New Knife for Overseas Deployment: Axis Lock or Back Lock?

If your friend chooses the Axis lock and is thinking of a g10 Griptilian, have him instead look at the Ritter/Hogue RSK. It’s way more robust, the Able lock (their axis-type lock) is made with more durable springs, etc. Also, I’ve had pivot back out issues with all of my BM knives and play development with most of them (vertical and horizontal), while my Ritter/Hogue is as stable as the day I bought it.
 
Just went back from a trip in the desert of Wadi Rum where I took my Bugout. Even if I took care of not dropping the knife in the sand, one day was enough to make a small amount of sand entering the knife, which resulted in a very gritty action. Fortunately, I didn't have to disassemble my Bugout as a deep cleaning with dishwasher soap and water was enough to remove the sand.

My opinion : anything except an axis lock knife.
 
I wish I could recommend Columbia River Knife & Tool to other people. The old CRKT/Hammond Desert Cruiser with the manual LAWKS would work very well: it's big enough, you could fold it with good gloves and some practice, the pocket clip holds tight, the open frame makes it easy to clean, and the safety lock will not let the blade fold in. There are even new-old-stock examples for less than $50.

CRKT has this problem, though. About 1 out of every 20 of their knives just will not get sharp. No matter what model you buy, there's a dud waiting out there, and it's down to your own bad luck whether it shows up in your mailbox.

Which, now I think about it, doesn't help worth a damn. Eh. Never mind, I'll be over here, chewing on my boot.
 
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I know you said he already narrowed it down but what about the Cold Steel Recon 1 , clip point or tanto in S35VN!!! Proven lockback that can take a ridiculous amount of wear and abuse and keep going. Big enough to operate with or without gloves as well. I’m actually not a Cold Steel fan but this one has set itself apart in my opinion.
 
After working in the Desert for the last 10 years I will say sand was my biggest issue. Just dropping a knife was a whole disassembly and cleaning. First choice would be a fixed blade and second choice something skeletonized with access to the lock for quick cleaning. I like the compression lock design, as it opens and closes it self cleans enough to keep using. My Benchmade axis lock always had issues with packing sand and dirt in the lock around the omega spring and being gritty. Avoid back locks as they have to come apart when sand gets in the lockbar spring area.

My favorite work knife was a Spyderco shaman for a long time. Followed by my wave PM2 with a saber grind. They require the least amount of maintenance.
 
jnaught said:
The compression lock has the the fewest moving parts, so it probably has the fewest failure modes.
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Huh??? Say WHAT?!?!? A lockback has one moving part - The lock bar.
Are you saying a compession lock has no moving parts?
 
afishhunter said:
Huh??? Say WHAT?!?!? A lockback has one moving part - The lock bar.
Are you saying a compession lock has no moving parts?
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This:
Snacktime said:
Compression lock is the spring and the lock, back locks have lock and a springs/spring bar.
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Two moving parts (not counting the blade, etc.) is not many, but it is more than one. For the record, I don't consider the lockback to be complex or prone to failure, but it does have more moving parts. I have, like, and trust both kinds of locks.
 
Compression lock.
Axis lock = more failure points, I'm not a big fan of BM axis action (presidio and 940 excepted)
Back lock = slow, gets gummed up easier by dirt, lint, etc

My thoughts. Best of luck to your buddy!
 
Stickgunner said:
Nope, a folding blade is often quicker to access and used more often. Multitools aren't great for blade work, and a fixed blade lives on your gear. Which means your pocket knife is used quite often.
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Why not have both? I'll never understand why some people want to limit themselves to carrying just one knife... :eek:
 
Planterz said:
The problem with a lockback is that it doesn't take much crud to gunk up where the lock engages, preventing it from locking all the way. Sandy dust isn't really a problem on its own, but add in the oil or whatever lube, and a mess can build up pretty quickly. I'd say that a frame/liner or compression lock would be the best. Of course, a small fixed blade would beat all, if it's allowed.
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I carried a Buck 110 all over the world. Sand, mud and rain never bothered it. Rinse it out with some fresh water and put a little oil on it and keep going. Still have that knife 30 years later.
 
Personally, I would consider some model of Buck’s 110 Folding Hunter or their 112 Ranger. They are easily replaced and budget friendly. More importantly they are both well proven designs.
 
Before modern times when pioneers were crossing the country in all types of elements and weather along with fighting the natives they delbt with the same elements we do today so this is nothing new. They probably used fixed blades for most of the tasks but some did have folding knives. With proper care and use they did very well without the modern actions and technology. I live in a dry climate with lots of sand and dust that can be a problem for a folding lock back but with minimal care and consideration I don’t really have any problems with them working properly and they are pinned, no screws to take apart or get lost. Simple but very effective.
 
sabre cat said:
Personally, I would consider some model of Buck’s 110 Folding Hunter or their 112 Ranger. They are easily replaced and budget friendly. More importantly they are both well proven designs.
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Hard to open one handed when you are carrying something in the other. Think of opening a MRE bag that you are carrying while walking.
 
Stickgunner said:
In the quote you posted I explained that ... and in no way, shape or form was it saying to have only one knife. :)
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Well it was meant in a general sense but I can see how you would think that it was aimed at you. I guess I should've quoted the OP's post.
 
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