New Lock/Knife by PITS designer Mike Read

[Liquid Cobra]

I'm pretty sure he means the corner of the tang is exposed when the knife is closed which you can use to flip the knife open.

Almost like a reverse flipper.

[SpeedHoles]

I'm pretty sure he means the corner of the tang is exposed when the knife is closed which you can use to flip the knife open.

Almost like a reverse flipper.

Makes sense after looking back at the photos. Using the side of your thumb...

[mekidear]

Is this thread OK Mods? I am not sure how acceptable it is to discuss non Spyderco knives on this forum. Please let me know if it goes too far?

I have just started taking orders for customs and I don't know if the design will ever be available in any other form. I did spend a bit of time looking at incorporating a Spydie hole early on in the design process. I am sure it is possible but I haven't done enough work on it to give you a knowledgeable answer.

The thumb flipper is the same as/similar to the South African front flipper/lip opener design. You just flick the little bit of tang protruding at the front of the knife with your thumb and out pops the blade. It is not as intuitive as a normal flipper but on the plus side it doesn't stick out the same.

I am happy to answer questions and appreciate the interest.

Mike

[ChrisinHove]

Clever!

[Dodge]

Wow!! That's very innovative.

[SpeedHoles]

Any further news on this clever new lock design?

I saw mention from others of a locking PITS making Ana appearance at the Spyderco Amsterdam meet.
Is it featuring this new lock!!??

[RadioactiveSpyder]

Yes, demoncase verified this in his response to my exact same question on the bottom of the first page of his thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=70102

Looking forward to this one for sure! :D Cheers, Radioactive :)

[SpeedHoles]

Yes, demoncase verified this in his response to my exact same question on the bottom of the first page of his thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=70102

Looking forward to this one for sure! :D Cheers, Radioactive :)

Awesome news!! That thread was overwhelming for me, so I must have missed it.
So, this is called the "Pielock"?

Very anxious to hear if this may be one model that may actually make it to production, or just hidden away into the vault of ideas...?

[Surfingringo]

Pressure on the rear end of the lockbar (the exposed and jimped section) forces the lock in tighter. If you hold the knife and put a closing force on the blade, it forces this section of the lockbar into your hand and in so doing holds the lock in tighter. So the added security is maximum just when you need it. Having said this, the lock is reliable and secure without this additional safety feature.

Nice feature. One of the first things I noticed looking at the pics was how you allowed that bar to remain "proud" at the end of the handle when the knife was open. I smiled at the cleverness of that when I saw it, so thanks for confirming. Oh yeah, and thanks for chiming in with all the info!

[mekidear]

At the very beginning the design started out with the lock bar locking as it dropped down, with the lock release working the same as a back-lock.

Having experience of back-locks letting go when you pull up on the knife, it seemed like a good idea to reverse the lock direction to prevent this happening and even increase lock security. It didn't take long to figure out how to do it, but it did take a few days to figure out how to release the lock and a few months to get the spring design right.

Looking forward to Pics of the Spydie prototype. I haven't a clue how Sal and Co have gone about fitting this lock in the PITS, it wouldn't have been easy!

[SpeedHoles]

At the very beginning the design started out with the lock bar locking as it dropped down, with the lock release working the same as a back-lock.

Having experience of back-locks letting go when you pull up on the knife, it seemed like a good idea to reverse the lock direction to prevent this happening and even increase lock security. It didn't take long to figure out how to do it, but it did take a few days to figure out how to release the lock and a few months to get the spring design right.

Looking forward to Pics of the Spydie prototype. I haven't a clue how Sal and Co have gone about fitting this lock in the PITS, it wouldn't have been easy!

Interesting. A bit difficult for me to visualize what you are explaining... about reversing the direction.


I too am really looking forward to possible photos of this proto, but then again I am not getting my hopes up if it will be one that made the cut for Mr. Blondes photo thread or not... it might be too early in the prototype stage to reveal? Maybe not?

[araneae]

Very cool and just the kind of thing Spyderco is likely to try bringing to life.

[mekidear]

Interesting. A bit difficult for me to visualize what you are explaining... about reversing the direction.


I too am really looking forward to possible photos of this proto, but then again I am not getting my hopes up if it will be one that made the cut for Mr. Blondes photo thread or not... it might be too early in the prototype stage to reveal? Maybe not?

Sorry for missing your post, I will try and explain:

On a framelock the lock bar drops in from the side and jams itself against a ramped surface. My first idea was for the lock bar to drop down and jam itself against a ramp, very similar to a frame lock, but from the top, not the side. The problem with this was that the only simple way of releasing the lock was similar to a back lock and like a back lock, hand pressure could cause an accidentally release.

To solve this problem I reversed the locking direction so now the lock bar drops right down past the tang and then pops back up and jams against a ramp in the up direction. The pressure on the back end of the lock bar then forces the lock in tighter.

Hope that helps

No PICS of the Spydie Prototype yet

[SpeedHoles]

This thread keeps popping into my mind occasionally...

Any news on a Spydie Proto? :)