Traditionals and locking systems

quattromori

quattromori

Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
3,426
Hi again,
it seems that lately my mind is coming out with many topics about knives...maybe this subforums is stimulating me alot...or maybe my shifts at work have been kinda quiet lately... :)
So, lately I was surfing the internet, looking at online retailers and factory websites, and I have noticed that more or less every company producing traditionals does make some models with a locking system (usually a backlock). So I was wondering how many of u care about this.
In my short "knife bug time" (which, fortunately, didn't last for long and left me with my money still in my pockets and no pack of unused knives in my drawer) I did end up paying a lot of attention to locking system. It was a new thing for me (the only knives that I grew up with didn't even have any backsprings), and I found it interesting and nice, u know, the whole thing about safety and so on. Then, as I cooled down, recovered from the knife bug, and came back to my first love (traditionals), I came to reconsider it alot.
I'm not saying that a locking system is useless in a knife. I just think it's a bit overly considered. And personally, I don't like it in a traditional knife (making a very special exception for Opinel's...their locking system looks so old fashioned).I still have this idea that a traditional blade, no matter if it's made in 1930 or 2011, should still be the same kind of knife that my grandfather, or his dad, would carry. And there were no locking systems back then.
I don't mean that I want to carry the same exact knife that my ancestors carried. Some advances in steel, handle material and so on did bring good things to traditional knives. But I think that a locking system belongs to other kinds of knives, and I'm curious to know what u think about it.
Fausto
:cool:
 
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well, a whole lot of fathers and grandfathers carried a Buck 110/112
so they can certainly be considered traditional

On the other hand, I think I agree with you. When I think traditional i think pen knife/stockman/peanut etc etc
 
U are right about the Buck 110...the fact is that I come from a place where traditionals are probably older in design. Sardinian traditionals (as many other traditionals in Europe) don't even have backsprings...
I'm not saying that a Buck 110, or a lockback sodbuster, is not to be considered a traditional knife. It's just that my personal taste on traditionals tends to favor knives without a locking system, and I wanted to know if I'm the only one around :)
Fausto
:cool:
 
Tang-blocks (not sure if that's the proper term--I'm thinking Schrade or GEC, not Walker-style liner locks), twist-lock ala Opinel/Nontron, Navaja ratchet locks...etc. They're certainly traditional, and all have been around for far longer than the rocker-lock of the 110.
 
I prefer a slipjoint to a lockback. If I want a locking knife it will not be a traditional...Most of what a traditional is designed to do can be done safely without a lock IMHO. So, IMHO, locking traditionals are a little silly when you can have a smooth, tight, reliable slipjoint. I don't mean to offend people that prefer lockbacks, I have plenty of knives with locks :)
 
Also to add, I agree about the locking collar for the Opinel. What's not to like.
 
Kevin, I have the same feelings. I am not saying that "if it locks, it's not a traditional knife", not at all.
But, I prefer non locking knives when it comes to traditionals.
Except for Opinels (for some reasons, their locking system does look very traditional to me).
Fausto
:cool:
 
I like locks. I like mechanisms in general, the more intricate and precise, the better. There are a fascinating number of ingenious locks out there. But I also adhere to the theory that if you need a locking blade, you are using the wrong tool. Stick with fixed blades or learn to use a folding knife safely.

Locking folders have been around since Roman times. Having a lock certainly doesn't prevent a knife from being a traditional. But the vast majority of my traditionals are slipjoints.
 
yablanowitz said:
I like locks. I like mechanisms in general, the more intricate and precise, the better. There are a fascinating number of ingenious locks out there. But I also adhere to the theory that if you need a locking blade, you are using the wrong tool. Stick with fixed blades or learn to use a folding knife safely.

Locking folders have been around since Roman times. Having a lock certainly doesn't prevent a knife from being a traditional. But the vast majority of my traditionals are slipjoints.
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Couldn't agree more, Jack. Especially with the bit about using the right tool for the right job. :thumbup:
 
Well, to me locking system are useful, when required. Working on the building lot, there I like lockingsystems. Carrying it in office or spare time, I prefer slipjoints.

Every situation depends on another knife :)

I can understand all of you guys. That´s to understand. All the pro´s and contra´s.

Kind redars
Andi
 
yablanowitz said:
I like locks. I like mechanisms in general, the more intricate and precise, the better. There are a fascinating number of ingenious locks out there. But I also adhere to the theory that if you need a locking blade, you are using the wrong tool. Stick with fixed blades or learn to use a folding knife safely.

