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What is the feeling on compression locks?
- Thread starter kgriggs8
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2001
- Messages
- 1,256
I've had the opposite experience as you. I found the lock to be easy to engage/disengage, and think it to be a great improvement over the standard liner-lock.
My only experience with the Compression Lock is on the two Paramilitaries I own. I did send both of these into the factory to fix some blade play; I do not know if this problem has a higher rate of occurence with the Compression Lock. The two knives were delivered to my house today and are waiting for me to leave work
Matthew
My only experience with the Compression Lock is on the two Paramilitaries I own. I did send both of these into the factory to fix some blade play; I do not know if this problem has a higher rate of occurence with the Compression Lock. The two knives were delivered to my house today and are waiting for me to leave work
Matthew
I also found it awkward to use. I just can't find a good way to unlock it. Maybe practice will help.
I was going to say I don't remember the first time I tried using a liner lock, but now that I think about it I actually DO remember. It was an Explorer brand "stubby" (similar to the little "mouse" Frost makes), and I thought it was the most handy thing ever the first time I picked it up.
The compression lock does have a superior engineering philosophy. Linerlocks have the following problems:
1. The liner is pointed at the blade from a slight sideways angle, putting outward pressure on the handle. Bad news for handle slabs held on by two tiny screws. I think some big important person here mentioned this was a problem in testing, but I won't say his name in case I am wrong about him saying it. But regardless, this is easily visible on many liner locks.
2. The liner is bent/curved making it weak in the direction it is pushed by the blade in the closing direction. This makes problem #1 worse too.
The compression lock is better in design because:
1. The lock piece is much shorter than the long flap involved in a linerlock. This makes it much less likely to bend under pressure. Try placing a 2" sheet of metal in a vice from end to end, , then push it sideways as you tighten it. It will bend with only a little sideways pressure. Try the same with a 1/4" piece of metal. It basically can't be done.
2. The lock piece is straight in the direction it is compressed, and there may not be any curve at all. The liner is still curved to make it spring over, but it is not bent in the direction the lock part is squeezed so there is no buckling tendency. It also does not need to be bent at all at that point (near the end of the liner), as the only bend needs to be further back towards the other end of the handle, while a liner lock uses the entire flap length to compress.
It should be noted that a linerlock puts 100% of the closing force on a part designed to bend. The compression lock puts all of the force on a part of the liner that doesn't need to bend at all.
It is definitely possible to make a safe linerlock. It only needs a little bit large of a liner and a little more care put into design to exceed the likely limits of use. But, all things being equal (liner thickness, handle strength, etc), the compression lock makes a lot more sense.
My biggest complaint is that it feels like it is better suited for left-handers. I could close it a lot easier if it were reversed.
My second complaint is not being able to find a perfect specemin. I saw a Salsa that had poor ball detent alignment and didn't stay closed well. All others had a slight wiggle.
I would really like to see a compression lock in a steel handle.
I was going to say I don't remember the first time I tried using a liner lock, but now that I think about it I actually DO remember. It was an Explorer brand "stubby" (similar to the little "mouse" Frost makes), and I thought it was the most handy thing ever the first time I picked it up.
The compression lock does have a superior engineering philosophy. Linerlocks have the following problems:
1. The liner is pointed at the blade from a slight sideways angle, putting outward pressure on the handle. Bad news for handle slabs held on by two tiny screws. I think some big important person here mentioned this was a problem in testing, but I won't say his name in case I am wrong about him saying it. But regardless, this is easily visible on many liner locks.
2. The liner is bent/curved making it weak in the direction it is pushed by the blade in the closing direction. This makes problem #1 worse too.
The compression lock is better in design because:
1. The lock piece is much shorter than the long flap involved in a linerlock. This makes it much less likely to bend under pressure. Try placing a 2" sheet of metal in a vice from end to end, , then push it sideways as you tighten it. It will bend with only a little sideways pressure. Try the same with a 1/4" piece of metal. It basically can't be done.
