Triad lock vs...

I don't think the strength of the Tri-ad lock is in question. It is most likely without a doubt, the strongest folder lock available. However, my folder-buying decisions aren't based solely on that. I just don't like most of the CS knives in terms of their aesthetics, size, and fit/finish of the other components. Now, a Demko custom...that's a whole different animal.
 
The Mastiff said:
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Yeah, they are scary stupid here. I thought it was about the worst until I went to Atlanta. First I saw a guy chasing another up the road with a baseball bat. Then pretty soon I noticed the inside divider walls were absolutely coated with rubber tire tracks sometimes 8 and 9 feet up. If I wasn't in gridlock I was doing 80 and had people going around me like I was standing still. Still, it beats L.A. traffic. :)
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Well in the last 10 years or so people in my family have been hit by jerks and idiots on cell phones 4 times read totalled 4 vehicles, that's 3 rear ends and one shoehorn....

And that's not even going into all the crazy stupid crap I see everyday on the road.... And even in parking lots, it's crazy. These people drive dangerously stupid here...

It's been written up that known people from other states have mentioned how bad they are here when they came into the area.

I do drive a full size Ram 1500 as you know, and I am NOT giving that up for something smaller either.
 
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Well in the last 10 years or so people in my family have been hit by jerks and idiots on cell phones 4 times read totalled 4 vehicles, that's 3 rear ends and one shoehorn....
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It doesn't surprise me. My ex was a magnet for that. She was hit by inattentive/stupid drivers too many times to count. The last one I was around for she was stopped at a red light and a driver in a benz hit her doing about 35-40 or so. They had to cut her out of that car. I think she was hit 6-7 times in the time we were married. I've been lucky. My last was 30 some years ago. ( knock wood! )

Some are lucky, some aren't. When you are blasted from behind like that at a red light it's for sure not your fault.

BTW, I'd keep that truck too. My next vehicle will be another truck. These little cars aren't easy for me to climb in and out of with these creaking bones. I've got to have a back seat for Finn the Mastiff though as long as he's here. He's doing well for a change BTW.
 
The Mastiff said:
It doesn't surprise me. My ex was a magnet for that. She was hit by inattentive/stupid drivers too many times to count. The last one I was around for she was stopped at a red light and a driver in a benz hit her doing about 35-40 or so. They had to cut her out of that car. I think she was hit 6-7 times in the time we were married. I've been lucky. My last was 30 some years ago. ( knock wood! )

Some are lucky, some aren't. When you are blasted from behind like that at a red light it's for sure not your fault.

BTW, I'd keep that truck too. My next vehicle will be another truck. These little cars aren't easy for me to climb in and out of with these creaking bones. I've got to have a back seat for Finn the Mastiff though as long as he's here. He's doing well for a change BTW.
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Glad to hear Finn is doing better. :)
 
gooeytek said:
I don't think the strength of the Tri-ad lock is in question. It is most likely without a doubt, the strongest folder lock available. However, my folder-buying decisions aren't based solely on that. I just don't like most of the CS knives in terms of their aesthetics, size, and fit/finish of the other components. Now, a Demko custom...that's a whole different animal.
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Did someone say Demko custom...:)

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Interesting thread. I own a few folders from most of the companies discussed here. I have never had a lock fail. My delica I have used for years with no problem. Guess I better go hit a tree with the spine of my delica to be safe. LOL.
 
hardheart said:
Those who are saying "XYZ lock handles enough"
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Sometimes it IS strong enough.
Can most of my knives handle the force generated by 15 genetically modified, bionically enhanced silverback gorillas fed a steady diet of growth hormone and dosed up on mass quantities of meth?
Nope, they surely cannot, but it doesn't matter as I am just able to apply the force generated by one relatively normal sized human being.
Thus, the locks on the knives I have are strong enough (including the Tri-Ad lock knives).;)
 
I see both points here.

- One side, Lock failure is very rare and all reputable companies have good locking mechanisms on their knives. While the tri ad and compression locks may both be very strong, normal use will never even test their abilities. This is true.

- Other side, why would you not want the best available lock. Besides, there is a contingent out there which is so anti Cold Steel that they will argue against CS having the best of ANYTHING. This is also absolutely true.
 
I'd be willing to bet that, if they don't want to advertise their test results, it's for liability reasons.
 
stabman said:
Sometimes it IS strong enough.
Can most of my knives handle the force generated by 15 genetically modified, bionically enhanced silverback gorillas fed a steady diet of growth hormone and dosed up on mass quantities of meth?
Nope, they surely cannot, but it doesn't matter as I am just able to apply the force generated by one relatively normal sized human being.
Thus, the locks on the knives I have are strong enough (including the Tri-Ad lock knives).;)
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440A, linerless frn, and production designs without customization are also enough. There is pride in ownership for having "better" steel, "better" handle material, and "better" design. The same goes for having a "better" lock.

The force most locks fail at is less than what a normal human adult male is able to apply, we just tend not to apply it to knives when cutting.
 
