How Tough are the Tri-Ad™ Lock Knives Compared to the Usual Suspects?

I look at it the way I do with watches. Will I ever dive to 4000' and require a helium escape valve? I hope not. Still, it's nice to know I can if I wanted to.
 
Wow. A lot of traveling around in circles on this one. Not being a folder guy, I am not nearly as knowledgeable as you guys about folder locks.

I do have a basic question, though. Just to put things in perspective for a dummy like me: how much stronger is the Tri-Ad lock — in normal use — than the old standby lock-back as used by Buck and many others for so many years?
 
dawsonbob said:
Wow. A lot of traveling around in circles on this one. Not being a folder guy, I am not nearly as knowledgeable as you guys about folder locks.

I do have a basic question, though. Just to put things in perspective for a dummy like me: how much stronger is the Tri-Ad lock — in normal use — than the old standby lock-back as used by Buck and many others for so many years?
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A lot stronger, I had Buck 110's and 112's fail on me more than a few times over the years. They were so cheap back when I used them I would just throw it away and get a new one.
 
TheCarbideRat said:
Not Sal? I see you know him personally, can I ask where you met him?
Nope I don't know much I'm just a lost boy in the woods. You can't let a little good natured jabbing go by? sheesh, . Drama? If you say so, thanks. if you and me were face to face though, then you would know what you can do with your drama. :)
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:eek:

Charlie Mike said:
I look at it the way I do with watches. Will I ever dive to 4000' and require a helium escape valve? I hope not. Still, it's nice to know I can if I wanted to.
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:D :thumbup:

viva la said:
honestly, I don't care is a CS knife can hold 600lbs for 3 days. Realistically, can someone please explain when I will ever put my knife through that kind of stress?

I completely agree with the high performance tires on an escort comparison. End of the day the escort is still an escort, and the CS knife is still just a CS knife.
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Build it and they will come... now all we need is for someone to bring up Strider's rap sheet and the circle will be complete. :grumpy:

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From Ankerson...
A lot stronger, I had Buck 110's and 112's fail on me more than a few times over the years.
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I don't mean to drag this out but, just out of curiosity, what were you doing with a Buck 110 (or actually you say multiple Buck 110s and 112s) that caused the locks to fail?

tipoc
 
I just love xanax. How about you? No, seriously, I think could steel might have cut a fat hog in the butt. If they did then good for them! As we can see it's all a big competition and this will lead to even better idea's in the future. And we all have to admit that cold steel are marketing geniuses. Peace.
 
Is it me or....is anyone sick of the following....

1. Tri ad lock threads
2. andrew demko threads
3. See the previous 2.

I mean come on ok its a good lock and a few of you own his custom knives...MOVE ON. No matter how good the lock is...it's still a cold steel product, which means it will NEVER be at the TOP of the knife world. Demko customs ok their built "ford tough" now what? Again though there is no need to beat the life out of a folder when fixed blades are available.
 
I don't know about all you guys, but I want to carry the strongest folder possible.
 
Charlie Mike said:
I don't know about all you guys, but I want to carry the strongest folder possible.
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plus 1

If there was no demand for strong folders, I guess strider, hinderer, CRK, and all these guys would be building uber thin folders with uber thin blades good only for food prep and opening mail. :D
 
If its a piece of gear that I may have to trust my life on, I want the best possible equipment. I didn't buy a Rolex Sea Dweller because of the brand name. Same with the Demko folder I'm waiting on. Outside of our circles, very few people have heard his name. If I wanted flash and prestige, I could have used the same $680 towards a Busse or DDR. I don't want flash. I want reliable. That's why I carry a Reese Weiland (BTW, Andrew told me that Reese is one of the most patient makers he's ever met) framelock conversion Super CQC7.
 
Bill86 said:
Is it me or....is anyone sick of the following....

1. Tri ad lock threads
2. andrew demko threads
3. See the previous 2.

I mean come on ok its a good lock and a few of you own his custom knives...MOVE ON. No matter how good the lock is...it's still a cold steel product, which means it will NEVER be at the TOP of the knife world. Demko customs ok their built "ford tough" now what? Again though there is no need to beat the life out of a folder when fixed blades are available.
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I'm really not sick of it.
 
tipoc said:
From Ankerson...


I don't mean to drag this out but, just out of curiosity, what were you doing with a Buck 110 (or actually you say multiple Buck 110s and 112s) that caused the locks to fail?

tipoc
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Back in the mid to late 70's, early 80's I used them for everything. :)

Lived way out in the country, was out in the woods just about everyday.

Once they started to wear the locks would just let go. ;)

They have improved them over the years since then though.

Standard Lock Backs have come a long way since then.
 
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I honestly believe that if Demko ended up with Spyderco there would be people singing the praises of the Triad lock from the mountain tops. And the BS, "it's still only a Cold Steel knife" has no place here, go back to playing with your power rangers.
 
Ankerson said:
A lot stronger, I had Buck 110's and 112's fail on me more than a few times over the years. They were so cheap back when I used them I would just throw it away and get a new one.
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Thanks, Ankerson.

As I said, I'm not — for the most part — a folder person (mostly fixed blades), so I haven't kept up with the latest advancements. I'd heard of the Tri-Ad locks, but without a frame of reference — such as comparing them to a known standard such as a lock-back — I have no way of knowing just how much stronger they might be.

I have used a few Buck lock-backs, but I've never had one fail, perhaps because I've never stressed one to that degree.

The reason that I asked is because I designed a folder for a company, and used a lock-back in the design. I figured that their excellent head engineer would have me change it if it were a real problem. I used it because it's an old, proven, easy to produce system. I'm sure they can't license the Tri-Ad system, since it seems to be all locked up (yes, it was a pun), but I was wondering just how much we were giving up in strength and reliability.

Is there any way to quantify just how much stronger a system like the Tri-Ad is than the lock-back? Twice as strong? Ten times as strong?

Curious.
 
dawsonbob said:
Thanks, Ankerson.

As I said, I'm not — for the most part — a folder person (mostly fixed blades), so I haven't kept up with the latest advancements. I'd heard of the Tri-Ad locks, but without a frame of reference — such as comparing them to a known standard such as a lock-back — I have no way of knowing just how much stronger they might be.

I have used a few Buck lock-backs, but I've never had one fail, perhaps because I've never stressed one to that degree.

The reason that I asked is because I designed a folder for a company, and used a lock-back in the design. I figured that their excellent head engineer would have me change it if it were a real problem. I used it because it's an old, proven, easy to produce system. I'm sure they can't license the Tri-Ad system, since it seems to be all locked up (yes, it was a pun), but I was wondering just how much we were giving up in strength and reliability.

Is there any way to quantify just how much stronger a system like the Tri-Ad is than the lock-back? Twice as strong? Ten times as strong?

Curious.
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Lock Backs have as I said improved over the years with better designs, but guessing I would have to say likely 10 times as strong as the standard lock back and 100 times as the old ones (1970's - 1980's). That is just a guess though. :)

The old ones were really not designed very well IMO for more than just locking the blade open better than a slip joint, strength was not a real priority in those days. The old ones could be defeated without much trouble at all.
 
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