Lock Longevity: framelock ,lockback or axis lock or balisong?

[Redguy]

Which of these lock types do you think would live longer with out problems?

I think any good folding knife will last more than a lifetime if used properly. I use a humble little SAK from the '70es, which belonged to my father. It still works quite well. I think balisongs are the toughest ones, because there aren't any type of spring in their mechanism.

Also, if bali locks are very strong and reliable, Why arent they more popular as working knives?

Thank you please.

Because of the stupid laws. The knife laws in Hungary are quite liberal, but unfortunately balisongs are still banned for no good reason.

 

[hardheart]

I had a tang pin loosen up on a BM42, but you have to consider the openings I was perfroming with it, as opposed to just thumbing open a folder. The tang pin could be impacted a couple dozen times before I bothered to open the knife fully . I have the most confidence in the lockback and axis, frame and liner locks impact at angles which focus the force of impact, and I feel accelerates wear greatly.

 

[Dog of War]

My vote would be for a well built lockback (or midlock, that general kind.) The design has been around long enough to be proven, and I've seen plenty of examples of lockbacks holding up well over years of use. Also I think the very small movement of the lock spring in a lockback design may result in less chance of fatigue over time compared with some other designs.

 

[Franco G]

I know many love the compression lock on the Para Military in both the liner and frame style but I have seen many of these with vertical blade play after some use so I have to wonder about the longevity of that style also after ten or more years of steady everyday use since some of the ones I've seen have been reported to me to have developed play after less than a year. It appears adjustment can be made on those similar to what is done on a liner lock but then sticky locks can always be an issue so its hard to tell at this point.

I think personally that the compression lock has the potential to last a very long time and even after some vertical play develops in these many seem to plateau off from what I've seen and remain unchanged for a very long time after that. But a true assessment of the compression lock is hard to judge right now since its still a very young lock style.

On yet another thought that has occurred to me on more than one occasion: I wonder if making the lock harder could aid in the wear factor with this style or perhaps Spyderco could develop a way to use a frame lock style of compression lock so the lock itself is quite thick like .150 or so. Then inlay the contact point where the blade and lock meet so a very hard wear resistant piece of hardened stainless steel could be installed and or replaced with ease so that what actually contacts the blade is near or at the same hardness as the blade. This could create the best lock ever made in a folding knife.

I have been inlaying my thick frame locks with an insert of hardened stainless this way and its worked well at combining the benefits of lighter weight with titanium and the wear resistance of hardened stainless for a pretty great result. It would also make adjustments to the lock quite easy since replacing an inlay with a new one is all it would take but I have not had to replace one yet.

STR

STR, I do not have a ParaMillie, but have a Lil'T, which has a 'tank' lock. However, I never used it hardly.
I have never heard about a blade play of Li'T compression lock. Do you know any such a case?
On the other hand, I read on german Messer Forum about ParaMillies having a blade play, or developing it after heavy use.

The idea with an integral compression lock with hardened inlay is terrific. This may become the best lock.

With lockbacks - always angry because of a bladeplay. And, the eventual failure is unpredictable, IMO.

Somebody wrote: if you want a knife with zero blade play even after many years of hard use - buy a Sebenza. True?

Franco

 

[msiley]

Somebody wrote: if you want a knife with zero blade play even after many years of hard use - buy a Sebenza. True?

Or get a fixed blade.

Under heavy continuous use over many years I think all locks will have issues. I have heavily used slipjoints though that still snap open tight.
But of course they don't need to lock. Just from the physics
of the issue, if the normal stress on the knife can be dispersed
or handled by a non-locking part... it would reduce the
stress on the locking mechanism and it would therefore last longer.

Axis locks put stress on a bar that contacts the top of the tang
that is not part of the lock. that is good.
There is little or no stress on the lock unless you put force on the spine.

Lockbacks put stress on the lock directly.

Framelocks and linerlocks put some stress on a bar like the
Axis lock but there is always pressure on the lock itself.

With all there is wear on the locking mechanism.
The most friction coming from Frame and Liner locks.
The least from the Axis... it just draws accross the tang.
With lockbacks there is friction during lockup when the
spring snaps shut .... only a little while unlocking.

Axis has thin springs which in general should last a long time
but could fail under certain extremes or from being damaged.

Lockbacks have springs but are usually rather stout and should
last a long long time.

The major weaknesses are:
Lockbacks - pressure on lock from use
Frame/Liner locks - pressure on lock continuously while open
Axis Lock - springs

So I vote Axis in that I believe that the omega springs will last longer
then the locking mechanisms on the lockback or frame/liner locks
under hard use.

Ok.... back to work... man, talk about procrastination!

 

[Scott Dog]

I too am partial to framelocks. A well made made one (like the Sebbie )should last a very long time. I have an uncle that worked as a lineman for the power company and he carried a Buck 110 for about 30 years and he recentley gave it to me because he's retired and knows that I collect knives. That knife has been well used and roughly sharpenned. The leather sheath is well wore but the knife functions as well as some of the newer ones that I have. The action isn't as tight as the Seb but it's functional.:thumbup: