How To Video: Closing a Lockback (triad or otherwise) with one hand

Comeuppance

Comeuppance

Fixed Blade EDC Emisssary
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
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I haven't seen anyone else use this method - and I think it might be the best overall.

Don't mind my shaky hands; too much coffee this morning.

 
Interesting method. I prefer the index finger drop. It's a more natural feeling motion.
 
Okay, I just tried this on my Recon 1 and I couldn't do it. I apparently have the hand strength of a 10-year-old girl. :(:D Seriously, I couldn't push the lock far enough down that way to get it to totally disengage. Maybe I just need to work on my technique? o_O
 
I tried it on a Spyderco Native which has fairly light lockbar tension. Pretty sure the stiffer Tri-Ads would be no-go for most people due to finger strength.
 
interesting way to do it. thanks for sharing.

man you werent kidding on the shaky hand. time for decaf there. :)
 
Tried it, but no joy for me. Started with a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, then Delica, Endura, and some cheap no-names. I was finally able to do it with a very light actioned Dragonfly. So maybe I'm in the 9 year old hand strength category also. :) Or maybe it's just the meaty but muscleless part of my fingers. :D

So for now, I'll need to just stick with the index finger drop. The only blade that has bitten me multiple times (I'm a slow learner), is my Spyderco Matriarch. That little "B" can bite.
 
Here is another way to close lockbacks that is safer (you still have to pay attention to what you are doing):

Use the side of your thumb on the lockbar release section. (Especially important on the Tri-Ad Lock, because it is so much stronger that most lockbacks.)

Then press the back of the blade against side of your leg or something nearby that is inanimate and not moving. Slowly and carefully close the blade. Once you get used to it, you can speed it up and it will become second nature.

One other important thing to be aware of when closing lockbacks:

Most lockbacks have the edge of the blade resting against the inside of the handle (unlike linerlocks and framelocks, where they tend to have a space between or even flowthrough, where there is nothing there).

If you let the blade "slam" shut when closing a lockback, you run the risk of creating dull spots or edge damage after a while.
 
Hell I'm lucky to do it with two hands, on a Triad anyway. Another reason I like the bigger variations, much easier to close without biting(for me anyway). Does that method work on the bigger knives like the Espada XL(aluminum bolsters), TiLite 6 Aluminum or Holdout I?
 
GCG199 said:
Most lockbacks have the edge of the blade resting against the inside of the handle (unlike linerlocks and framelocks, where they tend to have a space between or even flowthrough, where there is nothing there).

If you let the blade "slam" shut when closing a lockback, you run the risk of creating dull spots or edge damage after a while.
Click to expand...

That's not true of most lockbacks and I don't think it's true of any current Cold Steel or Spyderco. I think on the Buck 110 your second statement may apply but the edge does not naturally rest against anything.

Your first statement is never true except on a defective knife.

Lockbacks rest on the "kick" or on a pin.
 
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Comeuppance said:
I haven't seen anyone else use this method - and I think it might be the best overall.

Don't mind my shaky hands; too much coffee this morning.

Click to expand...

I just put my index finger on the spine or side of the blade and push very lighly to move the blade just abit so I can drop the lock without the blade locking open. Then I move my fingers out of the path of the closing blade and just either swing the blade shut or push it home to closed with my index.
 
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