Let’s face it Liner Locks and Back Locks suck!

[Naperville]

i'll take a triad lock over a backlock any day of the week. all of my cold steels are rock solid.

I like the triad lock too. My Cold Steels and Spydercos have never failed regardless of the lock(s). I'm still picky about the locks.

Don't ask me why.

No liner locks have ever closed on me, only a (ZT) frame lock. Spyderco liner locks(Military) have never had any issues. I just don't like em...

Don't ask me why. I do not have an answer.

[ladybug93]

i had a liner lock fail on me. it was a crkt ceo. it's a super thin liner on a super thin knife. if you treat them all like slip joints, every knife is safe.

[cycleguy]

First and foremost, I have many Liner Lock and Back Lock knives that I absolutely love, but they could be better!

I’m also going to include RIL as well, or any other lock that requires you to put your fingers in the way of a closing blade. They all have that extra step after disengaging the blade of “are my fingers in the right place.” I don’t care who you are, we’ve ALL cut ourselves closing one of these locks, and we even saw Eric do it with the Siren. I know many of you got a Military, Delica or Endura as your first knife and feel the need to defend your first love, but it’s time to move on.

Which brings me to the preferred locks, the CBBL, Comp Lock and variations of each. They are smooth, quick, effortless, less painful and satisfying for the fidgeters. I know the excuses; “but I can’t operate it with a boxing glove on” or “a Back Lock is stronger.” If you’re in those situations you should probably be using a fixed blade.

There is a reason why the Manix, PM2, Para 3 and Shaman are huge successes, the lock! The same reason they are making a Military 2, people are tired of the Liner Lock. Why Spyderco hasn’t done more with the CBBL is beyond me, it is perfection.

In the end I feel the Liner Lock and Back Lock are outdated and just need to move over and let the new guys run the show!

Don’t hate me, just getting things off my chest.

Ha Ha

Please send all sucky back locks my way!

Oh … and the wheel is an outdated design. … pre B.C. … but nobody seems to be able to do it any better,

Back locks forever…

CG

[Xformer]

Backlocks I agree with you, I don't understand how they're still a thing.

I dunno, maybe being fully ambidextrous, easy to operate one handed even with gloves on, not requiring fingers in the path of a closing blade, tough to unlock by accident, being one of the best locks at keeping a closed knife closed, being an old and well understood design most companies have decades of experience with.....

funny seeing a troll thread brought back from the dead either way.

All of those points I disagree with, except for the ambidextrous part. Just a question of perspective.

[Wartstein]

Backlocks I agree with you, I don't understand how they're still a thing.

I dunno, maybe being fully ambidextrous, easy to operate one handed even with gloves on, not requiring fingers in the path of a closing blade, tough to unlock by accident, being one of the best locks at keeping a closed knife closed, being an old and well understood design most companies have decades of experience with.....

funny seeing a troll thread brought back from the dead either way.

All of those points I disagree with, except for the ambidextrous part. Just a question of perspective.

I am not Vivi, but, sorry, no offense, but this is mostly (not completely!) NOT a question of perspective

- Backlocks do have a strong self closing bias just by design, and so on average they will do better at staying closed in pocket than linerlock, comp.lock and even CBBL.

- how one can deny that they are an "old and well understood design that most companies have decades of experience with" (regardless if one likes backlocks or not!) is beyond me, sorry.

- that closing a backlock does not require to put the fingers in the path of the blade also is just a fact. Not a question of perspective.

- That they are "easy to operate one handed" "even with gloves on": Totally true for me personally (also that there are just many ways of doing so), but at that one ymmv of course

Again, no offense meant, and I would argue the same if this was about facts concerning any other locktype (so no biased backlock defending).
-

[apollo]

Backlocks I agree with you, I don't understand how they're still a thing.

I dunno, maybe being fully ambidextrous, easy to operate one handed even with gloves on, not requiring fingers in the path of a closing blade, tough to unlock by accident, being one of the best locks at keeping a closed knife closed, being an old and well understood design most companies have decades of experience with.....

funny seeing a troll thread brought back from the dead either way.

All of those points I disagree with, except for the ambidextrous part. Just a question of perspective.

I am not Vivi, but, sorry, no offense, but this is mostly (not completely!) NOT a question of perspective

- Backlocks do have a strong self closing bias just by design, and so on average they will do better at staying closed in pocket than linerlock, comp.lock and even CBBL.

