{"id":2474,"date":"2024-08-19T22:27:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T22:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2474"},"modified":"2024-08-19T22:27:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T22:27:09","slug":"understanding-folding-knife-lock-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2474","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Folding Knife Lock Types"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Clayton Walker<\/a><\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Knife laws vary widely between states, in terms of restrictions on deployment, blade length, and a variety of other factors. Our readers are suggested to educate themselves on all applicable state and local laws to choose an EDC knife legally permissible in their area.<\/em><\/p>\n

I<\/span>t\u2019s very likely that 50 years ago your grandfather carried a pocketknife. History has a funny way of repeating itself, and we\u2019re currently having quite the moment for \u201cEDC,\u201d or \u201cevery day carry.\u201d Somewhere between a lifestyle choice and product descriptor, I\u2019d describe the EDC movement as a general ethos that involves thinking critically about what would be handy to have on one\u2019s person throughout the day, both for common tasks and for those moments that \u2014 while improbable and infrequent \u2014 may have vital ramifications on one\u2019s health and longevity. Many of us now understand what our grandfathers knew long ago: a knife is an extremely valuable thing to carry!<\/p>\n

\n<\/picture>
There are a variety of blade locks available for folding knives. It is important to have a quality lock in your EDC knife so the blade doesn\u2019t fold when you are using it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The knife market of today, however, is vastly different than what our grandfathers encountered in days gone by. Consumers who want a folding pocketknife are spoiled for choices, and the options can seem overwhelming. Today, let\u2019s focus on one differentiation point that has outsized importance in both form and function: the locking mechanism. Understanding the nuances of how a folder is designed to stay open will undoubtedly help a new buyer choose a knife that suits their needs.<\/p>\n

The Slipjoint<\/h2>\n

Ironically, to understand the importance of a lock, we should first consider that class of knife with no locking mechanism at all. Admittedly, the pocketknives of our grandfathers were almost always slipjoints, available in a variety of configurations, from the single-bladed Texas toothpick to the multiple-bladed congress and stockman knives. The venerable Swiss Army Knife is another slipjoint design.<\/p>\n

\"slip\n<\/picture>
A modernized slipjoint knife, the Real Steel Solis is svelte, handy and well-suited to light duty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On nearly every slipjoint, the only thing keeping the blade open is spring tension. Once a job is finished, the blade can be pushed closed by putting pressure on the spine. While this makes for notable ease of use, it also means that slipjoints should be typically relegated to smaller household tasks that don\u2019t require a tremendous degree of force, as relatively little is preventing the blade from closing on your finger.<\/p>\n

As a result, a lock is a must-have for just about any serious task, and especially for any knife the user may think of pressing into a defensive role, however unlikely.<\/p>\n

The Liner Lock<\/h2>\n

Today, the liner lock has become just about the industry default for an effective, no-frills locking mechanism. A liner lock works by wedging itself just behind the base of the blade as it enters the full open position. It is held in place by basic friction and prevents the blade from shutting. The mechanism is simple and ingenious, and as a result, most designs built around a liner lock tend to be extremely affordable.<\/p>\n

\"Kershaw\n<\/picture>
The Kershaw Dividend, one of the author\u2019s favorite liner-locking designs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are, however, some limitations. Under extremely hard use, there is a possibility for the liner to bend or break, and depending on the quality of the lock engagement, the liner can be knocked out of position by impact or vibration. Disengaging the liner also requires one to put their digits in the path of the blade as it moves back into the body of the knife, though I find that in practical use even a \u201cslipped\u201d blade normally lands squarely (and harmlessly) into the middle of my thumbnail.<\/p>\n

\"liner\n<\/picture>
With this Kershaw liner lock, the metal strip springs forward to lock the blade open and prevent rotation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quality liner locks abound in the market, and are eminently suited to 98% of cutting tasks. There\u2019s also a world of difference in terms of the safety provided by a liner lock and the safety (or lack thereof) of a slip joint design for harder use or defensive scenarios. Still, the fact remains: other lock types are stronger.<\/p>\n

