Locks: lockback vs. linerlock ?

[singularity35]

I prefer lockbacks, with experience they're just as easy to open or close to me. The only knives I've had lock failure on both liner and lockbacks were Shrades...both decent, but I learned to treat them as though they had no lock at all, as under even light pressure both locks gave in. I have a Buck Crosslock that has seen better days as the handle insets are falling apart , occasionally jamming it open, but still securely locked. My old Gerbers (Sportsman Model 3's) and new CS Spartan though never give me any problems.

what part of the blade and towards what direction did you put pressure on? on the spine? or on the tip?

 

[Darkrider_X]

The first time was with the spine, just near the handle itself (as the near the tip of the blade was profiled) of the larger 'Scrimshaw' (roughly Buck 110 size purchased new in 1985, failure happened about six months later). I was using it to pop the cap off a bottle of dry gas or fuel line anti freeze, after it nearly nicked my knuckles, I locked it open and used my left hand to lightly(yes I mean literally lightly) put pressure on the spine as a test and it folded as if there was no lock on it at all.For further info I kept that knife in a sheath at my hip, there wasn't any debris in the mechanism it was locking up. The linerlock event was cutting cardboard at work making a downward draw cut. The blade hung and the lock gave up the ghost, with a neat little ping. Honestly I liked the blade pattern but I had reservations about the lock as it was very thin, in relation to some of the other liners I have had since.

 

[Knife Outlet]

I think tests have shown that the lockback is stronger than the liner lock in general terms. Personally, I don't think it should be an issue. In my opinion, if locks fail it is usually due to either poor quality manufacturing, a defect, or someone using the knife in a manner other than that for which it was designed. In my 1/2 century of fooling around with knives, I've never encountered a lock failure. But I haven't tried to encounter one either.

 

[philwar]

In my 1/2 century of fooling around with knives, I've never encountered a lock failure. But I haven't tried to encounter one either.

I haven't had or seen a lock fail either in over 30 years of use. I don't mind any of them, as long as they're constructed well.

 

[JRB]

I haven't had or seen a lock fail either in over 30 years of use. I don't mind any of them, as long as they're constructed well.

Agreed. I've used some of my folders (both lockback and liner lock) quite hard on a daily basis working in my boat shop and have never had anything close to lock failure. I've had the crappy scales on my Spyderco Endura twist and warp under hard use and the lock still didn't fail. I'm always amazed when I read about lock failures on the forums. From my experience, a folder can be used pretty hard while putting no stress on the lock at all. It's been a long tiume since I've used a slip joint folder but even those never closed on me.

 

[LuvMySteel]

I carried lockbacks for most of my teenage years, and have carried liner and frame locks for many years. The question to ask is not which lock style is better, but instead, what do you do with your knife?

If you use a blade for utility reason (as a tool), then I'd go with a good lockback, if your using a knife ofr self defense or tactical reasons, then liner or frame locks might be better. Ideally, try both types and see which one suit you best.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I have come to prefer linerlocks over lockbacks because they offer easier and smoother opening and closing.

I use my knives pretty hard, and haven't had a problem with them yet.

Andy

 

[ronsec]

I prefer lockbacks, linerlocks and framelocks (a distant third) in that order. I just don't like the feel of a framelock in my hand.

 

[allenC]

I like them all, but I think that liner-locks are much harder to "get right" than lock-backs.
I've seen liner-locks that will fail a light spine-whack every time because the lock geometry was wrong, and not cheap knives either, but high dollar knives from very reputable makers.

On the other hand, I can't recall the last time that I saw a lock-back fail, even on cheap knives.