Locks Compared: Which is "Best"?

Paul's last name of the Gerber Paul Knife is Poehlmann.

Here's the knife:

paul-wood.jpg
 
Originally posted by Klappmesser
Thanks for your comments. Of course I like Balisong knives too, but they're illegal to carry where I live.

Would anybody know how the Mattlock differs from the AXIS lock? Both operate with a spring, have a button for activation, are completely ambidextrous, and allow one-handed operation. Apparently both locks are so strong that the mechanism would break instead of incurring mechanical failure.

The Mattlock is available only on the William Henry Icon Interframe, with a 3.625" blade length (four different handle finishes, ranging from a suggest retail price of $450 to $550). Unfortunately, I haven't held one in my hand, but the pictures I've seen of them sure are nice. Also, the thickness is less than 3/8", which is even slimmer than the Benchmade 770.

Since the Mattlock has "Patent Pending" status, it's not clear whether this is essentially a refinement of Benchmade's patented AXIS lock or indeed a completely novel design that will, in due course, be patented.

I've also not been able to check out the ArcLock from SOG. How does this lock compare with the AXIS in terms of ease of one-handed operation and its resistance to quick wrist flicking?

KLAPPMESSER
Click to expand...

I liked Mattlock. It was one of the smarter lawyer shows on TV. Andy Griffith did a stand up job if I do say so myself, and I do! :D

Kref
 
Easily the best overall lock: Walker's BladeLock!
This lock is pure genius. It locks both open and closed, it's very fast and very strong. The only real drawbacks I can find with this lock is that it's not ambidexterous and the only production knife with this lock is the CRKT BladeLock. Personally, I really like the CRKT BladeLock alot, but others do not.

Otherwise, The Axis-Lock rules!

Good luck,
Allen.
 
* Which is/are most and least likely to accidentally disengage?
Frame lock.

* Which is/are most difficult to manufacture to the necessary tolerances?
Frame lock.

* Which can accept the most weight or torque stress, as implemented?
Weight-probably frame lock. Torque-probably Axis lock.

* Which allow(s) the blade to be opened and fully locked most quickly?
Liner lock on a waved Emerson.

* Which might also keep a closed blade locked or shut most securely?
Axis lock or lockback.

* Which is/are most impervious to excessive flicking of the wrist to snap open the blade rapidly?
Axis lock.

* Which would tend to allow the design of the most lightweight knife?
mid/backlock

I've owned a custom framelock, and a couple of Sebenzas, and think that overall this is the best lock going. I don't choose knives based strictly on the lock, though, and don't even own an example of my "favorite" lock at the moment (edit:oops, forgot I had a Greco Falcon around here somewhere).
In the past few years, I've had to send knives with a liner lock, lockback, and Axis lock, to be repaired/replaced. Springs break, small parts wear. The frame lock is the most reliable in the long run, IMO.
 
Back Lock, Liner "Lock"...have the disadvantage that as wear occurs on the locking surfaces, blade play will develop.

Compression lock is an improvement on the liner "lock" in that unlocking forces occur at right angles to the movement of the liner...this is by far the simplest of all lock systems to date; however, it shares the fault of the back & liner in that wear between seating surfaces will result in blade play.

The Axis Lock locking bar will wear INTO the seating surface on the blade until the omega spring can push it no further due to travel running out...but that would be a hell of a lot of wear! This is similar to double barrel shotgun locking systems with tapered wedge locking bars that wear INTO the locking notch on the barrel.

So, the world awaits an even simpler locking system that compensates for wear...
 
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