RDaneel - Nice simple question, huh?
First of all, we must separate lock reliability from ultimate lock strength. We have tested knives that had very good ultimate lock strength, but defeated easily and the reverse can also be true. Good reliability, but not a great deal of ultimate strength.
Reliability is probably more important.
Reliability is the result of engineering, meeting spec, and sufficiently strong materials to handle the loads.
Ultimate lock strength is the result of design, engineering, meeting spec, and strong materials.
The stronger you want the lock, the better you must do the above.
We have found that most locks can be made reliable. Lockbacks, Linerlocks, Axis locks, Integral locks, Rolling locks, etc. IF THEY ARE MADE CORRECTLY! We have not found one to be more reliable than another if all are engineered and made correctly.
Ultimate lock strength, especially when one gets into the higher numbers has a great deal to do with materials. If we want to make a lock stronger, we break it, see what yields, replace it with a stronger part, break it again, etc.
Obviously a lockback with 1/2" thick lock and liners would withstand a great deal of force...you might need help carrying it.
With this in mind, Endura locks average about 350 inch/lbs of force. The blade is about 3.5" which give it a Spyderco rating of approx 100 inch/lbs of lock strength capability for each inch of blade length. Sufficient for heavy duty work by our standards.
Keep in mind that we have tested so called "fighting knives" that broke at 70 inch/lbs.
To say that one type of lock is always stronger than another type of lock is BS. IMO it depends on who made it and out of what. Anything can be broken, and anything can be improved and strengthened. It depends on the time, effort and $ that the manufacturer is willing and able to put into their R&D.
Also, home tests do have their failings;
Was a new knife tested? a little lint in the lock makes a big difference. An old model vs a new model? A very old, used model will not perform like a new one.
"I pushed harder on this one that that one". How hard is harder? Who's pushing?
How many knives of the same model were tested?
We have nothing again honme testing and their resulting opinions. We need more accurate information for us.
Sorry for the rant. hope that helps
sal
[This message has been edited by Sal Glesser (edited 05-18-2000).]
