- Joined
- Jun 12, 2006
- Messages
- 956
A few weeks back there was a long thread about how knife manufacturers report lock failure data. Their claims of "pound of pressure or force” on the lock before failure was confusing and really said nothing about the method used to obtain those numbers.
During that thread I sent an email to SOG asking about details of how they came up with their claim of "over 1000 pounds of pressure without lock failure" and what it really meant (the only place on the SOG website they mention these number is under the description of the Spec-Elite II). I was told the my questions were valid and that I would receive an answer. After over a week I go a my "non-answer". It was nothing more than stating the same thing on their website. I persisted and replied with another email saying that the answer was unsatisfactory and restated my questions. Weeks later I finally got what I was looking for. It’s obviously hard to get but if we could get this type if information from each manufacturer, we could then compare data. I may try some other companies soon but it like pulling teeth, I must admit.
I congratulate SOG for providing this information, even though it took awhile to get it. This is type of method description is what should be posted in their knife literature. Not just "X pounds of force before the lock failed". That means nothing.
So, without further "ad due", here is the official testing method and results for the SOG arch lock. However, I just realized that they do not mention how long the blade is. I will again persist and get that information. Sorry I missed that until this moment (another email has been sent).
SOG Arch-Lock failure test information:
The Arc-Lock is basically a rotating cam that intersects the knife tang. Once engaged, the harder you try to force it closed, the more it wedges. The lock was tested with pressure applied 1/2" from the tip of the spine of the knife (handle is held in place, my comment) and did not fail until 338 pounds of pressure was applied. That equals 1,183 lbs of pressure directly to the lock before it failed.
During that thread I sent an email to SOG asking about details of how they came up with their claim of "over 1000 pounds of pressure without lock failure" and what it really meant (the only place on the SOG website they mention these number is under the description of the Spec-Elite II). I was told the my questions were valid and that I would receive an answer. After over a week I go a my "non-answer". It was nothing more than stating the same thing on their website. I persisted and replied with another email saying that the answer was unsatisfactory and restated my questions. Weeks later I finally got what I was looking for. It’s obviously hard to get but if we could get this type if information from each manufacturer, we could then compare data. I may try some other companies soon but it like pulling teeth, I must admit.
I congratulate SOG for providing this information, even though it took awhile to get it. This is type of method description is what should be posted in their knife literature. Not just "X pounds of force before the lock failed". That means nothing.
So, without further "ad due", here is the official testing method and results for the SOG arch lock. However, I just realized that they do not mention how long the blade is. I will again persist and get that information. Sorry I missed that until this moment (another email has been sent).
SOG Arch-Lock failure test information:
The Arc-Lock is basically a rotating cam that intersects the knife tang. Once engaged, the harder you try to force it closed, the more it wedges. The lock was tested with pressure applied 1/2" from the tip of the spine of the knife (handle is held in place, my comment) and did not fail until 338 pounds of pressure was applied. That equals 1,183 lbs of pressure directly to the lock before it failed.
