PSA: Comprehensive Guide On Operating Triad Lock

I

insta9ves

Joined
Apr 3, 2007
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I've seen so many complains online on how hard it is to operate the Triad lock. In particular people seem to have trouble closing it without destroying their finger tip.

Here is the tip for you: DON'T USE FINGER TIP!

You have a couple of options. Seriously i don't know how most people can't figure out within the first 5min.

OPTION 1: Use your joint, at the face of the thumb

STEP 1: Please your thumb like this

16585442_991025361012669_6273812686664892416_n.jpg


STEP 2: Push

16789848_583415128532809_1295467169898823680_n.jpg


OPTION 2: Also use your joint, on the side

STEP 1: Place your thumb like this

16789224_1736541073324168_3526888076729122816_n.jpg


STEP 2: PUSH

16583514_394348234275216_5877953565401546752_n.jpg


Seriously, it's not that hard to figure out...
 
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Here is an example of typical whining about the lock being harsh on thumb:

[video=youtube;NPqPlKokXZk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPqPlKokXZk[/video]
 
i found this funny. i just read an article on folks today having substantially much weaker grip and hand strength due to lack of manual labor and exercise etc etc. compared to folks in the 1980s.

ive never had an issue unlocking a triad or any backlock ever even using a finger, but i grew up working sheet metal and doing manual labor.
 
I ve noticed several things about manual labor.
It helps one sleep well at night.
It makes you pay close attention to how much knife you get for your money.
It tends to give one a wider range of knife choices, as one is better able to unlock strong blade locks on large knives.
 
I don't like either way the OP shows.
I just use the tip of my thumb; it works fine. :thumbup:
 
Are you guys able to close it completely with one hand? Not just unlocking it but also fully closing it.

(Without using anything else i.e. the side of your leg to push the blade down)

My Recon 1 is hands down my favorite folder to deploy, but closing it is another story. Not a big deal just curious if I'm doing it wrong or if my knife needs cleaning.
 
hkyew said:
Here is an example of typical whining about the lock being harsh on thumb:

[video=youtube;NPqPlKokXZk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPqPlKokXZk[/video]
Click to expand...

wow that guys lucky it didnt close on his hand holding it blade half disengaged and shakig it and whatnot. couldnt even watch the whole thing. when i see stupid handling procedures i cant stand to watch the accident about to happen. it goes to show most folks do not know how to handle tools properly. explains a lot. especially Fourth of july when we read all these firework negligence events like hands blown off and other completely preventable idiot acts.

terrible review, poor handling procedutes lots of useless talking. remidns me of fellas i work with who dont get to talk a lot at home and so make up for it at work and anywhere else they can force people to listen.
 
VS_Power said:
Are you guys able to close it completely with one hand? Not just unlocking it but also fully closing it.

(Without using anything else i.e. the side of your leg to push the blade down)

My Recon 1 is hands down my favorite folder to deploy, but closing it is another story. Not a big deal just curious if I'm doing it wrong or if my knife needs cleaning.
Click to expand...

Yes. Once the lock is released, move your fingers out of the way and tap the spine with your index finger to close the blade. Works 100% timws.
 
Blows my mind that grown men have issue actuating the triad lock. Even my Mrs can close my triads single handed on the couch during movies when im sitting there with a couple and shes a tiny little thing. The only CS knife i think is harder to close is the hold out 2, because there is no choil to drop the blade against your finger safely, apart from that, it's butter.
 
Mick_1KRR said:
Blows my mind that grown men have issue actuating the triad lock. Even my Mrs can close my triads single handed on the couch during movies when im sitting there with a couple and shes a tiny little thing.
Click to expand...

Well, not all Tri-Ad lock knives are the same.

The lock on my XL Voyager Vaquero and Rajah 2 are easy to close.
The lock on the Tuff Lite I gave a friend was easy enough too.
The lock on my XL Espada has a very stiff spring, but on a knife where if it closed on you your fingers would fall off, that's not exactly a bad thing. ;)

Someone mentioned that Cold Steel has moved the pivot of the lock-bar on newer models to give more mechanical advantage for unlocking, making it easier, so that will be a factor moving forward.
 
jbmonkey said:
i found this funny. i just read an article on folks today having substantially much weaker grip and hand strength due to lack of manual labor and exercise etc etc. compared to folks in the 1980s.

ive never had an issue unlocking a triad or any backlock ever even using a finger, but i grew up working sheet metal and doing manual labor.
Click to expand...

Maybe there is something to this. I have been doing weights for nearly 30 years. Even now at 56 I arm curl with individual dumbbells. I have backed off the weight, but I still stay tight and meaty. I have found some triads tougher than others, but all break in and get easier to open with use.
 
The only people that had trouble working any of my CS folders are the type of guys that wear what appear to be women's jeans with neck beards and bun styled hair. They're the same type that have disgusting cars filled with Starbucks cups and not quite empty food wrappers. They say cool knife and ask to see it and then can't close it. They probably have other talents, like sitting in their mothers basement and crying about how the world is so mean and unfair. Hoisting their 3oz participation trophy is a skill, right? They're individuals after all. They just appear to dress, walk, and sound like 60 million other people.

The really sad thing is that two of their girlfriends could open and shut my Recon 1 just fine. The look on those guys faces went front bewilderment to sadness to anger so fast I couldn't help but chuckle.
 
I should probably disclaim my OP by saying that the above mentioned methods probably only apply to those who find themselves having hard time using their thumb tip. If anyone prefer thumb tip, then they shouldn't complain as there are alternative methods, or, grow stronger.
 
I typically do it similar to OP's Option 2, but opposite. I grab it such that my thumb is on the bottom (parallel with knife) and the side of my index finger goes across the lock bar. This works really well on knives with finger grooves, such as Tuff Lite and Mini Lawman, as the thumb tip fits right into a groove. I just tried OP's Option 1 on my Tuff Lite and that works pretty well too.
 
I use the side of my thumb.

Then I close the blade half-way by pressing the spine of the blade against my leg or a nearby object.

Then I "ride" the blade all the way shut with my thumb.

It is important to point out that keeping the blade from slamming shut helps to prevent the section of edge that rests against the inside of the handle from going dull/getting flat spots.
 
jbmonkey said:
wow that guys lucky it didnt close on his hand holding it blade half disengaged and shakig it and whatnot. couldnt even watch the whole thing. when i see stupid handling procedures i cant stand to watch the accident about to happen. it goes to show most folks do not know how to handle tools properly. explains a lot. especially Fourth of july when we read all these firework negligence events like hands blown off and other completely preventable idiot acts.

terrible review, poor handling procedutes lots of useless talking. remidns me of fellas i work with who dont get to talk a lot at home and so make up for it at work and anywhere else they can force people to listen.
Click to expand...

I don't have any experience with the Golden Eye yet, but on a lot of Cold Steels the area that hits your finger is unsharpened. I can let the blade drop on my finger with something like a Talwar completely safely. Obviously YMMV and you'll want to be sure it works for you before letting a big, sharp cold steel blade drop on your fingers.
 
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