Name All The Types Of Spyderco Locks?

DWood

DWood

Joined
Feb 3, 2007
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165
EDIT I changed the title to eliminate a pro and con debate . I just want to know what lock styles are in the line up.


My Sage 3 is awesome and the Sage series, dedicated to innovative lock designs, got me thinking. Is there a thread dedicated to a discussion of all the Spyderco locks? I have a bolt lock, liner lock, back lock, and a compression lock (PM2) on the way. What are all the Spyderco locks?

If there is a thread (search found none), please direct me. If not, can we have a discussion? I am curious about the compression lock on the PM2 I should receive Friday. Now, I am curious about all of them.
 
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I got a Meerkat in trade and it has the Phantom Lock. No outwardly visible way to unlock the blade once it's open, you push up on the butt-end of one scale and the scale rotates upward to unlock the blade. It's unique for sure but so far nobody else has been able to figure out how to close it so I wind up having to tell them. Probably plenty strong for the small blade size.
 
This is bound to turn into a debate about which lock is strongest, which never ends well. That said, a few random thoughts:

Compression lock:
In constant battle with the CBBL (caged ball bearing lock, ala Manix 2) for my favorite lock. Exceptionally strong, very easy to operate IMO. I really love the way you can disengage the lock and the blade falls shut by gravity.

Caged Ball Bearing Lock:
Awesome lock, extremely strong and exceptionally smooth due to the only friction point being a round ball rolling along the back of the tang. This lock in particular to me seems like the only lock design I can take apart and put back together without any hassles, like blade centering procedures or blade play side effects. Just take it apart, put it back together, snug all the screws down in any order you feel like it and the blade is always centered, always falls freely by gravity, always locks up solid. It's a great design that could only be made better if it was somehow easier to operate by just your thumb. I also like how the design doesn't disrupt the top or bottom of the grip as a compression/liner lock does.

Liner lock:
The essential classic one hand closing lock. Not really a lot to say that isn't already well known. The only potential drawback is the lock tab sliding off the tang and coming disengaged. My old Military had some issues with lock slippage when pressing hard into a cut. I think that model would benefit from a thicker liner on the lock side.

Back/Mid lock:
A great standard lock. Nothing fancy, no surprises, no gimmicks. It does what it's supposed to do. My only real complaint is "lock bar lift" when making hard cuts, but this is pretty standard with any back/mid lock unless you throw in an additional stop pin like on the Tri-Ad lock (which is also an excellent lock that unfortunately is installed on a lot of crappy knives IMO).

If I could choose one lock design to be on every knife I own, it would probably be the compression lock. Ask me that question again in a month and I'll probably say CBBL.
 
No complaints with the Compression lock from me! Easy to use! Easy to disengage! Smoooth
I haven't tried the CBBL
I don't love liner locks, but I haven't tried a Sage 1 :p
I like frame locks more than liner locks but currently don't own any
I really like back locks. They do seem to get some slight vertical play in them with use, even the "Tri-ad lock". But no play from the Native 5 yet!
 
You should check out the Manix 2, it has a really cool lock mechanism. It's also the smoothest knife I own for the money. You won't believe how nice it opens.
 
How can a liner lock fail when you press the blade in the opposite direction (opening the knife)? :confused:
 
Just thought I would point out the ones that are Spyderco locks. The phantom lock was developed by Sal. The compression lock was developed by Sal. The CBBL was developed by Eric. The stop lock (yet to be used) was developed by Sal. That means the only way to get one of these locks is on a Spyderco.

There are of course other locks you won't see on a Spyderco anytime soon, triad, hawk lock, stud lock, axis, and I am sure I am forgetting some more.

The R.I.L (frame lock) was of course developed by Chris Reeve. The liner lock as we know it was Michael Walker. The bolt action was Blackie Collins. Not sure if the back lock can be attributed to one maker. Spyderco does the "mid" lock instead of a back lock like a Buck 110. Spyderco also uses the Boye dent on a lot of their mid locks.
 
The cons that I see with both the liner lock and the frame lock are during closing. While closing with one hand I hold the knife edge up. I press the lock to the left with my thumb and move the blade up with my forefinger. Then I swing my thumb across the front of the blade, and use the thumb to close the blade the rest of the way. If the blade is to far closed as I swing my thumb from the left to the right, my thumb can hit the edge of the blade. It hasn't happened to me with a spyderco, but it has happened to me with another brand of knife. I think it just depends on the dimensions of the knife, and how far I happened to close the blade before moving my thumb.
 
