Liner Lock vs Lockback

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woodentsick

Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
28
Hey guys,

This probably has been discussed before, but I was just wondering, do you prefer a lock back or a liner lock?

Things to consider are strength and convenience...
 
I don't like the way my lockbacks develop play over time. Not so with my liner locks, also easier to open and close for me. Cleaning the knife of pocket lint becomes an easy task also:)
 
Linerlock, but I'd rather have a frame lock if I had the choice. I can't open and close a lockback quite as fast as the other
 
personally like the lock back better, but I don't like blades with play so I don't edc either
 
I suppose I prefer lockbacks to liner locks. I can close a lockback one handed without putting my fingers in the path of the blade. I can't with a liner lock. But it's not a deal breaker for me. I find a well made liner lock to be quite acceptable.
 
I assume we're talking about practical reality and knives that exist, as opposed to theory. For my purposes, there are no strength advantages to a lock back, and there are definitely convenience advantages with the liner lock.

A well executed frame lock is my preference. It offers no convenience liabilities (to me) and is not the weakest link in the strength chain (in knives I would want to carry).
 
i like both. cosidering most of my folders are from spyderco, kershaw, sekicut, al mar, and mcusta, all are well executed. as long as the company producing it is reputable, you will get a well made product.
 
Why is it said that lockbacks are stronger locking mechanisms than linerlocks?

I can't give an opinion of which I like more since I only have a linerlock, and the only lockback I have is a utility knife from Lowes.
 
I like both.
I really like how open and accessible liner-locks are for cleaning and inspection.
 
harkamus said:
Why is it said that lockbacks are stronger locking mechanisms than linerlocks?

I can't give an opinion of which I like more since I only have a linerlock, and the only lockback I have is a utility knife from Lowes.
Click to expand...

Liner locks get a bad reputation because they are used so often on poorly made cheap knives. Poorly made linerlocks tend to be unreliable. When there is a failure is such a knife, people lay the blame on the lock type instead of blaming the "poorly made cheap" part of the description.

A well made liner lock is quite reliable.
 
I'm actually not that fond of locking mechanisms in general. Though, if I had to choose, I'd probably go with a lockback. I just remember when I got my BM740, I was getting the hang of closing it one-handed, put a little too much pressure onto the spine of the blade, and it just went *whoosh* right onto the back of my thumb. Luckily, it was nice and sharp, so the cut was clean and it healed up quick.
 
harkamus said:
Why is it said that lockbacks are stronger locking mechanisms than linerlocks?

I can't give an opinion of which I like more since I only have a linerlock, and the only lockback I have is a utility knife from Lowes.
Click to expand...

Strengthwise...

Its just a matter of physics. Liner-locks are beams under compression and due to the average materials used and dimensions, it takes less to deflect them.

A well designed lockback requires more material to be deflected before failure than an equivalent well designed linerlock.

Google "stress strain beam theory" and there are a number of good education sites that'll allow anyone with a highschool education to make a good estimate as to the loads a knife lock can potentially withstand.

You have examples of each. Compare blade movement when you stress them in a closing direction with simple hand pressure. Don't get cut, be careful. Watch that linerlock flex and see the change in lock interface.

Reliability is another issue.

Between liner locks and lockbacks, in general I'd take the lockback. I don't recommend linerlocks to anyone anymore since linerlocks are simply unreliable and weak.

Note that not all lockbacks are equivalent. Spyderco is known for well executed lockbacks, the older Cold Steel lockbacks from the 80's were pretty strong, and the new "Triad lock" has impressed me (not that that means much :)).
 
+1 for the Tri-ad lock.
 
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