What is your favorite lock type?

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.

What is your favorite lock type?

Frame lock/Liner lock
7
8%
Backlock/Triad lock
29
32%
Ball bearing lock/Axis lock
10
11%
Compression lock
40
44%
Other
5
5%
 
Total votes: 91

M4Life
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What is your favorite lock type?

#1

Post by M4Life »

Hey guys I wanted to see what people’s favorite locking mechanisms are, so just vote in the poll for your favorite and if you want tell us why you like that locking mechanism so much.
Last edited by M4Life on Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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tvenuto
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#2

Post by tvenuto »

Grouping the BBL with the axis is going to raise some eyebrows, I understand that the unlocking action is similar.

If pressed to decide, I live the strong self close of a back lock. And many of my favorite designs come with one (Delica, R, Chapparal). However I like and Cary others. Shout out to the Bolt Action Lock, which was one ever on the Sage 3. Underrated lock.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#3

Post by BadFish »

Backlock always. Followed by liner lock.
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awa54
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#4

Post by awa54 »

The one that's on the knife I'm carrying right now...

Seriously, I really like the design and slickness of CBBL, bolt, Axis and Compression locks, but I have no problem with a well made lock (or no lock) of most types, So if the knife has all the other "right stuff" I'm OK with it.

Fragile, poorly executed or awkward to use locks are another thing altogether, I'll pass on those, especially since the knives that they're in are mostly junk anyway.
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M4Life
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#5

Post by M4Life »

tvenuto wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:42 am
Grouping the BBL with the axis is going to raise some eyebrows
I know I just didn’t want to put up too many options, I figure people who choose the BBL/Axis lock option will reply with which one they prefer.

But I definitely know what you mean you have to be more deliberate when you disengage the BBL lock than you do to disengage the axis lock IMO.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#6

Post by Sumdumguy »

Compression followed closely by backlock.

I love my new Slysz Bowie, but I still hate liner/framelocks. If it had a C.I.L. instead of a R.I.L. it would be pretty close to perfect.

There's just something about having to put a finger in the blade path to unlock a knife that I don't like.
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sal
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#7

Post by sal »

Hi M4,

I agree with Awa,

Your classifications defeat the question. All locks are similar in that they stick a broomstick into the spokes of the wheel to stop the rotation. But, there are many individual differences between them. I would suggest a new poll separating the locks. A Walker Linerlock is really completely different from a Reeve integral lock and each has advantages and differences between them that makes grouping them invalid, in my opinion.

It's a good question in that the "reasons" for each preference will serve to teach others about the details of each lock.

sal
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tvenuto
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#8

Post by tvenuto »

I don't think the question is totally defeated, it just focuses more on the users action to unlock the knife. The poll is really this:

"Do you like to push sideways on the top of the knife, push sideways on the bottom of the knife, pull back on the side of the knife, or push down on the back of the knife?"

Also, two of those are true ambi, and two aren't.
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Pelagic
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#9

Post by Pelagic »

Tie between Tri-Ad lock and compression lock. Love both for different reasons.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#10

Post by Ric »

Compression lock:
Smooth and flickable opening
Easy to close with one hand, no fingers near the edge
Simple and strong construction
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#11

Post by gull wing »

Didn't have to think twice, COMP LOCK.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#12

Post by The Deacon »

Every Spyderco I carry, and probably 90% or more of the 500+ that I own, are midlocks. The only other lock I like, if it even is considered a lock, is whatever you'd call the mechanism of a double action OTF auto.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#13

Post by mikeh99 »

Being a lefty I prefer the ball bearing/axis lock. But the only lock I dislike is the back lock.
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attila
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#14

Post by attila »

CBBL for me.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#15

Post by xceptnl »

I voted midlock/backlock. Between my Calys, Delicas, Dragonflys, Enduras, Ladybugs and Rescues more of my pocket time is occupied with this lock type than any other.
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Sharp Guy
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#16

Post by Sharp Guy »

No favorites here. I have compression, back/mid, frame, liner, cbbl, bolt-action, and axis locks. I like 'em all. I even enjoy the slip-joints.
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ferider
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#17

Post by ferider »

You are missing the power lock. It looks the same as a back lock, but behaves very differently. And is my favorite. :)

Followed by the BBL on a well adjusted Manix 2 or Manix XL. Cheers,

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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#18

Post by Sharp Guy »

mikeh99 wrote:
Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:21 am
Being a lefty I prefer the ball bearing/axis lock. But the only lock I dislike is the back lock.
With your being left-handed I would think the mid-lock would be one of your favorites since it's ambidextrous. What is it that you don't like about it? Just curious.
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MichaelScott
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#19

Post by MichaelScott »

The only one that I’m not fond of is the ball bearing, like in the Manix. It works fine, but I’ve had some difficulty closing it with one hand. Might be because I’m old and my hands don’t work so well these days.
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Re: What is your favorite lock type?

#20

Post by bearfacedkiller »

I like them all but favor a strong bias towards closing. The CBBL does this without blade play. The backlock on the Native5 does as well. The CBBL doesn’t really come on many knives that I like so I vote backlock.
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