Spyderco Forums

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.

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.

Backlock always. Followed by liner lock.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Tie between Tri-Ad lock and compression lock. Love both for different reasons.

Compression lock:
Smooth and flickable opening
Easy to close with one hand, no fingers near the edge
Simple and strong construction

Didn't have to think twice, COMP LOCK.

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.

Being a lefty I prefer the ball bearing/axis lock. But the only lock I dislike is the back lock.

CBBL for me.

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.

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.

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,

Roland.

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.

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.

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.