Strength of Ball-Bearing Lock

[thombrogan]

Over at that bladeforums place, a person posted that the Dodo's ball-bearing lock was MBC-rated. Was the poster incorrect? With 2 and 1/6", it looks like an easy enough blade to provide an MBC-rated lock (this said without experience).



How many inch-pounds of pressure will the Dodo or D'Allara Rescue withstand before their locks fail?



Thanks in advance,



Thom



"It's so nice to talk to someone who can't understand the horrible things I say" -Moe Siszlak

[chux]

It states that the Dodo lock is MBC rated in the 04 catalog. I would like to know the failing strength though.

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."

[thombrogan]

Thanks, Chux!

Not sure if I can believe the catalog, though, as the 2003 said the Salsas of that time had ambidextrous clips (previous Salsa knives had 'em and the black ones may have them), but I digress. Still, yes, if a Spyderco rep could provide the failure strength (from which MBC-rating could be inferred) of both the Dodo and D'Allara Rescue, that'd be super cool.

[HoB]

As far as I know MBC rated means failure strength greater than 200#s per inch.

[Little claw]

I think you may be referring to my comment...?

I've read that its MBC in several places, however Sal states it in this thread:

http://www.spyderco.com/forum/topic.asp ... lse&S=True

I also vaguely remember him stating that it was Spyderco's strongest lock overall - but I admit I may have been hallucinating that one!

[thombrogan]

Thanks, Little Claw!

Just read Sal's post in the Dodo/lockback thread.

Como se dice: "Woo-hoo"?

Whether it was Sal or your hallucinations, I'll trust your word. I would imagine, though, that a midlock or Compression Lock could be stronger, but my imagination has its ups and downs.

Thanks, again!

Now is the D'Allara Rescue of similar strength? <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Shiden]

The Lil' Temperance has Spyderco's strongest lock.

Shiden


Audentis Fortuna Iuvat

[The Cool]

Shiden

How strong is the Lil'T lock?
I read something Sal wrote about the Gunting being 1000/lbs per inch - is the Lil'T stronger than the Gunting? (I would imagine they are very similiar.

[Shiden]

I don't know the exact numbers. Maybe Sal can help us out.

Shiden


Audentis Fortuna Iuvat

Edited by - Shiden-Kaj on 3/30/2004 5:18:03 AM

[java]

Thombrogan,

Interesting questions and I don't know the answers but I've noticed a lot of discussion regarding lock strength around the forums. I’ve been using locking folders since the early Buck 110s came out. Prior to the locking folder, slip joints were the dominant apex folding matter separator. I have yet to push a lock to the point of failure in everyday or even hard use. But all I have been using is common sense to match my knife to its intended use. I think it would be helpful to the buyer to know if there is a specific rating system that applies across the board to folding knife manufacturers. That way, the ELU could match the intended use to the blade being purchased. Is there such a guide?

Beyond that use, it seems to me that lock strength is a little over rated when you are talking quality folders. (Third world imports from your local flea market are on another boat) Most of us will never see the 200 in-lb/in plus loads Spyderco uses to rate its folders as MBC certified. The Chinook is rated over 800 in-lb/in. That exceeds the MBC rating by a substantial margin but is that the only specification to be MBC rated?

At a minimum, a lock should meet or exceed the rating for its intended use. IMO, anything above and beyond is bragging rights on techno forums and adds little to the actual usefulness or value of the knife. The question that is more important to myself is the locks reliability.

There are several good discussions regarding lock strength – both here and at BFC but the common trait that most folks are concerned with again seems to be reliability. Probably doesn't answer your main question but they make interesting reading. Try these for starters:

<a href=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/Topic.asp ... kies+Forum> Gunting and Chinook lock strength</a>

<a href=http://www.spyderco.com/forum/Topic.asp ... Forum>Lets talk about locks</a>

Excellent comparative discussion on lock mechanisms started by Sal back in June 2001. Gets revived from time to time. Good interchange between Sal, Carlos, Joe Talmadge, (resident Man of Steel, who writes persuasively on the pros, cons, and mechanics of nearly each lock), Dialex and many more. Early Sword and Shield posting as well.

<a href=http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... trength>Ok, lets talk lock strength</a>

Good opinions from Joe and Cliff Stamp, among others.


Happy reading!


j

Edited by - java on 3/30/2004 10:01:28 AM

[thombrogan]

Java,

Thanks for the links. None of them told me the lock strength of the D'Allara Rescue, although, in 2001, Carlos was afraid that the Military would be converted to a compression lock and that Spyderco would be through with Walker Liner Locks and Reeve-style Integral Liner Locks. It was neat seeing that the locks on Buck Striders, way back then, were proportionately weaker (heed the adverb!) than the Delica and Calypso Jr.

Thanks, Java!

[chux]

I'm still hoping for a version of the Millie with a compression lock, but maybe I'm just a heretic. I'll see how it goes when I get my dirty little hands on a Paramillie.