What are your favourites locking systems and why?

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aguijonmagico

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Mar 24, 2013
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First, to me, axis lock. Smoothest of them all, cool inertia one handed openings and closings.
A close second the obvious ball bearing, same reasons.

Security wise, integral lock, to me it's the same that a fixed blade.

Automatic lawks with liner lock it's an interesting and curious concept, also, that I enjoy kinda as a novelty.
 
I love the button lock that Hogue uses its very smooth and locks up great with no play at all. benchmades axis is super fun to play with haha. but for heavy use its hard to beat a framelock.
 
Back lock, triad lock, and compression lock are pretty much tied for first place really.
I will have to disagree on the integral lock being akin to a fixed blade. If, you were to do some twisting with a RIL, chances are the lock would fail, same as the Walker Liner Lock. Not saying it will every time, but the probability is pretty high. The Axis lock with the secondary locking switch is genius, and that is. (In my opinion) much more secure than a standard RIL.
¿Que piensa vos? ;)
 
I should have specified lionsteels framelock with the secondary sabilizer lock to keep the frame from disengaging, its a great design
 
Favorite lock involving springs: Axis lock.
Favorite lock without springs: Liner lock.

Tri-ad lock is great too of course, my favorite lock back.
 
Compression and axis lock in that my fingers are not in the path of the blade closing, and they are also very smooth. The Ti frame lock on the ZT 0550 is the exception for me though as the positive attributes of the whole design make it so worth while.
 
Benchmade Axis lock and Spyderco Ball Bearing lock so far. Both keep the hands out of the closing blade path when properly used and are ambidexterous designs. The Bolt Action lock on my older USA made Gerbers works well too from a hand in blade path standpoint but is not ambidexterous for me.
 
It depends on the knife. I like axis locks and I think liner/frame locks are pretty elegant. I don't like the operation of lock backs, but they have other advantages, such as allowing for a very thin knife.
 
I love the compression lock.
Second best would be liner/frame lock.
More than enough for my use. :)
 
Axis first for me, based on overall characteristics fitting my needs well (locks up securely, is easy to open and close one handed, with either hand). I'm not sure how I'd order the rest, though I'd definitely put liner higher on my list than frame lock.
 
#1 for me would be the compression lock for ease of use and strength. I also like the frame/liner lock for ease of use even though it may not be the strongest (I've never had any problems). I like the back lock and appreciate the evolution of it in the tri-ad lock. I agree the Axis and BB locks are nice but don't prefer their operation compared the others listed.
 
The button lock is my favorite locking mechanism. It's simple, reliable, safe and ergonomic. It's also strong enough for the kinds of knives I carry and the tasks they need to perform. (I work in an office in LaLa land.)
 
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Back locks have a special place in my heart because of shared history.

Some of the modern designs are arguably better because of easier maintenance, one hand closing and comparable strength. Really though any well made lock should hold up to rigorous use. The only lock that has failed me was a cheapo liner lock.
 
Triad lock and compression lock are my favorites. Both are innovative and strong. I really wish Andrew Demko didn't work for Cold Steel as we might see some American made production knives with the triad lock. Not saying foreign knives are bad, just saying it would be nice if a company like spyderco could license the triad lock and make some blades in Golden. BTW, an integral lock is nowhere near as strong as a fixed blade. No lock is.
 
I have had most of them, and I find the Framelock invented by Chris Reeve is the one I would go with. I have yet to ever read of one failing. I have had lockbacks like the Buck 110 break from normal use and non use. The framelock is the safest and strongest in my opinion.
 
+1, to me doesn't have the strongest for general knife usage.
RIL is easy to clean, looks great, simple, easy to unlock, only weakness I can think of...its not both right/left hand friendly.

nyefmaker said:
I have had most of them, and I find the Framelock invented by Chris Reeve is the one I would go with. I have yet to ever read of one failing. I have had lockbacks like the Buck 110 break from normal use and non use. The framelock is the safest and strongest in my opinion.
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