Locks: lockback vs. linerlock ?

R

readyme

Joined
Oct 4, 2004
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I have been looking for a new knife for EDC. I have mostly been focusing on Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw. Spyderco seems to be the only major company that produces lockback knives (at least the companies that I have noticed).
All of these companies make liner lock knives, so it seems to be a well regarded lock across the board......why is Spyderco alone in the use of lockbacks in their bigtime knives?

Is the lockback a viable one handed opening and closing knife?

Curious...please enlighten me.
 
readyme said:
I have been looking for a new knife for EDC. I have mostly been focusing on Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw. Spyderco seems to be the only major company that produces lockback knives (at least the companies that I have noticed).
All of these companies make liner lock knives, so it seems to be a well regarded lock across the board......why is Spyderco alone in the use of lockbacks in their bigtime knives?

Is the lockback a viable one handed opening and closing knife?

Curious...please enlighten me.
Click to expand...

Firstly, lockbacks are great locks. Look to the time tested Buck 110.

Secondly, one hand opening is also viable. Lockbacks have a spring kind of similar to a slip joint -which means that there will be an amount of tension when opening and closing the knife that is not present in a liner lock. You may consider it slightly slower or more difficult to deploy. I don't find it a problem. After a little practice, the difference is minimal.
 
My index finger was reattached after a lockback failure. Sign me up for a liner or frame lock.
 
From my experience,spyderco lockbacks can closed with one handed with some practice...one hand opening is also easy with a spyderco lockback as well:thumbup:
 
Personally I love the lockback locking system on a knife. Actually I perfer it to a liner or frame lock if it is of good design an execution. Every knife I have ever owned that was a liner or frame lock when put under a heavy cutting load will lock up very tightly and is sometimes difficult to release when trying to release the lock. The locking liner or frame will lock will travel over farther than normal and sometimes will almost touch the opposite side scale if put under a heavy cutting chore. The lockback will not do this and is very easy to release once the cutting job is done no matter how small or big. But, the lockback does have drawbacks. One is they are more susceptible to pocket lint entering the locking mechanism and can cause the lock not to fully engage. The new "Triadlock" by Cold Steel is a form or lockback locking system and is being touted as one of the if not the strongest locking systems on the market.
 
Cold Steel has gotten more into the lockback knives with the new Demko lock. I haven't tried any but they look very strong and well designed.

I think we don't see very many lockbacks from other companies because they're generally considered older technology and less easy to close one handed. I find them to be my preferred lock because of the ambidexterity and easiness of open/closing with one hand. I like how they flip closed in a balletic way, it's fun and has been pretty safe in my experience.

One hand lockback close.

J_Curd, details? That sounds like quite the experience!
 
Lock backs from Spyderco are typically very easy to disengage with one hand, left or right. You could probably look up a video on youtube to further show what I am talking about.

I wouldn't say a lot of their "big time knives" feature back locks. Many of their knives very locks, such as liners, frame, and ball bearing locks.

Many of their more affordable knives also feature the lock back such as the Delica, Endura, Native.
 
A search will get you the details. Cara Cara, bad sequence of events. I grind all lockbacks to force maximum depression before the lock will release. As in "makes your thumb hurt" to disengage.
 
I have used both liner locks and lockbacks. As long as either is well made it is reliable. Either can be opened one-handed. Either can be closed one-handed. I've used a lot more lockbacks than liner locks and maybe because of all the use, I am more comfortable with them.
 
I only trust frame locks and axis locks. I've had bad experiences with lockbacks and linerlocks.
 
tjsulli790 said:
Not a fan of lockbacks. I'll take a well made liner lock any day.
Click to expand...

I don't see many frame locks. The Spyderco Sage 2 looks like a cool knife, but you have to be kidding me with how much it costs!!! Is there a frame lock knife with a reasonable price tag?
 
readyme said:
I don't see many frame locks. The Spyderco Sage 2 looks like a cool knife, but you have to be kidding me with how much it costs!!! Is there a frame lock knife with a reasonable price tag?
Click to expand...

Leek and Shallot.
 
readyme said:
I don't see many frame locks. The Spyderco Sage 2 looks like a cool knife, but you have to be kidding me with how much it costs!!! Is there a frame lock knife with a reasonable price tag?
Click to expand...

Sure there are. Look at the Kershaw Shallot and Storm series for example. These are frame locks and are very reasonably priced.
 
readyme said:
I don't see many frame locks. The Spyderco Sage 2 looks like a cool knife, but you have to be kidding me with how much it costs!!! Is there a frame lock knife with a reasonable price tag?
Click to expand...

Price tag goes with Titanium handles, CPM s30v, glove fit ergos, and flawless F&F
Worth every penny imo. ;)
 
IMHO I prefer a liner lock or axis lock over a lockback or frame lock. BTW I usually carry a slip joint so a lock is not a big thing to me. I did buy a leek which was frame lock sold it the same day it arrived.
 
I personally have become a fan of the Axis lock. Being a lefty and the fact that most over the counter liner and frame locks are right handed they don't work for me very well. I stay away from lockbacks, I have yet to find one that doesn't slightly disengage when I grip it. Something to do with me I know but even the heralded Spyderco lockback will rattle when i grip it. Scary if you think about it, when you are using the knife forcefully
 
I have a few BM with the Axis lock and really like them, but I think they are a bit overpriced....though I may get a Griptilian (I think it is one of the cheaper Axis lock knives) because most of the good looking Spyderco knives have a lock back which I just don't like.
 
Spyderco lock backs are good but not consistent, some have play and some don't. I've had lock backs fail but never a LL, I don't have a problem with either lock but perfer a LL or framelock.
 
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