The Frame Lock<\/h2>\n

The mechanism of the frame lock is nearly identical to the liner lock, but rather than a thin strip of metal engaging with the base of the blade, it\u2019s a beefy chunk of material. Many of the concerns of strength and stability inherent to the liner lock are alleviated when the piece of metal doing the blocking has about 10 times more mass. This isn\u2019t to say that frame locks can\u2019t bend or fail \u2014 it\u2019s just harder to get it to happen. <\/p>\n

\"edc\n<\/picture>
The Schrade Melee uses a stout frame lock designed for hard use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An additional benefit to the frame lock knife is that because the locking piece is often exposed, a firm grip pushes it more solidly into engagement, and one\u2019s fingers prevent it from moving outward. On top of that, pushing inward on the frame can usually snug the engagement a little tighter if more peace of mind is desired.<\/p>\n

The primary drawbacks of a frame lock go hand-in-hand with the additional mass of the lock bar: weight and cost. Although there are a great number of affordable and light frame locks, usually those knife frames made from stainless steel are going to be a little heavier, and those made from titanium are going to be a little more expensive.<\/p>\n

And while the phenomenon\u00a0can\u00a0<\/em>happen with liner locks, it\u2019s far more often to encounter the issue of lock stick on a titanium frame lock. In such cases, the difference in the metals used for the frame and blade creates vastly more friction, requiring more force to disengage the lock. As such, one-handed opening may be easy, but one-handed\u00a0closing<\/em>\u00a0could be another matter.<\/p>\n

Back Locks<\/h2>\n

Back locks (alternately: \u201clockbacks\u201d), popularized by the famous Buck 110, are almost universally regarded for their strength and simplicity. With most models, you\u2019ll feel the spring tension as you open the knife, and the locking mechanism will click into place with comforting authority. The lock itself engages with the knife blade not unlike the couplers you\u2019d find on railway carriages. Once it settles into the groove of the knife blade, the locking piece makes it all but impossible for the knife to rotate forward and close.<\/p>\n

\"Cold\n<\/picture>
The Code 4 knife from Cold Steel uses a back lock that prioritizes strength above all else.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a result, you\u2019ll find back locks on a number of hard-use folding knives. Cold Steel, in particular, has developed a version of the back lock known as the Tri-AD lock that adds even more strength and rigidity thanks to an additional stop pin. Users who desire the strongest locking mechanism (and one that\u2019s arguably the most difficult to unintentionally disengage) would be well-advised to consider a back lock design.<\/p>\n

There is a drawback, however. No back lock in my collection has as smooth or trouble-free of an opening when compared to a knife of any other locking mechanism. Because the lock is always under positive and palpable spring tension, it\u2019s pushing against the base of the knife blade throughout its arc of movement, requiring more engagement force. As a result, a one-handed opening either needs to be deliberately \u201cslow-rolled\u201d into lockup, or wrist-flicked into place with a decisive thwack.<\/p>\n

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Additionally, don\u2019t be surprised if a new back lock knife arrives to you\u00a0extremely<\/em>\u00a0stiff right out of the box. The interlocking metal surfaces of the blade and locking piece will eventually marry together, and small burrs and imperfections will work themselves out over time. However, as you begin to initially carry and use the knife, lock engagement and disengagement may feel like a small chore.<\/p>\n

Crossbar Locks<\/h2>\n

Originally pioneered by Benchmade and called the Axis Lock, the company\u2019s patent expired in 2018. Since then, the knife community has settled on \u201ccrossbar lock\u201d to describe the generic form of Benchmade\u2019s design. With the crossbar lock, a solid pin wedges itself over the base of the blade in the open position. In tandem with the stop pin, it prevents the knife from rotating forward or backward. The design is well-tested and extremely robust, typically edging out frame-locks in durability (read: torture) tests, but falling a little short of back lock designs.<\/p>\n

\"crossbar\n<\/picture>
The popular Benchmade Bugout<\/a> knife integrates the company\u2019s Axis lock. The design is generically known as the crossbar lock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the primary benefits of the crossbar lock is practical safety: because the knife is closed with a \u201cpinching\u201d motion (one that works as well for lefties as right-handers), one\u2019s digits can be kept well away from the blade edge as it rotates back into the handle.<\/p>\n

