Should the compression lock idea just be abandoned?

kgriggs8 · Postby **kgriggs8** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:08 pm

The compression lock, the answer to the question nobody was asking. What's the point of it? Who thought it was a good idea to make a lock that was hard to use by lefties AND righties? I don't know a single person who likes any of my compression lock knives. Most of them say the same thing, I like the blade and grip but that lock is hard to use and ruins an otherwise good knife.

If every compression lock was replaced with a liner lock, I suspect a few more Spydercos would be sold. First knife I would buy is the Para because I like that knife but hate the lock that has.

Am I way off base or do people here like the compression lock? I just never got it.

vinito · Postby **vinito** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:14 pm

I personally prefer the compression lock over the liner lock.

gbelleh · Postby **gbelleh** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:17 pm

I completely disagree with the OP. The comp lock is probably my favorite lock.

bammann45 · Postby **bammann45** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:21 pm

Its my second favorite type behind lockback...

EarthDog · Postby **EarthDog** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:22 pm

The compression lock is one of my two favorites, and it is the lock in which I have the most confidence. It is an elegant, outside the box design. When I got my ATR, a knife-maker friend looked at it, shook his head admiringly, and acknowledged he wished he had thought of it.

I have no trouble operating it, and I do understand that it is not "lefty-friendly."

The compression lock is part of what makes the Super Leaf super!

v8r · Postby **v8r** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:22 pm

gbelleh wrote:I completely disagree with the OP. The comp lock is probably my favorite lock.

One of my favorite locks, I find it very easy to use ?

The Deacon · Postby **The Deacon** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:24 pm

kgriggs8 wrote:The compression lock, the answer to the question nobody was asking. What's the point of it? Who thought it was a good idea to make a lock that was hard to use by lefties AND righties? I don't know a single person who likes any of my compression lock knives. Most of them say the same thing, I like the blade and grip but that lock is hard to use and ruins an otherwise good knife.

If every compression lock was replaced with a liner lock, I suspect a few more Spydercos would be sold. First knife I would buy is the Para because I like that knife but hate the lock that has.

Am I way off base or do people here like the compression lock? I just never got it.

I'm no fan of the compression lock myself but, given the number of folks who think the ParaMilitary 2 is the best Spyderco ever made, the number who request compression lock versions of the Military and Stretch, and the number who feel it's more lefty friendly than Walker or Reeve locks, I'd say you're way off base.

CombatGrappler · Postby **CombatGrappler** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:32 pm

I'm not a fanatic about it, but I like the way you don't have to put your fingers in the blade's travel path when you close your knife.

I've always thought that was one of the reasons they developed the compression lock.

bh49 · Postby **bh49** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:38 pm

kgriggs8 wrote:The compression lock, the answer to the question nobody was asking. What's the point of it? Who thought it was a good idea to make a lock that was hard to use by lefties AND righties? I don't know a single person who likes any of my compression lock knives.

Are you serious about it?

If yes, you need to visit Spyderco Forum more frequently. There is no lack in Para sales. ATR is the legend. Compression lock is my second favorite after back-lock.

Sequimite · Postby **Sequimite** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:48 pm

My favorite too. Feel free to send me all those crummy compression locks and I'll send you some nice liner and back locks.

In addition to keeping the fingers out of the blades path it was created to withstand more abuse and shocks without lock failure than a comparable linerlock.

DeathBySnooSnoo · Postby **DeathBySnooSnoo** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:59 pm

i can't say that it is my favourite lock...and as a lefty I would be much happier with it on the other side. But I think that it is a very popular lock, and it is strong, so I think that it is here to stay.

JCP1969 · Postby **JCP1969** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:05 pm

I like my compression lock para1 and 2 . I find the lock very easy to use. They didn't miss the ball on this knife. They knocked it out of the park.

James

zunedog31 · Postby **zunedog31** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:08 pm

What are you talking about? The compression lock is the best lock on a folding knife I have ever used. It isn't even close.

jossta · Postby **jossta** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:11 pm

Pinetreebbs · Postby **Pinetreebbs** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:15 pm

vinito wrote:I personally prefer the compression lock over the liner lock.

+1

ricechrispy · Postby **ricechrispy** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:18 pm

I love the compression lock. It's not the easiest to unlock one-handed, but I don't think it's any harder than a back-lock. I think it's an elegant and rugged lock design and would hate to see it go.

dbcad · Postby **dbcad** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:27 pm

The compression lock is quite ingenious. The compression insert is wedged between a contact surface on the "heel" of the blade and an anvil pin. The only way it can fail is if the compression insert crumples, anvil pin breaks, or surface contact area on the blade fails

The compression lock also seems very compact and efficient. The force preventing the blade from closing is in a very short line from blade to insert to anvil pin. A nice short straight line with with the surface contact on the blade exerting a perpendicular force to the pin with the compression insert bearing the load. Beautiful simplicity

To me it seems the compression lock is a large step forward in the evolution of blade locks. I wouldn't have my Superleaf any other way

pdptrow · Postby **pdptrow** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:37 pm

The OP I hope is playing devil's advocate because the compression lock likes is in the majority. I prefer the compression lock over a liner lock. As a lefty I have used both and it is pretty lefty friendly also I like not having to turn over the knife to disengage the lock. I haven't handled an ATR but, I think I would like that that lock as much or more than a compression lock. I would like to see a model sprint, Para 2, superleaf, Dialex jr., yojimbo, etc. with an ATR type lock.

Blerv · Postby **Blerv** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:51 pm

The OP raises some very profound points. Now than I think of it...I hate them!

DeathBySnooSnoo · Postby **DeathBySnooSnoo** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:56 pm

My only real issue is that I always find that the cutout in the scale is under the thumb joint and that makes it pretty dang uncomfortable. I would much much much prefer if it was moved further from the pivot and more into a midlock type position.

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Should the compression lock idea just be abandoned?

Should the compression lock idea just be abandoned?

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