most reliable lock long term

K

kyle is here

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Apr 13, 2004
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I am still pretty new to knives and I am wondering what lock type would be the most reliable to work over a long period of time. In other words, which lock type, if any, is most likely to survive a lifetime of daily use? My favorite right now is the Axis lock. I understand the omega springs will probaly need replaced eventually, but other than that is it a "lifer" lock mechanism?
 
I think it depends more on who made the lock than the type, id trust a Sebenza's framelock, or a TnT's, for a lifetime of use over most lockbacks, even though I think lockbacks in general will last longer than frame/liner locks in general.
 
A quality framelock is like a bank vault. But keep in mind that not every frame lock is a Lochsa...but it sure beats the heck out of an equally well-made liner lock because you tighten the lock when you grip the handle hard.

Some say that the Axis Lock (and its variants) is the best one out there, but others worry about the complexity of its design (you already mentioned the omega springs that are relatively prone to breakage). To some, simplicity is the key to anything reliable.

A good lockback is very solid - and it's a time-proven design.


Oh and by the way, please use the search engine. There are a gazillion of threads out there in which the topic at hand was discussed in great detail.
 
AXIS...complexity? What speak you of?

Anyway, I've had my AXIS for a good 6 months of daily use and the springs haven't shown any signs of breakage. I do believe that, other than the springs, the lock is a 'lifer'
 
The balisong lock is pretty simple.

The thing I like about the balisong lock is that it has 100% inspectibility. You can see the whole mechanism. So, if something is wearing or broken, you can see it before it fails on you.

It also locks shut as well as open.

And, it locks positively.
 
I don't personally own any frame locks. However, my gripe about framelocks is that the require quite precise tolerances, and I'm not entirely sure how well these tolerances will hold up long term...I wouldn't have ANY hesitations about owning a frame lock, but I nevertheless do believe that they aren't quite as tough as AXIS locks.

The axis lock is actually only 4 parts, the blade, the handle (or handle+liner), the bar, and a spring (usually two for redundancy). I'm not sure why people think that they're so complex. Plus, the tolerances in an AXIS lock is pretty soft, you can wear it a ridiculous amount (think wearing away 3-4 mm of steel) before it will show any play, and it will still engage posivitely.
 
I really like the framelocks. My JWS Evolution has that bank vault lockup you hear about. Meg makes a very valid point when he says it depends on who makes the lock. Liner locks, if made by someone who understands the geometry of the lock, can be a great piece of equipment. In fact my daily carry at the moment is a linerlock, LDC-5 made by a master of the liner lock.....John W. Smith!

Btw, I like those axis locks also.
 
Lockbacks go way back in time on folders. They have proven to be long lasting, rugged and reliable.

Brownie
 
I can't say which is best over a lifetime, I'm only 29. :) Although I can say I've been carring a BM710 Axis lock as my EDC almost exclusively since I got it 4 years ago and I have never had a single problem with it and I have never had a spring break. If I'm not open it to use it daily, I flick it open a few times everyday just for the fun of it. So it's seen almost 4 years of daily use. It's built like a tank. Steel liners, g-10 scales, m2 blade, etc.

I would also like to think the Sebenza would hold up just as well. I'm sure there are some users here who have EDC'ed a Sebenza for years. I don't know if they have experienced any change in the solidness of the lock up over that time? Or if they would admit it if there was any. :)
 
ivan_yulaev said:
I'm not sure why people think that they're so complex.
Click to expand...

IMO, it's not that the AXIS is *so* complex, but it is *more* complex than a framelock. Per your post, four parts vs. two parts...one may argue that with double the number of parts to potentially fail, the Axis is twice as complex as a framelock.
 
Actually the Axis-Lock is very simple in design. Besides the blade itself, the only moving part is the locking bar. The omega springs just apply tension to the locking bar.

And the Axis-Lock only needs ONE spring to function.

How durable are the springs?
Benchmade had some early models that had weak springs but I believe they have fixed the problem.
Steel springs are generally very durable. There are plenty of pistols, revolvers, and rifles that use springs, and are over 70 years old, that still function fine.
Not to mention how many vintage cars still have parts with functioning springs.

The bad thing about frame-locks (and liner-locks) is that the lock relies on an exact geometry to work. And when using a frame-lock there is direct metal-on-metal friction and rubbing. Eventually the metal will wear enough to disrupt the lock geometry.

Having said that, I agree that the Bali-song style latch-lock is the best long-term lock ever.
And even if the latch broke when using the knife, you can't cut yourself.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
blackhorde said:
axis lock is best in my opinion but I hear the rolling lock system is just as good if not better
Click to expand...

are ya speaking of the benchmade or the REKAT rolling lock?? BM might be ok, but the REKAT is junk imho, just not a lock which easily lends itself to mass production, ie a rolling lock by pat crawford is good, a mass produced rolling lock by REKAT is not.

besides, REKAT no longer makes knives.

as far as the best, either a axis lock, compression lock, or framelock in that order is the way i see it.

greg
 
The thing about liner locks and framelocks is that the perceived simplicity -- basically just a slit in the liner/frame plus an angled tang -- hides enormous sensitivity to all kinds of factors. Most importantly, the sensitivity to geometry, where every blade torque and handle flex provides a new opportunity for slippage. Or, mechanical simplicity leads to failure mode complexity, inthis case.

By contrast, the "complexity" of milling some pockets, adding a slot in the handles, and putting in some springs seems to have freed the axis lock of the sensitivity to those myriad failure modes. Adding a tang shelf and liner projection -- more complexity -- leads to the compression lock, which also adds complexity to gain reliability.

I believe people are way focusing on the wrong thing when they focus on just marginal additional lock complexity, instead of practical reliability. Simplicity is not a goal for simplicity's sake. Simplicity usually helps reliability. When it doesn't, it's time to add in features to help the reliability -- like the axis lock, or compression lock. The axis lock, for example, shows every sign of being as reliable as possible with today's technology, with the proviso that you may have to replace a spring down the line.

I'll also add that, although a recent thread shows that there is no consensus on this, I believe the framelock has such reliability advantages over the liner lock that it should be mentioned among the other reliable formats, specifically because of hand reinforcement. I haven't quite squared that away with the fact that the framelock can introduce a big failure mode to counterclockwise torque if not carefully designed. But I carry several framelocks with confidence.

Joe
 
I probably user fewer lockbacks than any other locking mechanism, but If I had to choose one lock for ultimate long term reliability, it would indeed be the lockback. I don't find lockbacks to be supremely convenient in operation, but it's hard to find fault in their reliability when designed and manufactured properly.
 
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