Interesting knife lock test methodology and some "big name" surprising fails .

Lesknife said:
My point being is there’s many ways I could make a knife fail in extraordinary fashion and I could make a test to see how much abuse it could take but it would still be a nonsensical test for an unrealistic situation unless a person is a total idiot. I’ve seen some real doozies that make you wonder how they are still with all their fingers and limbs but then some people need directions on how to wash their hands. You can’t idiot proof everything they sometimes have to learn the hard way minus some appendages.
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If you do use a folder , in mechanical / electrical /construction work , especially in tight quarters , it's not that unusual to involuntarily jerk back from a burn , shock , cut etc .

Other types of uncontrolled situations , emergencies , SD , accidents . Stuff can happen, even if you are normally careful .

Do most people need to be concerned ? Probably not .
 
DocJD said:
If you do use a folder , in mechanical / electrical /construction work , especially in tight quarters , it's not that unusual to involuntarily jerk back from a burn , shock , cut etc .

Other types of uncontrolled situations , emergencies , SD , accidents . Stuff can happen, even if you are normally careful .

Do most people need to be concerned ? Probably not .
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Exactly the situation where I went from "spine whack tests are useless" to appreciating them. Helping my uncle gut the second of his house, I went to cut something in a corner. Pulling it out of whatever I cut, the spine smacked a stud. Instantly I was like, well, dang, I get why that matters now.

A lot of stuff seems pointless til you end up in the situation where it isn't. I see why people would think it is useless, and I can't judge for it because I was the same.

And it's good people test because the buzz gets manufacturers thinking more about it as well. I remember Sal @ Spyderco saying they changed the ramp of the compression lock to pass spine whacking after they failed in videos causing some stir, and further back their MBC testing really emphasized strengthening locks to meet those situations because of all the self defense stuff getting published back then.
 
jbmonkey said:
I like how he explains locks using his door. he shows when its locked it doesnt open on a turning of the knob. what he doesnt show is kicking the door and how the door lock might fail...kinda like his super spine whacks......

I find him funny.....
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DocJD said:
If you do use a folder , in mechanical / electrical /construction work , especially in tight quarters , it's not that unusual to involuntarily jerk back from a burn , shock , cut etc .

Other types of uncontrolled situations , emergencies , SD , accidents . Stuff can happen, even if you are normally careful .

Do most people need to be concerned ? Probably not .
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In my time as a senior mechanical tech and operator we employed lock out tag out where we de-energized the equipment disconnected power , locked the breaker in open position and cooled it down before working on it. This is Required by osha and company policy. It’s smarter that way but much safer. That’s what I’m getting at, work snarter not harder . Gloves and other safety gear help prevent injuries as well. There’s a reason bad things happen if you’re not working safe and smart.
 
oldmanwilly said:
Anyone wanting to watch OP's video can skip to 07:30 when he finally starts his test.

I remember the days when Cold Steel spearheaded the lock test mania. I think Andrew Demko's setup was as scientific as such testing could be. I still like my Voyager and my PM2:

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Demko and Mike's testing was great. I highly preferred those over these youtubers.......
 
OK, I watched the whole thing.

Clearly whether or not anyone would find any of this relevant depends on what they intend to use their knife for. If it is just opening Amazon boxes, cutting string, tape, apples and pears etc it likely is not relevent or of any concern.

However, many people do carry folding knives for potentially far more demanding and critical tasks. First responders, military, SAR etc come to mind. Folk that go hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, climbing as well as professionals that venture to remote areas - geologists, biologists etc. In addition to a utility knife I usually also carry a dedicated knife for "any emergency". That includes, yes, self defense. An emergency could be cutting the seatbelt to free someone in a vehicle. Or an attacking dog.

EDITED - This guy tests a Spyderco Manix 2 Salt which passes under what is really a moderate blow. This is a knife and others are marketed to appeal to yachters and fishermen. Two groups where there is real potential for some serious use - and stresses. The former may need to cut a sheet, halyard or mooring line in an emergency, maybe in a raging sea. In what is already an emergency a collapsing blade during a fall or other blow could now be compounded with a severed or partially severed finger or two. Any good size ocean fish can be very strong and difficult to control when landed and they don't have to be the size of a large tuna or marlin. Again the potential for being subjected to a sudden unexpected blow in use is there. - EDITED: 7/4/2025

