Rule of thumb - which lock is stronger and more reliable?

I'd say that the most reliable lock is definitely the Spyderco Compression lock. omega springs break on the axis, liners and frame locks wear out, lock backs by design will now allow you close inspection of the lock (lint, or wear maybe). The Triad lock should be good also, Andrew Demko designed it to last and take a very moderate amount of abuse. But still, the compression lock wears in, instead of wearing out, and by design- failure seems impossible.
 
good Q but I think you have always to put your mind and attention ahead of the blade

I have used a lot of knives, always to cut,never used them for anything else. Never had any slipjoint close on me, I like locking folders of course but it's just good to know you HAVE a lock "just in case" but you could easily live without it, never really "needed" a lock actually

your brain is the best lock and, folders are folders, need something else? get a tool or fixed blade

my user opinion

as for the locks I like well made ones, framelocks and backlocks (my favoutite maybe) but any well made aka kershaws linerlock that I see that is made well I can keep it, with a paceful mind

cheers
Maxx
 
Lockbacks are strong, but frequently easy to accidentally close. I've done it a few times. Once cutting 2 knuckles almost to the bone.

I work my knives hard, in many cases pushing things past their designed limits. Many times I've had to use the tool at hand instead of going to the truck or barn to get something better suited.
 
I have to say that after 10 years of using my Sebenzas and even longer with Spyderco's lockback, the Tri-ad is looking pretty tempting. From the research I've done, it looks like it will raise the bar.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
For the most reliable and strong lock I would say that probably goes to the compression lock. No springs to break and nothing that can really slip like some frame/liner locks are prone to. I have had a frame and liner lock that wanted to 'walk' towards the unlocked position when pressure was applied. I also had a frame lock completely wear out so that the lock was touching the opposite scale and there was blade play (and there is nothing that can be done to fix it, just hope the manufacturer has parts to replace the worn out lock). I had a liner lock actually close on me while using it. And none of these were cheap garbage but respectable brands that everyone praises on a daily basis. I no longer feel like taking the chance so I try to not buy them anymore as I personally feel there are much better types out there these days.

The lock back is pretty good too but it can also wear out so that the lockbar doesn't engage the notch in the blade tang and can develop vertical bladeplay. This should take quite a long time to happen though, unless you are really beating on the knife enough to peen the metal at contact points and it is possible to accidentally depress the lock and release the blade. The Triad lock adds a stop pin so that a lot of the forces are transferred to the stop pin instead of the lock parts and has proven to be a strong design. I think wear like with a plain back lock is also possible and vertical play could become an issue although I'm not sure there has been enough time to tell about long term durability since it is fairly new.

I think the AXIS lock is one of the strongest locks and it is my personal favorite. Yes there are omega springs that can break but there have been relatively few instances compared to how many AXIS lock knives there are out there. I think statistically the failure rate is pretty close to zero. It has also been shown that some of the knives if taken apart and not put back together correctly, the springs can be pinched causing a significant increase in stress at one point. But if a spring did break you can wedge a stick behind the lock bar to keep it from unlocking until you send it back to Benchmade and it will work with just one spring just fine for a long time. Plus if you don't want to send it back like me, 5 minutes and a piece of wire and some needle nose pliers and you have a new spring. Mine has been going strong for going on 2 years.

The Ball bearing lock is very similar to the AXIS lock (VERY similar for all those that like to say Benchmade stole Spyderco's hole in the blade even though they have worked out an agreement). It does away with the omega springs and uses a coil spring and uses a ball that runs on a track instead of a rod that rides on the liners. It should also be very strong and maybe a little more reliable with the different type of spring. I personally think the AXIS lock is stronger since it would require the liners to be sheared while the BB lock only has 4 little screws that forces are transferred through and most will be applied to only 2 of the 4. Plus the AXIS lock just feels a lot better in use.

This topic always ends up pretty heated as the fans start to cheer for their favorite company but lots of discussion on it can be found with a search if you want to read up on past debates. But if you are using a folder as a cutter and not beating on it then just about any lock will work fine (even frame and liners as long as you get a good example of it :foot:)
Click to expand...

Have to agree there. I like the Compression lock since it should not be affected by lint or stuff getting stuck in them holes. It'll still work fine and the stop pin on my ti Atr is very thick piece of steel which will take much force before shearing. Compared to the Tri-ad it is easier to handle since the Tri-ad required a strong spring to wedge the lockbar's notch in tight but the compression lock is strong without making it too difficult to open/close.

Tri-ad is strong but imagine stuff getting stuck in the blade's notch, it'll affect the lockup. I got a piece of sand (quite large in fact) and it caused my Tri-ad not to wedge in fully.

I like the BB lock for the aesthetics but have to agree with the shearing of the liners compared to the 4 screws shearing. Makes sense and if Spyderco could beef up this issue (multiple screws arrangement or fold-over one-piece handle ala Pocket Bushman) then it'll be very nice :)

Back in topic for me the most reliable is in order for now:-
1) Compression Lock
2) BB lock
3) Tri-ad
Strongest:-
1) Tri-ad (compression lock has one pin, Tri-ad has two which is one stop pin and one in rocker lock)
2) Compression
3) STR He-Man Framelock
 
Ram Safe lock, another lock invented by Andrew Demko. I think this is by far the most unbreakable lock in existence. It can't break at all, unless the material itself breaks.
As far as I know, only the Cold Steel Pocket Bushman uses it.
 
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