Tri Ad Lock Patent Expires in 2026

[zhyla]

I've often read that lockup on the Spyderco Chaparral is better than on Seki or Golden backlocks. I wonder why the company doesn't use it on more models. Is it a Taichung-exclusive design?

I believe the Taichung lockbacks use a stop pin design for better lock up? I remember people asking about stop pins for Seki models and it seemed the consensus was that Spyderco probably didn't want to make changes that would increase the cost. Mostly we can probably only speculate on the details though.

I think there's people who nerd out on the finer points of how tight a backlock locks up... and there's only a very few of them and they don't represent the bulk of sales of Seki knives. A Delica should be functional and cheap.

[vivi]

I can understand not wanting to re-do the Endura, Delica etc. to feature the chaps internal stop pin, but I am curious why it hasn't been implemented on any newer lock back designs from the start. It seems like an ingenious solution to the shortcomings of the lockback, without changing how it feels to operate.

I'll be watching the chap XL closely to see if it features one. If it does I may pick one up to mess around with.

[Gears_QQQ]

I was just showing a friend's improvements on the forum.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I saw a video where a guy used a piece of wood like a mallet to hammer a TriAd lock folder through a thick piece of wood with apparently no damage to the blade or lock.

[vivi]

I saw a video where a guy used a piece of wood like a mallet to hammer a TriAd lock folder through a thick piece of wood with apparently no damage to the blade or lock.

it's all about the right tool for a job.

Yep, it can be done. I've tried it with the 4max, recon folder and sr1 lite. not something I'd make a habit of doing but they all survived without developing any play.

I posted that on the mule forum to poke fun at people saying they would never baton any knife, even fixed blades. Something like an SRK, Aqua Salt or ESEE 4 will laugh at splitting a branch like that.

[Ankerson]

It's really best not to use a folder to split logs with.

Proper tools etc.

[vivi]

It's really best not to use a folder to split logs with.

Proper tools etc.

agreed 100%.

I just like showing it can be done.

I posted myself splitting a similar sized branch with an Opinel on bladeforums back in the day too.

Typically I don't split anything thicker than around 1.5" to 2" with folders. I'll split off 1/2" to 1/4" thick pieces of fatwood with them and that's about it.

With fixed blades I'll generally use them on pieces as big as the blade length allows, within reason. I'm not going to split a 7" log of desert ironwood with a filet knife for example, but a 4-5" round of oak or maple with a Recon Tanto or Temperance 2 is something I'd never think twice about.

Carrying a versatile but light fixed blade and an 8-10" folding saw is a light combo that with the right batoning technique can process firewood very efficiently.

Car camping I'll use my 28" fiskars axe, but hoofing it I usually go with that combo.

[Ankerson]

It's really best not to use a folder to split logs with.

Proper tools etc.

agreed 100%.

I just like showing it can be done.

I posted myself splitting a similar sized branch with an Opinel on bladeforums back in the day too.

Typically I don't split anything thicker than around 1.5" to 2" with folders. I'll split off 1/2" to 1/4" thick pieces of fatwood with them and that's about it.

With fixed blades I'll generally use them on pieces as big as the blade length allows, within reason. I'm not going to split a 7" log of desert ironwood with a filet knife for example, but a 5" round of oak or maple with an SRK or Temperance 2 is something I'd never think twice about.

Carrying a versatile but light fixed blade and an 8-10" folding saw is a light combo that with the right batoning technique can process firewood very efficiently.

Car camping I'll use my 28" fiskars axe, but hoofing it I usually go with that combo.

Oh I know, I wasn't picking on you.

I was just pointing out what you said again.

[bearfacedkiller]

I’ve got a Tuff Lite and a Finn Wolf and I’m quite fond of both. The Tuff Lite is an incredibly functional small utility knife. They aren’t overbuilt tanks so I haven’t really abused either lock but they are smooth and lock up solid.

[aicolainen]

Does this mean we will see a flood of new folders with the Tri Ad Lock?

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

[vivi]

Does this mean we will see a flood of new folders with the Tri Ad Lock?

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

100%. That would be a dream come true for me.

The pocket clips are easy enough to fix, but I haven't been brave enough to try drilling an opening hole in my CS folders.

Maybe some day.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Does this mean we will see a flood of new folders with the Tri Ad Lock?

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

100%. That would be a dream come true for me.

The pocket clips are easy enough to fix, but I haven't been brave enough to try drilling an opening hole in my CS folders.

Maybe some day.

I removed the thumb stud from my Finn Wolf folder. It looks and feels much better in use.

[Red Leader]

Does this mean we will see a flood of new folders with the Tri Ad Lock?

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

100%. That would be a dream come true for me.

The pocket clips are easy enough to fix, but I haven't been brave enough to try drilling an opening hole in my CS folders.

Maybe some day.

I like my Spydies and I like my Cold Steels. I appreciate the strength of the Triad lock. 90%+ of the time I'm using my Spydercos, but I like having an ultra tough folder on the job just in case it is needed. I usually have other tools I use first that are more proper, but it is very reassuring nonetheless.

