Im no longer convinced

[David Mary]

So let's summarize your position (I have not read the thread yet, just your OP)

"I'm starting to question the need for a lock on folding knives, realizing that traditional slipjoint knives with flexible, thin blades offer effective, safe, and versatile cutting through skillful use rather than locking mechanisms."

I would agree 100% with this. But I like fixed blades. And if a folding knife with a lock and a little thicker stock can go a little beyond the scope of a what a slipjoint can safely handle, without compromising cutting power, and without compromising safety, then that's what I will choose.

I like my Barlow. But it sits on my desk as an EDC knife (every day computer knife), and not in my pocket.

 

[RocketFoot]

I've thought about this when people are bashing button locks and other lock types that may fail with exaggerated force...what is the big deal? If this was a major issue for button locks, how in the world do any non-locking knife users have any fingers left at all? Accident's can happen with any tool...you just have to know the limitations.

 

[ShaiHulud]

To be fair, isn't this every thread you make?

Im trying on different sizes, but currently both a kershaw and sak classic are weighing down my pants
Im usually an either or type of fella, maybe ill try being both

 

[scdub]

I carry a locking folder on my person every day.

I also carry a non-locking SAK Classic, a phone, a pistol, a watch, fire starter/tinder/first aid in my wallet, pepper spray, extra $$, and the list goes on….

I’m happy for folks that don’t feel the need to carry around emergency gear, and I suppose I even envy them a little because they seem to live simpler lives.

I hope never to become one of them however.

 

[Jabe1]

I can appreciate why some won’t carry a slipjoint or friction folder, but that’s what I grew up with. I’ve had some kind of knife on me for better than 50 years and really have only been carrying a locking blade for the last decade or so.
Currently, I’m deciding whether a small edc fixed blade will work; I have a xancudo that is great but the sheath is a bit large, need a kydex.

 

[eveled]

In regular use a lock is unnecessary. In a self defense situation I feel it would be wise to have a lock on your knife.

But self defense with a knife is far outside my expected use for my edc.

 

[vnvman]

The thing is there is really no known advantage to a non locking knife. Sure some might be more straightforward to disengage... But then again not so much, knives with a lock usually fall shut when you deactivate the lock, and are also easier to open than 99% of friction folders. It's like saying that one prefers a car with no seat belts. I mean if setbelts weighed 1000 lbs a pair and had thorns attached on the inside I would understand. Yeah on most days I could do without a lock on my knives, but why depriving myself of one anyway? It's a legit consideration, but not a very practical one IMHO.

 

[Jsega51]

There’s so many cool knives out there with locks that wouldn't be if they were slipjoints…but I’d buy a large Sebenza slipjoint if they made one!

 

[The True North]

I don't understand the "If no blade lock on a (folding) knife the blade can close on your fingers while using it!" argument.
First, the normal cutting action forces the blade open not closed.
Therefore, unless the operator is doing something dumber than moronic ... such as attempting to cut or slice with the blade spine ... or stabbing something (ice when defrosting the freezer?) a slipjoint or friction folder, the blade cannot close when using the knife.

Speaking of the back springs, they have one job: Prevent the blade from drooping partly closed between cuts, and prevent the blade from partly opening, when in the pocket.
The back springs do not "lock" the blade open.
Personally, I don't understand why some insist on a overly strong pull of say an "8" or higher, possibly requiring a steel fingernail tool to pen it, calling it a "safety feature" ... Admittedly, a strong pull will prevent a youngling from opening the blade ... However ... wouldn't the safer course of action be keeping the knife out of the youngling's possession?

I've never had the desire to possess a knife I have to fight to open ... especially when my hands are cold and/or wet.
The "light" "3" to "4" pull of a Buck 301, and on most of my Rough Ride/Ryder stockmans is to me "ideal".
If the pull is much over a "5" (VIC 91 mm and larger) to around a "6" (Buck 110/Old Timer 6OT/7OT-ish) ... no matter how much I otherwise like the knife, it does not get pocket time.

I've been carrying slip joints daily for roughly 65 years. I've never "needed" a locking blade ... Even though For a few decades I had a Buck 110 or a Old Timer 7OT on my belt, in addition to the slip joints or friction folder in my pocket, and the Scout/Camp/"Demo" knife or SAK clipped on my belt or a belt loop.

I have no doubt any of the slip joints I have on me would be more than enough for survival in the sticks and boonies, if one or more were all I had with me if/when a unexpected survival situation arose. Shelter, firewood, trap and trigger, a slip joint will do the job, provided you use finesse rather than brute force.

Sorry. I'll "Shhhhh" now.

Using the tip of a knife to pierce material is objectively safer with a locked blade than with a slipjoint. That is just one of many reasons locking blades are simply better tools.

Can stuff get done with a slipjoint? Yep. Does that mean locking blades are somehow unnecessary or some newfangled thing that only clumsy morons need? No.

 

[The True North]

The thing is there is really no known advantage to a non locking knife. Sure some might be more straightforward to disengage... But then again not so much, knives with a lock usually fall shut when you deactivate the lock, and are also easier to open than 99% of friction folders. It's like saying that one prefers a car with no seat belts. I mean if setbelts weighed 1000 lbs a pair and had thorns attached on the inside I would understand. Yeah on most days I could do without a lock on my knives, but why depriving myself of one anyway? It's a legit consideration, but not a very practical one IMHO.

Well said.

