kennbr34 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:51 pm
Yeah, I just can't really jump aboard on this one.
.......
Really appreciate your detailled thoughts - but without any offense meant I think you are somewhat "misreading" the thread - ? Let me list some points:
- You somehow equate "innovation" with "necessarily improvement" - when it actually is about offering alternatives
Sure, the principal design of a comp.lock or a finger choil are "innovations" over a backlock and a "ricasso style" - but only in the sense that the former are "newer", but not necessarily BETTER.
Not an improvenment for all, but "just" an alternative.
So a Delica and a Para 3 are t
wo different fundamental design approaches, but not one is inherently "better" cause its "newer".
The innovations offer CHOICES and ALTERNATIVES - not an "improvement" for everyone. Person A might prefer the former, person B the latter.
You see where I am coming from? The Delica somehow represents a fundamental design approach that can only be made "better" in itself, not by changing fundamental aspects of it - and actually the Delica platform DID see a ton of innovation and IS very modern as such (Delica FOUR, you know...).
I personally (!!) for example happen to prefer most features of the fundamental Delica approach over the fundamental Para 3 approach: I want a thin blade, in that size of knife I want to get a full grip on the actual handle while still being rather close to the edge, I prefer the safety (also in pocket!), versatillty and ergos of a backlock, I prefer a thin carry, I much prefer the ergos of a Delica and I even prefer choking up on a ricasso over most dedicated choils (in this I AM definitely in a real minority).
The Delica gives me all that in a very refined, modern package!
And, no offense, but you seem to miss that those are really valid, good, real life reasons to prefer a Delica over most other small folders - for those who happen to LIKE those features.
I actually and really did try a Para 3 LW, a Native 5... but in that size range the Delica just undoubtedly and honestly works better for me.
Others, as valid as I with the "Delica approach" do prefer the "Para 3 approach" - and the "innovations" do give us choices.
-
I think almost no one "pretends the reason for preferring other locks [over a backlock] is the figdet factor"
Just like laid out above, with "locks" it is the same: They are fundamental concepts, and the backlock is one of those and actually very "evolved" and innovated . They offer ALTERNATIVES for different preferences - for total newbs up to professional knife users.
I don´t think anyone said "only people who actually don´t use their knives" prefer the, as you call it, "modern" locks... ? Many super experienced folks here love a comp.lock, as well as many love a backlock.
A backlock is not "outdated" as such - it got refined and refined and is ONE of several great choices.
One might just prefer the safety in pocket it gives (strong self closing bias), or the ergos (not the kind of cutout a linerlock or comp.lock necessarily has) or the many methods one can choose from when closing it one handed.
Others, vice versa, might prefer what a comp.lock has to offer over a backlock.
I, for example, don´t like the method you obviously prefer with comp.lock and CBBL - it puts the knife in a (for me!!) a bit weird and unsecure pinch grip position in the hand (think of cold, wet, gloved" hands) and so I close these two locks pretty much like I´d close a backlock.
Most people have no issues at all in closing a backlock one handed, at least not with the "drop the ricasso/ choil on the forefinger" - method (one I almost never use), you, for your own valid reasons do and so its great that Spyderco uses ALTERNATIVES, and improvements for you - but not improvements necessarily for everyone.
I can actually close a backlock quicker one handed than I can a comp.lock (from "holding the knife in a cutting position" to "knife ready to be put in the pocket")
"Flicky flicky locks"
Again, the tone of this thread is really NOT that only the "flicky flicky" factor is what people might like in locks other than the backlock.
I personally even find the backlock very "flicky", I enjoy that it offers a tad more resistance than other locks.
I don´t "flick" my backlocks like fidget toys (though I am perfectly fine with folks who enjoy their knives also in that way), but I almost always flick them as an opening method. Works a bit better, quicker and safer for me personally and I don´t give a ... what others might think about that. MY knives, MY way of using and enjoying them.
So, conclusion
- The Delica imo IS a very modern and innvated version of a particular, fundamental design concept that obviously many enjoy - but others not so much, and so there are ALTERNATIVE concepts. Different, suiting some people better, but not inherently "better".
- This is NOT at all about stating that "people who actually use their knives must like the Delica concept and can´t prefer other concepts".
It IS about that a share of people who DO use their knives like the Delica and don´t find it "outdated".
But absolutely see that other design approaches, many of them coming after the Delica approach, are great too and might suit many people better.
It IS about people putting the Delica in a more realistic light as a contrast to the "it is outdated, just cause the basic idea/design is a bit older" - approach.
- I see this like for example in bycicles: There is a derailleur gear approach and an internal gear approach.
One will be "newer" (don´t know which), but none is inherently "better" than the other.
Different approaches for different preferences, and both get evolved all the time.
.. any news on that one, Sal?
