Lockbacks/linerlocks - yes or no?

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NativeCraft

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Oct 27, 2006
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Do you like lockbacks or liner locks on traditional knives - yes or no?
Personally, I like lockbacks if they have more than one blade. However, I don't like being limited to only a single blade in a small pocketknife like a Mini Copperlock.
I'm trying to envision when I actually need a locking feature on a knife that's small enough that I can put in my pocket and I can't really think of one.
Please discuss.
 
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Yes, I love my buck 110. I don't really need my knife to lock, but don't mind when it does.
If I like the knife don't even think about weather or not it locks.
 
I would surprised if the majority of the porch members don't have a Buck or other lock back in their collection.
 
I tend to gravitate towards single blade knives, and prefer a slip joint, but I definitely have my share of lock backs. It's not a deal maker/breaker for me if I like everything else about the knife. I can't say I've been in a situation where I had a slip joint, and wished I had a lock back instead.
 
Another advantage of a lockback is a softer pull. My African Blackwood 72 (Tidioute) is a joy to use as a result, compared to some of my 73s
 
  • Some lockback patterns are elegant designs in their own right (Buck 110/112 and similar derivatives), whether the lock is actually needed or not.

  • A lockback usually offers a blade that's easier to open and close, with less (or no) nail-breaking 'pull'. This could be especially convenient on very small knives with difficult-to-pinch blades and/or very small & shallow nail nicks, which would be easier to open and can still be made secure when open.

  • Similarly to above, some knives with very light or no pull, such as no-backspring designs (friction folders, Opinels) can benefit from a blade lock. In my own uses, my Opinels sometimes want to pivot closed when stropping; the locking collar has proven handy in preventing that.

Whether locks are necessary or not, to me, is essentially moot. Most knives probably will never need them, but I don't have anything against them in their own right. Sometimes they can be helpful though. :)


David
 
I like the lockback in some traditional knives like the buck 110, but it seems out of place in knives like those that GEC makes IMO. With that being said, my favorite type of lock is a lockback and I wish they were offered on more knives:thumbup:
 
The only lockbck I own is an Opinel, and though I like it, it's not an often edc.

I tried carrying a Buck knife when I was in the army, since they were sooo cheap at the PX. But I just could not get past the weight of the thing, and being limited to only the one single blade. I'd grown up using scout knives and had a SAK That I'd picked up along the way. Too used to having multiple blades on a small package in my pocket. Not too many multi blade lock backs on the market. I guess I'd rather have another blade or two, or a few tools than a lock that I've never felt the need of.

I guess Buck 110's and Harley-Davidson motorcycles will always be beyond my understanding.
 
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Yes agree. In terms of single blade only, although they aren't common I used to own the Camillus double lock back trapper. Camillus has a few double lock back patterns.
 
I like lockbacks when done right. I have one made by Moki that is probably the best production folder I own. GEC wishes it could make knives this well.

Like slipjoints I guess I take it on a case-by-case basis.
 
NativeCraft said:
Do you'd like lockbacks or liner locks on traditional knives - yes or no?
Personally, I like lockbacks if they have more than one blade. However, I don't like being limited to only a single blade in a small pocketknife like a Mini Copperlock.
I'm trying to envision when I actually need a locking feature on a knife that's small enough that I can put in my pocket and I can't really think of one.
Please discuss.
Click to expand...

You might want to edit again as liner locks aren't traditional 👍
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
  • Some lockback patterns are elegant designs in their own right (Buck 110/112 and similar derivatives), whether the lock is actually needed or not.

  • A lockback usually offers a blade that's easier to open and close, with less (or no) nail-breaking 'pull'. This could be especially convenient on very small knives with difficult-to-pinch blades and/or very small & shallow nail nicks, which would be easier to open and can still be made secure when open.

  • Similarly to above, some knives with very light or no pull, such as no-backspring designs (friction folders, Opinels) can benefit from a blade lock. In my own uses, my Opinels sometimes want to pivot closed when stropping; the locking collar has proven handy in preventing that.

Whether locks are necessary or not, to me, is essentially moot. Most knives probably will never need them, but I don't have anything against them in their own right. Sometimes they can be helpful though. :)


David
Click to expand...

I agree for the same reasons...
 
Hickory n steel said:
You might want to edit again as liner locks aren't traditional 👍
Click to expand...
That's not necessarily true. Take for example GEC's #73 pattern. They offered some with liner locks. Much like what you see on a traditional electrician's knife where the screwdriver blade has that liner lock.
 
i have a few lock backs, sometimes its nice to have it. but they tend not to get carried because in my area, locking knives are prohibited
 
Liner locks have been around at least a 100 yrs or more ,IIRC, Supratentorial would prolly be able to tell you exactly when they started appearing . That being said I , right or wrongly, tend to feel a bit more secure with a locking knife overall, certainly there are some saks that lock-with a nail nick opener. I've had knives fold closed on me before, usually under heavier stress than normal or just as likely when I've been mis-using them.😎 I have leaned for some time on trying to cut(ha!) out the middleman and carry a fixed and folder(s). But honestly, I almost always have all three types on me, simply because I'm a knut. YMMV
Neal
 
I like lockbacks, but I lean toward slip joints for traditionals for some reason.

My EDC for the past 3-4 years is a spyderco dragonfly, which has been a lovely beater knife for me, and I like the lockbacks for that purpose. My nicer traditionals tend to be special occasion carries for me, so I never have found myself missing the lock when I carry them, necessarily.
 
sold away all my lock backs, tradtional and modern. no tradional liner locks except an old 70s era TL-29. The horsecut 72s almost suckered me in tho.
 
NativeCraft said:
Oh good Lord - really?
I thought it was only thumb studs and pocket clips that were non-traditional. I recall seeing liner-lock trapper style knives many years ago.
Click to expand...

I have a few lockbacks but prefer liner locks if I'm going to have a lock. Many traditionals have liner locks such as the Schrade 194OT & 108OT (I think), the TL-29 and even a few SAKs.
 
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