Back lock is

[benja-man]

Why is this such a heated topic? I kind of make every lock type work for me. For back locks, it's the classic ricasso-to-forefinger-method here, can't find anything wrong with it and the others just don't work as reliably/safely for me (for instance, I lack the finger strength to depress your average back lock just with my index finger, need my thumb for that!).

There is no best nor worst lock type for me nor a best or worst closing method. I like the variety Spyderco offers.

[Evil D]

Why is this such a heated topic?

Seems like most debates on this forum are because people forget that just because it works for them doesn't mean it must work for everyone else. It turns into a contest of trying to change your preferences and that's like someone trying to convince you to change what your favorite color is.

[Red Leader]

@Red Leader

Once you get out of the "newb" stage, you'll realize that the flickiness and fidgeting is really nonsense.

I agree with many here that the back lock is the best lock. Rock solid lock up. All this "lock rock" talk sounds like people intentionally looking to see if it can happen or is present. If you were to use a folder hard enough that that's becoming an issue...you're using the wrong knife anyways, should be using a fixed blade.

Back lock is ambidextrous, easy to use with gloves and indeed easy to operate with one hand, as been discussed already.

Been a popular style lock for many years across many companies...there's a reason for that.

Haha no I totally agree it is nonsense. I don't think there is any issue w/ the performance of any of these, when open they all work great. I want to love the Native 5, but ours, with the really stiff action coupled with partially covered Spydie hole, makes it feel unrefined and clunky. But when open, it's a dream, the ergos are incredible.

The LJ feels amazing, and even the Stretch 2 I have, must be a really good one, because it is very smooth, whereas I hear reports of others saying that theirs are pretty rough.

[Red Leader]

Why is this such a heated topic? I kind of make every lock type work for me. For back locks, it's the classic ricasso-to-forefinger-method here, can't find anything wrong with it and the others just don't work as reliably/safely for me (for instance, I lack the finger strength to depress your average back lock just with my index finger, need my thumb for that!).

There is no best nor worst lock type for me nor a best or worst closing method. I like the variety Spyderco offers.

Cause nerds gonna nerd out? Kinda fun. I like hearing thoughts and opinions different than mine, especially if it warms me up to other Spydercos!

[Red Leader]

I can’t, and have no intention, of forcing you to love back locks. We prefer what we prefer. But before you “give up on them” I urge you to find a G10/CruWear S2XL and take it for a spin. It’s not objectively better than a N5, just different. I would best describe it as a back lock Sebenza. Consistent smoothness throughout the full opening motion, like hydraulics.

Oh I have no intent to give up on them! I carry a LJ K390 SE every day as my 'pocket chainsaw', in addition to others, but it has definitely earned it's stay.

My grip is primarily with the N5. With HOW good of a knife it is, how incredible it feels in hand, it should have a better opening/closing interaction w/ the user. I'm a bit of a tinkerer, so I'd like to play around a bit more w/ a Native 5 and see what is possible w/ tuning, bearing in mind that the strength of the spring in the harsher opening also has a direct bearing on the integrity of the lockup.

I did handle a G10 Cruwear Stretch XL at the SFO last week - they had it in the clearance cabinet. I think $168 or so. Felt good, but had very perceptible lock rock right out of the gate. I'm not the type that goes looking for it and find it in every knife, but I could find it in this one easily.

[ykspydiefan]

Lot of good support for the trusty back lock. Lots of great discussion too.

For me, the back lock is the first of my knives I hand to my twin boys who are 10. They can handle and use the Pacific safer, even thought it is oversized in their hands. They can operate the Para 3 but prefer the Pacific, mostly because it feels easier to close for them.

[James Y]

My two favorite lock types are the back lock and the compression lock. I also like the CBBL, but I only have it on one knife, my G10 Manix 2.

I don't find any blade locks difficult to close. But people differ.

Oddly enough, my very first locking knife, bought back in the '70s, was not a back lock, but an old-style (pre-Michael Walker-style) liner lock. The type that was more of an added safety feature to a slipjoint, backspring and all. IIRC, it was called the Schrade Old Timer Mustang.

Jim

[cycleguy]

Best lock. That is all.

Yep! That is all.

[vivi]

I can’t, and have no intention, of forcing you to love back locks. We prefer what we prefer. But before you “give up on them” I urge you to find a G10/CruWear S2XL and take it for a spin. It’s not objectively better than a N5, just different. I would best describe it as a back lock Sebenza. Consistent smoothness throughout the full opening motion, like hydraulics.

Oh I have no intent to give up on them! I carry a LJ K390 SE every day as my 'pocket chainsaw', in addition to others, but it has definitely earned it's stay.

My grip is primarily with the N5. With HOW good of a knife it is, how incredible it feels in hand, it should have a better opening/closing interaction w/ the user. I'm a bit of a tinkerer, so I'd like to play around a bit more w/ a Native 5 and see what is possible w/ tuning, bearing in mind that the strength of the spring in the harsher opening also has a direct bearing on the integrity of the lockup.

I did handle a G10 Cruwear Stretch XL at the SFO last week - they had it in the clearance cabinet. I think $168 or so. Felt good, but had very perceptible lock rock right out of the gate. I'm not the type that goes looking for it and find it in every knife, but I could find it in this one easily.

fwiw notnall lockbacks have the same style action.

Natives and Calys have different action than the Police or Pacific Salt. When they're half way open they have a sluggish feeling compared to the seki models I mentioned that feel more consistent throughout the opening cycle.

