why do we even need locks?

not2sharp said:
Locks are like a safety on a firearm, if you rely on it you will end up in a world of hurt.
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For both knives and guns, the best safety is an engaged brain. I don't need a lock on a knife so the knives I carry don't have them just as the revolver I carry has no safety.
 
jill jackson said:
Hammer fisted into hardwood by a 240 pound man, try it without a lock.

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Begs the question --- why?
 
jill jackson said:
Because I asked him to try it to see how the knife held up. He was wearing kevlar gloves, though. I was impressed a linerless plastic handle Spyderco could suffer no damage at all.
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So locks do work contrary to the commonly declared "world of hurt" or "finger amputation". :D
 
I've had slip joints try to fold up on my fingers, from very moderate pressure when trying to use the tip to make a hole in something more than once. In fact it used to be a big deal to be very careful with a slip joint when using the point that way. Still is but everyone I know that needs to use their knife in various ways, now carries locking folders. Because, sometimes you do need to use the point to pierce.
 
I was using my Opinel to tear down some cardboard boxes one night, and couldn't be bothered using the locking ring. I pulled the blade out, pushed it back in, and the blade grabbed onto the cardboard. The knife folded up rather abruptly. I didn't cut myself, because my reflexes were faster than I had suspected, but I could have easily cut through a tendon. I found it quite unnerving, and have never neglected to use the locking ring ever since. In the end, it is an issue of safety. And ease of use, as mentioned above. Play it safe, use a folder with a lock. And one handed openers are great. Why aren't we still driving model T fords? We have better designs now. Its the same with knives.
 
jill jackson said:
I've had slip joints try to fold up on my fingers, from very moderate pressure when trying to use the tip to make a hole in something more than once. In fact it used to be a big deal to be very careful with a slip joint when using the point that way. Still is but everyone I know that needs to use their knife in various ways, now carries locking folders. Because, sometimes you do need to use the point to pierce.
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To "drill" a hole with a slip joint, pinch the blade at the spine between your thumb and second joint of forefinger and twist (not really twist but cut in a very tiny arc) --- think of it as akin to chocking up on a bat. I've been whittling with slip joints for years. Often the knife is manipulated with the fingers at the blade. I've cut myself, certainly, but have never had a slip joint unintentionally fold on me while using it.
 
It has a lot to do with what you are using/used to.
Called experience by some. :)

DC
 
leghog said:
To "drill" a hole with a slip joint, pinch the blade at the spine between your thumb and second joint of forefinger and twist. I've been whittling with slip joints for years. Often the knife is manipulated with the fingers at the blade. I've cut myself, certainly, but have never had a slip joint unintentionally fold on me while using it.
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That's OK I'll stick with my locking blades. My Dad loves slip joints, though. He grew up with them and can't stand the looks of the "knives nowadays".
 
leghog said:
To "drill" a hole with a slip joint, pinch the blade at the spine between your thumb and second joint of forefinger and twist (not really twist but cut in a very tiny arc) --- think of it as akin to chocking up on a bat. I've been whittling with slip joints for years. Often the knife is manipulated with the fingers at the blade. I've cut myself, certainly, but have never had a slip joint unintentionally fold on me while using it.
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Isn't this basically making a 'lock' with your fingers..?
 
jill jackson said:
Used with common sense most of us know modern locks are very safe and they will hold up to more pressure than we'll ever put on them.
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Very much agreed about the common sense thing. What tickles me though is the assumption by some people that locks cause brain damage or make a person do stupid things. :D
 
CairoBeretta said:
Isn't this basically making a 'lock' with your fingers..?
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Not really. It's really about gaining more control for the specific task at hand than it is about safety. Think about it - in the scenario, you are using but a tiny portion of the edge toward the blade's tip, and you can control that better with a grip towards that tiny bit of edge you are using. Just having a slip joint fold on you using it to "drill" indicates you didn't have proper/adequate control.
 
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leghog said:
Not really. It's really gaining more control for the specific task at hand. Think about it - in the scenario you are using but a tiny portion of the edge toward the blade's tip, and you can control that better with a grip towards that tiny bit of edge you are using.
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Yeah okay I'm with you now. It's like a finer choil-kinda deal
 
Personally I can take or leave lockers .. .I'd go so far as to say that lockers make me a bit nervy because I start to trust them and lean into them a bit in use, asif they were fixed blades ... And that can have a less than happy ending.

Slipjoints keep you on your guard.
 
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