I consistently maintain that a fixed blade knife is the knife of choice for any and all these categories of use. However, the fact is most people prefer the relative compactness of a folder clipped into a pocket, in a belt pouch or other attachment. Most people are sensitive to the idea of carrying a substantial fixed blade belt knife. In some work places knives of any kind are not permitted (Oh yeah I have been there), and a clandestine pocket carry is the only option. I usually carry a good sized emergency fixed blade and a utility folder, but sometimes the emergency blade is a folder. Depends on where I am going and what I am wearing. So yes, to many people how strong the lock is on their knife is important. This guy only tests a few knives and the purpose is obviously not a guide to strong and weak knives, rather just to suggest people take this into consideration when buying a folding knife if they are shopping for more than just a very light duty cutting tool for use in controlled environments.

EDITED: 7/4/2025 1930 hrs
 
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oldmanwilly said:
Agreed. Even still, I just found them entertaining rather than essential data. Their test of a Sebenza was pretty funny for non-CRK fans.*


*I have nothing against CRK knives or CRK owners. Just didn't go so well for the Sebenza.
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bit of a melt down happened......I found it kinda funny myself the amount of butthurt that happened from that video.....well in fairness from every test video Andrew did......
 
I once had my Manix2 fold on me after accidentally hitting the spine while attempting to cut something out of my sightline because I needed to. I was very surprised to get bit and after an appropriate cooling off period I disassembled the knife cleaned it and removed what in my opinion was a bit too much factory lube. After reassembly I couldn't repeat the failure, the lock would not fail again and to this day I trust it more than most. My observations make me believe it was excess lube on the ball and blade tang that caused the lock to fail but I both cannot prove that and also haven't over lubed it to see if I could get it to fail again. With normal amounts of lube it hasn't failed many attempts. Just my personal experience with a knife I trust after an unusual failure.
 
RPZIP said:
OK, I watched the whole thing.

Clearly whether or not anyone would find any of this relevant depends on what they intend to use their knife for. If it is just opening Amazon boxes, cutting string, tape, apples and pears etc it likely is not relevent or of any concern.

However, many people do carry folding knives for potentially far more demanding and critical tasks. First responders, military, SAR etc come to mind. Folk that go hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, climbing as well as professionals that venture to remote areas - geologists, biologists etc. In addition to a utility knife I usually also carry a dedicated knife for "any emergency". That includes, yes, self defense. An emergency could be cutting the seatbelt to free someone in a vehicle. Or an attacking dog.

This guy tests a Spyderco Manix 2 Salt which fails under what is really a moderate blow. This is a knife marketed to appeal to yachters and fishermen. Two groups where there is real potential for some serious use - and stresses. The former may need to cut a sheet, halyard or mooring line in an emergency, maybe in a raging sea. In what is already an emergency a collapsing blade during a fall or other blow could now be compounded with a severed or partially severed finger or two. Any good size ocean fish can be very strong and difficult to control when landed and they don't have to be the size of a large tuna or marlin. Again the potential for being subjected to a sudden unexpected blow in use is there,

I consistently maintain that a fixed blade knife is the knife of choice for any and all these categories of use. However, the fact is most people prefer the relative compactness of a folder clipped into a pocket, in a belt pouch or other attachment. Most people are sensitive to the idea of carrying a substantial fixed blade belt knife. In some work places knives of any kind are not permitted (Oh yeah I have been there), and a clandestine pocket carry is the only option. I usually carry a good sized emergency fixed blade and a utility folder, but sometimes the emergency blade is a folder. Depends on where I am going and what I am wearing. So yes, to many people how strong the lock is on their knife is important. This guy only tests a few knives and the purpose is obviously not a guide to strong and weak knives, rather just to suggest people take this into consideration when buying a folding knife if they are shopping for more than just a very light duty cutting tool for use in controlled environments.
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I would prefer to carry a fixed blade but the laws in kommiefornia make it difficult. I would like to carry it in either a pocket sheath or under my shirt, but in this crazy state it is illegal to carry a fixed blade over 2” with any part of it, handle or sheath, even partially covered by clothing. I have a CCW and can carry a .45 legally but a fixed blade over two inches is forbidden. Go figure.
 
I find this guy entertaining. He does his best to be “scientific”. I do expect a folding knife lock to be able to take reasonable impact without folding. Otherwise why have a lock? I’m not going to base all my knife purchases on lock strength but I like to know what they can take. It’s a hobby, we should know things about the tools we buy that in 99.99% of cases will not matter.
 
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