Spyderco Ball Lock

DrOpPoInT1110

DrOpPoInT1110

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Jan 28, 2009
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I just got a Spyderco Manix II in trade and was wondering how you guys like the ball lock. How does it compare to the Axis lock and how does it lock-up? Also, have any of you had any issues with it failing, breaking or malfunctioning? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Also, any opinions on the Manix II specifically woud be nice too.
 
Well, I don't have any experience with the BB lock.

However, Sal Glesser on the Spyderco website forums says Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock(Widely accepted as the strongest on this forum) is about the same or less strength as the BB lock.
That should mean a lot.
 
Mephtyrm said:
Sal Glesser on the Spyderco website forums says Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock(Widely accepted as the strongest on this forum) is about the same or less strength as the BB lock.
That should mean a lot.
Click to expand...

Wow. That is a hefty claim. Sal doesn't seem to toot his own horn unless its the truth so it'll be interesting to see how it compares. I know out of all my knives, the ones featuring the tri-ad lock certainly feel the most solid.
 
The axis lock can be activated by one side, with the ball lock you need to use both sides. The axis lock has more travel and less tension, which makes it slightly easier to use. That being said, the only experience I have with the axis lock is my Griptilian, and my Manix 2 is my favorite knife. :cool:
 
Mephtyrm said:
Well, I don't have any experience with the BB lock.

However, Sal Glesser on the Spyderco website forums says Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock(Widely accepted as the strongest on this forum) is about the same or less strength as the BB lock.
That should mean a lot.
Click to expand...


Really? Sal said that? I'm surprised he would comment on Cold Steel like that, but if he said it then I'm inclined to believe him.
 
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46925&page=3

Here's the offical statement from Sal if anyone wants to know.

If you ask me, I don't really like the Axis-style locks, they hurt my thumb and pointer fingers.
I don't remember from what it was, but somebody said the Tri-Ad had the strength of a Compression Lock and the simplicity and ambidexterity of a Lockback.
Also, other than the famous failure of one particular Manix 2 that I won't mention, there aren't any reported failures of the Manix 2.
 
I recently got a Manix2 and was really surprised by the ball lock. It is very smooth. I've read complaints about how stiff the lock/spring is. You do need to draw back both sides of the lock, but it's not hard. It's very Axis-like.
 
Thanks for the input. I actually like that it is stiffer than the axis so it won't disengage accidentaly as easily.
 
I like that the BB lock is stiffer then Axis lock and that it require two fingers pulling to disengage. To me it makes it feel more secure. I think the Axis lock design was ground breaking but I think Spyderco does it better.
 
I like the Axis lock better as it's easier to disengage with one finger. To be honest, I really don't need that much lock strength as I don't make a regular habit of shoving my knife through trees.
 
Ankerson broke BB lock on his test way to fast , its hard to believe what BB lock is strong as Tri-ad . I do like my Manix's but i cant call it hard use knife sorry .
 
trix2004 said:
Ankerson broke BB lock on his test way to fast , its hard to believe what BB lock is strong as Tri-ad . I do like my Manix's but i cant call it hard use knife sorry .
Click to expand...

That is what i was thinking as well which is why I started this thread. The lock gaveway on the first spine whack. Hopefully his knife was just a lemon.
 
The Axis lock is Easier to operate, but the BB lock is a great EDC lock. It hasn't failed on me yet, but it's hard to trust it fully. I think the manix is a great knife, but I probably won't stab anything hard with it.
 
Out of all the Axis lock variants out there, I don't think any of them work as well as the original. I have the older style BB lock on my Phoenix, and it's not as smooth, it's harder to disengage, and it sometimes sticks. I tried out the Manix 2 and it wasn't as good as the Axis lock either. The Axis lock just has a little bit of a better feel.
 
The ball lock is likely more reliable than the axis lock due to coil springs instead of omega springs.
 
DrOpPoInT1110 said:
That is what i was thinking as well which is why I started this thread. The lock gaveway on the first spine whack. Hopefully his knife was just a lemon.
Click to expand...

Since then the BB lock has been changed and this subject has been discussed in depth, I would advise to do a search on the matter and read as there are very interesting comments made about all of it from Sal Glesser and others involved about coining that took place on the lock etc etc........search.

Spyderco also decided to bring out a "hard-use" knife and as far as I know it is still in the works. Personally I feel that the lock is more then adequate for hard cutting chores. If you want a knife that can do hard cutting chores then the BB lock will be more then adequate. If you want to baton etc use proper technique and a slipjoint will be adequate! Personally I dont have a preference to the Axis or BB lock, both are great, just different.
 
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it is, for all intents and purposes, an axis lock at this point so all the same pros and cons apply. As per how much force it takes, Manix 2s take some time to wear in, in a few weeks it'll be pretty good.
 
I prefer the Axis and SOG's Arc lock over the ball lock. Reason being is if your hand is wet/greasy the ball lock is damn near impossible to close.

As to strength, well, we could be here all day on that one...... :p
 
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