What are your favourites locking systems and why?

My 2 favorites are the Axis lock and frame lock. I haven't had a compression lock, but I bet its great too.
 
I like frame locks and slip joints for picket knifes. I like fixed blades for non pocket knife activities. Maybe this is just me but I've had the spring I the axis lock break, " omega spring?" more often than I've have a frame lock slip. Any lock will fail given the right situation.
 
I like frame locks best, mostly because i like the ergonomics of them, the way the knife feels slimmer in your hand. Example sage 2 and sage 1.
 
I've been carrying liner locks for so long that it's second nature.
Other lockers seem foreign to me now.
 
dwong said:
I see lots ppl said frame lock is strong, no one said its the strongest.
Many pick knife for their overall design, I would never treat a folder like a fixed, doesn't matter the lock style.
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The framelock is the safest and strongest in my opinion.
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Some people say it is the strongest including others that agreed with him, and that is just this thread. It is common in many threads about locks. There are videos that show a machine that breaks knives and many frame locks break well under a hundred pounds. While other locks take many hundreds of pounds before breaking.

But ultimate strength isn't nearly as important as reliability. And in my experiences over the last 15 years I have had problems with liner/frame locks (and 1 back lock) that I just haven't had with the AXIS/Compression/CBBL.

I also don't understand how some people have had so many problems breaking omega springs when many others have never had a problem since day one. But if an omega spring breaks you have another and your fingers aren't in danger like if a frame lock slips. And if somehow both break a stick can be shoved behind the lock bar and still use the knife. And I can take a piece of wire and needle nose pliers and have a new spring in ten minutes. If a broken omega spring is the worst that can happen in a AXIS lock, I love the fact I can easily fix it. But I use an AXIS lock everyday, and flip them open and close as a replacement for a worry stone, and it is not an issue for me.

In the end it comes down to personal preference and experiences. I like the AXIS because of its features, strength, and I don't have problems with them (and can easily fix them if I do). I can't wait for the day the patent runs out and they.can be put on any knife, which I think is less than 5 years away.
 
RevDevil said:
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? ;)
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Jaaaj, thumbs up for the spanish. Ok about your objection on the frame lock...
thinking about your answer I got two questions:
a) The compression lock is related to the liner lock (i.e. a liner lock placed elswhere and two contact points instead fo two) or to the backlock? The tria ad lock is an evolution of the backlock, that's easy.
b) Axis lock, ball bearing, all sliding types, woudn't they also fail is put under some twisting?
I guess they will.

Also, liner lock with lawks it's supposed (in my mind) to be able to take that hypothetical twisting...
Rotoblock plus frame lock? Molleta's design...

Thank you, your answer made me think.
 
jvarn81 said:
Good, informed post. Its funny how some think the framelock is so strong. Does the framelock make a great knife, sure, I have many, and like them a lot, but to say its the strongest is incorrect.
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I believe this is the logic: if a liner lock is enough, a frame lock should be more than enough, because it's way thicker.
And to appreciate other stronger locks, you need to understand them, wich only happens when you have advanced in your knife knowledge. Usually one would progress from something like a SAK to a liner and only then to other types of locks.
Of course, this evolution is totally arbitrary, but you won't normally go from nothing to Cold Steel Spada XL, much less a Sebenza 25.

That common sense evolution also sets the path for common myths, like the one about the frame lock. If you would buy a tri ad lock first, and then you try a liner, you would of course perceive the weakness of the liner.
 
Please remember the cut out on the frame lock, its a weak point there. Its may or may not be stronger then a liner lock, but its easier to clean and often look better.

aguijonmagico said:
I believe this is the logic: if a liner lock is enough, a frame lock should be more than enough, because it's way thicker.
And to appreciate other stronger locks, you need to understand them, wich only happens when you have advanced in your knife knowledge. Usually one would progress from something like a SAK to a liner and only then to other types of locks.
Of course, this evolution is totally arbitrary, but you won't normally go from nothing to Cold Steel Spada XL, much less a Sebenza 25.

That common sense evolution also sets the path for common myths, like the one about the frame lock. If you would buy a tri ad lock first, and then you try a liner, you would of course perceive the weakness of the liner.
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There are a lot "cooler" locks out there, but I have really come to settle on the Lockback as a gold standard for my user, Endura specifically. Compression lock is still more fun to play with though. :D
 
Please remember the guy was comparing to what he got in his collection, including a back-lock that failed.
Not everyone have every lock out there, I have only a few lock type that was mention in this thread.
A strongest lock could make it someone's favorite, but not everyone have the same requirement.

BTW, STR got a good blog about T-lock.

FlaMtnBkr said:
Some people say it is the strongest including others that agreed with him, and that is just this thread. It is common in many threads about locks. There are videos that show a machine that breaks knives and many frame locks break well under a hundred pounds. While other locks take many hundreds of pounds before breaking.

But ultimate strength isn't nearly as important as reliability. And in my experiences over the last 15 years I have had problems with liner/frame locks (and 1 back lock) that I just haven't had with the AXIS/Compression/CBBL.

I also don't understand how some people have had so many problems breaking omega springs when many others have never had a problem since day one. But if an omega spring breaks you have another and your fingers aren't in danger like if a frame lock slips. And if somehow both break a stick can be shoved behind the lock bar and still use the knife. And I can take a piece of wire and needle nose pliers and have a new spring in ten minutes. If a broken omega spring is the worst that can happen in a AXIS lock, I love the fact I can easily fix it. But I use an AXIS lock everyday, and flip them open and close as a replacement for a worry stone, and it is not an issue for me.

In the end it comes down to personal preference and experiences. I like the AXIS because of its features, strength, and I don't have problems with them (and can easily fix them if I do). I can't wait for the day the patent runs out and they.can be put on any knife, which I think is less than 5 years away.
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For me a liner lock. A frame lock which has a cutout thinner then a liner lock will have the possibility to fail If you treat in like a fix blade.
 
I like the Axis lock the best. Extremely easy opening and closing and very secure in my experience.
 
Lock back knives....I've never ever had one close on my fingers. I've had several liner locks fail on me, and have the scars to prove it.
 
Thats why you should look for knives with finger choils to protect your non replaceable digits. then you can go with any lock and not worry about it as long as you are gripping the knife properly . which is why flipper kives seem so safe to me with the flipper turninig into a great guard. I like the Axis lock but virtually every benchmade folder has an edge that goes all the way back to the handle. Too risky for me . Spyderco has some great finger choils and combined with the compression lock you cant lose!!

Triad is awesome I just dont like most of the CS lineup styling wise. But great knives for the money and the lock is fantastic
 
muddog15 said:
I would like to see any lock do what a Tri Ad lock can do. They can't.
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In terms of ease of use? btw, what's the main difference between a tri ad lock and, say a Spyderco lock back with a stop pin (e.g. Chaparral)?
 
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