Spyderco's Lockbacks

Every lockback or midlock I've had is flawless and is what one could expect from the industry.. Now I've never tied to go and break it, but I have tried to close it with hand pressure and have no slips, on any...
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I feel very confident now about getting the Stretch and trusting the lockback.
 
Spyderco lockback knives are rock solid. I have 4 Enduras and 3 delicas and I carry at least one Spyderco lockback everyday @ work. I would feel comfortable using a spyderco lockback for any job that a knife would be expected to do.
 
When really solid, well-made lockbacks come up two companies come to mind, Spyderco & Cold Steel. Both companies have that lock down pat. And I believe I read somewhere on here that Sal turned Cold Steel on to their lockback manufacturer. You've picked a real winner with that Stretch. You're really going to love the ergos & edge geometry. Awesome edc there.
 
I'm surprised Deacon hasn't chimed in on this yet; fave Spydie and lock.

If you adhere to the spine whack testing nonsense that's out there as law than sure, they're awful, but if you use your knife for its intended purpose and not as a pry bar or hammer...
 
No knife, knife maker, type of lock, grade of steel, etc., has unanimous support among all users. One person doesn't like a Spyderco lockback, fine, they're entitled to that opinion. I would hope they've got good reason for it. However, as you've seen demonstrated by the responses here there are many users who have them and find them to be great performers.
 
let me add some details to my previous statement re: the byrd lock failing occasionally... It is due to the positioning of the release, the shallow boye dent and the grip that I was using on the knife. I have noticed failure with and without heavy gloves on depending on where the pad of my finger sat on the lock release. I had been meaning to dremel it deeper but just never got arount to it. The lock only released with the knife held in a forward hammer grip with the cutting edge up.

this knife has been abused. Most of the internals are rusted, there are 2 large fractures in the blade (I have been meaning to send it back to spyderco but it keeps taking everything I throw at it) but it still locks up solid and there is no play in the blade even after prying, screwing, scraping, and other non-knife duties that this knife has performed. it is a testament to what a sturdy product even the economy spyderco knives are...
 
this is a case study of one but I had a g10 caly 3 that rocked back and forth vertically. I wouldn't call it play because it was the whole backspring that rocked. I never felt that the lock would fail but it feels off for the blade to move when you are putting downward pressure on the knife during a cut.

I am just not a fan of having a blade lock disengage button under my hand where I can accidentally push it, either.

But I am pretty fussy about locks. I don't like liner locks or compression locks either. Won't go near the ball-bearing lock.

That leaves the frame lock, basically. Which doesn't thrill me.

YMMV!
 
Spyderco is responsible for renewing my desire for a lockback. Old Bucks, USA Gerbers then nothing for years until Delicas and D'flys ended up in my hands. After handling them for quite some time the thought of failure never crossed my mind.
 
I'm sorry to report one of my Natives has developed vertical blade play after cutting cardboard boxes up for disposal. I didn't think I was putting unreasonable stress on the knife, but the proof is in the pudding.
 
ddml said:
this is a case study of one but I had a g10 caly 3 that rocked back and forth vertically. I wouldn't call it play because it was the whole backspring that rocked. I never felt that the lock would fail but it feels off for the blade to move when you are putting downward pressure on the knife during a cut.

I am just not a fan of having a blade lock disengage button under my hand where I can accidentally push it, either.

But I am pretty fussy about locks. I don't like liner locks or compression locks either. Won't go near the ball-bearing lock.

That leaves the frame lock, basically. Which doesn't thrill me.

YMMV!
Click to expand...

So do you carry only slippies? Or fixed blades?
 
I have lately been into fixed blades and I've got more slippies than locking folders. For sub 3" blades, I'd rather have no lock at all. it is all a bit of an intellectual exercise because I use all my folders as if they did not lock. Lock failure should never be a problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top