Lets talk locks

[spyderwolf]

I would realy want to know what your favorite locks are.For me,the compression lock is nr.1 and i dont know why Spyderco dont put it on more knives.

[El Gato]

I really don't feel qualified to place a vote because I only own knives with the first three lock choices and no experience with the remaining four. :o

[Holland]

Compression lock for me without question

[EDC Honeybee]

I have a weird and unfounded bias against lock-backs. I am slowly getting over it, but I still have it stuck in my head from growing up that lockbacks are only on those old beat up buck knives, while all the "nice" knives have frame and liner locks.
Looking forward to picking up a few great spyderco lockbacks and giving them a fair chance this weekend. Overall though, I really like frame/liner locks if they are flippers, and the ball bearing style otherwise. I think the compression lock could be awesome too, but I haven't had any experience with it besides quickly handling a PM2 at the factory outlet. Not gonna vote since I havent really given many of the locks a fair chance.

[farnorthdan]

Compression lock here, just something wicked cool about it, frame lock a close second.

[spydutch]

(Nested) liner lock hands down.

[SpyderNut]

(Nested) liner lock hands down.

+1000 Yes.

Just a quick side note: I knew the Compression Lock would be popular, but wow, it's already hitting 80% in popularity. I hope Spyderco continues with this lock as it reminds me of a reverse-liner lock of sorts.

[Surfingringo]

I have a weird and unfounded bias against lock-backs. I am slowly getting over it, but I still have it stuck in my head from growing up that lockbacks are only on those old beat up buck knives, while all the "nice" knives have frame and liner locks.

Yeah, I think this is a common misperception. I kind of felt that way myself until I got into Spyderco knives. Many of my favorite models had backlocks though so I was forced to get over that unwarranted prejudice. I have come to really respect the backlock as a strong and functional design and have even come to prefer it to most other lock designs. I heartily support your efforts in getting over that bias, otherwise you will miss out on some great designs with great locks. :)

FWIW, I voted backlock but it was very close between that and the compression lock. I would also note that I like ALL of the locks on the list. They all work great for me when well executed.

[flipe8]

I voted for the Power Lock, because it's an evolution of the back lock. All things being equal, I'd choose a fully ambidextrous lock over a dedicated right or left every time. If you can improve on a time tested design, all the better!

[flipe8]

I would also note that I like ALL of the locks on the list. They all work great for me when well executed.

Amen :cool:

[TomAiello]

CBBL for me. I have all of them, and have carried all of them, and I always go back to the CBBL.

[IG-88]

Compression first and liner and frame share the second place

[The Deacon]

Of the locks Spyderco uses the backlock, or more specifically the midlock, is my hands down favorite. Bolt action would be second, but a very distant second.

[ChrisinHove]

Compression for me by a whisker, but the only Spyderco lock I've tried and didn't like was the cbbl.

My thumb falls to the Military liner lock so easily when I want it to, and then I see this enormous guillotine swinging towards it ...

[bearfacedkiller]

I like the compression lock the best myself but I think that the back lock is the most well rounded lock of the bunch. It does everything well and it is ambidextrous with a great detent that pulls the blade shut. A knife with a ball bearing detent isn't as secure as a knife with a progressive detent like the back lock. I like the comfort afforded by the close back design of a backlock as well. It just feels better in my hand than open backed pillar construction.

[demoncase]

All have a place in my heart (and my collection)- but there's something about the elegant simplicity of the frame lock that appeals to the engineer in me.

That said, the majority of my collection are backlocks despite that.....Guess that tells me that lock type doesn't put me off a knife. :D

[elena86]

A short note first.Comp lock IS NOT a reverse liner lock.I looove comp lock but I voted liner lock cause I feel that I have more control over it with one hand.In fact, for me it's a toss between comp lock and liner lock.

[LC Kid]

Hi Folks!


For my workhorse blades Compression Lock, Hands Down. :spyder:

For my EDC blades Frame Lock, No Matter What. :cool:

And yes, I'm right handed. :)

[JD Spydo]

(Nested) liner lock hands down.

Spydutch I'm glad you put in a good plug for the liner lock. It's not my favorite but I've always thought that the liner locks always seem to get a bad reputation on most of these forums and I've owned and currently use two liner lock models and I've had nothing but good performance out of all of the ones I"ve used made by Spyderco and Benchmade both.

Now I voted for the compression lock as my favorite for a lot of reasons. I've always been mesmorized by the compression lock on the older Gunting model in particular. Now my sentimental favorite and coming in at a close second is the ball bearing lock>> the one on my Dodo models is one I've had great luck with over the years>> however if your going to carry a model with a ball bearing lock I've found that using a dry lubricant really helps the performance in the long haul. I've always used graphite of PTFE dry lube and I've never had a failure on either one of my Dodo models.

This reminds me of one of the very first threads I ever responded to when I joined the Spyderco forum back in 2004. It was a thread that Sal himself put up and I believe it was entitled "Let's Talk About Locks">> I even made hard copies of it and kept it. I may try to pull it up whenever this one runs out of steam. It was a very informative thread and one that had a lot of good responses.

[Dr. Snubnose]

First choice by far is the Compression Lock, after that it's the backlock/mid-lock. I don't trust the other locks....probably why I carry few folders and mostly fixed blades...that said I agree that Spyderco should offer more knives with the compression lock.....Doc:)