Next Generation of Folding Knife Locks?

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
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We have it pretty good right now with choosing a strong solid folding lock. Frame lock, axis lock, caged ball bearing lock, triad lock, ect......

Are the existing locks in place going to stay for a while? Or do you think there are new locks in the making that will continue to attempt to make folders as strong as they can?
 
I cant see anything revolutionary or different in locks right now,but you never know.
 
Maybe a design that increases the lateral strength with a longer tang in the handle when opened and protudes form the top when closed. The way a flipper does from the side. A nut and bolt pivot design like the zt's and a locking mechanism like the axis for very little lock fatigue/wear would be tough as nails!
 
Yo Mama said:
We have it pretty good right now with choosing a strong solid folding lock. Frame lock, axis lock, caged ball bearing lock, triad lock, ect......

Are the existing locks in place going to stay for a while? Or do you think there are new locks in the making that will continue to attempt to make folders as strong as they can?
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some of the locks you just mentioned are so strong, that for them to fail the handle will break first. if you need a lock stronger than some of the ones you listed, it's time to consider a fixed blade.
 
Right now it's a fun time for knife fans due to all the different locks and steels to try out. It seems like engineers are always thinking of something new and improved, and I doubt they'll run out of ideas anytime soon.
 
I still remember something very very interesting I read about in Popular Science, many many years ago. They were talking about smart materials, which form whatever tool you need at the time. They specifically mentioned the application of a spatula that turns into a knife, and the ability to put food on a countertop, which would form a plate under your food... iirc
Anyway, while it wouldn't be a true folder, per se, a knife which is just a nondescript cylinder in your pocket, but forms into a fixed blade (with a fresh edge) as needed, might prove to be a heck of a thing... maybe not the "next generation", but it might 3-4 generations down the road. :)
 
Dshurl said:
Maybe a design that increases the lateral strength with a longer tang in the handle when opened and protudes form the top when closed. The way a flipper does from the side. A nut and bolt pivot design like the zt's and a locking mechanism like the axis for very little lock fatigue/wear would be tough as nails!
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So basically a friction folder combo'd with AXIS?
 
"Maybe a design that increases the lateral strength with a longer tang in the handle when opened and protudes form the top when closed. The way a flipper does from the side. A nut and bolt pivot design like the zt's and a locking mechanism like the axis for very little lock fatigue/wear would be tough as nails!"

lateral stress is a good way to break any knife, though i like what your saying, i would like more lateral resistance in my folders
 
I was talking with Melvin the other day and he was telling me about when the liner lock first came out. I'm not sure on the exact year but it's been around for a long time and is still heavily used in custom and production knives. That being said I'm sure the new and improved mechanisms that are being used today will still be around in there simplest forms for many years to come.
 
An improvement to the dual action OTF to make it solid would be very welcomed. I love a good old fashion liner or frame lock and back lock. But also love those newer locks that allow you to not have your fingers in the way during closing. Guess no lock will ever rival a full tang fixed blade.
 
jimnolimit said:
some of the locks you just mentioned are so strong, that for them to fail the handle will break first. if you need a lock stronger than some of the ones you listed, it's time to consider a fixed blade.
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this.

I'm sure there are stronger locks that could be conceived, but at this point...why?

Triad locks, axis-style locks, and even well made lockbacks and frame locks are plenty strong. If you need something stronger, you don't just need a fixed blade, you need a different tool
 
I dunno, should I patent my nano-lock? I use nanobots to make two pieces of metal into one and back to two again when you put it away.
 
Mmm with nanotechnologies out there, I wonder if we can have a fixed blade that has the ability to fold in half and fold it back straight with the nano metals "healing" itself back into a fixed blade knife and still retain the strength of a fixed blade knife. That could be the ultimate folding knife.
 
singularity35 said:
I dunno, should I patent my nano-lock? I use nanobots to make two pieces of metal into one and back to two again when you put it away.
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By that point, we'll have knives with their edges lined with nanobots, each of which has their OWN little folding knives to cut stuff for us!
 
OldeWolf said:
Mmm with nanotechnologies out there, I wonder if we can have a fixed blade that has the ability to fold in half and fold it back straight with the nano metals "healing" itself back into a fixed blade knife and still retain the strength of a fixed blade knife. That could be the ultimate folding knife.
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And you could optimize your blade shape to each task. You probably wouldn't need to sharpen too. ;)
 
res1cue said:
this.

I'm sure there are stronger locks that could be conceived, but at this point...why?

Triad locks, axis-style locks, and even well made lockbacks and frame locks are plenty strong. If you need something stronger, you don't just need a fixed blade, you need a different tool
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All locks are good until they fail and any lock can fail as there are just too many variables out there that could make that happen.

A lock isn't a replacement for common since.
 
Ankerson said:
All locks are good until they fail and any lock can fail as there are just too many variables out there that could make that happen.

A lock isn't a replacement for common since.
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Any knives can fail due to too many atomic variables at the molecular level.
 
Ankerson said:
I would rather have a FB snap than have a folder close on my fingers any day. ;)
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Oh so you rather be stabbed by a flying snapped fixed blade than to have a folder blade closing onto your fingers that you shouldn't put there in the first place anyways? ;)
 
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