Let's talk locks ...

C

cmeisenzahl

Joined
Apr 13, 2005
Messages
66
What do you guys think of the Spyderco ball-bearing lock with respect to strength and longevity? Compared to the Benchmade Axis and other lock mechanisms?

Are there any lock types that you just aren't comfortable with?

Thanks and hope this turns into an interesting thread. ;-)

Chris
 
When I use the ball bearing lock, the ball spins under my thumb and does not slide. I must grab the ball between my thumb and forefinger to to actually move it. With an Axis lock, just a thumb will do (except the Kulgera which has a short lock bar).
 
I wouldn't classify it as a strength issue exactly, but I do believe the ball lock, a ball being round, is more subject to slipping to the unlocked position under extreme pressure. Under normal usage you won't have any problems with it though.
 
Vege-Taco said:
I wouldn't classify it as a strength issue exactly, but I do believe the ball lock, a ball being round, is more subject to slipping to the unlocked position under extreme pressure. Under normal usage you won't have any problems with it though.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. In my world, extreme use is largely limited to opening mail. ;-)
 
Vege-Taco said:
I wouldn't classify it as a strength issue exactly, but I do believe the ball lock, a ball being round, is more subject to slipping to the unlocked position under extreme pressure. Under normal usage you won't have any problems with it though.
Click to expand...

You think an issue like that would have shown up in testing, right? I mean the interfaces are all round in both the BBL and AXIS locks.
 
Vege-Taco said:
I wouldn't classify it as a strength issue exactly, but I do believe the ball lock, a ball being round, is more subject to slipping to the unlocked position under extreme pressure. Under normal usage you won't have any problems with it though.
Click to expand...

I thought Spyderco was putting plastic over it to make it easier to unlock
 
tiguy7 said:
I must grab the ball between my thumb and forefinger to to actually move it.
Click to expand...

That's how you do it.

The good thing about NOT being able to undo the lock with only a flick of the thumb, is that it makes it practically impossible to open the lock by mistake during hard use, due to the friction of a strong grip, something which could happen with an axis lock. With the Spyderco Ball Bearing Lock, you need to literally jam your fingertips in there from both sides in order to disengage the lock, something which really isn't hard to do if you do it, but is extremely unlikely to happen by mistake while you're using the knife. Because of that, the BBL might be slightly more cumbersome to unlock, but also a little bit safer. If that's what you want, you can buy a knife with a BBL, if not, you can buy something else.

Spyderco is all about finding pros and cons and then weighing them against each other.
 
I took the Axis bar off of my Rukus 610 and shortened each side so that it was just inside the handle, and it required the forefinger and thumb to close it. It will not close accidently.:)
 
I'd say it's pretty strong. My manix-2 is one tough little bugger. It hasn't shown any signs of wear, play, or damage in spite of my occasionally full-retard abuse of it.

As for whether it's as strong/durable as the axis lock, I can't really say. I didn't use my axis lock knife long enough to make a really good comparison of their strength and toughness, but it certainly seemed to be a tough design. I will say, though, that in that short time both of the omega springs broke, one after the other, on my axis lock knife (benchmade 520 Presidio).

The only lock type that I've had my doubts about is the liner lock. Of the locks I use, they seem to be the easiest to accidentally disengage (compared to lockback, axis lock, CBBL, frame lock, etc.) and the only locking knife I've actually had close on my hand during use was a liner lock.
 
Any well-manufactured, well-designed lock will do for almost any purpose. How do the ergos suit you? There is a lot of room for variation, however. Linerlocks and framelocks are a great example: some are very strong and very reliable, others are neither. Even fixed blade knives can be broken, and people sometimes do. Locking folders sold by reputable companies are almost universally suitable for any normal use...it just depends on what you need and are comfortable with.
 
tiguy7 said:
When I use the ball bearing lock, the ball spins under my thumb and does not slide. I must grab the ball between my thumb and forefinger to to actually move it. With an Axis lock, just a thumb will do (except the Kulgera which has a short lock bar).
Click to expand...


I think O.P. is referring to a caged ball bearing lock (Manix 2), as opposed to the BBL found on the Phoenix, Dodo, etc.

O.P.? Well, either way, If you are referring to a caged Ball bearing lock, the ball will not spin when trying to disengage the lock.
 
I think a strength comparison is a moot point. Both locks are damn strong and secure.
 
It'll take a lot of force to squeeze a ball bearing to deform it. Similarly the backspacer (which the bb loads onto) can take a lot of force as well. IMHO I think the Spyderco BB locks are strong and last very very long.

I got a Stainless Poliwog you see. Been flicking it open and closing it one handed, either left or right, for practically more than 3 years now. Almost every night while watching my favorite shows. And I also open and close it in the work place. The BB has stopped traveling and has no blade play at all.

I disengade my lock using my index fingernail. Works every time. I could also use the index and thumb 'pinch and pull' but the fingernail method works for me better.
 
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