- how one can deny that they are an "old and well understood design that most companies have decades of experience with" (regardless if one likes backlocks or not!) is beyond me, sorry.

- that closing a backlock does not require to put the fingers in the path of the blade also is just a fact. Not a question of perspective.

- That they are "easy to operate one handed" "even with gloves on": Totally true for me personally (also that there are just many ways of doing so), but at that one ymmv of course

Again, no offense meant, and I would argue the same if this was about facts concerning any other locktype (so no biased backlock defending).
-

I thank you for you're detailed reply friend!
Everything you mention is shared in my personal experience. Because of all those points i still prefer lockbacks over any other lock design.

If a lockback is well made it will be the safest lock you can wish for with a very low maintenance lvl.

For example i carry my C95 all the time and i clean it once every few weeks with a toothpic and a little compressed air and some nano oil.

And well let us say that 20 year old well used lock is for me personally not only more trust worthy its also still more easy to operate one handed then any of my other locked knives. And those include CbbL's , compression locks , liner locks and even the compression framelock of the old ATR.

Out of all of those i find the CBBL even the least in the group. I find the cage a little uncomfortable while one hand closing let alone that the knife then gives me a slippery feel in my palm. So i like the lock but not its one hand close action.


And by the way i am a Lefty and i have zero trouble using any lock ever made....

[Wartstein]

... Because of all those points i still prefer lockbacks over any other lock design.

If a lockback is well made it will be the safest lock you can wish for with a very low maintenance lvl.
.....
And well let us say that 20 year old well used lock is for me personally not only more trust worthy its also still more easy to operate one handed then any of my other locked knives. And those include CbbL's , compression locks , liner locks and even the compression framelock of the old ATR.

Out of all of those i find the CBBL even the least in the group. I find the cage a little uncomfortable while one hand closing let alone that the knife then gives me a slippery feel in my palm. So i like the lock but not its one hand close action.
.....

Yes, while of course there are reasons for preferring other locktypes, to me too a good backlock is number 1 without any doubt.

So versatile when it comes to one handed closing methods, so easy to use, so strong in keeping a knife closed and not potentially messing with the ergos in harder use like linerlock and (to me) especially comp.lock cutouts can do.

Now the CBBL to me is a pretty close second though: Also not messing with the ergos, still strong self closing bias and completely ambidextrous.

As for closing one handed:
Probably you've seen the short clips I made about six different methods of doing so already, if not here is the link, perhaps one is for you:

viewtopic.php?t=87806#p1459252

Funnily, with CBBLs I practically never use that "pinch grip swing the blade to closed"-method most people seem to prefer, but rather one that folks seem to like with backlocks: Pull the lock with the thumb and let the choil drop on the index finger, or pull with thumb and index finger and let the choil drop on the middle finger.

[apollo]

... Because of all those points i still prefer lockbacks over any other lock design.

If a lockback is well made it will be the safest lock you can wish for with a very low maintenance lvl.
.....
And well let us say that 20 year old well used lock is for me personally not only more trust worthy its also still more easy to operate one handed then any of my other locked knives. And those include CbbL's , compression locks , liner locks and even the compression framelock of the old ATR.

Out of all of those i find the CBBL even the least in the group. I find the cage a little uncomfortable while one hand closing let alone that the knife then gives me a slippery feel in my palm. So i like the lock but not its one hand close action.
.....

Yes, while of course there are reasons for preferring other locktypes, to me too a good backlock is number 1 without any doubt.

So versatile when it comes to one handed closing methods, so easy to use, so strong in keeping a knife closed and not potentially messing with the ergos in harder use like linerlock and (to me) especially comp.lock cutouts can do.

Now the CBBL to me is a pretty close second though: Also not messing with the ergos, still strong self closing bias and completely ambidextrous.

As for closing one handed:
Probably you've seen the short clips I made about six different methods of doing so already, if not here is the link, perhaps one is for you:

viewtopic.php?t=87806#p1459252

Funnily, with CBBLs I practically never use that "pinch grip swing the blade to closed"-method most people seem to prefer, but rather one that folks seem to like with backlocks: Pull the lock with the thumb and let the choil drop on the index finger, or pull with thumb and index finger and let the choil drop on the middle finger.