Crossbar locks are also arguably one of the most \u201cfidgety\u201d of knife types. Though nearly every crossbar design will have a thumb stud or flipper as a primary means of deployment, savvy users often disengage the crossbar and flick the knife into opening through centripetal force. If you have a knife of this type on your desk, I guarantee you\u2019ll find yourself flicking it open and closed \u2014 to the possible annoyance of anyone you live with.<\/p>\n

\"crossbar\n<\/picture>
Benchmade\u2019s Axis lock, commonly known as a crossbar lock, uses a stop and cross pin that trap the blade in the open position.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About the only drawbacks to the crossbar lock are slightly higher degrees of cost and complexity relative to other designs. Though Benchmade isn\u2019t the only game in town offering crossbar locks, it\u2019s still a feature you won\u2019t find on too many budget knives. The design is more complicated than your typical liner lock, and often involves a dual spring setup on both sides of the frame. Users who either thrash the hell out of their knives (or those who are simply unlucky) have reported that the \u201comega\u201d springs supporting the crossbar are a potential point of failure.<\/p>\n

The Button Lock<\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s one design that\u2019s taken the knife world by storm in the last five years, it\u2019s the manual button lock (alternately, the plunge lock). Typically, button locks were found mostly in automatic knives, where a push on the button would release a blade under spring tension. From there, the blade would lock into position at the end of its arc of travel as the plunger settled into a groove at its base. A number of companies, however, realized the design worked without the automatic component, and by pushing a button and snapping the wrist, the blade could be manually flicked into position just as easily.<\/p>\n

\"Kizer\n<\/picture>
Kizer\u2019s Original button locking knife. Knives of this type have become wildly popular as of late.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fidget factor of a manual button lock knife, like crossbar designs, is out of this world. I also think they make extremely handy \u201caround the house\u201d and EDC knives: the deployment ease makes it a joy to open an envelope, cut down a box, or snip an errant thread. And, like crossbar locks, they allow for the knife to be unlocked without one\u2019s fingers ever passing through the blade path. In a sub-3\u201d knife, I think the designs are excellent.<\/p>\n

\"plunge\n<\/picture>
This close up photo shows the button or \u201cplunge lock.\u201d The groove of a locking piece settles into the base of the blade to lock the blade open.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where I\u2019m less bullish on them is when they\u2019re pressed into defensive roles or for hard use. Often, the buttons that open and close the knife are fairly prominent and easy to access. However, this also means these mechanisms can be more easily bumped or knocked against something accidentally. This is less of a concern on an automatic knife, as spring tension will continue to push the blade into the open position and against the force of gravity. On a manual button lock, however, an accidental button press may send the blade into the tops of your fingers at the worst of moments.<\/p>\n

The Rest<\/h2>\n

This list is certainly not an exclusive list of all folding knife lock types \u2014 there are excellent company-specific locks, including Spyderco\u2019s Compression Lock and Demko Knives\u2019 Shark Lock \u2014 as well as a number of unusual and historical locking designs. 95% of all knives on the market, however, should fall easily into one of these categories.<\/p>\n

The pocket folder has always been interesting to me because manufacturers have always been trying to build a better mousetrap, not only with materials, but in terms of strength and ease of operation. We also live in a time when there are a number of excellent knives across all manner of price points. I contend by knowing the pros and cons of these various locking systems, you\u2019ll be better equipped to find a design that best meets your needs.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Real\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Real Steel Solis Series<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Kershaw\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Kershaw Dividend<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Schrade\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Schrade Melee Assisted Opening Folder<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Cold\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Cold Steel Code 4 Clip Point<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Benchmade\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Benchmade Bugout<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Kizer\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Kizer Exclusive Original<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Clayton Walker Editor\u2019s Note: Knife laws vary widely between states, in terms of restrictions on deployment, blade length, and a variety of other factors. Our readers are suggested to educate themselves on all applicable state and local laws to choose an EDC knife legally permissible in their area. It\u2019s very likely that 50 years […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}