Liner lock vs. Lock back

D

downtown

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Feb 18, 2009
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I know brands does make a difference but let's say it's a Spyderco brand. If one is a liner lock and the other is a lock back is one lock superior then the other? Please advise.
 
Lock backs are generally stronger and also don't require you to place your fingers in the path of the closing blade.

Liner locks are (usually) easier and quicker to disengage + close one handed.
 
Framelock is my favorite by far, but I also like liner locks.
Very fast and easy one hand Closing is just something I really like, esp when fishing.

I havn't carried a lock back since the late 70's/early 80's.
 
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If its an EDC knife you will use often nothing beats an easily opened/closed lock. its a lot of fun to open my CRKT Crawford/Kasper, then close it again in under a second! so i say Liner lock for light to moderate or occasional heavy use, lockback for moderate to heavy work. good luck!
 
If your sticking to Spyderco only, I'd go lockback or ball-lock.

I no longer recommend liner-locks of any maker and I'm not a fan of the compression lock (always felt awkward).
 
Why are liner locks easier to open than lockbacks? I can understand that they would be easier to close, but I didn't know that there was any difference in opening one from the other. With a lockback do you have to overcome a certain amount of spring tension that is keeping the blade closed?
 
Not sure, but I do think lockbacks in general do have a bit stronger blade retention (but nothing considerable). I could be wrong here.
 
davide said:
Why are liner locks easier to open than lockbacks?
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Lock backs use the lock bar for retention. It's always pushing against the tang the whole way you're opening it.

A liner lock, on the other hand, uses a ball detent. It's smoother once you break past that detent to open it. I wouldn't say one is "harder" to open than another.

That said, I think lockbacks are stronger and more reliable. Plus, they will last a lot longer than liners.
 
davide said:
Why are liner locks easier to open than lockbacks? I can understand that they would be easier to close, but I didn't know that there was any difference in opening one from the other. With a lockback do you have to overcome a certain amount of spring tension that is keeping the blade closed?
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Because back locks utilize spring tension from the lock bar that must be defeated until the knife is mostly open. Sort of like a slip joint with a final lock at the end. The blade on a liner lock knife moves freely past the detent until the lock is engaged and after the liner lock is disengaged and until the detent is engaged again.
 
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Liner locks are easier to make, but harder to make right. If we're talking Spyderco, I think they make some of the best production liner locks in the business.

Lock back's are harder to make, and most people find it more difficult to close them with one hand. Spyderco also makes exceptional lock backs. Someone posted some Chinook III take apart pictures, and the key is in the little details.
 
Framelock is my favorite format. For an EDC pocketknife, the ability to easily open and close the mechanism one-handed is key to me.
 
I also am a fan of frame locks. Never owned a knife with a liner lock but I am not a huge fan of knives with em
 
downtown said:
I know brands does make a difference but let's say it's a Spyderco brand. If one is a liner lock and the other is a lock back is one lock superior then the other? Please advise.
Click to expand...

If they are both made by Spyderco, or any other reputable firm, then there is no difference in reliability.

I happen to prefer lockbacks because I can close them one-handed without putting my fingers in the path of the blade, but that is not actually a reliability issue.
 
Ah, so lockbacks will snap shut like a slipjoint if one lets up on the blade while opening or closing it? That'll be good to keep in mind.
 
My only experiences with lockback are limited to older buck knives from my youth, and a spyderco Police 1, They've all developed blade play over time, and had pivot pins that I can't adjust. I've never had a lock actually fail, the Spyderco got depressed accidently once and the blade closed(I'm guessing that is why the newer models have more of a recessed lock) I have a few Benchmade liner locks, and they haven't seen much use(I like their axis locks) My Emersons all see a lot of pretty heavy use, and they are all liner locks, my oldest being a cqc-7 that I've had for close to four years. No failures of any sort, easy to deploy, and close all that they've needed is a rare pivot adjustment.
As far as frame locks I only have two; a ZT 301(absolute tank) and a Benchmade Skirmish(Just bought it today and it too seems very sturdy) I'm hoping to pick up my first Sebenza next weekend.

If I had to choose between a liner lock, and lock-back, I would take the liner(as long as it was titanium, and a strong design) But if you throw the Axis and frame locks into the mix, I don't know and would end up buying a lot of knives
 
Really don't worry about liner locks failing - but this is one of those things that depends a heck of a lot on who made it.Got absolutly excellent service from Kershaw Boa that I carried continiously for years - the only times the lock came even close to failing would be when I let a dense carpet of pocket lint build up in it.Easily fixed.
Currently use daily a Caswell EDC - just checked the lock -not a trace of lint after a couple or three months of daily carry and use - guess that's yet another thing Joe thought thru on this design. Massively solid lock - would be very surprised if this ever failed on me.
Problem is anyone can knock out a liner lock and really cheap -badly executed versions of this lock type are just scary. Lots of custom makers stick stubbornly to liner locks - both they and their long term customers have complete confidence in 'em.
Frankly - the other lock I really like is the compression lock - this has to be about as close to bullet proof as anything.
 
For me, lock type is a ways down on my list of reasons for choosing a particular knife. However, I prefer the ease of liner locks and frame locks.
 
davide said:
Ah, so lockbacks will snap shut like a slipjoint if one lets up on the blade while opening or closing it? That'll be good to keep in mind.
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No they do not "snap shut". Been using them since the '6o's and have never seen one do that.
 
One more thing, if you plan to use the knife in dirty environments: an open liner lock knife is typically easier to clean than a backlock which is always closed at the back.
But otherwise, I do not have a real preference. I have both the Spyderco lockback Caly3 and very similar linelock Sage, and while a few details set them apart, there is no perceived difference in lock quality.

ps in fact I like framelock a bit less as they are in my opinion a bit stiffer to disengage.
 
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