Which folding knife locking mechanism is least likely to be accidentally released?

desmobob said:
I'll also vote for Cold Steel's Triad lock. Have a CS Triad-equipped knife close accidentally? Heck, a lot of times it's difficult to get one to close on purpose! ;)

I have folding knives with a great variety of lock mechanisms and I've never had any of them close up by accident. Still, I think I would trust the Triad the most.
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I was thinking the same thing. In my experience the triad lock can be a pain to close even when you want to.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums. We've got some answers to the original question but it's worth covering a few general issues:

1. A sturdy lock is great but it's still a folding knife. However strong the lock, be wary of putting hard pressure against that lock. In other words, anything that tests the strength of a lock is probably not something you should be doing with a folding knife in the first place.

2. Folding knives are not great as defensive tools. Consider the reality of what can happen in legitimate defensive encounters. Imagine trying to get that folder out of your pocket, opened completely and with sufficiency to engage the lock, into the proper orientation in your hand and at an angle to be used effectively; all while at least one assailant is actively trying to harm you. How about under pressure, with someone on top of you, with someone vigorously trying to bludgeon or stab you, or with an animal aggressively trying to bite you?

Of course, even if you are successful in all of those things, you'll then be using your folding knife in a situation that may involve significant force and abrupt angle changes. (See Issue 1.) If you are seriously considering a defensive tool, explore that separately from an everyday carry (EDC) folder. If your defensive tool has to be a knife and you also want that knife to handle regular cutting tasks, the right EDC fixed blade could be a much better option. For instance, the Real Steel Receptor is a compact but capable fixed blade with a good sheath for less than $50.

3. As far as EDC folders go, it's almost 2021. In the last few years, we've seen a revolution in budget knives with better steels and good manual actions. It's gotten a lot harder to recommend assisted knives. Separating defensive and regular EDC needs will radically increase your options here. The questions here would become maximum price range, favorite opening method, and what you might normally be cutting.
 
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If you are starting out, go with a slip joint and learn safe knife handling. Relying on a folding knife lock is like depending on a gun safety; most are completely safe, until they fail. You don’t want to be there.

n2s
 
SALTY said: ↑
Interestingly, the Bush Ranger Lite is a Cold Cold Steel folder that does not have the triAD lock.

DocJD said:
That's no coincidence !

That's because the Tri-ad lock has no need of a secondary lock .
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Doc, I agree with you; I made my comment in the sense of the Bush Ranger Lite being a Cold Steel knife and thereby expecting it to have the TriAD lock. The BRL has a properly functioning lock back but also has a secondary lock. Personally, I just prefer the TriAD lock and found it interesting that this CS folder doesn't have it.

To the point about why not a fixed blade, I specifically remember that the Boy Scout Troop I sometimes volunteered with did not permit the scouts to have fixed blades - only folders ... and only after achieving their "Tote & Chip" qualification.
 
000Robert said:
I would probably go with a lock back. I'm curious as to why you do not want to use a fixed blade?
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I just want something to keep in my pocket. I don't have a convenient way to carry a fixed blade. Come to think of it, I guess I could use a ankle strap to carry a fixed blade. Hadn't considered it before. I'll think about it.
 
Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions and sharing your knowledge and experience. I've never before in my life shopped for any product that has so many variations: knife type, blade length, blade material, blade style, lock type, country of origin. I've spent days looking at various knives and still haven't decided, although I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a knife with a lockback. After reading the comments, I think I might get both a fixed blade and a folder. Thanks again.
 
marshach said:
I just want something to keep in my pocket. I don't have a convenient way to carry a fixed blade. Come to think of it, I guess I could use a ankle strap to carry a fixed blade. Hadn't considered it before. I'll think about it.
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I've carried a bunch of different fixed blades over the years. Check out the Receptor I mentioned. The size strikes a nice balance between utility and ease of carry. It's right at what I'd consider the minimum requirement for a defensive knife. The handle is comfortable to use. It also has a good kydex sheath. Kydex is great because it is very thin and can accommodate different types of attachments. Here are some options for carrying a fixed blade:

OWB - Outside the waistband on your belt. This is very convenient but there can be concerns about public perception and having a knife on your belt. I only do this when I have a "cover garment" like a jacket, blazer, open flannel, etc. I usually use a Tek-Lok for this.

IWB - Inside the waistband and anchored to your belt. This puts the sheathed blade inside your pants so only the handle is exposed. That can be covered with as little as an untucked T-shirt. This is much more discrete than OWB but can be a little harder to get right.

Necklace - Neck knives can be tricky. I've found that very few knives are comfortable to carry this way and only under certain circumstances. I only mention this method because it exists.

