Why Locking Blades?

[chuck_roxas45]

One of the problems with typed words is the inability to convey emotion. Use of smiley faces can help.

There is no wrong or right to this discussion. It is all a matter of opinion & what works for the user. I love the multitude of different knives we have available to us now. May not always have a use for them, but I just love knives.

Agreed! :D

[BigMo]

That's right it's dumb. How many times have you needed your life insurance so far?

Do you happen to belong to those "real men don't need locks" camp?

That's an awfully aggressive tone. As I said my knives are all locking, but I don't know why. Sorry if I offended you by attempting to learn something.

[yablanowitz]

That's right it's dumb. How many times have you needed your life insurance so far?

Do you happen to belong to those "real men don't need locks" camp?

And I guess only grumpyphil approved use is the standard? :p

You probably don't need your seat belt or your airbags because you don't drive dumb?

So I guess spyderco has been making knives for dumb people all these years? Sure must be a lot of those.

Oh, one more thing. I guess you buy only slipits because you're "smart".

Nope. I even read it between the lines.

So because the chaparral has a lock, those who buy it will imagine using it in "real life" version of west side story?

Hmm, which part did you say I didn't read?



This part also seems to belittle locks




Well, there is this minor acknowledgement that locks can be useful but only as an afterthought.

A lot of makers and manufacturers put a lot of R&D into locks. Spyderco even has a lock breaking machine. If locks are all that unimportant, I wonder why. Just trying to please the mall ninjas?




This part is the crux of your post. No matter what else you say, this is a positive statement from you and no amount of qualification will take the foot out of your mouth.

Have you been drinking? Or do you just need sleep? Or do you really never read what you type before you click "Submit Reply"?

Thanks for making such a wonderful impression of the forum to a new guy.

[chuck_roxas45]

Thanks for making such a wonderful impression of the forum to a new guy.

You're welcome.

I do remember some guys jumping on me when I was new and I posted some unpopular sentiments. I stuck it out because I loved spydies. :D

BTW, I still call 'em as I see 'em.

[BigMo]

Wow, didn't realize this was such a touchy issue. I grew up on a ranch and used knives daily without having a blade close on me, or even come close. I didn't realize it was something that was an issue for people and figured I'd ask.

[addylo]

Chuck, when you find yourself in a hole the wise thing to do would be to stop digging.

BigMo, it's not a touchy issue. Some people just lack people skills. No worries.

[chuck_roxas45]

Chuck, when you find yourself in a hole the wise thing to do would be to stop digging.

What hole are you talking about? It's about opinion and that's mine.

BTW, this here is a forum where belly buttons... er opinions are posted.

[catamount]

...As I said my knives are all locking, but I don't know why...

Why not? Assuming locks are legal where you live, has anyone given you a good reason not to have them?

[StangBang]

nvm.

[Bradley]

tell us how you really feel Chuck

But honestly, why not have a lock? Is there a downside? "more weight" "takes longer to close" Ok cool. Even some SAK's have locks now..... the real question is, honestly, Why not.

[salimoneus]

If you personally don't see the need for a lock on your knives, then don't buy one with a lock? There are plenty of options out there without a locking mechanism. Have at it...

[bada61265]

i cant remember ever having a slipjoint knife close on my fingers, though i can recall many times having one partially close. you get the feeling you just dodged a bullet. as far as pros to locking knives i dont see them as mall ninja wanna be weapons. there tools and robust for harder work than a typical slipjoint knife. i wouldnt want to try cutting a multi layer cardboard box with a slipjoint knife though i think there just fine for opening most mail packages and cleaning under the odd fingernail. could probubly skin a small animal with one but might run risk when seperating major parts of the carcass and bone, though theres many locking folders that would do this safely. really you can do what you want and im all in favor of those who only like slip joint knives. Its a free country here. But dont come into a forum with a majority of us who like spyderco locking knives with clips and all and then equate us to wanna be knife fighters then i take exception.

[The Deacon]

I'm sure this is a dumb question, but I was looking through my knives today and noticed that all of them locked open. I know this is supposed to be a safety feature, but how? I've owned knives that didn't lock in the past and never had any issues. It seems to me that when you're cutting, the pressure applied is in the direction to keep the blade open. In fact, some locks actually seem less safe due to the fact that your fingers are in the path of the blade when you start to close it. What am I missing here?

My primary reason is that most slipjoints have fairly stiff back springs, so locking folders tend to be easier for my somewhat arthritic hands to open and close.

Then too, you've apparently never had a blade "stick" in whatever you were cutting and fold when you lifted up on it. Consider yourself lucky, it's happened to me, and I'm sure to others.

Also, many folding knives, both locking and non-locking, can be closed unsafely. While you may never do it, I've seen someone get cut closing a slipjoint with their fingers in the blade path.

[jackknifeh]

Why should knife blades lock open?

Why should I turn the circuit breaker off before I replace the electric outlet?

I can cut with a non locking knife and not get cut. I can replace the outlet and not get shocked. I've done both several times. But once in a while something out of the ordinary happens or I'm just not paying close enough attention and I get cut or shocked. I've done both a couple of times. I'd rather get shocked by 100VAC than cut my finger pretty good. The shock is over immediately and whoever sees it gets a good laugh. The cut takes several days to heal.

Jack

[dialex]

...Locking blades are really necessary for people who do dumb stuff with their knives but not so much for real warriors.

Huh? What "Real Warriors"? :confused:

[dialex]

I advocate for locking blades. My left index finger still has about four or five scars I got while using slipjoints as a kid

[ChrisR]

Locking blades are pretty fool-proof and they are safer during the cutting process and can be used in more roles ... but I'd say that they have downsides:

1. they can be less safe when closing because they often put fingers in the way of the closing blade - slip-joints can be closed by just pushing the blade back on the back of your leg

2. they are slower to close because you have to disengage the lock - slip-joints can be pushed shut very quickly

But generally speaking you should choose the right tool for the job ... if you want to just do light cutting tasks (like I do) then a slip-joint will do the job. But if you have heavier tasks where point-first use might be necessary or where you'll be doing vigorous motions of the arm where a point might jam and fold the blade back, then go for a good, heavy-duty locker :)

Also, the people I know who have had a slip-joint blade close on their fingers have usually been talking about SAKs or similar designs ... not the UKPK. In most grips the UKPK's choil will prevent a blade edge closing on a finger

[Blerv]

Locks help with some tasks/cuts, for example: Carving a pumpkin.

Basically anytime you have to pierce and use less than perfect motions to accomplish a tasks. Harder uses than opening the mail, etc.

Yea people cut their fingers closing knives bit they are pretty superficial. Have the blade snap under heavy torque loads and it's slightly different .

[D1omedes]

Other than being in violation of foolish laws, what's the downside to having a lock?

Nothing that I can really see - as far as functionality goes. The lock is just a safety feature that is good to have. You see nail guns having safety features as well as other tools. Accidents can, and will, happen. It's important to have safeguards to hopefully stop as many as possible.

[Bill1170]

I grew up using slipjoints, too. Certain tasks are simply dangerous to perform with them. Carving a pumpkin has been mentioned. I will add cutting heavy cardboard and cutting through the very thick plastic clamshell packaging we see nowadays. Any cut where the blade is wedged in stiff material is dangerous without a lock, as is any cut where you navigate by feel instead of by sight. I've never done it, but I imagine that skinning a deer would be safer with a locking folder than with a slipjoint.

Sure there are fixed blades for all this stuff, but in today's political/social climate a folder is going to be the knife on you when you need one 90% of the time. Here in California it is a felony to carry a concealed fixed blade, and what sort of yahoo carries a sheath knife in the city?