Locking folders have been around since Roman times. Having a lock certainly doesn't prevent a knife from being a traditional. But the vast majority of my traditionals are slipjoints.
Click to expand...

Blues said:
Couldn't agree more, Jack. Especially with the bit about using the right tool for the right job. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

That perrty much sums it up for me as well... I admit I'm guilty of sitting around and getting out a knife that has a lock, just so I can open and close, and hear the click of a solid mechanism when it locks open. The exception would be my G.E.C that I carry because I like the knife. I would be a favorite with or without the lock.

I wouldn't mind having a Case Copperlock and Mini Copperlock because I like the patterns, it wouldn't bother me in the least if they didn't lock. I actually think it would make me like the pattern even more if they didn't have a lock.

The Buck 110's and 112's, well imho they just wouldn't be the same if they didn't lock. Not that it would make the knife inferior, its just that they have been made that way since inception, and that would be messing with history
 
I was rummaging through some of my stored-away knives last night, and came across one that made me think, "this OUGHT to be traditional, but it simply isn't." It was a Lone Wolf "Slim Jim" folder, customized by David and Brian Yellowhorse, with a 'Paul' lock. Everything about it just SCREAMS elegance and sophistication, which exemplifies the best qualities found in traditional knives. But, the lock itself was designed by an aerospace engineer (literally). These are great 'toys' to fiddle with, to open and close repeatedly (it locks in both positions, with a satisfying 'click'). With appropriate tension set on the lock mechanism, it feels just like a simple friction folder when opening & closing. But, when the lock button pops up and 'clicks' at the end stops, it's suddenly thrust forward into the techno-savvy 'modern' era.

And then, after putting that one away, I was once again drawn back to the simple and traditional elegance of my Opinel No. 08.
 
I can take locks or leave 'em ...... just depends on the particular knife. I have a Buck 55 that's mighty cool. Most locking knives have thicker blades than I prefer. I really prefer thin blades. The blade on an alox SAK Soldier or one of their big locking models is about as thick as I like to carry, which rules out a lot of lockbacks (my Schrade LB7 lives in the desk drawer). Just my preference. YMMV.

-- Mark
 
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338375 said:
I wouldn't mind having a Case Copperlock and Mini Copperlock because I like the patterns, it wouldn't bother me in the least if they didn't lock. I actually think it would make me like the pattern even more if they didn't have a lock.
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If ya want a Case Copperlock without a lock, get a Case Copperhead. They're available from various dealers and of course the great aution site.
 
I don't like the locks on a knife.

I grew up without them, and didn't really ever need them, and between my dad, Mr.Van, and Uncle Paul, I got a great background in how to use a pocket knife without cutting yourself. A few years back I was having some hand trouble, and needed some surgery that put one hand out of action. Some well meaning friends loaned me some easy to open lock blades to use, but after a while I gave them back. It was easier to just use a small sheath knife, and I didn't trust the locks.

As far as locks go, I just don't see the need. If you use a knife right, and that includes the so called "heavy use" I see tossed around the general forum, there's not going to be a problem. On the other hand, I feel a lock can create some bad habits. I've seen two very very bad knife accidents in my life, both from some young guy who had blind faith in his locking folder. Both times it was intense surgery to gain the use of that hand back. One had a right index finger totally severed, the other had a right index and middle finger cut deep enough that motor tendons and nerves were severed. Both cases the aftermath comments were to the effect; "But the blade was locked!"

No understanding that if pushed, mechanical things fail.

If my slip joint ain't sturdy enough, then the next step is a nice solid sheath knife. If I don't want it to fold, I'm not using a folding knife. Simple as that.

Carl.
 
Rsmith_77 said:
well, a whole lot of fathers and grandfathers carried a Buck 110/112
so they can certainly be considered traditional

On the other hand, I think I agree with you. When I think traditional i think pen knife/stockman/peanut etc etc
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark.
 
Like Carl, I grew up with knives that did not lock and sheath knives so it really has never been an issue to me. I am just as dangerous to myself with them as without them. ;).

Speaking of traditional locks. I can not resist pictures of one by Ken Erickson.

ken1sm2011.jpg

ken3sm2011.jpg

KEBlade2011.jpg
 
I love my Buck 110 and the several other lockers I have. I'm pretty sure a 110 was the first knife I owned, which was given to me by my dad and to him by his dad. Slipjoints can be used for most things I do, but I think lockers can used for some things more safely (bow drill setup for instance). With regards to using a fixed blade in those cases where you need a locking blade, I disagree. Sometimes I don't want to stick a big fixed blade on my belt.
 
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