 

[draggat]

Lock? I don’t need no stinkin’ lock…

I will freely admit to being moronic, but non-locking knife can start to fold closed when the blade gets bound up in the material you are cutting - things like cardboard, carpeting, thin plastic, even wood - and you push or pull the wrong way to get it out. I think anyone who has tried to cut holes in cardboard or plastic with a sawing motion knows what I mean. Sometimes even friction against the material you are cutting, as you draw the knife back towards you to make the next cut, will do it (think shaving off material with repeated push cuts). It’s not really a problem as long as you pay attention to what you’re doing. Knives with or without springs seem to be the same in this regard.

Having said all that, I’m not afraid to put a friction folder to fairly hard use. I use my Pallarès knives all the time for stripping bark off hardwood walking sticks, removing excess material, cutting through hard knots in the wood, carving, etc. You would be surprised at the abuse a thin blade on a plastic handle can take.

That Gabacha has really taken a nice patina! Love it, and that olive one as well!

Friction folders were love at first sight, especially old timey ones.

Pallares makes friction, spring and lock backs - stainless and carbon.



Even the French Capuchin is still being made - one of the oldest still surviving patterns - 500 or so years old. Stainless and carbon as well.



Here's a modern French friction folder as well



One of my favorites



One of the features of the Sardinian Pattada is that the tip of the blade sits above the centerline of the handle, making it an effective stabbing weapon if one chose to use it as such. This did happen historically.



I also love folding knives that are marketed as weapons - old and new.







Lock or no lock, makes not much difference to me. As they say, variety is the spice of life.

 

[draggat]

Actually, many of them carried fixed blades. And if you go to the country side even today, many people do. Also, the liner lock is > 100 years old, and the back lock > 150.

Generally though, I don’t disagree with you much, I like them all, slip joints, locks, automatics and fixed blades. As a little boy (7 or 8?), I once almost cut my finger off with a SAK that I accidentally closed on me - still have a deep scar to prove it, so locks do have value.

Every tool should be usable within its design goals … as such slipjoints can be very functional and pretty in their simplicity.

From my research, the Spanish Navaja has the oldest known folding knife locking mechanism in the western world. Not quite the back lock we know of today, but very similar and some of the examples I've handled are incredibly strong. These date to the early/mid 1700's.

 

[DocJD]

Interesting that many here kinda hate the whole idea of "hard use " folders .

They insist on a fixed blade for anything serious . "Folder = broken knife "

Lock becomes vitally important if you need your folder to do fixed blade stuff .

That kind of need may arise in an unexpected fashion , emergency / survival / SD .

Why carry a weaker, less capable folder than you have to ?

 

[ferider]

From my research, the Spanish Navaja has the oldest known folding knife locking mechanism in the western world. Not quite the back lock we know of today, but very similar and some of the examples I've handled are incredibly strong. These date to the early/mid 1700's.

Cool ! Do you have a reference for this, please ? I am collecting these kind of things ....

BTW, I assume the Opinel-type lock is pretty old, too.

 

[Danny Linguini]

Here’s another line of thinking on the subject … I ‘made do’ with slip joints for most of my life, starting with a venerable Cub Scout knife, followed by about a 40-year marriage to a SAK Spartan. That was it, they did everything I needed them to do, and most likely still would if I had a hint of self control. And then I discovered that I might like to carry a single-blade folder, which from there led to a liking for flippers and thumb stud folders that could be opened and closed with one hand. These knives by nature must be able to be operated with much less effort than a slip joint, and therefore require some sort of locking mechanism. At least I’m not aware of any of these without a lock. So, as long as there are varying tastes for different styles of knives, there will always be a need for both locks and no locks.

 

[The True North]

Interesting that many here kinda hate the whole idea of "hard use " folders .

They insist on a fixed blade for anything serious . "Folder = broken knife "

Lock becomes vitally important if you need your folder to do fixed blade stuff .

That kind of need may arise in an unexpected fashion , emergency / survival / SD .

Why carry a weaker, less capable folder than you have to ?

"'Cause that's what Grandpappy did and I wish it was still 1974".

 

[Bigburly912]

This old kutmaster did NOT get better with locks. I dont know what yall are on about.

(Im sick and bored and actually miss work, just ignore me)

 

[ShaiHulud]

So let's summarize your position (I have not read the thread yet, just your OP)

"I'm starting to question the need for a lock on folding knives, realizing that traditional slipjoint knives with flexible, thin blades offer effective, safe, and versatile cutting through skillful use rather than locking mechanisms."

I would agree 100% with this. But I like fixed blades. And if a folding knife with a lock and a little thicker stock can go a little beyond the scope of a what a slipjoint can safely handle, without compromising cutting power, and without compromising safety, then that's what I will choose.

I like my Barlow. But it sits on my desk as an EDC knife (every day computer knife), and not in my pocket.

Good points

 

[ShaiHulud]

Even the wife asks me "why do you cut things with little baby knives? Just use a normal size one"
I mean--- Its hard to fault that logic...

 

[FlashBladeLeavesFall]

I have had a locking knife fail on me, a liner lock from a very high end company that mostly makes fixed blades. That took two surgeries. My fault for trusting a brand before I tested the knife myself. And I did cut myself with SAKs when I was young. But knives are about freedom and liking whatever makes you happy.

As far as safety; It’s taken me a while to treat knife-use like shop class but I do now. I make hiking sticks to sell and give away to those that need them and I spend days with various knives in my hand, most of them fixed scandi type.