liner locks vesus the others

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willp58

Joined
Mar 2, 2001
Messages
16
I'm new at this custom knife business so please humor me. I know this has been discussed a bunch of times but I still cannot see why so many people favor liner locks over the top/back (?) lock. I bought an issue of the magazine Blade and in there are some of the most beautiful creations I've ever seen and most of the lockers are liner locks. I have a small locker I carry that hs the top/back lock and the blade will snap shut/down when opened a little. I can't stab my hand with this one when I stick it in my pocket. It seems nothing but side pressure keeps liner lock blades shut. Not good in the pocket! willp

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It's not what is said, it's who says it.
 
There is a detent ball which keeps the blade shut on a liner lock, so it's not just side pressure, but the quality of this detent can vary greatly from maker-to-maker.

I've recently (today) got interested in custom lockbacks. I saw a Boguzewski at a show, which I just have no choice but to own. So, when I scrape together some cash, I'll call the dealer who was selling it, and add a custom lockback to my knife collection.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Hi Willp58,

You and I agree here. You'll see lots of opinions about this issue. Personally, I think liner locks solve a non-existent problem. Most are too easy to close by accident, and all keep the blade in the handle for about a 3-degree arc, instead of the 15- or 20-degree arc of safety you get with a lockback.

Check out Benchmade's Axis lock knives. They're as easy to open and close as liner locks (that's why so many people like liner locks--ease of open/close), but they're way, way safer in my opinion. The safest folders I've ever seen.
 
Willp58, it is the maker who makes the difference, as is always the case. I have bought liner locks that have been downright dangerous, an early Al Mar Quicksilver comes to mind, but I have also bought liner locks that I have never seen fall open in my pocket and have never had close accidentally on me. such as any of the Spyderco quality knives that use liner locks. So, I gusee that you must be a bit picky in your choosing such a knife. On the other hand, I have never had a BenchMade axis lock or a REKAT rolling lock not work or fail on me, either.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
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