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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I guess you've never carried a 1911 :).

And now for some general comments about this thread- I think it's funny when people say that safety features make people act more recklessly. If anyone acts recklessly with a knife because it has a lock, perhaps they shouldn't be handling sharp objects period. After all, it's not safety features that make people act stupid, it's their own stupidity. Don't blame the lock on a knife if the user is an idiot.

I wear a motorcycle helmet when I ride, but I don't ride recklessly because of it. I wear a seat belt when I drive a car, I have airbags, and my kids have child safety seats, but I don't drive recklessly because of it. Most of my folders have locks, but that doesn't cause me to abandon intelligent thought and use them in an unsafe manner.

What I think I am seeing in this thread is something I see often on this forum, which is an attitude of- "I don't like them, so no one needs them". If a person prefers slipjoints over locking folders, great, more power to them. But just because you prefer something doesn't make other peoples preferences wrong. And it's certainly no reason to go to such ridiculous extremes, and abandon simple logic, by suggesting that locks make knives MORE dangerous. I've been using locking folders for around 35 years and I've never once injured myself with one. If you choose slipjoints because you just can't trust yourself to use a locking folder safely, maybe you should err on the side of caution and avoid knives altogether.
 
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killgar said:
But just because you prefer something doesn't make other peoples preferences wrong.
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If people could really grasp this, and apply to a wider range of issues, much of the stupidity in this world would end. :)
 
I personally like locks on my folding knives. For a lot of us, a fixed blade is not always an option, and I don't want to have to hold the blade to punch/drill a hole. I feel safer with my hand on the handle and a locking blade. When cutting some things the blade sticks in the material and I don't want the knife closing on my hand.

It's all personal preference, if you're happy with your slip-joint then that's all that should matter to you. :thumbup:
 
CairoBeretta said:
Fair enough if we don't desperately NEED a lock, but I see absolutely zero downsides to having one..?
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Yep, and quite a few advantages... there's a reason this became one of the most popular, most copied knife designs...

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I like most kinds of knives, including slip-joints, but I do believe that locking folders are much more forgiving of human error.
 
I use both slipjoints and modern knives. While I have never had a slipjoint close on me, I do appreciate the added safety of a lock. If I am limited to a single bladed knife, I would prefer a lock. However, that is where i do see a disadvantage with modern designs. There are almost no locking models that have multiple blades/tools. The only exceptions that come to mind are some locking multitools and the Vic 110 mm line. I like having a lock, but I also like having multiple blades/tools. Unfortunately, you usually have to choose one over the other. I guess if there is a disadvantage to having a lock, that would be it.
 
There are some slipjoints out there with very strong springs. They really inspire confidence when you hear the snap to the open position. I've laguioles which require a concerted effort with your off-hand to close, and heck, I've even got a Victorinox sprung like that. You can't just hope to put the spine against the side of your leg and expect to safely lever it closed.

I've had a BOker CLB in EDC or a bit now, a strong OHO (yes) slippie. The loudest thwack upon opening of any folder I've ever had, LOL. I almost have to open with my off-hand just to dampen the noise if I use it in the office. The design is such that the spring could totally be absent, and the choil would protect my fingers. Super neat design, albeit in pedestrian 440C.

Most of my lockers will release blade under its own weight, once you depress the lock. I've had one or two in my possession in which the blade would swing darn near far enough to cut my knuckles. Best course of action is to treat them as if the lock is not even there.
 
Just my opinion here. This is why I only carry locking knives with a sizeable flipper or a Spyderco style 50/50 choil. I'm very paranoid about keeping my fingers safe (I happen to like them where they are, attached to my hand). In the unlikely event I do something with the knife that would cause the lock to fail, at least I would be in a situation where the flipper would pinch or crush my finger rather than have the blade sever them entirely :eek:
 
Noddy said:
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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If external objects affect your common.sense, that's totally on you and not on.the.object.

I guess you shouldn't be driving modern cars too.
 
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All joking aside, there are many uses for a knife along with many different people and their preferences.

Buy and use what works best for you and your given task.
 
killgar said:
I guess you've never carried a 1911 :).

And now for some general comments about this thread- I think it's funny when people say that safety features make people act more recklessly. If anyone acts recklessly with a knife because it has a lock, perhaps they shouldn't be handling sharp objects period. After all, it's not safety features that make people act stupid, it's their own stupidity. Don't blame the lock on a knife if the user is an idiot.

I wear a motorcycle helmet when I ride, but I don't ride recklessly because of it. I wear a seat belt when I drive a car, I have airbags, and my kids have child safety seats, but I don't drive recklessly because of it. Most of my folders have locks, but that doesn't cause me to abandon intelligent thought and use them in an unsafe manner.

What I think I am seeing in this thread is something I see often on this forum, which is an attitude of- "I don't like them, so no one needs them". If a person prefers slipjoints over locking folders, great, more power to them. But just because you prefer something doesn't make other peoples preferences wrong. And it's certainly no reason to go to such ridiculous extremes, and abandon simple logic, by suggesting that locks make knives MORE dangerous. I've been using locking folders for around 35 years and I've never once injured myself with one. If you choose slipjoints because you just can't trust yourself to use a locking folder safely, maybe you should err on the side of caution and avoid knives altogether.
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I totally agree :thumbup:
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
All joking aside, there are many uses for a knife along with many different people and their preferences.

Buy and use what works best for you and your given task.
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Right, but some people just feel better when they bash something they don't prefer.
 
Slip joint enthusiasts just like to share their knowledge on a seemingly forgotten set of skills. Learning how things can be done without locks is part of that.

The discussion can seem like an argument when we begin to posture our preferences as if they are superior in choice.

In the end, what we are cutting probably doesn't care, as long as it isn't alive.:eek::D
 
Anyone remember the father that saved his son from a cougar by stabbing it with Caly 3.5?
He wouldn't be as successful if he had only slipjoint or if the Caly lock failed. Not sure if the jurisdiction there allowed fix blade carry.

Some food for thoughts.
 
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