sak lock??

G

grobe

Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
228
forgive me for asking, but what type of lock do the larger locking SAKs use?? is it a liner?? i haven't been able to handle these. i've seen pics of some with a little grey "switch" on the left hand side. is this the lock?? how strong is the lock they use?? i like the farmer and the rucksack, and was wondering if the lock is worth it.

thanks
 
The one handed Victorinox SAKs use a liner lock. On the large models with nail nicks, a proprietary (I think? At the very least, I haven't seen or heard of it elsewhere) system is used. The "grey switch" you noticed is basically the trigger for a pin that locks the backspring in place when the blade is open. You'll notice on these models that the backspring sits higher in the spine when closed - this is so the pin won't index into the locking slot when the blade is closed, allowing you to open the knife without disengaging the lock. I really like it - it behaves exactly like a regular slipjoint, except it locks... What's not to love?

As for strength, I'm fairly sure the blades on these will snap in two long before you come anywhere near breaking the lock. They're SAKs, after all - what're you going to do, spine-whack them? :)
 
The ones with the sliding lock were pretty stong, I never had any problems with them. I honestly dont know if they still use that style of lock now or not.

My current One-Hand Trekker model uses a liner lock. Quite strong and very secure, it is one of the very few liner locks I trust.
 
knife saber said:
The one handed Victorinox SAKs use a liner lock. On the large models with nail nicks, a proprietary (I think? At the very least, I haven't seen or heard of it elsewhere) system is used. The "grey switch" you noticed is basically the trigger for a pin that locks the backspring in place when the blade is open. You'll notice on these models that the backspring sits higher in the spine when closed - this is so the pin won't index into the locking slot when the blade is closed, allowing you to open the knife without disengaging the lock. I really like it - it behaves exactly like a regular slipjoint, except it locks... What's not to love?

As for strength, I'm fairly sure the blades on these will snap in two long before you come anywhere near breaking the lock. They're SAKs, after all - what're you going to do, spine-whack them? :)
Click to expand...

Was typing while you were. Does Vic still use the old style lock?
 
It looks like they're stepping up the liner locks - a lot of the large models I see on Vic's site have both locking blades and screwdrivers - which means a liner lock. I think the Rucksack still uses the sliding pin lock, and so does the Picknicker. You know, it's kind of strange - but I could swear that the red 111mm knives have the pin lock and the black ones have the liner lock. Hmm...
 
Yes, Victorinox still uses both types of lock. The majority of their 111mm models use the "side lock" mechanism while a few others use a "left-handed" liner lock. Neither lock appears to be as strong as the best ones you can find on high-end tacticals (like the Spyderco Manix, Camillus Maxx, Benchmade 710, etc.) but they are probably still stronger than most and quite reliable.

--Bob Q
 
thanks for the replies guys. i guess i'll just have to check them both out. this isn't going to be a hard use knife, as it will accompany my fixed camp blade. i do like the safety of locks though. the last knife to fold back on me was a sak. not fun.
 
Does anybody happen to have a picture of a SAKs liner lock? I did try to search but as usual I couldn't find anything.
 
219lock.jpg
 
sak collector's picture is better than mine, I had to cut and paste to see it, I think it needs the "http://" at the beginning of the url.

Anyway here's a couple, full length and detail:

ekrfvd.jpg

ekrg21.jpg
 
Keep in mind that these locking SAKs are slip joint knives with the addition of a lock. I can't see lock failure being much of a worry with either style lock as long as you aren't doing something a folder was never meant to do.

Paul
 
PWork said:
Keep in mind that these locking SAKs are slip joint knives with the addition of a lock. I can't see lock failure being much of a worry with either style lock as long as you aren't doing something a folder was never meant to do.

Paul
Click to expand...

Exactly right. The locks are secure, but as with any lock, never risk your fingers to any device with moving parts.
 
Just another piece of kindling for the fire:

The slide-lock models seem to have all liners made from the usual Victorinox aluminum, but the liner-locks have the center split liner made from stainless steel. Does anyone have pictures of a dissected slide-lock showing the bearing surfaces? (I would assume the actual locking bar is steel.)
 
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