I have seen this referenced here several times and have heard nothing but good rants on it elsewhere. I have yet to understand what the heck it is though. The website doesn't give a very indepth response, and there is nothing resembling a decent Spyderco dealer in my area to find one to play with. I am always interested in learning about new ways to advance a design, and I cannot seem to find a thing on the compression lock. If I had the cash, I would buy a Gunting just to see it work and then probably trade it later as I have no need for one currently, and no offense meant by this, but I think it's a bit on the ugly side. I just haven't grown to appreciate it I'm sure, as I didn't like the Spydie hole at first either, but that other company got me hooked on them, and I have since started to turn to Spyderco as I think some of your products are vastly superior.
While I'm on the lock subject. Has Spyderco ever ventured into the axis-type lock area? I find this to be an excellent lock and I am considering 2 models with it and the Viele for my carry knife. I think I have settled on the Viele, and just have to wait to clear some $$$ and then I'll have one ordered. It may just be that the compression lock is superior to the axis, but as I mentioned before I have no idea how or what a compression lock is, so I am in the dark on this one.
Compression lock
Cut and paste this url to see some scans:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum52/HTML/000953.html
The basic principle is that the compression lock places a bar between the tang and stop pin -- it is this which locks the blade in the open position. Pressure on the blade would need to crush the steel bar to make it fail. Personally I think that simpler one-piece locks (like the compression lock) are a better way to go that the more complicated mechanical locks like the Axis.
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum52/HTML/000953.html
The basic principle is that the compression lock places a bar between the tang and stop pin -- it is this which locks the blade in the open position. Pressure on the blade would need to crush the steel bar to make it fail. Personally I think that simpler one-piece locks (like the compression lock) are a better way to go that the more complicated mechanical locks like the Axis.
Here's another scans from Bladeshow 2000 by late Mr. Mattis.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jkmchai/BladeShow2000/
Check out "Spyderco-Gunting-openfacetrainer.jpg" It shows very well how the compression lock works. I agree with Carlos that simpler one-piece lock are better choice than more complicated ones--more complicated, more possiblity of mechanical failure, IMO.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jkmchai/BladeShow2000/
Check out "Spyderco-Gunting-openfacetrainer.jpg" It shows very well how the compression lock works. I agree with Carlos that simpler one-piece lock are better choice than more complicated ones--more complicated, more possiblity of mechanical failure, IMO.
The Compression lock, though very simple in concept seems difficult to understand. I have a cutaway version of the Gunting showing the lock actually going into position. This makes it much easier to understand.
The Axis lock is a very good lock. It is both strong and reliable. I commend Benchmade, McHenry and Willams on the accomplishment. We try avoid "taking" the ideas of others unless done properly (royalties, etc.). I do not believe that Benchmade has made this available to others.
I also personally lean towards simple (like Nature) solutions. The Complression Lock is one piece, which when used as an integral like the ATR, adds no pieces to the knife.
sal
The Axis lock is a very good lock. It is both strong and reliable. I commend Benchmade, McHenry and Willams on the accomplishment. We try avoid "taking" the ideas of others unless done properly (royalties, etc.). I do not believe that Benchmade has made this available to others.
I also personally lean towards simple (like Nature) solutions. The Complression Lock is one piece, which when used as an integral like the ATR, adds no pieces to the knife.
sal
Alas, I still have yet to find a Gunting. I traveled to several large shops over the holidays and could not find one, and none of the shops around here intend to carry them.
I saw a pic of the cutaway gunting, and it did make a good bit more sense.
Sal, I understand that your stance on the axis lock, seems very reasonable. Now that I look at it more, the compression lock seems a bit similar, it follows a bit of the same principle at least.
Now that I look at it a bit more, I do like the simplicity that it lends to a knife's design. I think I may pick up one of the newer models with it when they become released so I can play with it.
What is the next compression lock model due out, and when?
I saw a pic of the cutaway gunting, and it did make a good bit more sense.
Sal, I understand that your stance on the axis lock, seems very reasonable. Now that I look at it more, the compression lock seems a bit similar, it follows a bit of the same principle at least.
Now that I look at it a bit more, I do like the simplicity that it lends to a knife's design. I think I may pick up one of the newer models with it when they become released so I can play with it.
What is the next compression lock model due out, and when?
The next model with the compression lock is the Vesuvius: 3 1/8" (79 mm) ATS-34 blade, G-10 handle with G-10 Shell inlay, weight 3.4 oz (96 g).
You can see a scan at this url, it is the knife pictured at the top:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=2 ... 0&res=high
After the Vesuvius the next compression lock knife will be the ATR -- which is an integral lock in titanium. No pictures until after the SHOT Show.
You can see a scan at this url, it is the knife pictured at the top:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=2 ... 0&res=high
After the Vesuvius the next compression lock knife will be the ATR -- which is an integral lock in titanium. No pictures until after the SHOT Show.