Lockbacks/linerlocks - yes or no?

I've had and used both linerlocks and lockbacks for a long time. I now carry mostly multi-blades, but back in my youth I nearly always carried a locking single blade traditional. I carried a Gerber Silver Knight in abalone for a very long time, over a decade, before I lost it. It looked very much like this one in black lip pearl.

Knight_Open_zpsd1919346.jpg~original


Another locking pattern I really like is the Queen #06L linerlock. I've carried one of these in several different covers for a good bit of time as well. Great ergos and D2 steel make these a real winner, plus the really low riding blade makes these disappear in the pocket.

IMG_0610.jpg~original


WB06Lopen_zps05xfh8f3.jpg~original


StagBone06Lcomp_zpsorzxqdte.jpg~original


The GEC #72 has been mentioned a couple time already, but mine in red stag is one of the prettiest knives I own.

RS_MHLB_zps5f1d79cd.jpg~original
 
Jeff Always gratifying to see that Red Stag, grand:thumbup:

The Queen 06 as you know is a big favourite of mine just a beautiful practical knife boasting excellent steel.

Thanks, Will
 
I've never really found a need for a locking pocket knife but I do like using a linerlock sometimes.
I find them enjoyable to close one handed, which is a talent I don't have with a lockback.
 
Thanks, Will, I agree, the Queen teardrops are grand users. Hard to beat the D2 steel. I wish they made a slipjoint version of the #06 with the same slender spear that the linerlock has, with a secondary straight edge like a 2/3 length Wharncliffe (like on GEC's Dixie stockman). It would still lie smooth in the pocket, and be even more useful.
 
I like them all, slippies, liners and lockbacks, depending upon my intended use. I also do not like them at times. The third GEC I evet bought was a CK.net sfo 85 single eo in buffalo w/ liner lock. It just gets in the way, and is not needed. No, don't ask, I'm not leting it go. It is still one of my favored edcs. Bit it really doesn't need the liner lock. Live and learn what you like in a knife, for the intended purpose. I've a lot to learn yet........
 
DSC_0579_zpsk33nmxon.jpg
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I don't really " need " the lock on the small 18OT but it's pretty neat imo.
 
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I carry mostly multiple blade slip joints like a stockman but I appreciate a good lock back now and then due to their rugged simplicity. In fact, I carried a Puma lock back daily for 10 years. Once, while in a big hurry I used it to cut a piece of black poly water pipe by piercing the wall of the pipe and pushing the blade in until I could anchor the tip in the inside wall on the opposite side. I then pushed down on the handle until I made a cut thru about 1/3 of the wall. I then rotated the pipe and finished the cut. Folks, don't try this at home with a slip joint ;-)

I need to add a few Buck lockbacks to the herd and some of the locking sodbuster style knives too.
 
For me a lock is a must-have in an outdoors knife. Around the house/office, I don't mind a slipjoint, but even still a lock never hurt.

I don't like liner/frame locks though, they just seem too flimsy.
 
I have (or have had) several lockbacks and several linerlocks, but I'm not a huge fan. For reasons I can't explain, I've bought a succession of several small (3.5" or less) lockback hunters, each of which I've given away.

Camillus said:
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
Click to expand...
Several people have mentioned the softer pull on lockbacks. My experience has given me a different perspective on that particular issue. I've rarely encountered a knife with a pull so strong that I couldn't deal with it, but most lockbacks I have handled give me fits trying to release the lock! One of my brothers gave me an old Buck 110 yesterday, and I have to use both thumbs to depress the lock (and use my thigh to get the blade started toward closing). I must have strong nails but tender thumbs. The only lockback that hasn't been at least a little struggle for me is the Mercator Black Cat with the lock release up front near the pivot; that works like a charm for me!!

Here's a pic of the blade well of the Buck 110, focused on the region right underneath the lockbar release. Is that little rod in there standard equipment for this model?
muuch2Z.jpg


Here's a pic of the Mercator with which I've become very enamored. I suppose I should do some research to find out how (if at all) the German locking mechanism differs from the standard lockback with rear position release.
550M62V.jpg


- GT
 
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5K Qs said:
I have (or have had) several lockbacks and several linerlocks, but I'm not a huge fan. For reasons I can't explain, I've bought a succession of several small (3.5" or less) lockback hunters, each of which I've given away.


Several people have mentioned the softer pull on lockbacks. My experience has given me a different perspective on that particular issue. I've rarely encountered a knife with a pull so strong that I couldn't deal with it, but most lockbacks I have handled give me fits trying to release the lock! One of my brothers gave me an old Buck 110 yesterday, and I have to use both thumbs to depress the lock (and use my thigh to get the blade started toward closing). I must have strong nails but tender thumbs. The only lockback that hasn't been at least a little struggle for me is the Mercator Black Cat with the lock release up front near the pivot; that works like a charm for me!!

- GT
Click to expand...


What? No pics? :D
 
I prefer slipjoints in general.... but there are some great locking traditional knives.... Buck 110, Schrade 5OT, TL-29...... I am about to try out a Russlock.
 
Not a fan of either, if I need stronger I use a small fixed blade. Just my preference.
 
In my experience, linerlocks are less likely to be found hard to release. That probably sounds obscure, but I have a couple of lockbacks, each with a very tight lockup, to the point where it's hard to get the locking nub to disengage from the slot that it goes into on the tang to set the lock.

It snaps into place easily, but it's hard to lift the nub to release the blade — and it's not that the backspring is especially stiff. Rather the nub makes a too-snug fit into its notch. Oil (Breakfree) sort of helps, but what it needs is a bit of wear on the nub/slot interface — but being tight, it'll never get that wear. And short of taking the knife apart and filing the nub down a bit, there's no help for the tight lockup.

This is one reason why I'm leery of buying a lockback without actually handling it. (And I've never encountered a linerlock with this problem.)
 
Here's a 72 again. I was going to trade it. And I kept it in my office for about 4 weeks in tube with the intention.

I had to think if there was anything a replacement knife could offer me. Finally decided I had to just keep it and use it as is. Lockbacks like these are wonderful surrogates vs carrying a larger modern knife for general cutting and EDC.

If I had to cut all day I would switch over to a fixed blade or Spyderco but as a pocket replacement for a modern the lockback is a great proxy for but in a super slim pocketable design.

I hope to pick up the exact same design in slip joint version which looks like its goimg to be the 73 I think.

379119fe9d92abb84f2e13ec1d495489.jpg


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I am a long time fan of the lockback knife. I really never cared much for liner locks however until i got ahold of a Tidoute # 55 hounds tooth. GEC knows how to build a liner lock.

Jim
 
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