Opinions wanted..

[CDNWIDE]

What have you found to be the stronger..liner lock or the lockback? Personal preference?

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[edbeau]

I like lockback over liner lock. I find it easier to release the blade. As far as stronger both are very good at keeping the blade safely locked in place.

 

[ozgooner]

Stronger? Probably the lockback, but I have no problem with liner locks either in that regard. As far as preference goes, liner locks comfortably. Far easier to close one handed, which for me is as important as one hand opening. Having owned a Buck Folding Alpha Hunter and several Spyderco liner locks, and playing with the Buck Vantage Select I definitely find them more user friendly.

 

[David Martin]

Yes, its hard to beat the 277 Alpha Hunter for ease of opening and closing. I'd take it over an assisted opening. Both are strong yet, I prefer the back lock. Its out of the way. DM

 

[jb4570]

Hi CDNWIDE,

You asked the question, what do you find to be stronger? Like ozgooner, I'd have to say the lockback is the stronger of the two designs. However, for my knife usage they both work the same. I use a knife for what it was designed for to cut! I don't use a knife as a pry bar or to chop down trees, or cut a hole in car parts. In other words I use a knife to do the true job that tool was designed for and these locks have never failed me.....ever.

The next part of your question, what's your preference? I like them both and carry a Tempest linerlock clipped to my pocket every day and I also carry a 110 lockback in a sheath on my hip. These two serve me well in my cutting task's, I use the appropriate tool for the job. If I need to do other jobs I get the correct tool for those needs.

Your mileage may very
jb4570

 

[BG42EDGE]

The lockback design is clearly superior in mechanics, although some liner locks do a pretty good job.

I stick with the lockback because I want to be sure of the lock.....and that's about all there is to it.

I keep my knives sharp and I don't want any of that sharpness to contact MY fingers--ever.

That said, if you really love and need the quick deployment of the liner lock--you should go with what you like.

 

[imafritz]

Well that depends on whos making it. If it is Buck, I'll take the 110 designed lockback every time. Other company lockbacks or linerlocks not so much. I have found too much inconsistency in travel on liner locks-even withing the Buck line. I'll take Buck lockbacks for 1000 alex.

 

[Badhammer]

With regards to personal use, neither have failed for me so based on that I have no preference. Based on what I understand as to their actual designs the backlock should be stronger, all things being equal. If I really think I'll be in a position where it would actually matter I'd just carry a fixed blade.

 

[GLDNDomer]

Backlock is usually stronger. I find linerlocks to open and close more easily with one hand. Right now, I prefer my Vantage pro linerlock for EDC when I really like the OHO, and the Buck 110 for outdoor work like fish/game cleaning where I don't really need the one hand opening and closing. And that's all I have to say about that.

 

[knarfeng]

1) What have you found to be the stronger..liner lock or the lockback?
2) Personal preference?

Thanks for your opinions.

1) "What have I found?" You mean from personal experience? I dunno. I never had either kind break.

2) I prefer a lockback. I can close a lockback one-handed without putting my fingers near the closing edge.

 

[mbjannusch]

The lockback design is clearly superior in mechanics,


We all know that BG is a big fan of the 112, so I think his answer is bias. There are allot of 110/112 fans on this site. One would have to see at what point they both fail, to know which is stronger. They are both great designs and I don't know if anybody can answer the question, which is stronger. You will only get peoples preferences. I like the liner locks. I think they are more versatile, with one hand open/close and pocket carry. They are just a more up to date kind of knife.

 

[BG42EDGE]

Well, the 112 AND the 110.

You are right, Matt......I'm full of bias, but not always B.S. (just sometimes).

 

[Pack Rat]

Lock Back

Frame Lock

Liner Lock

In that order.

I have never had a lock back or a frame lock fold on me. I have had a liner lock fold.

I will carry or use a liner lock only as a last resort.

 

[110 Dave]

Well, the 112 AND the 110.
You are right, Matt......I'm full of bias, but not always B.S. (just sometimes)

wow .... an admision .... bias and bs ... kinda some time the same ...
liner lock is great for edc hunting camping i like lock back
that said i have 4 liner locks and 300+ lock backs and around ten fixed
me i have an excess of opions ... most of which i keep to my self
and ya i is full o bs ... which really is a subdivision of bias...

 

[Plumberdv]

wow .... an admision .... bias and bs ... kinda some time the same ...
liner lock is great for edc hunting camping i like lock back
that said i have 4 liner locks and 300+ lock backs and around ten fixed
me i have an excess of opions ... most of which i keep to my self
and ya i is full o bs ... which really is a subdivision of bias...

Don't keep them to yourself Dave. Opinions are fine and everyone has a right their own. The only one's I have issues with are those who have an opinion and present it as fact. That's seen quite often here.

 

[Plumberdv]

double post

 

[Plumberdv]

Back to the topic, I'll have to plead ignorance (easily believable I know) and ask a question or two.

For those who have had either type fail, how did they fail? Did the linerlock not engage enough and slip back to the open position allowing the blade to close? Did the "spur" (for lack of a better word) on the lockbar that engages the blade in a lockback break off?

I've tried to visualize a way that I would use a knife that would put enough pressure towards the closed position to make either type fail and I can't. If I'm using the knife to cut something, no matter how hard or tough the material is and how much pressure I apply, the pressure would be AWAY from the closed position.

 

[Pack Rat]

Back to the topic, I'll have to plead ignorance (easily believable I know) and ask a question or two.

For those who have had either type fail, how did they fail? Did the linerlock not engage enough and slip back to the open position allowing the blade to close? Did the "spur" (for lack of a better word) on the lockbar that engages the blade in a lockback break off?

I've tried to visualize a way that I would use a knife that would put enough pressure towards the closed position to make either type fail and I can't. If I'm using the knife to cut something, no matter how hard or tough the material is and how much pressure I apply, the pressure would be AWAY from the closed position.

For me, the LL that folded, I was working in a tight cramped space on the motor home and had the knife inverted, which put my thumb in a "push to unlock" mode. I realized the danger and stopped the cutting process just as it unlocked.

Have a friend in HVAC and he has talked about LL's unlocking on him in the various positions he has to get in. He will only use a lockback. His is a Schrade, but oh well . So I gave him a new 110.

 

[Plumberdv]

Ok, I see how that happened. The lock didn't fail, you actually unlocked it yourself by the way you were using it.

 

[Pack Rat]

Ok, I see how that happened. The lock didn't fail, you actually unlocked it yourself by the way you were using it.

True,,, but had the LL been stronger, which is what the OP is asking, it might not have unlocked on me. One of those unknowns. Just an experience thing you learn by using, so when I need a blade in that kind of situation, will be a lockback.