I love lock back knives!

[anagarika]

I like lockbacks for reasons stated. No vertical play at all on E4 SB, Cara2 (two samples), but a little on E4 SG bought used.

A normal wear might cause the vertical play, and this video by STR explains it somewhat. His blog has more IIRC.

https://youtu.be/HeXhWAqwqCQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[spydutch]

I've collected Spyderco knives from end 2004 until about 2009 when my funds were done.
I own or have owned about every fully serrated model from that era and earlier.
About 90% of all lock backs all had vertical play right out of the box or developped play after medium use.
Linerless FRN models, linered G10 or SS handled, no difference. And then I talk about at least a mm up and down play. I must admit that they were all Seki City Spydies. Funny thing is I have 3 Byrd lock backs (linered G10) and have used them hard for a fair amount of time when I still had a job and they still lock up rock solid without a hint of play

I don't have a problem with the back lock per se, but I really hate blade play :mad:

My absolute favourite lock is the nested linerlock of my Militarys. I wish Spyderco did put that lock on the Para as well. Then it would be the perfect knife for me. Full SpyderEdge or not :p

[Doc Dan]

It is no secret that I am a fan of back locks and not a huge fan of liner locks and frame locks. All of my Spyderco back locks lock up nice and tight. They have zero play in any direction, regardless of country of manufacture. I guess I got lucky. The back lock is simply superior in so many ways, IMO. The newer style in the Chaparral is very nice and tight. If it were standardized across Spydercos line it would be a good thing. One thing I am waiting on is the new Native 5 S110V with the blue G10.

[timlara]

Judging by the fact that the midlock models are what I end up carrying the most often, I guess I'd have to say they're my overall favorite as well. They just work and are convenient and intuitive to use.

While I have no practical complaints or issues with the Seki back locks/mid locks and find them to be "just fine", I too hope to see the innovations from the Native 5 trickle down to some of the other models. Spyderco typically doesn't seem to stop at "just fine", so I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.

[Holland]

Judging by the fact that the midlock models are what I end up carrying the most often, I guess I'd have to say they're my overall favorite as well. They just work and are convenient and intuitive to use.

While I have no practical complaints or issues with the Seki back locks/mid locks and find them to be "just fine", I too hope to see the innovations from the Native 5 trickle down to some of the other models. Spyderco typically doesn't seem to stop at "just fine", so I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.

That's what I'm hoping for too. I can't see them going the Taiwan root as it won't work on the liner less knives

[Blerv]

Preach it!

I love lockbacks. Sure there may be a little play in certain models but overall the ease of operation, ambidexterity and how they wear over time is amazing. My funkiest lockback is not even nearly as bad as some locks that are "within spec", all brands considered.

[bdblue]

I don't hate them, they work well enough for their intended purpose, but I very rarely buy them. I go out of my way to not buy them. I have bought a Dragonfly, Delica, Endura and Ladybug, the only one I still have is the Dragonfly. I much prefer one-handed knives. I know people say they can employ a circus trick of finger gymnastics to close one with one hand, and it usually works, but I don't think it will ever be safe. The last time I tried closing a lockback one-handed there was a lot of blood involved.

[TheOutdoorNerd]

Maybe I'm also lucky that none of my Seki knives have any blade play. I even bought a few super blues in the last week, and they were tight out of the box. Maybe there's a certain way people are using them that makes it more likely to happen? Or maybe there's just bad batches of them out there?

[Holzfaeller]

I enjoy the simplicity of the lock back mechanism, no tiny springs or parts. Also the security of a positive bias to closure and very little possibility of unintentionally disengaging the lock. I much prefer back locks to liner locks, which are so common in many other brands.

[Doc Dan]

I don't hate them, they work well enough for their intended purpose, but I very rarely buy them. I go out of my way to not buy them. I have bought a Dragonfly, Delica, Endura and Ladybug, the only one I still have is the Dragonfly. I much prefer one-handed knives. I know people say they can employ a circus trick of finger gymnastics to close one with one hand, and it usually works, but I don't think it will ever be safe. The last time I tried closing a lockback one-handed there was a lot of blood involved.

With the right technique the back lock on the Spyderco is safer to close than a liner lock and just as easy.

[flipe8]

Maybe I'm also lucky that none of my Seki knives have any blade play. I even bought a few super blues in the last week, and they were tight out of the box. Maybe there's a certain way people are using them that makes it more likely to happen? Or maybe there's just bad batches of them out there?

You can go back years finding threads where this observation/complaint has been discussed and it's more or less accepted as a possibility of happening with a number of the Japanese made Spydies. I've often experienced up and down movement, but the movement included the blade and lock bar moving relative to the scales, not necessarily the blade moving relative to the lock bar, if that makes sense. All things being equal, I'd prefer not to have any blade play, but it has never stopped me from buying lock backs from Spyderco's Japanese factories. Most of my favourite Spyderco models from the last twenty+ years of owning them are from Japan, but it's been my observation they are of the lowest quality in terms of F&F when comparing them to the American and Taiwanese factories.

[Surfingringo]

I don't hate them, they work well enough for their intended purpose, but I very rarely buy them. I go out of my way to not buy them. I have bought a Dragonfly, Delica, Endura and Ladybug, the only one I still have is the Dragonfly. I much prefer one-handed knives. I know people say they can employ a circus trick of finger gymnastics to close one with one hand, and it usually works, but I don't think it will ever be safe. The last time I tried closing a lockback one-handed there was a lot of blood involved.

I can accept that you might find the lock difficult to close one handed but can we agree that "A circus trick of finger gymnastics" might be a slight exaggeration? :cool:

https://youtu.be/aa2fItisnfs

[El Gato]

ROTFLOL. That just made my day! :D

[farnorthdan]

That was funny as **** Lance :D :eek: :rolleyes:

[Waco]

I agree with the left-handed comments. Being a lefty limits my choices. I like my Manix2's,but in the back of my mind, I wonder if the ball bearing lock is as reliable as my simpler Endura 4.

[PM1]

can we agree that "A circus trick of finger gymnastics" might be a slight exaggeration? :cool:

This ^^^ :D

[The Deacon]

With the right technique the back lock on the Spyderco is safer to close than a liner lock and just as easy.

I think safety is more a function of technique than lock type. I wouldn't go so far as to say back locks are inherently safer to close one handed, but they can certainly be just as safe. I'm also of the opinion that, since different locks require different techniques, sticking with one lock reduces the chances of one biting you.

As for me, most times I close back locks by putting the blade spine against my leg and releasing the lock. None of my fingers are in the blade path, so it's darn hard to get cut that way.

[MichaelScott]

can we agree that "A circus trick of finger gymnastics" might be a slight exaggeration? :cool:

This ^^^ :D

I routinely close my Delicas as demonstrated by Lance's video. I just as routinely close them by releasing the lock with my thumb whilst my index finger rotates the blade downward using the hole. The only gymnastics involved are in easily turning the handle so I can finish by pushing the spine of the blade down with that same index finger until it snaps closed. One handed closing is not a problem. With either hand.

I'd also note that three of my four Spydercos sport the lock back, all coming from Japan. All (Delicas, and a Dragonfly 2) have zero up and down blade play. It seems to have become a bit of unexamined folklore that Japanese made lock backs "all" have blade play. Might be that being made in a particular country or being a lock back is not the reason for observed up and down blade play. Just guessing.

[SG89]

Lance that video looks like me trying to close my Stretch while driving lol.

[NoFair]

Lance that video looks like me trying to close my Stretch while driving lol.

Why do you open your Stretch while driving :p

I like my lock backs. Most have no bladeplay, but my older Salts show a bit (not an issue in use...)