Reasoned1 said:
I'd be willing to bet that, if they don't want to advertise their test results, it's for liability reasons.
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Yep.
Even my Cold Steel Rajah 2 came wrapped in a warning telling everyone to NOT do pretty much anything they do in the videos.
You tell people you can hang 800 pounds off a knife, and then the retards go out and get their fingers cut off being idiotic...and sue you.
Better to keep the results to yourself, using them to help improve the knives.:)
 
hardheart said:
440A, linerless frn, and production designs without customization are also enough.
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Right, which is why I own knives which match those criteria (other than 440A that is:D).
As for a "better" lock, what makes it better?
Strength?
Ambidextrousness?
Ease of manipulation with one hand?
Reliability when full of sand or lint?

You cannot get a measurable definition of what make a lock "better" all around. People just won't agree on that.
Which is part of why there are different locks.:)

Today I carried a frame-lock knife as I had to carry it deep in the pocket rather than clipped due to a "no weapons" policy (it ain't a weapon, but try explaining that...) A lock-back, or even a Tri-Ad lock could get enough lint in it to make it fail.
Plus, titanium is just plain cool! My Tri-Ad lock knives don't have any titanium in them...does THAT make them worse?
It does if one judges a lock by titanium content.;)
 
I've noticed a lot of people suggest lock-backs/Tri-Ad are more susceptible to lint, dirt, sand, etc. I've never seen it or experienced it. I had them in my pocket all the time since I was a kid in the late 80's and in sand and in dirt, painted with Iraqi powder sand when left on a pallet, etc. They always locked up nice and safe regardless. You don't have to worry about wear and tolerances as much as you do with liner-locks and frame-locks, or if you get some water or lube on them.

I think some people either got an insane amount of pocket lint that I've never had or seen, or they just see it as a potential problem that doesn't actually happen.

Back to strength - I wonder why nobody has jumped in on the "ZT Appreciation" thread I saw a minute ago and asked why do you need an over-built Kershaw?
 
OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
I've noticed a lot of people suggest lock-backs/Tri-Ad are more susceptible to lint, dirt, sand, etc. I've never seen it or experienced it. I had them in my pocket all the time since I was a kid in the late 80's and in sand and in dirt, painted with Iraqi powder sand when left on a pallet, etc. They always locked up nice and safe regardless. You don't have to worry about wear and tolerances as much as you do with liner-locks and frame-locks, or if you get some water or lube on them.

I think some people either got an insane amount of pocket lint that I've never had or seen, or they just see it as a potential problem that doesn't actually happen.

Back to strength - I wonder why nobody has jumped in on the "ZT Appreciation" thread I saw a minute ago and asked why do you need an over-built Kershaw?
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Because Lynn Thompson doesn't own Kershaw. Simple answer.
 
ThePharce said:
Because Lynn Thompson doesn't own Kershaw. Simple answer.
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I guess, I wonder why they (KAI-Kershaw/ZT) thought it was worth all of that money to develop thick, heavy folders when everybody would be ok with a Leek or Delica....guessing the thickness and solidarity is for....strength? Maybe it's a gimmick that isn't really needed by the costumers they say the design is intended for?
 
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OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
I guess, I wonder why they thought it was worth all of that money to develop thick, heavy folders when everybody would be ok with a Leek or Delica....guessing the thickness and solidarity is for....strength? Maybe it's a gimmick that isn't really needed by the costumers they say the design is intended for?
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My American Lawman is the folder I take camping...just saying......
 
stabman said:
Right, which is why I own knives which match those criteria (other than 440A that is:D).
As for a "better" lock, what makes it better?
Strength?
Ambidextrousness?
Ease of manipulation with one hand?
Reliability when full of sand or lint?

You cannot get a measurable definition of what make a lock "better" all around. People just won't agree on that.
Which is part of why there are different locks.:)

Today I carried a frame-lock knife as I had to carry it deep in the pocket rather than clipped due to a "no weapons" policy (it ain't a weapon, but try explaining that...) A lock-back, or even a Tri-Ad lock could get enough lint in it to make it fail.
Plus, titanium is just plain cool! My Tri-Ad lock knives don't have any titanium in them...does THAT make them worse?
It does if one judges a lock by titanium content.;)
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I tried out your theory cause... ehh... I'm weird that way. ;)

So... I grabbed 50 mm (almost 2 inches) of medium thickness yarn my gal had laying around and I stuffed the lock with it (and I mean stuffed). After a couple of attempts I had to cut it down to 30 mm cause the relatively massive ball of yarn wouldn't slip under the stop-pin and completely stuffed the stop-pin cut out before the lockbar had a chance to engage. Voila! The lock engaged and the lockbar protruded 2.5 mm above the G10, just about half of the 5 mm it protrudes when it's disengaged and riding on the tang. I cranked on it with my arms aaaand... nothing. Solid as a rock. I spine tapped it lightly on my knee a few times and again... nothing. Gave up...

So yes, the Tri-Ad will fail to either engage if you stuff it to the point where there's no room left, or possibly slip out if you stuff it just right (<hypothetical). All you need is more than 30 mm of medium thickness yarn and a lockbar protrusion of more than 2.5 mm.

Stay safe out there and leave the yarn at home, kids. :D
 
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Thrill said:
Did someone say Demko custom...:)

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http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/hill4535/SAM_0554.jpg

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/hill4535/SAM_0553.jpg
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Yup, and it was exactly your knife that I had in mind :)

Regarding the question as to why not have the best possible lock? Sure, sign me up. I would like it in a knife that I want though, not too crazy about most of the CS models. ZT0200 or Spyderco Military with a Tri-ad lock? Hell yes, but only if its easy to open and close one-handed :)
 
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