Lockback & Axis folders as fighting folders

A

AfterDark

Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
282
Just wanted to see what you guys thought about lockbacks being used as a fighting folder. I personally prefer frame locks. After borrowing my friend's endura 4 for a week, I felt that it at times it would be easy to disengage the lock on accident if your palm pressed in the locking mechanism during hard use.

I am interested in purchasing a spyderco chinook III since it's regarded as an excellent production MBC folder; however, I am not too confident in the locking mechanism during hard use.

I've noticed emersons using the liner lock frequently as well as a few other companies that specialize in these type of knifes. This could be due to other reasons as well. I understand that a poorly made liner lock could fail easier than a lockback and it's all dependent on the quality control and fit and finish of the specific company in question.

Another interesting point I wanted to bring up to discuss involve the axis lock. What do you think axis locks on a MBC folder? There are quite a few experts out there that feel that the axis lock can also easily disengage during hard use. For example, if your finger brushes it or if the object you are trying to cut brushes against the lock which rests on the front of the handle. I definitely wouldn't feel very easy with the locking mechanism exposed on the handle like that. I had an axis lock afck a few years ago that I returned after a few days. Don't get me wrong, it was one of the smoothest knives I had but I didn't feel very confident with the lock sitting on the handle.

What are your thoughts on lockback and axis folders as fighting folders?
 
AfterDark said:
I am interested in purchasing a spyderco chinook III since it's regarded as an excellent production MBC folder; however, I am not too confident in the locking mechanism during hard use.
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Unless your finger happens to slideback and depress the lockbar that blade isn't going anywhere. That's more than can be said for a liner or framelock which is much closer to your finger.

Buy the Chinook and don't look back, thick heavy duty blade but with a deep bevel that makes it an excellent slicer.
 
I'm a huge fan of the Axis lock. I own a few Benchmades that have the Axis lock. I have and Axis lock on my EDC knife (along with a slip joint :) ) I also have an axis lock on the knife I use for every day chores. I've used it to pull hundreds of staples out of floors, cut drywall, get firewood ready, etc. It's seem some very hard use and I have never felt like nor have I have ever had it release on me.

The same can NOT be said for a liner lock. I have a CRKT M16 that was using with a pair of gloves on. I was attempting to cut one a metal packing strip and it released on me. No injury, but it was enough for me to no longer feel confident in that particular knife due to the liner lock.

Just my opinion.
 
You'll probably hear this a time or two, but when I buy a knife I don't buy it as a "fighter", rather I buy as a utility/every day user. Of course there can arise a time when you have only the knife you are carrying and something has gone wrong and running away is not an option. In this event, I'm only going to have an axis lock, frame lock, or liner lock on me, as I do not own a lockback knife currently. I have always thought that the Axis lock was a great concept for a locking device. The weak points being the omega springs and perhaps the axis bar itself as it protrudes beyond the handle by a smidgen. I can't really do anything about the omega springs, but I can do something about the axis bar. On both of my Rukus 610's I have taken them apart, removed the axis bar, and ground the ends down so that they are slightly below the level of the surrounding G-10 bolsters. The axis bar is still easy to disengage with one hand, but I doubt that it will inadvertently unlock. If it does, then obviously, my modifications were for naught.
 
Any mechanical mechanism will fail given the right circumstances, and those circumstances will vary with the specific weaknesses of the given mechanism. There is no reason a well designed lock will be more likely to fail than another well designed lock. If you are worried about lock failure that much, get a fixed blade and call it a day. I remember being taught knife safety on folding knives w/o locks. Go Figure.
 
When I first got into knives, I always thought that it would be cool to find a knife that was excellent as both an EDC and self-defense weapon. But as I've matured, I've realized that I need to think of my knives as tools and my pepper spray as my self-defense weapon.
 
Just wanted to see what you guys thought about lockbacks being used as a fighting folder.
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I'm willing to bet that since around 1970 the lock-back folder has been used in more knife fights and stabbings and cuttings than any other folding knife.
The Buck 110 had a somewhat notorious reputation back to the 70's when it was used by woodsmen, hunters, ranchers, cowboys, plowboys, construction workers, roughnecks, rednecks, bikers, cops, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines as a handy "self defense tool".

And then came along Spyderco!
They made the lockback even quicker to deploy.
The waved Endura is simply awesome!

Trust me, the lockback is just fine if you prefer a folder for fighting.


Just read up on blood borne pathogens before you make that cut.:eek:
 
Have I just fallen asleep and missed the widespread epidemic of spontaneous lock-busting knife fights all over the world?
 
Benchmade makes trainers for many of their models.
Evidently the company knows that people who take the time to train in knife self defense have confidence in the locking system.
 
I think a linerlock is good, as long as it is made with quality.

A few CCC's I owned had locks close on me (but the liners were made of metal or something, but didnt cut me because they werent sharp at all).

While the more expensive linerlocks such by benchmade were awesome.

Of course, framelocks are the best, since when you grip it you stop the lock froming popping out.

just my opnions.
 
The chinook is superb. I had the three for a while,, and would prefer it over almost any other....
Thnks
Matt
 
Homer49 said:
When I first got into knives, I always thought that it would be cool to find a knife that was excellent as both an EDC and self-defense weapon. But as I've matured, I've realized that I need to think of my knives as tools and my pepper spray as my self-defense weapon.
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Pepper spray, Kimber, to each his own. :D
 
the ER Nemesis lockback is very strong and has an additional safety. I believe that only a bali is safer .
 
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