Traditional Liner lock Vs. Traditional Lock back

Which Traditional locker do you prefer?

  • Liner locks

    Votes: 13 20.3%

  • Lock backs

    Votes: 51 79.7%
  • Total voters
    64
I changed the title to make sure folks understand that this thread is in the Traditional forum, and as such, is about the traditional version of the liner lock. Which is much different than a modern Walker-style liner lock.
 
Thank you knarfeng for adding that clarity!
Hickory n Steel you bring up a good point about liner locks and left handed people! I don't think I've seen a traditional liner lock that would accommodate the left hand.
 
Lock-back me. It can depend where the lock is though, I prefer them at the end of the knife rather than the middle.

This Fontanille-Pataud is a locking Laguiole and very secure. Its lock is part of the backspring at the the very rear of the knife, nor does this compromise on handling in any way.

Traditional liner-locks as offered by Queen and GEC are really secure too. You get an already sturdy backspring and a tough hard sprung liner-they are not going to open by accident. However, they usually come with a large tab and for many, this certainly can interfere with handling depending on how you grip a knife. Then there's the subjective question of aesthetics..

IMG_0704.jpg~original
 
My experience with liner locks has been limited to an Old Timer slim dogleg jack (they call it a gunstock) great edc. In addition a liner lock GEC 73 and a liner lock GEC 85. The GEC liner locks have soured me on liner locks. The tab always seems to be right where I want my finger to be. Shift back behind the tab, and the knife handles are too short. Sort of the same type of disappointing feel that I personally get when an easy open is added to a small knife. My fingers aren't able to grasp the knife in comfort the way I like too.
My experience with lock backs go back decades to when my father gifted me a brand new Buck Lite after earning my Totin Chip Badge in the Boy Scouts. I much prefer these.
 
I've never found a need for a lock on a traditional knife.
Since we were asked to make a choice, lock backs are easier for me to use than the liner locks. With the added benefit of being easier to open.

I watched the video in post #3 and wondered why they were testing a lock like that. A better real world test would be how and if a lock held up after 200,000 open and close cycles.

A lock is just a added safety feature that should not be relied on in actual use. EVER.
I can't imagine putting 150 to 380 pounds of pressure on the back of any folding knife.

Basic knife safety is more important than a lock.
 
easily lockback over a traditional liner lock if I had to choose. however the aesthetics are thrown off for both so I generally do not buy either unless in the case of something like a swingguard lockback. just not a fan of that tab protrusion as well. it looks like they attempted to fight the changing tide and reclaim market share
 
Only liner lock knives Ive had are non-traditional but even so, I still MUCH prefer my lock back traditionals when it comes to security of the lock. Ide love to get my hands on a liner lock 73 one day just because its unique and to see how it feels and how secure it is! I guess the short version is I wouldnt be spooked off of the liner lock, in fact I want one because they look interesting to me, but I do love my lock backs and trust them.

Matt
 
As a lefty, I generally prefer lock backs because of their ambidextrous nature. However, I rarely carry my GEC 72 LBs because they each have a significant amount of blade play in multiple directions.
 
I prefer lock backs on traditionals. It's more comfortable. Case makes nice lock backs. I have a few Copperlocks and Tribal Locks and they are solid. I have more GEC knives than Case knives however, after buying a couple of 83"s I was not impressed with the amount of horizontal and lateral play and will not buy any more lock backs from GEC.
 
Will Power said:
Not encountered that on the two I have.

But if you have, I can understand your reservations.

Thanks, Will
Click to expand...

Mine (three examples) all came from the 2016 run. Your pictured sample looks to be older vintage. Perhaps they were tighter back then.

Your Stag is awesome, by the way.
 
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