Why aren't there more manual button locks?; ARE THEY GOOD?

Walking Man

Walking Man

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[this thread has been in the making for some time]
I've notice that some compies, like speedtech and Tinives make buttonlocks, William Henry makes button locks, what the deal?
Are the locks secure? strong? expensive to manufacture?
Every button look that I've ever owned had been top quality.
Opinions?
 
I had wondered the same thing. I only use liner/frame locks (because of the ergonomics of closing the knife) and auto's. I find that the autos have about the most reliable locks on a folder that you can find. Button (plunge) locks are easy to keep clean. I had taken an axis lock BM and an auto BM with me on a canyoneering trip a while back. I ended up just covered in dust. The automatic cleaned up nicely but I had a hell of a time getting all of the dust out of the axis lock mechanism. Even if one of my automatics didn't have a coil spring, I'd still like it because of it's funtion. I find that they're not too bad to use left handed also. :)
 
I regularly rotate a William Henry Westcliff and Monarch for my day to day pocketknife.

They are awesome performers and IMNSHO, the best lock design going today for gents knives. I don't know how they would hold up on a more heavy-duty knife, but the Quest, which is oriented toward "beefier" tasks has a button lock - I am going to get one in the near future to find out.

As to why more companies don't use this lock type? :confused:
 
This is also a question that has bothered me for a while. I love all my button lock autos, and would love to see a nice large gent's folder with a button lock. It would tend to test the "gravity knife" problem a bit though. While one of my Protechs had a broken spring, I still used it, and the button lock allow quicker closing of the knife than in auto mode, much like an Axis lock, plus it's less prone to picking up lint, as Wunderbar has stated above.

I still have yet to try the William Henry button locks, but that's just a matter of time. I guess it's probably a more complicated, or expensive lock to manufacture properly, so that may keep some companies from mass-producing it.

I'd love to hear some stats on the strength and longevity of the button lock, if anyone has that info.

DD
 
You probably don’t see more of them because they are not the current rage, liner/frame locks are. Besides WH, MOD makes a couple of models in auto and manual versions and CRKT makes the Ron Lake PAL lock. I don’t own either one, but I have looked at the CRKT knife and it is pretty nice. The one I looked at has no blade play and locked open very well. It is a more traditional appearing knife, but still full size and hefty.

Here are a couple of links:
http://www.crkt.com/lakespal.html
http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=3986&d=
http://www.blackhawkindustries.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=3985&d=
 
Richard - can the CRKT PAL be opened with one hand? (Is the "nick" big enough to thumb it open?).
 
Architect,

Yes it can, similar to Chris Reeve Mnandi. It is not quite as easy as with a stud or hole, but it can done consistantly. I usually find CRKT products to be about average at best in the quality department, which fits well with their pricing structure, but the PAL that I looked at was just as good as any BM or Spyderco I have seen.
 
Richard Sommer said:
Architect,

Yes it can, similar to Chris Reeve Mnandi. It is not quite as easy as with a stud or hole, but it can done consistantly. I usually find CRKT products to be about average at best in the quality department, which fits well with their pricing structure, but the PAL that I looked at was just as good as any BM or Spyderco I have seen.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll have to give one a try.
 
I believe that button locks are a bit harder to get "right" in terms of fit. That's why they are usually only seen on folders that are relatively "high end". I have a BM autostryker and it developed some play due to the button lock/stop assembly. It was nothing that effected blade function, just a little annoying. BM had to fix it with a new blade. Of course it was done at no charge. BM autos are USG issue knives for some services and have been for a number of years. I think this is a good testimony for their long term effectiveness as a hard use lock.
 
The traditional button lock locks the blade closed as well as open so you have to hold the button down in order to open it. Then it's either a two handed opener or a gravity knife which in most states is just as illegal as an auto. At that point you might as well put a spring in it.


Boker makes a non automatic button lock.
 
I think MOD's plunge locks are the same as a button lock, and are one-hand-openers, no?

-j
 
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