Lock Types - Pros & Cons

Framelock over all else.. JR88 said it best.

Could care less about how strong the Tri ad lock is because there are fixed blades
 
I prefer Frame lock. I think framelocks are much stronger than the poster you gave them credit for. A ZT 0301 or a Hinderer XM-18 framelocks which are done currently are insanely strong. Also easy to use/efficient thus, why it is my favorite lock.
 
Back lock, mid lock, liner lock, frame lock, ring lock, or no lock. They're all fine for me. For any heavy cutting I use a fixed blade.
 
Glenn056 said:
Care to elaborate why? Just curious

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I love the simplicity of them, the strength of them, the thickness of the lock. I like how a knife feels with a frame lock. I like how the lock mechanism works. It just plain works for me.

Isn't it GREAT that there are so many different types of locking mechanisms, for us knife knuts?
 
T.K.C. said:
Yup. And I will add, that I will never buy a Cold Steel knife.
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Same here. Have handled and carried a few that my brother owned just to use around the house. Traded for an Srk once and sold it and never looked back.

Just not my cup of tea. No matter how strong the lock is claimed to be
 
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And the Cold Steel haters rear their ugly heads. If they're so bad, why do they sell so many? And when did this thread mutate into brand bashing?
 
hermit dave said:
And the Cold Steel haters rear their ugly heads. If they're so bad, why do they sell so many? And when did this thread mutate into brand bashing?
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They sell so many because SOME people really enjoy them

I've seen no bashing, just SOME people saying they do not like them.
 
madcap_magician said:
Probably because most of Glenn's knives and Kool-Aid are supplied by Cold Steel.

Not that there's a problem with that. Just a matter of taste.
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I basically started my knife hobby with cold steels as they are inexpensive and strong which attracted me. So far have been trying to expand into other brands so I am although a fan of CS, I am not a die hard fanboy. And in regards to the locktypes i did not mention, it is because i have not have any experiences with them so I ought to not talk about them, leaving them to others who have experience with them

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I personally have the most experience with the CS Triad lock . Once fully locked up , with no lint or debris in the works - I've never experienced a failure even in hard use over many years . The design ensures that the lock can simply wear in with time while staying rock solid .

I have had some QC issues with initial poorly finished Triad locks that were very hard to use brand new . But after being worked in , they have eventually all become smooth .

A properly done frame lock can very strong and is less prone to fouling in the field and is simple and easy to clean .

Years ago , I owned 3 very nice Benchmade butterfly knives . Inherently maybe the strongest and can be DE . The legal and social considerations became too problematic for me to carry them . Still miss them .

I believe that most modern locks from quality makers are adequately strong for most uses . The only really terrible locks - to the point of being dangerous in normal use have been several cheap clones I got just to play with . Beware of the clones ! Some will bite .
 
hermit dave said:
And the Cold Steel haters rear their ugly heads. If they're so bad, why do they sell so many? And when did this thread mutate into brand bashing?
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Volume of sales doesn't say anything about the quality of the knife, that's why those $5 knives that come in a plastic can of 100 and sell on the gas station counters aren't great knives no matter how many thousands of them they sell.

Cold Steel has so many haters because Lynn Thompson is kind of a weirdo. He's polarizing in the same way that Mick Strider is. I don't think Lynn has ever told fantastical stories about military service, but on the other hand, Mick actually makes his own knives, so...

Cold Steel quality varies widely by model and manufacturer. Lately they've offered some stuff that appears to be high quality, but the price to me exceeds the apparent increase in quality.
 
I prefer back locks, especially mid backlocks as they are strong, reliable, and ambidextrous. They also have a bias to close making them safer to carry without a sheath. I like the axis lock as a second choice but I have seen them come open in purses and pockets. I do not normally care for liner locks (fail locks we used to call them on the ranch) as they do not hold up well under hard use. The same can be said for frame locks. They are fine for pocket knives, but they tend to want to be open and only stay closed by a detent that is usually not strong enough.
 
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