Hi thelock, though all of these sound like rational assumptions, I have never seen any of the issues noted above in my various Salt knives. (Well, actually that's not true because I would agree that you can make the unlined handle flex if you squeeze it hard enough but I don't think that really has any effect on anything other than the imagination). When I first started using the Salt knives, I was a bit miffed by the fact that they didn't have a more "hard use" version. After years of beating these knives mercilessly, I have gotten over that idea. I think it might sound a bit over dramatic to say I "trust my life to them", but the truth is, there are moments on the ocean in my kayak when my folder is my most important tool and must be used quickly and efficiently to keep me out of trouble. These situations don't occur often, but the few times they have occurred I have had 100% confidence in my Pacific Salt, even though I wrench pry and cut with it and expose it to all manner of abuse on a daily basis. Honestly, I cannot think of any folder in the Spyderco lineup (irrespective on handle, lock and liners) that I would trust more in those situations.thelock wrote:My experience with backlocks without liners is that they will get up and down play with hard use. Spyderco makes their g10 backlocks with liners, g10 is stronger than plastic. The pins will eventually wiggle their way to get some blade play. Not to mention that if you squeeze the handles hard enough they flex. Don't get me wrong, these are great utility knives, but in hard use I would not trust my life to one. One more request would be for stronger pocket clips, maybe with some kind of dtent? I don't have time to do a video and show everything I am talking about, maybe in the future. I am excited to see the new knives that you guys talked about, I am a big fan of H1, I just wish we would see it used on a different variety of knives with different locks and scales.
Don't take that to mean that I am not excited about the upcoming models with G10 and liners...I am! But I also know that in real world use, I don't actually need anything tougher than the current Salts. They will take far more abuse than should be given to a folder in the first place. To me, one of the coolest things about the upcoming Salts is that the g10 and liners will allow them to use different locks which is exciting.