2. The lock piece is straight in the direction it is compressed, and there may not be any curve at all. The liner is still curved to make it spring over, but it is not bent in the direction the lock part is squeezed so there is no buckling tendency. It also does not need to be bent at all at that point (near the end of the liner), as the only bend needs to be further back towards the other end of the handle, while a liner lock uses the entire flap length to compress.
It should be noted that a linerlock puts 100% of the closing force on a part designed to bend. The compression lock puts all of the force on a part of the liner that doesn't need to bend at all.
It is definitely possible to make a safe linerlock. It only needs a little bit large of a liner and a little more care put into design to exceed the likely limits of use. But, all things being equal (liner thickness, handle strength, etc), the compression lock makes a lot more sense.
My biggest complaint is that it feels like it is better suited for left-handers. I could close it a lot easier if it were reversed.
My second complaint is not being able to find a perfect specemin. I saw a Salsa that had poor ball detent alignment and didn't stay closed well. All others had a slight wiggle.
I would really like to see a compression lock in a steel handle.
I have a paramilitary. It stuck a bit the odd time until it wore in. It's fine now. Mine is rock solid. I'm a lefty when it comes to opening, and I found it actually easier to use than with my right hand. I use my thumb to slide the lock over and then close by moving the blade closed on my hip. I'm fairly ambidextrous and found it no harder to use than a liner lock. Just took a little practice I don't use my knives hard enough to say one way or another if this lock is superior.
- gord
I don't use my knives hard enough to say one way or another if this lock is superior.- gord
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2001
- Messages
- 423
I really like compression locks.
The only one I had that was difficult to close was the Vesuvious, which was the first model to carry it, and is genereally considered to have needed the re-modelling it went through.
Other than that I have had an integral Ti-Salsa, Lil' Temperance, Gunting and Para Military, all of which I have really liked, especially lock wise.
The smoothness of a liner lock, the strength of an Axis lock and the ambi qualities of a lock back. What's not to like ?
On the question of closing, I have seen some alter their grip so they can pinch the lock between thumb and first finger, whereas because I generally use the Philipeano grip (thumb on top of the spine), I find the easiest way to close a compression lock is to maintain the same grip, move the tumb across to disengage the lock, then just flick the blade down until the recasso hit's the first finder. I don't know of many locks that close faster or require less change in the initial grip.
The only one I had that was difficult to close was the Vesuvious, which was the first model to carry it, and is genereally considered to have needed the re-modelling it went through.
Other than that I have had an integral Ti-Salsa, Lil' Temperance, Gunting and Para Military, all of which I have really liked, especially lock wise.
The smoothness of a liner lock, the strength of an Axis lock and the ambi qualities of a lock back. What's not to like ?
On the question of closing, I have seen some alter their grip so they can pinch the lock between thumb and first finger, whereas because I generally use the Philipeano grip (thumb on top of the spine), I find the easiest way to close a compression lock is to maintain the same grip, move the tumb across to disengage the lock, then just flick the blade down until the recasso hit's the first finder. I don't know of many locks that close faster or require less change in the initial grip.
My experience with various lockbacks (Manix, Native, Centofante etc) has been when carrying clipless, the lock area will clog with lint. Same for the ball bearing locked Dodo, lint collects in the back of the knife/handle and prevents the ball from fully engaging. The compression locks, however, are practically immune to lint because any dirt will be pushed aside by the locking part. I have never had a problem with lockup on my Lil Temp or Paramillie.
There is the issue of dirt entering the recessed lock area preventing closing, but not really a safety issue.
There is the issue of dirt entering the recessed lock area preventing closing, but not really a safety issue.
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2001
- Messages
- 423
Really ? I find it quite difficult to close a liner lock left handed (I'm right handed), but I find closing a compression lock almost as easy with either hand.gordonk said:I''m fairly ambidextrous and found it no harder to use than a liner lock. Just took a little practice
- gord
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,355
I've had no issues at all with the lock on my Yojimbo. It was stiff at first, but nothing that didn't subside after more carry and use. I agree that having the setup reversed could make it more optimal for righties to close, but it's not a big deal to me.
