[Poll] Are lock strength tests pointless?

Are lock strength tests pointless?

  • Yes, they have no bearing on actual knife usage

    Votes: 31 24.0%

  • Yes, it is purely a marketing strategy

    Votes: 17 13.2%

  • Yes, it's just stupid YouTube antics

    Votes: 20 15.5%

  • Yes, "hard use" is just abuse

    Votes: 8 6.2%

  • Yes, other

    Votes: 7 5.4%

  • No, I just like an added feeling of security

    Votes: 16 12.4%

  • No, I've had a lock fail on me before

    Votes: 17 13.2%

  • No, it shows me the limitations of each design

    Votes: 58 45.0%

  • No, I use my knives hard and I like a strong lock

    Votes: 10 7.8%

  • No, other

    Votes: 13 10.1%
  • Total voters
    129
  • Poll closed .
SwissHeritageCo said:
Apologies, but you're not making any sense to me in relation to this thread.

A question was raised by OP, I answered it in earnest and you've seemingly taken issue.

The reality is (and truly I mean no offense)... if I had a 3.5" to 4" folding knife and you didn't... were you to attack me, I'm positive I could make you piss blood all over the concrete.

Some defense is better than no defense at all. As I previously stated, I don't have many concerns over lock strength in an edc setting - my only concern with lock strength is in self defense use.

I don't carry a gun with me at all times (I do in my car) but I do carry a pocket knife with me at all times. I spend 60% of my work time in New Orleans.. and on more than one occasion I've seen groups of 3-4 people beat the hell out of 1 person and it's happened in a heart beat, without apparent reason.

Is it ideal? No. But knowing I have a strong folder with a blade big enough to open an artery comforts me. Doesn't just apply to humans either.. jog around the neighborhood an encounter an off leash pit bull while you have a folding knife clipped to your pocket and see if you don't think about that knife ;)

For the record, I do very much hope you are correct about the odds.
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Forget the folder, carry a fixed blade.... If you think a knife can be the solution. Just saying.
 
herisson said:
Forget the folder, carry a fixed blade.... If you think a knife can be the solution. Just saying.
Click to expand...

Definitely not a solution, just a contigency.

To bring it back to OP, yes I think lock testing matters.. but not for the normal every day tasks you would regularly use a knife for.
 
Normal everyday tasks is actually where you would want a lock to shine, if I am not mistaken.
 
I think part of the issue is that a lock is required in modern folders. Without one they don’t actually stay open. It’s not just safety, it’s also a required feature.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I think part of the issue is that a lock is required in modern folders. Without one they don’t actually stay open. It’s not just safety, it’s also a required feature.
Click to expand...
A friction folder is the "safest" knife ever, because you feel exactly how the blade may move relatively to the handle, and you can control it. There is no lock and so, I disagree that a lock may be a "required" feature. But, yeah, in modern times, the stuff must insure safety.
 
I carry a folding knife places I can't easily carry a fixed blade knife. I appreciate tests that try to show how close my folding knife is to a fixed blade.
Is that "data" the deciding factor? No, but it does get mixed into the decision-making process when looking at a prospect, weighted by intended usage.
 
herisson said:
A friction folder is the "safest" knife ever, because you feel exactly how the blade may move relatively to the handle, and you can control it. There is no lock and so, I disagree that a lock may be a "required" feature. But, yeah, in modern times, the stuff must insure safety.
Click to expand...
Modern folders are a long shot from friction folders- bearings and bushings that are designed to reduce friction. I wouldn’t trust a detent to keep one of those open.

I’m an avid Opinel user, so I appreciate what you say about locks not being necessary. I don’t think that a knife like say, a mini griptillian, could function with out a lock.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Modern folders are a long shot from friction folders- bearings and bushings that are designed to reduce friction. I wouldn’t trust a detent to keep one of those open.

