most reliable lock long term

Although I have only used them for a few years I find that the CRKT'S LAWKS is the strongest and safest of any locking system that I have used.
For me a double lock system like that is the safest route and I can feel confident that it won't fold up on me under heavy use.

Kap
 
The LAWKS system is a secondary lock to the primary linerlock.

Like Buzzbait, the lockback has been around the block more than a few times and has been proven over a long period of time to be efficient at what it does and utterly reliable to the point no one has had to reinvent/tweak it like other locks to make it strong and durable.

As the question was "most reliable", it would have to include the older designs of locks which have a track record and not the linerlock, framelock, axis locks which are all fairly recent inventions with little track record where time is concerned.

The question didn't ask what was the most popular lock or which lock you used which would be your choice as the most reliable. It asked what was the most reliable long term. Long term being relative of course, but the new lock designs do not yet have close to a century of performance and reliability.

Seems a few here are confusing what they want to consider the most reliable lock long term with actual history of the various locking systems. Thats not to say those locking systems are not good or great or reliable, just that they are not in the same league where time is concerned with the lockback.

Brownie
 
Spyderco's compression lock. If you take a close look at the design, you can notice several inherent advantages over a (integral-) liner lock, most notably that that the force acts perpendicular to that in an liner lock and that "spring" is wedged between the blade and a stopping pin which actually bears most of the load. What I didn't know till yesterday, is that the pivot screw is slightly exccentric, so the "spring" is not only self-compensating to wear, but you can even adjust how far over the spring is going to move (allowing pretty much for life long compensation of wear). Amazing principle. I am in my 30ies and I am pretty confident that the lock with outlast me.
 
As much as I love the flickability of the Axis, it is a higher maintenance design(Aren't all high performance things this way?)
For everyday carry, the Axis lock is just the cat's a$$ IMHO. Second to none in ease of use(opening and closing), speed, strength, etc etc.
BUT...........
Lately I have returned to my old trusty lockbacks. A well built lockback(or midlock if you want to be anal) would be my one and only, if I had to pick one only that is. In a do or die, stuck-out-in-the-wilderness pinch, I'd trust the simple, sturdy design of my little Spyderco Mouse, or any other Spyderco lockback before any other folding knife I own. Once you hear that Spyderco "CLACK" you KNOW that blade is there to stay. That sound alone is *almost* as addictive as the Axis lock's flickability!
 
In terms of long-term durability, brownie is right that the Axis lock hasn't been around long enough to make definitive conclusions. However, based on observing so far, I can say that there appear to be no long-term wear issues, nor does the lock appear to loosen up over time. The only maintenance I expect over the long term is spring replacement. Though again, that's not for certain.

By contrast, while lockbacks also are in it for the long haul, I can state definitively that 1. they often develop some play over time, and 2. they surface where the locking tooth meets the notch definitely does wear, which is probably what introduces some of the blade play.

Can't fault either lock as great long-term choices, but if you're willing to dismiss spring replacement, the axis at least is showing signs that it's the one. If even spring replacement is too much for you, the lockback is a strong contender.

Joe
 
i would stick with my sebbie...main reason is that if i dropped my knife in the creek or it got wet after being in the field I would be able to take apart and clean knife/lock and i would not have to worry bout RUST or damage to lock cause everything is visibly inspectable.

some of these locks on knives cant be seen working cause they r inside the knife and many of those knives you cant take apart and inspect for wear / damage.

framelock for me :)
 
You can only take apart the Sebbie IF you have the needed tool.

And the same can be said of the Axis-Lock too.
 
ivan_yulaev said:
Wait...how could everyone have forgotten? What about the OPINEL lock?
Click to expand...

Yes, quite.... thank you -

I agree - it's not exotic, fancy, or hi-tech, nor is it fast to operate -
but the chances of failure of the locking collar seems very low to me.

The collar also reinforces the blade pivot - which is the weakest point on a folder

Definitely another vote for the Opinel rotating collar lock.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
Been a little while since we discussed this one. I like this topic so...

I'm bringing it back to the top.
 
dullone said:
"a "lifer" lock mechanism?" = Fixed Blade :D :D
Click to expand...

This is my thought as well. 98% of the time I have a FB on me. That being said I do have a Sebenza on me 100% of the time (if I'm wearing a belt).

I've been EDCng the Sebbie for about a year now. At first I wasn't happy with the lock as it wouldn't fully engage unless the blade was really opened quickly. After about a month of use the lock face and blade wore in and mated to each other and now even slowly thumbing the blade open, the lock engages fully. Just needed to be used.

Never really tested the lock. If I have to cut something that forcefully I reach for the Busse on the other side of the belt and all I have to worry about is my hand slipping on the handle.

After a year of use, there is no blade play in the Sebbie. It actually gets used more than the Busse's since it is my 'sheeple' knife and the majority of knife needs occur at work. The Busse's stay concealed.

The Sebbie is the only folder I own and I have no idea about the other locks discussed.

Rob
 
One of the most simple and strong locks is the Spyderco Ball Lock. Beats the axis for simplicity which is the key to good design.
 
I've been using lockbacks and Balisongs longer than anything else, and I've never had one fail yet, and some of mine are going on 15yrs of use, which I think is good performance so far. I tried the rolling-lock, back on the Pocket Hobbit folder for Roundeye and I found the lock was junk, and I had a few break on me as well. The AXIS I think has great potential and i have several AFCK's that have been in use for about 8 months now with no signs of wear or damage. I have an early 710 as well and it's still going strong. I also have a Sebenza, a BM Skirmish and a custom Tighe, all framelocks which also prove themselves completely reliable. These days I'm done with regular liner locks since I've had about 4 wear out over a 3yr span.
 
As much as I like Opinels, they are not anywhere near the top of my list for this.

The reason? Because the lock can fail too easily with the collar just popping off. I really like Opinels, but consider them in the range of reliable locking mechanisms (over the long term) somewhere between a slip joint and the more modern locks like lockbacks that can handle MUCH more force without failure.

Chris
 
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