I like Lockbacks...Here's why...

G

Glenridgerich

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Aug 7, 2015
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Ya know, I've always liked pocket knives (guess I'm not alone here) and I always gravitated to small lockbacks. I never really thought too much about why. But it just hit me...I don't like snappy springs, forcing me to be super careful opening and (more often) closing my knives. I want knives that cut what I choose, and I never choose cutting myself!! but it happens from time to time. I find that with lockbacks I control the opening and closing of the knife rather than the knife having part of the control. Anyone else feel like I do?
 
Not really. If you can manage to hurt yourself closing a knife you are doing something wrong. The first thing you need to learn when using any folding knife is how to keep your fingers out of the way regardless of how much snap the blade has. Locks are pretty much meaningless if you are using a knife as it is supposed to be used. As to locking vs non-locking, I quite often carry a Sardinian friction knife, just a horn handle and a blade, no backspring at all.
 
I understand why you feel safer with a lock, but I don't feel the same usually. The only time I prefer a lock is if I am poking something with some potential to close the knife. This is rare and arguably not a correct use of the knife.

The worst cut I ever had occurred when a lock failed. I still don't really know how it happened.

I personally take pleasure in the walk and talk of a nice backspring, but I certainly understand the attraction of a lock-back.

Cheers.
 
Lockbacks work out nice if the spring action of a slipjoint is a pain in the neck for the user. I like slipjoints with good firm snaps,but I like lockbacks too , not because I need the lock,or don't want the spring action.
 
The reason I like lock backs is the easy opening. Old, stiff hands.
 
It's why I prefer cam tangs to half-stop square tangs- you don't have the spring making the blade jump around so much.
 
I prefer slippies, but I do like some of the traditional lock backs fine. I too have had a lock fail when I was young and hurt myself.... I still have nerve pain there. I've learned better handling since then.

I like more blade options, snap, walk, talk..... etc that comes with a slip joint.

Either way, we are still in control of the knife.
 
Although I really like a good slipjoint knife, I have by far carried small (~2 inch bladed) lockbacks more than all other types of pocket knives combined. Part of that because of their non-spring-loaded opening and closing characteristic. So I do feel about them like you do, Glenridgerich.
 
I just carry both. I like both and enjoy both for different reasons. Slipjoints, different locks . They are all good and I love to fondle them all.
 
black mamba said:
It's why I prefer cam tangs to half-stop square tangs- you don't have the spring making the blade jump around so much.
Click to expand...

Certainly agree.

But I also like lock backs quite unapologetically, provided they are not too big or heavy. When they're well-made they are satisfying to use and when cutting grippy materials such as thick plastics, rubber or sappy wood, they undeniably offer extra safety. My current favourites are GEC's 83 and Moki's Fish Owl (small) super users, elegant and very nicely made. Honourable mention to CASE's Mini Copperlock too, bit thin in the handle being its main drawback.
 
Both are good, but I do lean towards lockbacks. To the extent that I've casually been looking for a knife with a locking awl. Surprisingly few and far between.(yes I know , blue Cub Scout knife). When using a knife seriously, working hard, I do prefer a lockback.
Thanks, Neal
 
I like lockbacks because my father carried a lockback, and my first knife was a lockback. My early exposure to them made them the de facto pocket knife, and that nostalgia still plays.
 
For traditionals I don't really have a preference one way or the other though slipjoints are more convenient to just close without any lock to deal with first.
I do certainly prefer a lockback in one handed folders though as I like that constant resistance you get as it just feel right to require constant control and pressure on the blade.
 
I like lock backs just fine. I have a handful. My current favorite, the #99 Wall Street is a well made lock back that just feels right to me. I don't think they are inherently any safer if we assume all folders are being used correctly (a big assumption). I would say I like slip joints better just based on the simple closing maneuver. On the other hand: I have the most difficulty with multi-blade knives, which of course are (almost never) locking. Something about my old hands, dried out nails etc. that just creates problems for me with multi-blades. Off topic, I know.
 
neal70 said:
Both are good, but I do lean towards lockbacks. To the extent that I've casually been looking for a knife with a locking awl. Surprisingly few and far between.(yes I know , blue Cub Scout knife). When using a knife seriously, working hard, I do prefer a lockback.
Thanks, Neal
Click to expand...

Ooooh, let me know when you find a good locking awl. :thumbup:
 
I like lockbacks as well, preferable with a lanyard cord, for those instances and jobs where you need to extract, deploy and use the knife using a single hand (with the other holding/grabbing something else). I am a horticulturist, and more often than not I found myself in those situations. That is why I always carry two knives, one slip joint multi-blade (stockman or scout) and one locking single blade (lockback, liner-lock or framelock). Raul
 
Glenridgerich said:
Ya know, I've always liked pocket knives (guess I'm not alone here) and I always gravitated to small lockbacks. I never really thought too much about why. But it just hit me...I don't like snappy springs, forcing me to be super careful opening and (more often) closing my knives. I want knives that cut what I choose, and I never choose cutting myself!! but it happens from time to time. I find that with lockbacks I control the opening and closing of the knife rather than the knife having part of the control. Anyone else feel like I do?
Click to expand...

I don't care for single blade knives. And having grown up using a slipjoint, I learned how to use it such that I don't need a lock on the blade in order for it to be safe for me to handle. If I am going to carry a knife with a single locking blade, I'll carry one of the modern ones with one of the modern steels. So I kind of don't have that much use for a traditional lockback. But I'm a knife knut, so of course I have some.

Course on the other hand I don't like super strong springs on a small knife, either. A small knife should have springs that do not contest with you for control of the blade.

YMMV.
 
neal70 said:
Both are good, but I do lean towards lockbacks. To the extent that I've casually been looking for a knife with a locking awl. Surprisingly few and far between.(yes I know , blue Cub Scout knife). When using a knife seriously, working hard, I do prefer a lockback.
Thanks, Neal
Click to expand...

A locking awl would be a good idea. Recently I was using a (someone on the cheaper side) imperial scout knife, and while testing the awl on a stick it folded right on my thumb and split my nail a good quarter inch down. I was using it just like if I was using the awl on a vic farmer. I guess that's made me weary of awls now, that one especially since after careful analysis I realized that when extended it actually isn't perfectly straight out the handle, but leans a little inwards to the handle, so any force on it forwards means it will just close.
 
I do like the ease of opening lockbacks usually have. I have no preference for a locking blade, however. It would be nice if there were more multi blade lockbacks around. Rough Rider have a few really neat ones, but they get pretty sparse outside that brand.
 
I find slip joints much easier to close. I hold the backside of the frame between my thumb and fingers and close the blade against my thigh. Fingers are never at risk.

With kickbacks, I have to put my index finger at risk as I depress the lock bar and start to close the blade. I've gotten bitten this way before.

Opinels are the safest to open and close of the knives Ive owned.
 
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