[vivi]

All this "lock rock" talk sounds like people intentionally looking to see if it can happen or is present. If you were to use a folder hard enough that that's becoming an issue...you're using the wrong knife anyways, should be using a fixed blade.

just checked my kids dfly salt out of curiosity. no luck.

https://dubz.link/v/995e3c

rock bar moves visibly with 3-4lbs of pressure on the edge.

I notice it if I....

- sharpen a pencil
- cut an apple in half
- slice paracord
- cut a piece of cardboard

etc.

doesn't take anything extreme to show it. don't have to go out of my way to find it.

basically anything beyond opening an envelope I can feel lock rock happening.

[Cycletroll]

I wish Andrew Demko would do a collaboration with Spyderco featuring a 4" folder with Spydie hole and a Triad lock.

[Cycletroll]

Double post

[vivi]

I wish Andrew Demko would do a collaboration with Spyderco featuring a 4" folder with Spydie hole and a Triad lock.

I do too. I generally like his style of ergonomics and the tri-ad lock is my favorite lock.

[Halfneck]

Only lock I'm not too fond of is liner-locks. Had a bad experience with one coming unlocked as I cut/sawed through some heavy-duty cardboard.

CBBL is a good lock, but I prefer smaller folders & my 1 CBBL folder is a Manix LW.

I really like the Compression-lock. My Rhino is carried quite a bit, as is my Sage 5.

The Back-lock is the one I have the most familiarity with and my most carried. It's also what is on my favorite Spyderco - the Delica.

My 1st knives were slipjoints so I started out with the outlook that you pay attention to how you use a folder so it doesn't close on your fingers. Learned that lesson in blood as a kid too. My 1st locking knives were back-locks, but I still used them with caution. That same outlook is what kept me from requiring stitches when my liner-lock failed. Lock-Rock for the most part doesn't bother me. I did have a Sears (probably Camillius made) 110 style back-lock that developed bad lock-rock. I ended up trading it to another kid for who knows what. Of my 3 Delicas, only the SE ZDP-189 version has noticeable lock-rock. My VG-10 & Super Blue version you almost have to force it. My SE ZDP-189 Delica is my oldest, and probably hardest used. I torqued open/cut plastic packing strips on x-ray fluids, broke down the cardboard boxes the medical supplies came in, and even used it to saw through wet-to-dry cast material.

Every lock has it's +'s and -'s. I also realize I'm just some old guy & that this is my personal preference & it may not work for you.

[Wartstein]

Why is this such a heated topic?

Seems like most debates on this forum are because people forget that just because it works for them doesn't mean it must work for everyone else. It turns into a contest of trying to change your preferences and that's like someone trying to convince you to change what your favorite color is.

Hmm, I feel like I have to put in a word for this forum and its general tone and respectfully disagree...

There are exceptions sometimes, but generally it is still actually one of the many aspects I like in this place that imo people most times do make clear that much is just personal preference and share things that work for them but don´t have to for others... often is is also merely about options concerning anything knife related (design, use- aspects, sharpening,materials...) - options some might not even have thought of but could try and then see if they work for them or not..

IF there is an "issue" at all, than rather "the other way round" - like in that people in rare occasions don´t want to accept and respect that things can work for others, even if they don´t for themselves.

But generally and concerning the basic tone: Really still a respectful and tolerant place imo...

Ymmv of course!

[Wartstein]

..Deleted (My reply to a post did not show up - reason: "server is down" ...?)

[benja-man]

options some might not even have thought of but could try and then see if they work for them or not..

True. You get a lot of ideas you might try out for yourself around here.

IF there is an "issue" at all, than rather "the other way round" - like in that people in rare occasions don´t want to accept and respect that things can work for others, even if they don´t for themselves.

That is exactly what I meant originally.

[aicolainen]

Hmm, I feel like I have to put in a word for this forum and its general tone and respectfully disagree...

There are exceptions sometimes, but generally it is still actually one of the many aspects I like in this place that imo people most times do make clear that much is just personal preference and share things that work for them but don´t have to for others... often is is also merely about options concerning anything knife related (design, use- aspects, sharpening,materials...) - options some might not even have thought of but could try and then see if they work for them or not..

Very much agree.

The way this thread was set up from the first post, came across as an attempt to be a little bit provoking, but in a humoristic way. As the thread progresses we get a mix of humorous stabs and serious advice - which can obviously get a little confusing and easily misunderstood.

There's no need for me to convince anyone of anything, but if someone does not appear to get the same benefit from a knife or knife feature as I do, I will chime in in a well meaning way to see if this person just has wildly different preferences and/or type of use, or if I can help this person see a benefit they weren't aware of.

On the other hand I need look no further than myself to realize that no matter what anyone says, I have to find my own way and develop my own preferences through experience, trial and error. Case in point, I came into this hobby thinking the back lock was an outdated relic of the past, in large part kept alive past its due date by a bunch of very conservative uncle Randys out there. But through use I have realized how well the back lock works for me, and I'd have to eat my cowboy hat and accept that I've become an uncle Randy figure myself :)
Advice alone won't change anyone's preference, but it's a nice way to get a wider perspective, undo established myths (e.g. like serrations are hard to sharpen) and try out ideas you didn't think of yourself.

[vivi]

I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing disagreeing viewpoints.

I don't see anyone in these threads trying to force anyone else to adopt their views. Just different folks sharing their perspectives.

this forum would be a lot less interesting if our views all aligned 100%.

[Mushroom]

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