It seems that there are quite a few unreasonable knife knuts who hold the position that a locking folder should actually lock! I don't claim to understand these people any more than you do, but they have been circulating rumors that some knives advertised as "locking" folders don't actually lock when closing pressure is applied. In what seems to be a strange cult-like initiation ceremony, they "test" the "locks" on these knives by applying closing pressure, both slowly and quickly, to see whether these "locking" folders actually lock, i.e., remain locked open when closing pressure is applied. One of the most heretical practices of this strange irrational cult is known as "spine whacking," where the irreverent cult member hits the back of an open folding knife on a hard surface such as a table or desk. They claim that this is a way of "testing" the knife, to see if it will remain locked open should something similar happen inadvertently during a hypothetical utility or combat scenario.
There are many who believe that such a scenario will never occur, at least not to them. Some are even converted to this weird cult when their locking folder closes on their fingers and sends them to the hospital. Others read such reports (true or fabricated) and are driven by fear to join this cult and begin the blasphemous practice of "testing" knives on their own. Cult members claim that since some locking folders will remain locked open in the face of such tests, those folders are functionally superior to and safer than those which fail the irrational test.
When reasonable knife knuts and manufacturers suggest that a knife only be used by applying pressure to the sharp side of the blade, thereby reinforcing the lock and ensuring that fingers are not cut, cult members fall back on the rhetoric of "chaotic combat conditions," "downward (closing) pressure that naturally occurs during a stab," and have even been known to have the gall to ask what "locks" are for and what they're supposed to do. I even overheard one of them say, "If you don't need your folding knife to remain locked open when closing pressure is applied, why don't you just carry a SAK or slip joint? I want my locking folders to stay locked open until I intentionally disengage the lock, no matter what forces are applied;" like I said, I don't understand these people any more than you do. When told to get a fixed blade, balisong, or OTF, which will certainly pass the spine whack "test," cult members cite legalities and continue to abuse poor folding knives.
This debate has been done time and time again, and neither side wants to give an inch. The stubborn, unreasonable cult members maintain, in the face of warranties, flames, "proper use" arguments, and ignorance, that a quality locking folder should be able to take this kind of abuse, repeatedly, and stay open. I don't see any possible way of turning them from their heretical ways. It's obvious that reasoning with them is futile. Perhaps we should all pray for them.
Jason aka medusaoblongata, spine whacking cult member #667, and damn proud of it.
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) -- and cut my finger in the process -- but the knife didn't close. Real world spine whack test with passing grade.
