What is your philosophy on locking folders?

[D.C.Johnson]

No reservations with a folding knife unless I'm doing something absurd (never have) which at that point I would treat it like a slip joint. Basically if its an everyday task I have no worries. If your everyday duties involve batoning wood and prying doors then maybe it's about time you upgrade to a fixed blad as your edc. At that point I'm sure no knife laws are applicable so a folder isn't neccesary.

 

[johnnytoxin]

I don't worry about it. I use my folder to cut things which is what it was designed for.

 

[unit]

Thanks for the votes!

I appreciate that this has stayed civil. I just want to stress that there is no wrong answer and that I am not out to drive a wedge between those that use a knife "properly" and those that use a knife for alternative uses. I'd suggest that the existence of a lock gives a nod to the idea that a lot of respectable buyers use a knife in a manner that a very secure, solid and confident lock is a worthwhile asset

If I had to guess, I would say I am in more of the "knuckle head" club when it comes to knife use. I have never broken a knife of an make, but I use a knife harder than quite a few (but not for the sake of a video or other suspicious endeavor).

 

[lazy otter]

I have no doubt my sebenza lock will never fail on me. I always have a fixed blade and folder and if I need to pry I got tools just for that. Right tool for the right job.

 

[JohnLT13]

I have never given it much thought as most the cuts/uses I make are putting pressure on the stop pin more then the lockbar.
I mainly cut wood trim. Pine,oak,fir, poplar and cedar to name a few. I wonder what kind of cuts would put a strain on the lockbar?
Maybe a stabbing motion? Im not thinking of many uses that would push the lock bar beyond its capabilities.

 

[unit]

I have never given it much thought as most the cuts/uses I make are putting pressure on the stop pin more then the lockbar.
I mainly cut wood trim. Pine,oak,fir, poplar and cedar to name a few. I wonder what kind of cuts would put a strain on the lockbar?
Maybe a stabbing motion? Im not thinking of many uses that would push the lock bar beyond its capabilities.

Some might include use of a swedge as a scraper, boring a hole and getting careless/tired, back-slashing as I mentioned in an eaelier post, using the spine to pick up things, and obviously piercing for sensible duties (I often pierce hard plastic bottles in the field so I can make spoons/forks at lunch time).

I'd agree that none of these really stress the lock bar, but some guys hold the valid philosophy that any folding knife can fold and the safest use involves zero reliance on the lock...while others may feel that these knives are made so dang well that you can trust the lock to save your fingers if you trust it.

 

[338375]

Some might include use of a swedge as a scraper, boring a hole and getting careless/tired, back-slashing as I mentioned in an eaelier post, using the spine to pick up things, and obviously piercing for sensible duties (I often pierce hard plastic bottles in the field so I can make spoons/forks at lunch time).

I'd agree that none of these really stress the lock bar, but some guys hold the valid philosophy that any folding knife can fold and the safest use involves zero reliance on the lock...while others may feel that these knives are made so dang well that you can trust the lock to save your fingers if you trust it.

I have thought about this very thing in the past. My days of designing, and building race cars is long past, but when I was doing it, I gave every step in the process a lot of thought, always thinking of the positives in the design as well as the negatives...

I have no doubt that companies like CRK, as well as BM which I have the most experience, put the same thought into the designing of their chosen locking systems.
Even after watching abuse/testing videos of the Axis lock, and seeing what the knives will withstand, which is WAY more than I will ever put a knife through, I still have the mental hurdle to overcome, so I can become more trusting. I honestly don't know if I will ever get to that level though.

I know your original question pertained to CRK Ken, but I don't have experience with them yet, so hopefully my input using another brand for comparison isn't getting to far off track from your original question.

 

[JohnLT13]

Some might include use of a swedge as a scraper, boring a hole.

These are two things I do quite a lot of but it did not come to mind until you mentioned them. I use my Insingo swedge a lot to scrape paint, glue and other things. And mark holes on treads for baluster drilling. I may make a mental note during the week to the many odd things/cuts I make with my knife just to see what kind of real world abuse I'm putting to the lockbar. May be interesting.

 

[SBXT]

I carry a locking folder and a SAK most days. I inherently have a greater amount of confidence in my Sebenzas and other quality locking folders, and I am slightly more careful with slipjoints. But, my normal use is average daily tasks; opening mail, packages, cutting fruit, random cutting tasks. I don't need a knife for my work duties, so "hard use" is uncommon for me. If I worked in a trade where my knives were used often and heavily, i might think differently.

 

[timberweasel]

A folding knife is designed to do two things: fold and cut. I don't trust a lock 100% no matter how well it is made. To me, a lock on a folder is only an extra margin of safety. Kinda like wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle or a helmet on a motorcycle... it can save you from injury but it is not a guarantee.

-Brett