WTC Lock Question

[WorkForALiving]

I really love the feel of the handle on the WTC. The blade is, of course, your basic fabulous Spydie work.



The lock is a ball-bearing that slides in a manner similar to Benchmade's Axis or Cold Steels spring-loaded pin (I can't remember their name for it).

The ball-bearing is quite difficult to slide when closing the knife. I find that I have to stick the point of my finger inside the hole and really work at closing this knife. Has anybody else experienced a problem with this new style of lock?

[hawkbill]

I'm still anticipating the arrival of my WTC knife, so I'll let you know how mine is soon (hopefully).

If it is like most of my other Spydies, though, they tend to benefit from a certain amount of "working-in" through repetition of opening and closing. If that isn't it, I'm stumped!

"I am what I am, and that's all that I am"....Popeye

[java]

Workdude,

I mentioned the same thing in a previous post. The lock felt different than the prototype I handled at the Spirit of Steel last year. The ball is more recessed within the scales and not as easy to activate. Conversely it's less likely to activate under hard use. I have some minor difficulty with Benchmark's axis-lock knives as well but enjoy the solid lock up on each of these mechanisms. The WTC remains as a collector's piece so I'm waiting to see how the lock fares on the Dodo and D'Allara Rescue.






<font color="BLUE">"A hole-less knife is soul-less knife is a whole less knife" - <i>Javanese proverb"</i><font>

[boxer93]

Work,
I did notice the same thing. I figured that's the way it was supposed to be. Solid lock but a concerted effort to close the blade. I'm also waiting to see the dodo if it's the same. Maybe not being a 'rescue' style it would be easier to dis-engage.
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.

[WorkForALiving]

I get the feeling that Spyderco has chosen to use a ball-bearing as the locking "pin" because it wasn't covered by any previous BM patents.
Just my wild guess.

I anxiously await your reviews of the Dodo and D'Alara.

[sal]

Hi Guys. The lock release on the Dodo and D'Allara is easier to unlock than the WTC. On the D'Allara, we opened up the access and reduced spring strength. On the Dodo, the ball is smaller, but the handle is much thinner (no liner).

I designed the ball bearing lock for its simplicity and strength. Very few parts.

All locks put something between the blade tang and somethings else to keep the blade from folding. We lean towards the simpler concepts in our designs.

Please keep in mind that the patents on the Axis lock are from the early 90's. This is not a "brand new" patent. Refinement time often takes years. We believe the Compression lock and the Ball bearing lock (both quite new) will demonstrate their worth in time.

sal

[WorkForALiving]

Sal--Thanks for the response. I am very glad to here that you addressed this problem on the Dodo and the D'Allara.

Yes, access to the ball is key.
Simpler is better.
The fewer moving parts, the better.

I want a knife that opens easily, does its job, and then closes easily. The Spyderco compression lock fits my ideal. The WTC does not.

If you are planning to turn the WTC into a regular production knife you may be disappointed in how it is received. Just MHO.

Edited by - WorkForALiving on 5/14/2003 6:03:07 PM