I’m an avid Opinel user, so I appreciate what you say about locks not being necessary. I don’t think that a knife like say, a mini griptillian, could function with out a lock.
Click to expand...
I was very excited to check that these two (very small) beauties had so perfect locks. Yes, I am weak, all hail the pocket fixed blade, but....
tUuwUW7.jpg


hU0UV77.jpg

The cat comes as a bonus because I had no solo pictures. Go figure...
 
dogstar said:
@killgar raised the same point. In a melee, what if someone's weapon struck the back of your knife?

A lot of folks here would dismiss the idea of knife fighting, much less with a folder. But that is a discussion for prac-tac.
Click to expand...
With the size of most pocket knives, you should have more concerns about the strike on your fingers than the lock not working. If the strike hit such short blade, either fixed or folder, it doesn't give you enough lever to deflect.

No, it is not just knife fighting, it is part of precaution when using hand tools in general.
 
dogstar said:
This topic came up in another thread, so I am starting this to avoid hijacking the original thread.

Lock strength tests like this one, are they idiotic and pointless, or do they provide useful data?

Me, I don't go out of my way to abuse knives (except one time). I still find these tests informative. If it is a knife I will depend on in the outdoors, I would prefer to go with a stronger lock (or none at all).

Please vote and share your thoughts, thanks. If you vote "other," please share your reason.
Click to expand...
Meant to quote the reply with the video. That was a fun watch!
nevertakeadayoff said:
...wait, you mean you voted no, right? Question being: are the tests worthless?
Click to expand...
That's Exactly what I meant lol thank you.
 
herisson said:
A friction folder is the "safest" knife ever, because you feel exactly how the blade may move relatively to the handle, and you can control it. There is no lock and so, I disagree that a lock may be a "required" feature. But, yeah, in modern times, the stuff must insure safety.
Click to expand...

Fair points, but I look at something like a Benchmade with an Axis lock. Flippy fidget knife that requires a lock to keep it from taking off your fingers if it closes.

Don't get me wrong. I carry a BM everyday and would pick one as my go to hard use folder in a bad situation, but if the lock bar slips, the blade is slamming shut.

The friction folder or a strong back spring really does give one tactile sensation.
 
If the testing is done in a careful and scientific manner, I think it can provide useful info. Mostly I'm interested in seeing if a lock fails easily from something that I might do with a knife even accidentally (like clumsily hitting the spine against something or twisting the knife while cutting, etc.). Modern folders on bearings or otherwise with smooth pivots are basically finger guillotines if the lock fails unless there's a choil or something that might get in the way (thinking Manix 2 for example). While I like tri-ad locks because they have smooth action, are strong, and overall seem to work well for me, I don't think I'll ever hang 600+ lbs off a knife blade, so that kind of testing seems less useful for me personally although it's an interesting data point if nothing else.

For me personally, if a lock fails to hold from something like a spine tap (not a hulk smash spine whack, I mean a reasonable tap on the back) then that's not a lock I'd feel safe using. Having other people test their knives so I don't need to test mine is also pretty nice.
 
I'm also on Lockforums.com and the for sure say locks are the most important part of any product.
 
A lock that doesn't fail almost always is pretty much the same as a lock that does. In regards to ease of use. (Exept like that extreme ratio pin folder thing)

If it doesn't cost me anything to have a super strong lock
Then why not?
 
If you want to go that way, I'd say a small fixed blade is way more efficient, reliable and just as "discreet", like :
TVrZzAi.jpg
 
NO !!!!!!!!!

I am tired of the garbage out there that is presented as safe secure locks when in fact they are flimsy, cheap garbage with little to no quality control. It happens too often.

I am glad there are avenues (online videos,forums etc..) out there to show the world how secure these locks really are.

If I don't like what I see then I won't buy it. Now wasn't that just nice and simple.

If knife companies think it is hurting their sales then maybe they should take lock safety more seriously. Especially those that are pushing the tactitard "hard use" "heavy duty" "military" marketing scheme.

You can cry get a fixed blade all you want but I like folders a lot and at the end of the day I will just buy one that has an adequately safe lock over one that has a garbage afterthought lock every time.

A good "old fashioned" "simple" (even simpler than a leaf spring slip joint) "tried and true" "classic" "time tested and proven" balisong "folder" is almost immune to lock failure.
 
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