Who makes the best crossbar-style lock, in your opinion?

Not a fan of axis locks or whatever copycat name used........They work though and you can fahtz around opening and closing it easy enough fo fun🙄.......Different strokes buddy..😉......
 
norcalAF norcalAF why so sad?
I’m not being sarcastic - they’re actually making a folder, and considering they’ve been designing it for decades it’s probably going to be good. ✌️
 
el gigantor said:
Right now I'm looking at Benchmade's Axis, Spyderco's CBBL, and Microtech's Ram-Lok. A truly ambidextrous knife sounds like a good idea. I usually play in the liner/frame lock end of the pool so I thought I'd come to BF and seek out a few opinions. I'm looking for reliability and strength over the need to be fidget-friendly, although ease-of-use seems to be inherent to the lock design.
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While not a cross-bar lock, you do mention CBBL .... I recommend the XL for big hands. Great cutter, safe lock, available in Cruwear, large enough, good support & no politics:

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scdub said:
norcalAF norcalAF why so sad?
I’m not being sarcastic - they’re actually making a folder, and considering they’ve been designing it for decades it’s probably going to be good. ✌️
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I like the concept and they are a fantastic maker, but the handle shape and that huge choil/waste of blade edge are killing it for me. I'll probably end up with one 😂
 
jfk1110 said:
Not a fan of axis locks or whatever copycat name used........They work though and you can fahtz around opening and closing it easy enough fo fun🙄.......Different strokes buddy..😉......
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im not really either. its okay and won't stop me from buying a folder I like with it.....but I prefer other locks to it.
 
Culprit99 said:
Go for it! I've been super happy with them.

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I'm not a Buck expert.....does it seem likely that Other handle materials would become available? Or, is the aluminum still pretty good?

Edit to add
Is the big one too big, or the little one too small?
I have big palms, but I'd like something Not bulky in my pocket
Thanks.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I'm not a Buck expert.....does it seem likely that Other handle materials would become available? Or, is the aluminum still pretty good?

Edit to add
Is the big one too big, or the little one too small?
I have big palms, but I'd like something Not bulky in my pocket
Thanks.
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There’s a good review on YouTube which has size, material, comparison etc
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I'm not a Buck expert.....does it seem likely that Other handle materials would become available? Or, is the aluminum still pretty good?

Edit to add
Is the big one too big, or the little one too small?
I have big palms, but I'd like something Not bulky in my pocket
Thanks.
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Buck has said that there will be more cross bar locks coming in the future. I hope that means more materials, such as Micarta, but they haven't expressly said yet.

I'm sure the aluminum is fine, but am not personally a fan of aluminum knives - they seem too slippery for me, and look bad once they get scratched up. Micarta and wood age gracefully when they get wear marks. Over in the Buck sub-forum, one guy said the aluminum had good grip, but others have said it is too slippery for them. Everyone has given great feedback on the texture/grip of the plastic (FRN?). Everyone over there has great feedback on Buck's Magnacut, but some of us Luddites steer clear of powder metallurgy and Vanadium Carbides, in general. Fortunately for me the more traditional metal was available in the plastic handle, so I jumped and have been super happy.

They are nice and thin - not too bulky in the pocket, at all. Here's a picture showing relative lengths to the Buck 110 and 112 that a lot of folks will have a frame of reference for. Both the Range and the Mini Range ride well in my pockets (average 5' 10" guy) but I have been carrying the Mini the past couple of weeks just to see how much the little knife can handle. It hasn't cried uncle yet. :)

I’m also including a picture showing how thin it is, as compared to a modified Micarta Buck Saunter that has had it’s steel liners removed.

IMG_3547.jpeg

IMG_3518.jpeg

https://flic.kr/p/2rs2FTV

https://flic.kr/p/2rs19Sd
 
ShaiHulud said:
The kershaw bel air seemed pretty strong to me, zero play, solid lock up, thin and slicey but tough edge
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That’s definitely well done, though it might be a shade on the small side for Bigfoot up there. I have a Hogue Deka that also feels very nice, though it took me two sets of scales to get it where I really like it. Oh yeah, almost forgot Mr. Osborne and his little brother. Come to think of it, I haven had a bad one of these - they all lock up solid and operate easily enough. That new Buck Range Elite is next on my list.

I’d say the brand and model don’t need to be a consideration as far as the lock is concerned; go with whatever tickles you best.
 
Danny Linguini said:
That’s definitely well done, though it might be a shade on the small side for Bigfoot up there. I have a Hogue Deka that also feels very nice, though it took me two sets of scales to get it where I really like it. Oh yeah, almost forgot Mr. Osborne and his little brother. Come to think of it, I haven had a bad one of these - they all lock up solid and operate easily enough. That new Buck Range Elite is next on my list.

I’d say the brand and model don’t need to be a consideration as far as the lock is concerned; go with whatever tickles you best.
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There is a larger Bel Air now.
 
Does anybody really make a bad crossbar lock?
Out of Bel Air, Bugout, and Deka, I can't find a hard gripe about any of their locks. For my money, it's a slow race to see which one needs the springs replaced first. I reckon I'll be very old by then.
 
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