Thx for the link i really apriciate it!
Never seen the clips before.
Ill give my C95 a rest today and take my blurple Manix 2 out for a spin so i can check out you're methods.
Personally i find the CBBL a really great lock that is will made. The ball bearing is genius and the spring well its miles above all those omega spring locks that i really do not see as trust worthy since they brake so often.
But like you i find the Spyderco lockback still king of the jungle. Even in all its variants between the different spydie makers all of them are just perfect user friendly and rock solid safe locks.

[Scandi Grind]

Funnily, with CBBLs I practically never use that "pinch grip swing the blade to closed"-method most people seem to prefer, but rather one that folks seem to like with backlocks: Pull the lock with the thumb and let the choil drop on the index finger, or pull with thumb and index finger and let the choil drop on the middle finger.

Huh, so I'm not the only one who uses this method then. I was a little sceptical of doing it at first, pretty much the same as what I do with liner locks, I just wasn't accustomed to the spring tension applied to the blade on a backlock at first. I've since gotten used to it.

Also the tile of this thread is so funny!

[R100]

"Don’t hate me, just getting things off my chest."

Don't be silly, no one hates you, it's just knives not brain surgery

You could use them for brain surgery though.

[Mage7]

I've always found people suggesting you can close back-locks with one hand a little disingenuous. I mean, you can do it, but it sure seems like you have to finagle it around in a lot of clumsy ways to do so. Kind of hard to beat the CBBL when you just pull the button back, the blade drops closed, and you're done.

[Wartstein]

I've always found people suggesting you can close back-locks with one hand a little disingenuous. I mean, you can do it, but it sure seems like you have to finagle it around in a lot of clumsy ways to do so. Kind of hard to beat the CBBL when you just pull the button back, the blade drops closed, and you're done.

Disingenuous"?
I honestly feel a bit offended by that.

"Finagle around in a lot of clumsy ways"?!

There are several really easy, non-clumsy ways of closing a backlock one handed.

Compared to the method you describe several backlock closing methods actually save you moving the fingers into a pinch grip on the handle and than perhaps have to inertia-swing the blade a bit (another extra move) - both also is less safe concerning how firm the knife sits in hand.

Imo when judging closing methods one always has to look not only on one "closing move", but on the process "knife in hand for cutting" "how much repositioning for closing " "actual closing" "knife positioned in hand for getting put in pocket ".

Plus: You can close a backlock like you do with a CBBL: True for both:
1.) Pinch the handle 2.) Move index finger (or with a CBBL alternatively index finger and middle finger) on the lockbar /locktab 3.) Press/pull 4.) Let the blade fall shut.

Now you may argue that I personally could find it easier to manipulate backlocks than many others, since I happen to have pretty strong fingers just cause I am a large male person, do things like climbing plus have been using backlocks for a long time.
This is all true of course, but:

I've shown one handed backlock closing methods (including the "fingers all the time out of the blade path") to at least three people now, one of those a 12 year old girl, one a not too strong woman, both new to locking folders: Just a matter of maybe one or two minute and all easily managed to perform several closing methods, including the "pinch grip comp.lock like" one (where the fingers are not in the blade path (completely unnecesary in my view anyway)).

[cabfrank]

It's really, really easy to close a back one handed. I mean, it's as easy as it gets.

[JSumm]

The Glessers literally design their backlocks to close one handed. The Rock Jumper was a feat because Sal wanted to still have enough ricasso to drop on your finger while hiding most of it in the handle. It is quick and easy. The cool thing about closing it one handed is you still have a full grip. You do not need to finagle your hand around to a pinch grip.

Watch Eric walk around the Native Chief design. He closes it throughout the video in different ways while talking about the design. Including the fastest way, one handed.
https://youtu.be/hndK4YAP4oM?si=oy9c57ZG0bcUUkBa

This is not the same as trying to one hand close a Buck 110.

[vivi]

I've always found people suggesting you can close back-locks with one hand a little disingenuous. I mean, you can do it, but it sure seems like you have to finagle it around in a lot of clumsy ways to do so. Kind of hard to beat the CBBL when you just pull the button back, the blade drops closed, and you're done.

nah. not only is it effortless, it's effortless in multiple ways. i've posted videos more times than I can count of multiple ways I can close them one handed with my eyes shut.

https://streamable.com/gfhxo

I can one handed close everything from a ladybug to a voyager xl without notable effort.