Inside the pocket - This one is pretty easy. You just drop the sheathed knife into your pocket. Many fixed blades will stay mostly upright this way and there are ways to help fix the orientation. The main issue I have with this method is that it stifles some of the advantages to having a fixed blade, such as ease of draw and one-handed resheathing. It's still better than a folding knife for defense but not as good as OWB or IWB.

I don't have personal experience with ankle carry.
 
I like the simplicity of frame locks, but I couldn't tell you whether or not they are more or less prone to accidental release. I prefer simple locks because you can see them working. Back locks are also pretty simple. Something like an axis lock isn't visible other than the button position, and you can't tell what kind of shape that little omega spring is in. Regardless, I don't fully trust any kind of folding knife lock. I just see them as an added layer of safety.
 
Spyderco caged ball bearing lock.
 
Well, it’s not an assisted system, but Tri-Ad lock for sure.

You’ve got excellent detent and a lock that would take a couple of Brock Lesnars to break. The knife is unlikely to open up or close on you without your conscious decision. Downside is that the lock can be a bit stiff to disengage.
 
Ruike Hussar framelock, with a "Beta Plus" safety lock.


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But I like back-locks too.

Also, the Spyderco Bradley Folder and GB2 is designed with lock security in mind.
 
marshach said:
I just want something to keep in my pocket. I don't have a convenient way to carry a fixed blade. Come to think of it, I guess I could use a ankle strap to carry a fixed blade. Hadn't considered it before. I'll think about it.
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I have never thought about wearing an ankle sheath for a fixed blade neither.
 
marshach said:
Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions and sharing your knowledge and experience. I've never before in my life shopped for any product that has so many variations: knife type, blade length, blade material, blade style, lock type, country of origin. I've spent days looking at various knives and still haven't decided, although I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a knife with a lockback. After reading the comments, I think I might get both a fixed blade and a folder. Thanks again.
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Check out CPK here for a fixed blade. Very nice knives!
 
DocJD said:
:rolleyes: They can be ! :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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They can be but only under a fairly small subset of circumstances. The issue with legitimate defensive encounters (in which you'd be justified to draw or use a knife defensively) is that those situations tend to be fast and chaotic. My earlier post walked through the steps for defensive use of a folder and hopefully showed the limitations. It's the same logic that has largely created consensus on things like not carrying on an empty chamber within the gun community.

It's the same principles that we use for general EDC. While you don't necessarily know what tasks will be presented to you in a given day, you can make an educated guess and plan your carry items accordingly. We think about what cutting chores a person might encounter before recommending a knife. We think about where a person might need light before recommending a flashlight. (Etc.) Defensive items are a little different in that the defensive utility is something we hope to never need. However, it's a lot like the fire extinguishers we keep in our homes: something we'll be very glad to have if we ever do need them.

So when considering a defensive tool, it's important to consider the circumstances under which it might be needed. The best resource I can recommend is "Active Self Protection" on YouTube. They collect footage of actual defensive encounters from around the globe and present them with analysis from a good defensive trainer. Just be warned, the good guys don't always win and the footage is occasionally graphic.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsE_m2z1NrvF2ImeNWh84mw
 
One of the best reasons to carry a folder with a very strong and reliable lock is for emergency / SD use .

Most people just will not carry a fixed blade , but at least can get a folder as close as possible .

Because a folding knife has so many other utility EDC uses and is relatively easy to carry , it is likely to be available when needed for SD .

Makes sense to me to learn and practice to use what you will actually carry .
 
To be honest, the only knife I've ever had the lock completely fail on was a CRKT M16-12Z. I think you'll be ok unless you do something the knife is not designed to do.
 
mr janich was for the longest time
advocating syderco enduras for years !!
 
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DocJD said:
One of the best reasons to carry a folder with a very strong and reliable lock is for emergency / SD use .

Most people just will not carry a fixed blade , but at least can get a folder as close as possible .

Because a folding knife has so many other utility EDC uses and is relatively easy to carry , it is likely to be available when needed for SD .

Makes sense to me to learn and practice to use what you will actually carry .
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Honestly, I'd rather see people work on their empty-handed skills than train with a folder.

Putting a folder in that role means having it in that role. It means accepting the steps and pitfalls I previously described and building them into your defensive routine. Taking the full spectrum of likely defensive encounters into consideration, we have to ask how often this would actually be helpful. We have to ask how often it would be the best use of a preciously limited space between the time you notice danger, the time you have to act, and the time when something horrible happens to you.

Remember that the horrible thing in question here is something horrible enough to actually justify the defensive use of a knife. That means mortal danger or severe bodily harm. That's as serious as a funeral. I'll redouble my recommendation that anyone interested in this topic spends some time watching actual defensive encounters. Seriously folks, trust your EDC folder for cutting chores. If you want a defensive tool in your EDC, carry something more efficient and more reliable.
 
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