Evil D said:
This is bound to turn into a debate about which lock is strongest, which never ends well. That said, a few random thoughts:
Click to expand...

I sure hope not, I was just trying to get some info on all the locks available.

So far we have, in no particular order:

Bolt lock- Blackie Collins
Compression lock, Sal
CBBL, Eric
Phantom lock, Sal
Back lock, ?
The R.I.L (frame lock), Chris Reeve
Liner lock, Michael Walker
 
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longun said:
The cons that I see with both the liner lock and the frame lock are during closing. While closing with one hand I hold the knife edge up. ........
Click to expand...

I have a ZT 0350 that when closing edge up, as you describe, the flipper immediately pinches my thumb. I have learned to hold it edge down and reach under, from the back, with the tip of my index finger to press the liner lock. No more pinching and my finger is nowhere near the blade during closing.
 
I guess the non lock is also a style. What is it called, Uk pen knife non lock?
 
DWood said:
I guess the non lock is also a style. What is it called, Uk pen knife non lock?
Click to expand...

That's actually called a notchjoint. It is a variation of the slipjoint.

Sal credits Al Mar and McBurnette for developing the mid-back (sometimes called a front lock for the position of the lock release) as used on Spyderco knives. There is also Frank Centofante's Secure lock, essentially a slide lock added to a Walker liner lock. I don't think I've seen anyone mention the Ball Bearing lock, predecessor to the Caged Ball lock.
 
From the Spyderco website:

SPYDERCO LOCKING MECHANISMS
Back Lock (B) Locking system positioned on the spine of the handle that uses a rocker arm which pivots in the center. A protrusion on one end of the arm connects with a notch on the blade’s tang locking the blade open.

Ball Bearing Lock (BB) A patented compressive lock, wedging a stainless steel ball bearing between a fixed anvil and the blade tang. The ball is also utilized to detent the blade into the closed position.

Chris Reeve Style Integral Lock (RIL) Developed by custom knifemaker Chris Reeve using the original Walker LinerLock in an integral form. It functions like a traditional LinerLock with the lock’s liner comprised from part of the handle scale.

Compression Lock (CL) A small piece of metal that is inserted, from the side, in between the blade tang and the stop pin (or anvil pin)

Walker LinerLock (LL) Locking system developed by customer knifemaker Michael Walker. The blade is locked open by a leaf-like spring that comes in from the side, butting up against the tang of the blade.

SLIPIT A non-locking blade held open by a spring acting against it, providing resistance to its opening and closing as it pivots within the handle.

Ball Joint Non-Locking System Designed by knifemaker Bob Terzuola. A restraining device keeping a knife blade from closing by having the blade overcome a small ball bearing to close. The Ball Joint also half-stops the blade when closing for additional safety. Image of locking system from Peter.
Click to expand...
 
yablanowitz said:
That's actually called a notchjoint. It is a variation of the slipjoint.

Sal credits Al Mar and McBurnette for developing the mid-back (sometimes called a front lock for the position of the lock release) as used on Spyderco knives. There is also Frank Centofante's Secure lock, essentially a slide lock added to a Walker liner lock. I don't think I've seen anyone mention the Ball Bearing lock, predecessor to the Caged Ball lock.
Click to expand...

Sal's credit to Al Mar and Harvey McBurnette is somewhat inaccurate as is the history in the description of the Sage IV (http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=716). To the best of my knowledge, W.T. Fuller takes credit for re-invention (reintroduction) of the “front lock” in an ad in American Blade (July-August 1977). In 1979, Al Mar establishes his company and designs utilizing the front lock crediting both W.T. Fuller and Harvey McBurnette. The only other reference was in a post on bladeforums from 2007 entitled “A Very late Thank You to the Late Al Mar” in which James Todd recollects that “WT Fuller spoke highly of him, WT sold Al one of his front lock folders at a New York knife show, it was not long before the same locking design was showing up in Al's folders. WT was proud of Al for using it. Never once was he upset that the design he, Harvey McBurnette and Dick Dorough came up with was now being used commercially.” Apparently, “ ‘Dick’ Dorough went back in the years of WT Fuller and Harvey McBurnette- all 3 good friends and knifemakers who originally worked together in the Good Year Tire and Rubber Factory in Gadsden, Alabama. Mr. Dorough, custom maker and member of the American Blade Knife Makers Guild, passed away on Feb. 05, 2008 at the age of 83. RIP.” (from Bob Dozier’s website “Forum Discussion Board for Knife Enthusiasts”). This is what I know.
 
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