Spyderco Forums

What are you two favorite lock types and why?

compression lock for bullet-proof reliability
liner lock (a well-made one, of course) with a well-designed access, such as the Military, for ease of use with heavy gloves on.
If I had to pick a 3rd, it would be back-lock. Main concern there is gunk buildup, possibly impairing lock up.

more market research for Sal?

Compression and liner. 2 fun locks and strong enough for my uses

Across the industry I would say Compression, Axis, Tri-Ad...

Spyderco specific I would say Compression and RIL.

Backlock: as I’ve said before, if you don’t need flow through construction, there’s not much to complain about (I’ve never experienced significant play). Love the self close, the only lock I’ll carry IWB.

Other: Bolt Action Lock. Smooth as all get out, one of the most underrated designs out there.

Backlock- It's been around forever for a reason. It's a solid lock design. Nothing really exciting about it, but it reliably does what it's supposed to.

Ball Bearing Lock- I just really like it. I don't see a lot of advantages over the cbbl or even the comp lock. They're all great. I just prefer the ball bearing lock.

I prefer either the linerlock or the backlock. The linerlock works well and is easy and intuitive for me to operate. The backlock is nice for its simplicity and security, and especially for its self-close bias.

Of course, my votes are probably not worth much since those are the only lock types I own. I'd like to try a CBBL sometime, or a compression lock. If I ever do, my opinions might change.

Compression lock, CBBL. Liner lock gets a runner up but mostly just for the Military.

Spydergirl88 wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 15, 2018 7:45 pm

Compression and liner. 2 fun locks and strong enough for my uses

Well said 88! :cool:

Listed - RIL/ Frame Lock

Other - Compression lock if integral and not using a liner, because I've had too many Spyderco liners rust. Also much prefer the Axis lock over the BBL / CBBL for the flow through construction.

Backlock and slip joint.

Backlock becuase it's as old as the hills, is plenty strong, is ambidextrous (and so am I), allows for a thinner and symmetrical knife, and is the most ergonomic for me.

Slip joint because I've an old soul, love traditionals, don't usually need an actual lock for 90% of my uses, and I like the walk and talk.

Liner and Back-lock.

Liner and Compression.

Liner lock: fun to use, amazing sound; reliable and strong enough; I have not any security problems with this lock, especially accidental disengaging.

Compression lock: strong; easy to use; fun factor - less than liner lock.

Compression and Back lock

Compression is an easy one handed lock, Back locker is traditional and I like that

Bolt lock. :)

By the way, I also own a RIL knife (Advocate), but I consider the RIL and the linerlock essentially the same.

Easy. Backlock and tri-ad lock. If we're talking Spyderco only, replace the tri-ad with CBBL.

Those are the only locks I use. I'll likely end up with a power lock knife at some point too.

I no longer buy liner locks, compression locks, frame locks and other detent based locks.

I chose the locks I do because they are the only ones I find do a good enough job keeping the knife securely closed, while the others only do a good job at keeping the knife locked open in my experience.

compression and liner lock: facilitates easy cleaning/maintenance for openly constructed models

#1 Spyderco back lock
#2 WLL on smaller knives (if they don’t have a back lock); Compression on larger knives (if they don’t have a back lock)