- Joined
- May 26, 2005
- Messages
- 567
I received my first compression lock folder, an ATR, about a week ago. I am a righty and experimented with several ways to close it one-handed. Here is the method I settled on for now. (Someone else might know a better way.)
1. Place forefinger on spring.
2. Place thumb in blade hole.
3. Grip clip with last three fingers.
4. Move spring out of the way and close blade.
It felt awkward at first, but is becoming more natural with practice.
........Ron
1. Place forefinger on spring.
2. Place thumb in blade hole.
3. Grip clip with last three fingers.
4. Move spring out of the way and close blade.
It felt awkward at first, but is becoming more natural with practice.
........Ron
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
My Para-Military was a bit 'gritty' at first but after a day or two of using it it ironed itself out to be quite smooth. It was an adjustment over the standard liner lock. I got rid of the knife but not because of the lock I just fell completely head over heels in love with the Salt 1 and the maintainance free H1 steel and stopped carrying my PM.
safong
BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2003
- Messages
- 379
The compression lock on my PMillie has been very solid and I like it much better than the linerlock. My two complaints about it is that having used the axislock, it's not as smooth and doesn't have the spring pressure when you open and close that the axis has.
- Joined
- May 26, 1999
- Messages
- 1,964
Im starting to like the compression lock more. The first knife I bought with one was the Lil Temperance. I get the infamous compression lock pinch when opening it and it seems kind of hard to unlock. The newer generation of the lock on the Para and Yojimbo work better for me, even though the refinements in the design are pretty subtle.
The way I usually close the blade is to press the spring to the side with my middle finger, close the blade about half way by pushing down on the spine with my index finger, then close the blade the rest of the way with my thumb. This method feels similar to how you close a liner lock.
The way I usually close the blade is to press the spring to the side with my middle finger, close the blade about half way by pushing down on the spine with my index finger, then close the blade the rest of the way with my thumb. This method feels similar to how you close a liner lock.
Yog - Hi!!
I think opening a liner lock left handed does require more effort if you are not used to it. Because my strong side for knives is left (though I'm primarily right handed), I actually find a liner lock harder to open with my right hand. That's just me, though
Lock backs, BM Axis Locks, nail nick types like a SAK, any hand. I do get some interesting comments the odd time because I am quasi-ambidextrous With knives, pool (pool cue/8ball) archery, shooting a firearm (when it wasn't so regulated up here
) I'm a lefty. With writing, throwing something, golf, playing my bass guitar, operating my cell phone (actually my cell is a little different - I dial with my right, but move the phone to left to speak), I'm a righty. When I'm working on my blades, when I'm filing or grinding a bevel, for instance, I can work both ways about the same. It comes in handy when I'm sharpening my kitchen knives, for instance, on my 1x030 - one pass one way, flip the knife over, and pass the other way - done Now one thing that I have found, is if I try something that I do left all the time and then try it right....... 
8 ball for instance - I couldn't make shot right if my life depended on it!!
Hope this helps - gord
I think opening a liner lock left handed does require more effort if you are not used to it. Because my strong side for knives is left (though I'm primarily right handed), I actually find a liner lock harder to open with my right hand. That's just me, though
Lock backs, BM Axis Locks, nail nick types like a SAK, any hand. I do get some interesting comments the odd time because I am quasi-ambidextrous With knives, pool (pool cue/8ball) archery, shooting a firearm (when it wasn't so regulated up here ) I'm a lefty. With writing, throwing something, golf, playing my bass guitar, operating my cell phone (actually my cell is a little different - I dial with my right, but move the phone to left to speak), I'm a righty. When I'm working on my blades, when I'm filing or grinding a bevel, for instance, I can work both ways about the same. It comes in handy when I'm sharpening my kitchen knives, for instance, on my 1x030 - one pass one way, flip the knife over, and pass the other way - done Now one thing that I have found, is if I try something that I do left all the time and then try it right....... 8 ball for instance - I couldn't make shot right if my life depended on it!!Hope this helps - gord
