Triad Lock Spring, Stronger Than Necessary?

T

tatfiend

Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
417
Is the triad lock spring stronger than needed for secure lockup? I have seen multiple posts complaining of how strong it is on new knives and discussing methods to reduce the spring strength for easier lock operation. The commonest one is suggesting leaving the knife partially open with the blade positioned so that the spring is held at maximum normal deflection for a period of time.

For this to work then the spring material, even in normal operation, is being stressed beyond the yield point it appears; NOT a good thing. I KNOW that depressing the thumb lock release beyond the amount needed to unlock the blade works to permanently reduce spring pressure as I have done so on an XL Voyager. Obviously the spring is definitely not idiot proof if a customer can easily stress it beyond the yield point without any knife disassembly.

I would like the spring to be better material so as shipped strength can be reduced and the triad lock design modified to provide a stop for the lock release lever so it is impossible to overstress the spring.
 
I have a Spartan and a Voyager. The Spartan is a bit too stiff, but the Voyager feels just fine for a lockback of it's size.
 
Most of the complaints are regarding sticking and it has little to do with the back spring strength it has more to do with break in from use as the pins and lock bar itself adapt some to the lock bar rocker arm fit into the blade. The Triad creates a situation where the load of use creates this wedge in place and stick issue due to the self correcting nature of the lock. This is much like the lock break in required for many liner locks. Paint the rocker arm with a Sharpie where it has lost black coloring and deal with it as you would any sticking liner or frame lock until it breaks in.
 
I have two Cold Steel knives with the Tri-Ad lock. I do not find them unnecessarily hard to close. I can open and close them one-handed, either left or right hand. And both were hair-shaving sharp out-of-the-box. The Black Rhino and the Large Espada. To close them, imagine this: Rotate knife until thumb is over slot atop pivot pin area, index finger on spine of blade, middle finger on lockbar. Depress lockbar with middle finger, push blade up with index finger until the non-sharpened area on the blade contacts thumb, move thumb out of slot area and use thumb to fully close blade.

Don't gasp at the thumb over the pivot pin. That is how we close a liner lock, NO?

Look at it this way. You will develop one really strong middle finger. Makes giving out single digit salutes rather easy. ;-)
 
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Maybe you struggle with desires for instant gratification, as I see that you posted the same thread right away in the General forum. The locks take a bit of time\use to break in and then they require less effort to release. Perhaps a wee bit of research before going off half cocked may be advantageous.
 
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I intend on ordering a Espada XL this weekend, from Knife Center. I certainly hope, with a 7.5 inch blade, that the lock is tight and hard to use. Their demo videos make it apparent that lock is tough. They jam that big old blade into drums, hoods, just about anything, some without gloves. That is trusting your knife lock.
 
Been carrying my new Code4 (love this knife) for about a week now.
The lock was very stiff at first, it almost hurt to unlock the blade, but after some use it seems to have sorted itself out and is perfect now.
No worries.
 
I have a lot of Cold Steel's Tri-Ad lock folders. Actually, the only ones I DON'T have as of typing this are the Espada, Talwar, Lone Star Hunter, Counter Point, Hold Out, American Lawman and Rajah series.

It's just a break in issue. As other users have posted, with a little bit of use and time it'l be nice and easy. I have no issues with it whatsoever.
 
The XL Espada can be painful to start with, but now it's simply solid.

As said, when it's holding a 7.5" blade, I can live with the resistance.
 
for what's its worth,
i find it a consolation for such locks being harder to disengage,
figuring it to be much safer whilst a blade is in use.
it acts as an additional security barrier in preventing accidental unlockings.
 
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