.
The reliability of a lock is more important.
Click to expand...

That is simply not true.

A folding knife with a locking blade should perform the locking function. That is why people buy them - to lock open and not to lock open until minimally stressed.

There is no reason a folding blade cannot have a lock that is both reliable and strong, as well as a lock that is convenient to use as well.

BTW - Why are there not more friction folders out there. I mean, lock strength is not important, right?
 
yablanowitz said:
...

Generally, the information they gain is used to refine their products but not released to the public to prevent encouraging stupidity. You know that as soon as a maker says "our lock can withstand ___ pounds of force without breaking" some fool will have to test it himself without the proper equipment, hurt himself doing so and sue the maker for damages.
Click to expand...

This just shows a lack of the understanding of product liability.

Should a company advertise a specific amount of force a knife lock/model will withstand, it is that which will determine any lawsuits that may arise, not simply because some retard hurts themselves trying to see if the lock/knife will withstand such a force.

As an example, look to the Mazda RX-8 horsepower fiasco.

That is why it is doubtful if any knife company will every mention specific force limits as to lock strength. Even Spyderco only gives a range, BTW.
 
Right now I carry either a CS Spartan tanto or a Demko navajah. Both tri-ad lock. I'm pretty sure my custom can take at least 600lbs. Both knives lock up with no play whatsoever and I almost always use the wave opening.
 
orthogonal1 said:
This just shows a lack of the understanding of product liability.

Should a company advertise a specific amount of force a knife lock/model will withstand, it is that which will determine any lawsuits that may arise, not simply because some retard hurts themselves trying to see if the lock/knife will withstand such a force.

As an example, look to the Mazda RX-8 horsepower fiasco.

That is why it is doubtful if any knife company will every mention specific force limits as to lock strength. Even Spyderco only gives a range, BTW.
Click to expand...

Terribly sorry old chum, but this just shows a total lack of understanding of how this country actually functions. When someone can sue McDonalds over hot coffee being hot and win, it is pretty obvious that product liabilty is driven by stupidity and greed, not advertised facts.
 
orthogonal1 said:
This just shows a lack of the understanding of product liability.

Should a company advertise a specific amount of force a knife lock/model will withstand, it is that which will determine any lawsuits that may arise, not simply because some retard hurts themselves trying to see if the lock/knife will withstand such a force.

As an example, look to the Mazda RX-8 horsepower fiasco.

That is why it is doubtful if any knife company will every mention specific force limits as to lock strength. Even Spyderco only gives a range, BTW.
Click to expand...

Cold Steel gives numbers in several of their videos. You know, the ones where they hang weights of the blade when it's clamped in a vise.

just sayin.
 
I think only customs should be held to the light in this manner. As it should perform as requested in the specs given by the customer when the order as placed.
 
Joben said:
Cold Steel gives numbers in several of their videos. You know, the ones where they hang weights of the blade when it's clamped in a vise.

just sayin.
Click to expand...

Show me where it is written as a guaranty. It is not.

Nor, during the videos, have I heard that the various knives are guarantied to perform as shown in the video.
 
Last edited:
yablanowitz said:
Terribly sorry old chum, but this just shows a total lack of understanding of how this country actually functions. When someone can sue McDonalds over hot coffee being hot and win, it is pretty obvious that product liabilty is driven by stupidity and greed, not advertised facts.
Click to expand...

Different area.

Idiots on a jury decided what was to be expected.

McD's should have immediatly advertised coffee hot enough to burn when you pick it up so it'll be warm enough to drink when you get to work.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Show me where it is written as a guaranty. It is not.

Nor, during the videos, have I heard that the various knives are guarantied to perform as shown in the video.
Click to expand...
from the CS special projects website
And for maximum strength and safety, we have equipped our Ti-Lites® with our patent pending, stainless steel leaf spring locks (proven, in our tests, to hold 130 lbs).
Click to expand...
They have given such numbers for years, in print and on video. I don't know if that qualifies as a guarantee, but they pretty clearly state that the knives are tested to a hold a specific weight.
 
Being proven to perform a function and gauranteed to perform such a function are not to be equated.

It is just like Spyderco with their various lock strengths - no gaurantees are made.
 
marcengels said:
Many threads about locks and lock strength these days but how much lbs. can a lock take?

For example:
- axis, triad and compression locks
- framelock (well made like Strider/Hinderer/ZT)
- backlock

Anyone who has numbers? :confused:
Click to expand...

apparently not much out there but a few claims that are not backed up by a gaurentee. sort of, though some with lifetime gaurentee`s would probubly fix or replace the knife if the lock breaks.
so if you see a claim that a lock will hold 200lbs of weight, blade clamped in a vice and yours wont, but only opens and doesnt break or holds half of what was claimed you probubly wont get warrenty on it.
I think its reasonable to assume most quality built knives will hold up and resist closing on ones hand almost all the time. though i still have a hard time imagining what kind of mall ninja crap your want to do with a quality knife that youd be loosing sleep over the issue, might be better to shop for a fixed blade in your case. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top