What is the feeling on compression locks?

I like comp locks too. Simple and reliable, much comfortable than a linerlock. The only thing is they pinch now and then, depending on how you hold them(they do, really). Not a big issue, anyway.
 
I realy like the Compresion lock on my Para, I feel it is a big improvement on the liner lock for the fact that ones fingers are always out of the way of the business part of the knife whilst closing ( very important for Spyderco sharpness ). The credit card would come out in a flash for a Military with a Comp lock.
 
As we continue to learn more about the lock and refine the design, it will continue to improve.

There is little out there that is as simple and as strong.

Our new Schempp designed "Tuff" is using an integral Titan Compression lock.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
Our new Schempp designed "Tuff" is using an integral Titan Compression lock.
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Oh no! Another hint that will keep un frustrated for months :(

David
 
It's simple (no springs, no little moving parts...) and seems extremely secure and effective. I love it, one-handed closing (Para) is no problem for me. I hope we'll see much more knives with this lock.
 
tungsten said:
It's simple (no springs, no little moving parts...) and seems extremely secure and effective. I love it, one-handed closing (Para) is no problem for me. I hope we'll see much more knives with this lock.
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The lack of little springs makes me think of the Axis Lock Benchmade uses (which I like a lot). The tang is very similar and it makes use of the obstructing lock part in the same location that is squeezed. The Axis looks tough with its big fat sideways metal cyllinder, but the Compression lock also has a metal cyllinder in the works, which is used as the stop pin. The pin and the metal liner are reversed in these two lock designs, each serving the opposite function.

However, with the axis lock you have a round pin pushing against the flat edge of a liner. I can't saee too well in the pictures--is the top of the Compression Lock curved inward to match the "anvil pin?" This would give the Compression Lock an advantage because the lock surfaces would have more contact area, making it less likely to break under pressure.

On top of that, the compression lock does not need little springs inside a half-open, un-cleanable cranny. I still love the Axis lock for it's two-sided use and convenience (as well as being a great idea all around), but the Compression lock is really earning points.

I am going to have to get a knife with the Compression Lock. I initially didn't like them, probably based on initial reaction, but I have talked myself into it!
 
Carl64 said:
I can't saee too well in the pictures--is the top of the Compression Lock curved inward to match the "anvil pin?"
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I didn't disassemble my Para yet, but I can see the locking-liner getting almost half way around the pin when engaged - I'll try to make a pic.

The mechanism feels super save, even if the liner would twist under pressure, it would still be compressed between the tang and the pin so the knife wouldn't close completely. I guess you would have to destroy the knife itself to make it fail totally.
 
I've only used the older compression locks (3 Lil' Temps, 4 Guntings, 3 Al Salsas, 1 Vesuvius) but haven't ever had a problem. I still have my TP Lil'Temp and use it off and on as an EDC. I've never had a problem with the lock and it's always very convenient. The Vesuvius is always clipped to my shorts that I sleep in, the lock is very secure both open and closed.

I keep looking to get another Gunting, stupidity caused me to sell the 3 lives and one drone that I've had in the past. It's just such a good reliable knife.

I haven't gotten around to the newer compression locks. I have handled an ATR and loved the integral lock, just didn't love the cobrahood. I haven't looked at the Para because my regular Military is just so good and the Lil' Temp is there for when I want/need something smaller.
 
I've found that I can depress the lock on my Para Military, and flick it open and closed much like you can with an axis lock. I love the lock itself. The knife does suffer a bit of blade play in both directions. I'm going to mess with the pivot a bit, and if that doesn't help, I'll be sending it in to be repaired.
 
I like the compression lock as well, but I had to learn to love it. It was a sticky at first,(hard to disengage) but I just changed my technique. I use my middle finger to unlock it and my thumb to close it, kind of like the reverse of opening it. Then it works great! It did have a learning curve, but its a great lock.
 
My first post - AND I get to express some thoughts. How about that?

So, my feeling about the compression lock... I've developed a callous (sp) on my index finger. However - I'm more than willing to trade that against having my fingers in the way of a seriously sharp edge.

For closing I change grip from whatever I'm using to a three-fingers-on-the-clip pinch-kinda grip, snap-and-release with the index finger and use the on-the-clip fingers to catch rebound.
So, in short the CL is strong, if somewhat unforgiving to my fingertips. However, I'm super confident with it whether carrying my Yojimbo to work, camping with the kids or carving treebark boats with it.

/F
 
I had a problem with one of the Salsa's I had. It seemed that the ball detent would not be nice and tight all the time and sometimes it would pop open about 1/4" in my pocket. I then bought a brand new Salsa and it had the same problem. Went and handled one in a store and it also had the same problem. After asking around I find that this is "kinda normal".

Due to this I don't really care for compression locks and I now don't own any. I also don't like how they just stay open if you open them like an inch or so. I like how Spyderco Lockbacks and Benchmade Axis lock models spring back closed. The comp lock don't do this.

I guess just my opinion :)
 
SAKguy said:
I had a problem with one of the Salsa's I had. It seemed that the ball detent would not be nice and tight all the time and sometimes it would pop open about 1/4" in my pocket. I then bought a brand new Salsa and it had the same problem. Went and handled one in a store and it also had the same problem. After asking around I find that this is "kinda normal".
Click to expand...

That's interesting, because a Salsa was the first one I tried that had a major issue with not staying closed. I figured it was just that unit, although results varied with others. It didn't work as well as the similar detent on most linerlocks. I think a Yojimbo I tried was better, as was a paramilitary.

I wouldn't get a Salsa anyway because I don't want to spend much money on an AUS8 blade. I have a few (dragonfly and some cold steels), but I stay away from new stuff that isn't VG10, ATS34, etc, unless the knife is super cool like the Buck Revolution and I just have to get it. I am going to wait for a compression lock I really like.
 
Loving my SS ATR.. I just push the liner our with my thumb & close the blade with my index.. works like a charm.
 
i had an ATR SS with a detent problem, sent it back for another from spyderco, IIRC they "improved" something/another to give it some more detent so no more opening in the pocket, it works fine now, and i have 2 ti ATRs which also work fine. can relate to probs with knives opening in the pocket, it sure isnt cool imho. point being if ya have a spyderco with this prob ya might talk to them and see if they can fix it/replace it.

imho guntings are bad about this due to the "horn" of the balde sticking up and catching on things, nothing to do with the lock. imho guntings should always be carried in a sheath, or with the pivot pin very tight, for this reason, not the best for pocket carry at all.
 
Been over six months since I traded in my old manual tranny car and got an automatic. Still find left foot heading for the clutch and my right hand for the shift lever occasionally. So I find it much easier on my old brain to stick with one kind of lock. That way that the simple act of closing a knife does not require either thought or observation to determine what method must be used. As a lefty, my lock of choice is, and will probably always remain, the front lock. Aside from that, I have no specific complaint with the compression lock.
 
Mixed: When a compression lock works right. Its IMHO the best lock out there, but I did have one that had a few issues. The detent engaged pretty late, Spyderco fixed that for me with a little trick but now the lock is quite sticky and has very little room for adjustment left.
 
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