Locking mechanisms

Didn't scare me at all, the video of the Umnanzaan being stabbed through solid wood, hard prying and spine whacking without fail more than validates my frame locks. I've had and have Cold Steels and they're strong alright, but too stiff to deploy and unlock for me.
 
1) Axis for strength, ease of operation, fun.
2) Tri-Ad for strength, peace of mind.
 
A good lock from the big companies will be fine.

The Axis is very strong, the compression lock is strong, liner and framelocks are strong. Ive never had one fail and me get cut even my sketchy as fuck CKRT liner locks.If they would have failed they would have failed without closing. So glad I lost those pieces of shit. Liner locks are tough but inconvenient and could be pressed by your hand


If you're getting your info from a Cold Steel video take it with a grain of salt. I have no idea what's going on in those stupid things. I can't tell if their selling a gym membership, shortie shorts or butchering service. Next they'll be saying their locks are better by having Tony Hawk wearing ceramic body armor do a 900 degree twist off a half pipe through a ring of fire, holding a spear in one hand and a knife in the other stabbing a clapped out MD80 in the fuselage then holding onto them while the jet takes off and does a barrel roll and doing pull ups.
 
liner lock. A well done liner lock is very simple to use, has enough locking ability if you're not being an idiot, and allows for two decorated scales. They're not so easy to find though in my experience.
 
As a lefty, axis is number one. Lockbacks are nicely ambidextrous also, but I like the simplicity and style of a frame lock the best.

Also, that Opinel video was very misleading. I love mine. Had it for ~20yrs and it's never failed.
 
Can't pick a fave. But my LEAST fave are framelocks because of the exposed mechanism.

Only type of knife I've ever had problems deploying. Really easy to squeeze the lock bar hard enough to lock the blade closed.
 
I like a liner lock for the ease of use and the G10 handles. I also like my beater knives with the Tri-Ad lock. Never understood the frame lock craze. The lock is not any stronger and you are holding a slick cold piece of titanium. After watching the Cold Steel demo videos I even love the Tri-Ad more as my Talwar is super light with no liners and I now know this is not a compromise in strength. Also why do aluminum handled knives get such a bad rap but titanium is the bomb.
 
evilgreg said:
That's a lot of caveats and provisos and whatnot; that CS video must have scarred you. Cold Steel Tri-Ad and Benchmade Axis people just say "it's a strong lock". Now we CRK fans saying "it's a strong enough lock, if you don't put weight on it or push too hard or stare directly at it in an intimidating manner". ;)
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Nah. You have to hold them just right, but then you're good to go. ;)
 
Kwon Kwang said:
What's your favorite lock and why?

For those of you who like liner locks, what is it about them that you like?
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Liner locks are my favorite by far.

Pros -
Very smooth.
Very easy opening/closing.
Full liners.
Choice of handle material - wood, micarta, G10, etc.
Simple construction.
Very unlikely to fail from foreign materials/contamination.
Very easy to maintain.

Cons -
lock easily damaged if you beat on the knife, but that might be true with most locks.
possible more likely to wear over time.
not as safe to close.
weak detent, but that's partly what contributes to ease of opening and smoothness.
 
jill jackson said:
Didn't scare me at all, the video of the Umnanzaan being stabbed through solid wood, hard prying and spine whacking without fail more than validates my frame locks. I've had and have Cold Steels and they're strong alright, but too stiff to deploy and unlock for me.
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Not scare, scar. As in, I think watching that video has given some CRK cult members some mental scarring from having to build a reality distortion field in their heads strong enough to explain away the Sebenza closing up so easily . . .

;)
 
I like all locks. All have their place and use. If i had to pick one id pick theTri-ad.....although a close second, for me, is a properly done liner lock. properly done, they are very strong.
 
I like all kinds! Button locks are my favorite of the mechanical locks (axis, caged ball bearing, arc lock)
I like Framelocks with steel inserts. It's just a very natural motion for me.

Lockbacks are complicated - Tri-Ads are reliably perfect, but other brands often make their backlocks in a way that allows play to develop over time. Also, if the lock is at the butt of the handle, it's awkward to close one-handed.
 
I like frame locks, tri-ad, and the compression lock in that order the most. I favor a fixed blade over any folder.

Not all framelocks do as poorly with negative pressure on the spine, cold steel tested some zt framelocks that held 300+ pounds.
 
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I love framelocks the most, I think! Followed by the ball, axis, and triad / regular lockback, and liner lock designs, in that order.

But the presence or absence of any of those locks doesn't really affect a knife buying decision. Overall design carries more weight.
Lycosa said:
Axis- It never wears out.
rolf
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I've had several omega springs break in my Benchmade's in a variety of conditions... while I'm chalking it up to my own bad luck (Adamas hasn't worn out yet), it's possible for them to wear in that way. The bolt itself? Far less likely. And they're so smoooth!

Sunyata said:
If you're getting your info from a Cold Steel video take it with a grain of salt. I have no idea what's going on in those stupid things. I can't tell if their selling a gym membership, shortie shorts or butchering service. Next they'll be saying their locks are better by having Tony Hawk wearing ceramic body armor do a 900 degree twist off a half pipe through a ring of fire, holding a spear in one hand and a knife in the other stabbing a clapped out MD80 in the fuselage then holding onto them while the jet takes off and does a barrel roll and doing pull ups.
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I would pay money-- good money, to see this happen.
 
I read the question and started to think. Then I realized I don't have a favorite, framlock, lock back, liner lock, I gues it all depends on the knife and who makes it. Ill never buy another kabar kickback folder again but easily would buy a spyderco lock back or cold steel. Schrade button lock folder, no way but a better brand sure. And for me sometimes a well made folding knife doesn't even need a lock.
 
microtech85 said:
Lock Backs, Reliable...Yes, Fast to deploy and close...Not quite. I think as with everything to do with knives, it is all about compromise.
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I don't agree. Plenty of Wave-able lock backs out there, that just fire open, and close faster than frame or liner locks.
 
EricV said:
liner lock. A well done liner lock is very simple to use, has enough locking ability if you're not being an idiot, and allows for two decorated scales. They're not so easy to find though in my experience.
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I was going to say this too. I like the liner lock because it is simple and has been around for a long time, and they are easy for me to operate. The only criticisms I have of this type are that you can nick your thumb if you aren't careful, and a cheaply made liner lock might not be completely reliable.

I would say the axis lock would be my next favorite because it is simple to operate and easy to keep your fingers out of the way. But I don't have very many knives in my favorites with this lock type. Next down the list would be the ball bearing lock and compression lock. They both work well for me but take a little more time to close and my knives that have low friction pivots require a little care so the falling blade doesn't get a fingertip. But my Manix 2 models are the ones that are the most positive or reliable to operate, to the point that they are the ones I would want if I was using the knife in the dark or where I couldn't watch the knife as I was closing it.

Of all of these lock types, and the frame lock, the lock type is not a major factor in my knife selection process. I don't really like lockback knives so I don't generally buy them.
 
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