Request for lock strength data

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
Messages
1,356
It has been mentioned many times that Spyderco uses an automated testing device to measure the lock strength of each model. In the past, this information has been released in bits and pieces. For example, I recall Sal giving us the lock strength of the Navigator, the Chinook, and possibly the Endura and Delica in various threads. If the information as a whole is considered private, I can understand keeping it that way to avoid misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the data. If it is not private, I would be very interested in seeing a complete chart with each model and its rated lock strength. Maybe other folks would be interested too. Something to consider as another source of Edge-U-Cation, like the steel charts on the Spyderco home page.

Thank you.
 
Hi Tarsier. I appreciate and understand your request. Unfortunately, it would be difficult as it is a moving target.

The standards that we set are in the interest of providing for our customers a reliably safe model. We are always testing and improving so todays figures are false tomorrow.

I don't mind giving numbers here and there where it's relevant, but to post all models would be inaccurate next week.

We also break blades and handle material as well as locks. These breaks cause design changes (re-engineering) when we find a problem or decide that we want a higher standard.

We scrapped an entire shipment of G-10 because it was made incorrecly and weakened the nested portion of our Military. We scrapped the entire first run of Rescue 79mm because the blade strength (tensile strength) didn't meet our spec.

I can often answer specific q's regarding these tests, but I cannot post (and probably would not due to competitiors) the entire spec. Sorry.

sal
 
While I'm not at all trying to hijack this thread, it happens to dovetail with the fact that I'm very interested in the tested lock strength of the L'il Temperance if that information is available. In folders, my primary experience is with Benchmade's Axis locks. I do own a Spydie Calypso which is a lockback. All these knives seem to have very strong locks. I strongly contemplating getting a L'il Temp and am wondering how the lock strength compares to others.

Folding knives always make me a tiny bit nervous, I suppose that experience with a locking case knife folding on my fingers when I was a kid made a lasting impression on me. Ah, pseudopsychology...:rolleyes:
 
Nobody

The Lil' Temp is a MBC rated model meaning that the lock strength exceeds 200 lbs per inch of blade length = 600 lbs at the end of the 3 inch blade
 
The Lil'T lock is impossible to break in normal conditions. I can't figure someone strong enough to break an MBC rated lock. FYI, there are only 3 MBC rated knives made by Spyderco: Chinook, Gunting and Lil'T.
The Calypso jr. has a heavy duty rated lock (100 lbs / blade inch). I never heard someone complaining about lock problems with Calypso, Native, Delica or Endura and we're talking the FRN versions, not even SS.
 
Does anyone know the lock strength rating of the current Military model?

Thanks
Dale Richmond
 
Ahhh.... Thanks! I didn't know that MBC=>200lbs/inch. I'm still learning a lot about Spyderco.
 
Hi Dalerich. The most recent (last month) test on the current model was a little over 550 inch/lbs. divided by 4" = 137.5 inch/lbs per inch or well into "Heavy duty" rating.

sal
 
Nobody

Here's a posting from Sal on the Spyderco.com Forum which has lots of info regarding lock strength and Spyderco's rating system.



First of all, Spyderco has set up our own in-house standards on lock strength to provide our own parameters for manufacturing.

We have established an in house test that breaks knives and records the break. We get a graph and numerical results of the break.

A knife is put into a vise and a probe applies pressure to the handle. The distance from the pivot pin to the probe is measured in inches. This is the leverage arm. If the probe takes 100 lbs of pressure to break the lock and the probe is 3 inches from the pivot, then the amount of force is measured as; "3 inches times 100 lbs equals 300 inch lbs of force to break the lock (or blade or ?).

We then established a standard for our own knives. We decided that we would use the inch lbs of force to break the lock times the length of the blade to establish thresh holds.

25 inch/lbs of force for every inch of blade length would be considered a "light duty service". That means that a 2" blade needs to hold 50 inch/lbs of force to meet the "light duty service" requirement.

50 inch/lbs of force per inch of blade would be "medium duty service". This means that a 2" blade times 50 inch/lbs of force equals a minimum of 100 inch/lbs of force to break the lock.

"heavy duty service" is 100 inch/lbs of force per inch of blade is required to break the lock. This means that a 2" blade times 100 inch/lbs of force equals 200 inch/lbs of force is required to break the lock.


MBC is 200 inch/lbs of force is required for every inch of blade length to break the lock. This means that a 2" blade times 200 inch/lbs of force equals 400 inch/lbs of force is required to break the lock.

This is not intended for any other knife companies or custom makers. It is our own standard that we test to with every model in every shipment or run in our own facility.

I hope that helps.

sal
 
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