keep 1 forever, try 1 out, retire 1...

[Wartstein]

Yeah, I honestly am not sure what a liner lock is supposed to offer over a compression lock.

for me liner locks offer nothing but draw backs compared to compression locks.

It's a weaker lock more prone to failure and accidental unlockings. Cut-outs in the handle to facilitate easier unlocking affect ergonomics negatively for me while compression lock cutouts have no impact on ergos. Slower to close.

If they made every model they offer in comp lock also in a liner lock, I'd never buy the liner lock versions.

Folks, it really comes down to personal preferences, ways people hold and use knives, what aspects they value most and so on...
Objectively seen none is better than the other

- To ME the comp.lock cutout can lead to hot spots when gripping the knife tightly (and I am not alone here going by what people say on this forum), while a linerlock cutout feels really good, sometimes even like chamfering

- I´ve never read here of any accidental unlocking of a good Spyderco linerlock, but I have of comp.locks (at least two times):
(Again: Keep in mind we are just talking about those good Spyderco linerlocks here, not all the crappy ones that are out there. On the flip side there are only good comp.lock knives)

- A linerlock is situated on the handle just in the right place to be operated very natural and convenient - the thumb is just right there where it should be for that. And the usually larger cutout makes for easier operation, especially with gloves.
I can recall quite some accounts how great the Millie 1 linerlock works just in that capacity (ease of operation in the outdoors)

- Sure, the way it is made a comp.lock will be stronger - but a good linerlock is still way strong enough, so this is not a factor for me (have you ever read complaints that for example a Millie 1 linerlock would be to weak or fail? There are even vids of brutal crazy tests out there that could not bring it to fail).
It´s a bit like: Sure, a 6 mm blade on a folder will be stronger than a 4mm blade... but the 4 mm is way strong enough for all I do, and it makes no sense to live with the drawbacks of the 6mm for gaining added strength I´ll never even remotely need...

- @vivi with all due respect: But I just can´t see why a comp.lock should be quicker to close than a linerlock (going from "knife in hand ready for cutting" to "knife closed and ready to get put in pocket") - ??
If at all, I´d rather think a linerlock would be just a tad quicker to close.

- NOT (!) an issue for me, but people who value that "finger safety" thing: A linerlock with a good finger choil is great in that capacity. If one adds to "safety" how secure the knife sits in hand while closing it, this gets even better

[R100]

Yeah, I honestly am not sure what a liner lock is supposed to offer over a compression lock.

for me liner locks offer nothing but draw backs compared to compression locks.

It's a weaker lock more prone to failure and accidental unlockings. Cut-outs in the handle to facilitate easier unlocking affect ergonomics negatively for me while compression lock cutouts have no impact on ergos. Slower to close.

If they made every model they offer in comp lock also in a liner lock, I'd never buy the liner lock versions.

Folks, it really comes down to personal preferences, ways people hold and use knives, what aspects they value most and so on...
Objectively seen none is better than the other

- To ME the comp.lock cutout can lead to hot spots when gripping the knife tightly (and I am not alone here going by what people say on this forum), while a linerlock cutout feels really good, sometimes even like chamfering

- I´ve never read here of any accidental unlocking of a good Spyderco linerlock, but I have of comp.locks (at least two times):
(Again: Keep in mind we are just talking about those good Spyderco linerlocks here, not all the crappy ones that are out there. On the flip side there are only good comp.lock knives)

- A linerlock is situated on the handle just in the right place to be operated very natural and convenient - the thumb is just right there where it should be for that. And the usually larger cutout makes for easier operation, especially with gloves.
I can recall quite some accounts how great the Millie 1 linerlock works just in that capacity (ease of operation in the outdoors)

- Sure, the way it is made a comp.lock will be stronger - but a good linerlock is still way strong enough, so this is not a factor for me (have you ever read complaints that for example a Millie 1 linerlock would be to weak or fail? There are even vids of brutal crazy tests out there that could not bring it to fail).
It´s a bit like: Sure, a 6 mm blade on a folder will be stronger than a 4mm blade... but the 4 mm is way strong enough for all I do, and it makes no sense to live with the drawbacks of the 6mm for gaining added strength I´ll never even remotely need...

- @vivi with all due respect: But I just can´t see why a comp.lock should be quicker to close than a linerlock (going from "knife in hand ready for cutting" to "knife closed and ready to get put in pocket") - ??
If at all, I´d rather think a linerlock would be just a tad quicker to close.

- NOT (!) an issue for me, but people who value that "finger safety" thing: A linerlock with a good finger choil is great in that capacity. If one adds to "safety" how secure the knife sits in hand while closing it, this gets even better

I agree with you on all points. I don't think anyone, including Vivi, really thinks a Military or Resilience/ Tenacious liner lock lacks strength or is any more likely to fail than a compression lock.

A compression lock IS more likely to come open in your pocket though. This has happened to me an unfortunate number of times with compression locks but never with a Spyderco liner lock. I don't know why this is but two possibilities are that the higher position of the detent on the compression lock gives less mechanical advantage or it may be because the spring is generally narrower and provides less force than a liner lock. This makes the compression lock open more easily which appeals to the fidgeters but I'd rather have the better detent.

Like you and unlike Vivi I find the compression lock cut out in the top of the handle less ergonomic than the liner lock cut out at the bottom.

I don't care about absolute speed of closing but I find it much more natural and comfortable closing a liner lock. To me a compression lock is always a bit fiddly to close.

Different strokes for different folks but I'd personally like to see more liner locks and less compression locks in the catalogue.

Dan

[Mushroom]

Interesting thread!

I’ll think about an answer and come back.

[KeepCalm&Carrion]

Same here. I love VG-10 SE. I even like the PE, but I prefer SE in general. By the way, that road and rail trip sounds amazing.

It was amazing! I consider myself very blessed to have been able to travel safely while so many others were struggling (COVID).

Cheers from a fellow NorCal Spyderco fan.