Lockback or Linerlock on P.F. KNIVES ?

[krupparms]

Which kind of Lock do you prefer on a pocket folder? And why? Which is stronger? Ect.?" I believe both have their strong points & weak points. I have seen some videos by Cold Steel that showed the strength & weakness of both systems. I always check the locks on a knife before I buy it if I can. If I can't, well then I may pass it by! Any opinions?

 

[CZ9shooter]

I have both. Its not a big deal to me which type of lock has. I am not one to put a pocket knife to hard use. One plus of the liner lock is that it usually funtions a little smoother. Back locks tend to have more friction in the action. Maybe on some super high end backlocks it is not as apparent.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I like locks that allow me to close the knife with one hand. The Benchmade Axis is probably my favorite, but I'm not picky.

 

[Joe Demko]

I am not a fan of liner lock knives, generally speaking. I've owned some fairly expensive ones from companies like Benchmade and come away unimpressed by durability and safety. The only liner locks I still like are the old fashioned kind that combine a strong slipjoint-style backspring with a split liner. Other than Rough Rider, I can't think of too many manufacturers who still use this method.
Lockbacks ,OTOH, have given me a generally high level of satisfaction over the years, as long as I was buying from a quality maker. Cheap PRC lockbacks from flea markets and gun shows, though, have been notoriously shoddy for years.

 

[rcmodel]

Myself?
I also have Benchmade & Kershaw liner locks, and Spyderco & Buck lock-backs.

They are as strong as they need to be.
The liner locks put your fongers at risk while closing them.
The lock-backs take two hands to close.

So, Don't try to chose between the two.

Get a Benchmade Axis-Lock and Bee Happy the rest of your life!

rc

 

[tiamat]

Of the two, I am more confident in the back lock. A find a liner lock more convenient, but there's always that little bit of apprehension. With some practice, I have become able to close my Spyderco Dragonfly back lock with one hand - it's not quick though, and takes several grip transitions to accomplish.

And overall I think I prefer Benchmade's Axis lock the most.

 

[Tirod]

It's not the design, it's the quality of manufacture, and that has nothing to do with the Brand name.

If they make it cheap, it will fail. I've had both lockbacks and linerlocks from good makers and inexpensive makers fail. And others that have proven reliable.

If the lockback maker tempers the back lock in the same oven as the blade, it's too hard and will fail from fatigue. RC 56+ is too high and loses the springing qualities needed for long service. I've seen a lot of knives suffer that.

If the maker doesn't fashion the liner lock long enough, have it meet the lock notch close to parallel, and that notch is tapered to the wrong side, then any flex in the blade pin will walk the lock right out of engagement. I've have Bucks and Kershaws with that issue. I still have my fingers, too.

That goes to Never Trust A Lock Blade Folder. No matter what, it can and will fail. It's happened with the Axis, and it's happened with some very high end knives that carry some impeccable reputations. Google is your friend, surf it, you will come up with examples of many folders that can and did injure the owner.

In todays market, anything under $40 is suspect in that regard. It takes close visual examination and an understanding of how the lock is supposed to be fashioned in that specific style to begin accepting their reliability. Only long term use will prove it for that specific knife - and as it gets used, and wears, things change. It could become unreliable where before it was just fine.

If you have an application where the knife blade absolutely cannot fail on you, then get a fixed blade. That doesn't mean it won't cut you anyway. It's really all about operator skill, and anyone can make a mistake. Like, having the blade skip off the twig you are working and slicing a nice deep cut into your finger.

Any knife user can show you their scars. Like bikers who have never ridden their bike down on the pavement, it's not a matter of if, but when. I would say that user error is far more responsible for injury than mechanical malfeasance.

Buying a quality knife is just cutting down the odds. Not eliminating them.

 

[tubeshooter]

I prefer lock back. I'll admit I've only really seen the liner locks on a couple of rather cheap knives... but I did not get a good feeling about them in general.

I once had a lock back "fail" because it got too much grime in the joint where the blade meets the handle. I use quote marks because it wasn't under actual use, just me pushing my thumb against the back of the blade with considerable force to see if it would give. Sure enough, it did.

I have to state that I was pushing the blade the "wrong" way - opposite from the force it would receive under normal use. This particular knife lived in my pocket for probably a couple of years as my EDC; after I cleaned up the grime, it was fine.



Anyway, as others have said... if you can't afford for it to fail, I say use a fixed blade. A knife lock is like a gun safety; not something you should test in the extreme or count on too much IMO.

 

[9mmforMe]

I too prefer lock back blades. They feel more secure to me and I like the classic styling. With practice it really isn't that hard to close one handed and two hands can close her up and pocket the blade in a jiffy. I have some liner locks but have had failures and don't want to get bitten again.

 

[JShirley]

Some designs are inherently stronger than others, regardless of manufacturer. The only "liner locks" I trust are CR-style framelocks. I have seen many strong, cheap backlocks, but I never, EVER buy cheap liner locks.

 

[krupparms]

I use both. I have found over the years that both styles can fail! I always check the knife before buying it if possible. I try to only buy certain brands, that I know use locks I can depend on. I mainly use C.R. knives as most of their designs are strong &well thought out. I find C.S. knives can be very strong but Q.C.lets some bads ones by. There are other locks systems out there that are very strong & some that are weak. I believe one of the stronger systems is the Butterfly. But those are illegal in most places. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PAY FOR IT OR HOW GOOD ITS REPUTATION, ALWAYS CHECK IT ASAP TO SEE THAT WHATEVER STYLE YOU USE WORKS. CHECK IT!