Preferred locking mechanism

U

Uncle Bill

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
434
What do y'all think are the pros and cons of the various locking mechanisms?

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I don't want my children fed or clothed by the state, but I would prefer THAT to their being educated by the state.
 
Nobody care?

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I don't want my children fed or clothed by the state, but I would prefer THAT to their being educated by the state.
 
Bill,

I have only had experience with 3 types of locks. Liners, Mono's and Axis.

Liners, I am convinced are the least trustworthy regardless of the manufacturer. I have tested Benchmade, Micro Tech and Spyderco. 90% of them have failed when torqued sufficiently or have taken a heavy hit to the spine.

Because the frames are designed to be so lightweight on most folders, a heavy torque will more often than not make the lock fail.

Many say that "spine whacks" don't count because it is an unrealistic test. I say that if someone is weilding a heavy object at you and it comes down on the spine of your liner lock folder, it will fail and that this is not unrealistic in a defensive situation.

A variation of the liner lock, the "Mono Lock" is a big improvement. I have a Benchmade Pinnacle that I would bet my life on that it would not fail a heavy torque or spine whack. The knife is just not very ergonomic with many sharp edges and corners.

I think you will see in the future, more designs incorporating the Benchmade Axis lock approach. Torquing and spine whacks have no effect on this lock and the BM710 Axis is one of the most comfortable knives to work with.

Just my opinion. What do the rest of you think?????

ACK
 
Hey Uncle Bill. The plunger style used in a lot of the autos are easy to use and seem secure enough but I am unwilling to torture test them. The sort of liner lock on a K.I.S.S. B&S seems really tough. I just gave it some good smacks on a block of wood and it didn't budge. It is a little exposed though and possibly subject to a hard grip failure. I don't want to talk about the lockback on a Colt M-16... Bit the heck out of me. I have read good things about the rolling lock but must wait for my SIFU to check it out.

jeff
 
I prefer the Integral Lock for its reliability and simplicity of design, though it is not the simplest to execute properly because of the tight tolerances. The other major drawback is that it requires specific materials to be used in the knife, specifically Titanium, and thus limits some design choices.

This is being steadily overcome by great makes. I saw a beautiful Crawford Janus with Apple Coral scales and an Elishewitz version with MOP today at We Be Knives on Pier 39 here in SF. Both were overlaid on a titanium frame with the exposed titanium “Bolster Lock” and Damasteel blades. Stunning knives, especially the Crawford. Overbuilt for gents folders and way to pretty and fancy to qualify as “tactical”, and it’s a real shame they had clips, it interferes with the look of the bolster. But it is exciting for me to see the evolution of the liner lock and the integral lock continuing.

I also did something that I didn’t think that I would ever do, and that was buying a Tanto Sebenza. This might seem like a sellout to a lot of people, but again it is all about evolution. This is the first time that Chris Reeve has changed the blade geometry of his famous folder, and he has come up with another strong, useful utility blade that should please a great number of people. We might one day have an entire Integral Lock Line to go along with the One-Piece Line. I would be glad to see it happen.


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James
San Francisco, CA


 
I like a well done linerlock/integral lock, but I gotta say I'm starting to prefer my new Axis lock foremost, and my Carnivore's rolling lock secondly.

The strength factor is nice, but not my reasoning (just serves as a bonus to me). The wear resistence factor is the key for me. The Axis lock in particular defies the natural order of folder nature by becoming more effective with wear.

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Professor.
AKTI Mebership No.: A000222

If you're into knives and you're not a member, you should be!



[This message has been edited by Professor (edited 04 October 1999).]
 
BM Axis lock all the way. You can open and close it one handed. And your fingers do not have to cross the path of the blade. I would like to see more blade choices and a little larger size.

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RICK LEFTIES UNITE


[This message has been edited by RGRAY (edited 04 October 1999).]

[This message has been edited by RGRAY (edited 04 October 1999).]
 
Another vote for the integral lock, as on the Darrel Ralph Apogee, Benchmade Pinnacle, Reeve Sebenza. The feeling I have is that there ain't no way that lock is releasing or failing while the knife is in my hand.

Have to say that the second generation Rolling Lock is almost a tie for me. The side release is very unlikely to get accidentally actuated, and the design is usually used with G-10 handle scales, meaning a thicker and more comfortable handle. The Apogee and Sebenza would both benefit from thicker handles in the comfort department.

The Axis lock is right there too, very simple and reliable.

The button lock on the SpeedTech Synergy is very slick too. All of them are light years better than liner locks. I would call it a three way tie for second place in a photo finish.

The Barry Wood Swing lock is still my favorite for strength and uniqueness, but it is not really a one-hander so belongs in a slightly different catagory, I guess. Still about the strongest and most reliable folder I know of though.

Harv
 
Another Sebenza James?? How many is that now?? You just can't stop yourself can you?
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Some people around here just have no self control!
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Johnny
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I'm not completely happy with any of the locking mechanisms that I've seen in popular use. The Walker/liner lock is very convenient, but I don't think it's completely reliable under all circumstances. At the other end of the spectrum is the rolling lock. It seems to be very strong, but not that convenient to use [I have the old style REKAT, I haven't yet used a side release version]. I think there is still quite a bit of room for improvement.
 
I don't entirely trust any of the available locking mechanisms. Most of them will work fine as long as the knives are properly used; but, I'm convinced the majority will fail if improperly stressed. If you plan on working a knife hard then 1) Think it over and consider using a better tool. 2) Use a fixed blade, its cures one of the problems. now all you need to worry about is where that point is going to go if it slips under pressure.
 
Bill
I don't know if it's the best, because I don't have the heart to abuse the knife, but definately one of the neatest is on my Gerber/ Paul, what a fun knife. I just responded before, regarding favorite blade shape, and again it was my Gerber/ Paul. I've got to get me another!
 
Although I haven't tested it to failure the twist lock on my Opinel seems robust. Simple too. Another lock that could work pretty well are butterfly knives, but they don't look as robust as the twist lock.
 
Folders are pretty much a compromise (give me a fixed blade in a bad fix anyday) but, the Axis 710 is a good 2nd. Sebenzas are also great but I can't pay that kind of money for something that is a semi disposable proposition.
 
The integral back lock (Crawford, AG Russell 1 Hander) is pretty simple, nifty and totally ambidextrous.

The Sawby lock is also ambidextrous, but I haven't (and probably never will!) carry mine enough to really call it better or worse.

Finally, I like the integral side lock for it's strength and simplicity.
 
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