In previous conversations I've had with employees at the SFO, it is brought up that since the knife industry/community is so small, there is a respect paid to the 'space' that a brand occupies, and if a company's products resemble another's too much, they can be 'getting close' to another's space. I think Spyderco, perhaps moreso than other companies out there, has an awareness and respect of this space.

I hope that doesn't mean that we won't see Spydercos implementing a Tri-ad type lock design in the future, since we also see others like 'Walker liner lock' and the 'Reeves Integral Lock' that they use and give credit to, but maybe it means they might be watching from the sidelines for a while and seeing how things develop without just jumping in first.

[Mushroom]

The patent for the "Axis lock" or "Crossbar lock" just expired about 5 years ago and Spyderco already has numerous models in the works with it.

The Triad lock is relatively straightforward technology; It's basically just a backlock with an additional blade stop pin. I wouldn't be surprised if they implement the Triad lock into future designs and/or updates. It makes sense when considering how much it stabilizes the open blade.

[vivi]

Does this mean we will see a flood of new folders with the Tri Ad Lock?

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

100%. That would be a dream come true for me.

The pocket clips are easy enough to fix, but I haven't been brave enough to try drilling an opening hole in my CS folders.

Maybe some day.

I like my Spydies and I like my Cold Steels. I appreciate the strength of the Triad lock. 90%+ of the time I'm using my Spydercos, but I like having an ultra tough folder on the job just in case it is needed. I usually have other tools I use first that are more proper, but it is very reassuring nonetheless.

In previous conversations I've had with employees at the SFO, it is brought up that since the knife industry/community is so small, there is a respect paid to the 'space' that a brand occupies, and if a company's products resemble another's too much, they can be 'getting close' to another's space. I think Spyderco, perhaps moreso than other companies out there, has an awareness and respect of this space.

I hope that doesn't mean that we won't see Spydercos implementing a Tri-ad type lock design in the future, since we also see others like 'Walker liner lock' and the 'Reeves Integral Lock' that they use and give credit to, but maybe it means they might be watching from the sidelines for a while and seeing how things develop without just jumping in first.

I guess we'll see.

I know in the past Sal has made comments about XXL folders being Cold Steels thing, but we've also seen him design the Tatanka, do the Szabo folder collab, and there's an upcoming 5" Police.

I wouldn't expect Spyderco to use another designers lock these days unless it's a collaboration model like the PITS 2, and Demko seems to have moved on from the tri-ad lock in his folders, so I'd be really surprised to see a tri-ad Spyderco.

That said it's something I've always wanted. Sals sense of ergos, the opening hole, and the tri-ad lock would be the ideal combo for me.

Barring that, let's get some full sized Spyderco lock backs implementing the internal stop pin of the chap.

It feels weird being able to buy a $30 tri-ad knife with zero play in any direction, but after 20 years being unable to find any Spyderco lockback under $250 in my collection that I can say the same about.

[Blerv]

The nice thing about Spyderco is they are always innovating. If anything I hope the expiry of the patent gives more breathing room to tweak designs that previously might have caught them up in a lawsuit.

I have only handled old CS knives. They haven’t really been appealing and hard use knives aren’t going to fit my personal needs. If Spyderco can make their lockbacks stronger without sacrificing much ease of use (or weight), that’s always a good thing.

[Red Leader]

I like back locks, and the TriAd lock is a very appealing implementation.
While I hope Cold Steel continue to be relevant after the patent expires, I can't deny it would be interesting to see if another company does something interesting with this lock. I have a couple of CS folders, but I got to admit that while I like the TriAd lock, many of their models cater to a different type of user.

I don't see Spyderco taking advantage of the situation, but if a TriAd lock folding knife with a opening hole ever hits the market, they definitely have my attention.

100%. That would be a dream come true for me.

The pocket clips are easy enough to fix, but I haven't been brave enough to try drilling an opening hole in my CS folders.

Maybe some day.

I like my Spydies and I like my Cold Steels. I appreciate the strength of the Triad lock. 90%+ of the time I'm using my Spydercos, but I like having an ultra tough folder on the job just in case it is needed. I usually have other tools I use first that are more proper, but it is very reassuring nonetheless.

In previous conversations I've had with employees at the SFO, it is brought up that since the knife industry/community is so small, there is a respect paid to the 'space' that a brand occupies, and if a company's products resemble another's too much, they can be 'getting close' to another's space. I think Spyderco, perhaps moreso than other companies out there, has an awareness and respect of this space.

I hope that doesn't mean that we won't see Spydercos implementing a Tri-ad type lock design in the future, since we also see others like 'Walker liner lock' and the 'Reeves Integral Lock' that they use and give credit to, but maybe it means they might be watching from the sidelines for a while and seeing how things develop without just jumping in first.

I guess we'll see.

I know in the past Sal has made comments about XXL folders being Cold Steels thing, but we've also seen him design the Tatanka, do the Szabo folder collab, and there's an upcoming 5" Police.

I wouldn't expect Spyderco to use another designers lock these days unless it's a collaboration model like the PITS 2, and Demko seems to have moved on from the tri-ad lock in his folders, so I'd be really surprised to see a tri-ad Spyderco.

That said it's something I've always wanted. Sals sense of ergos, the opening hole, and the tri-ad lock would be the ideal combo for me.

Barring that, let's get some full sized Spyderco lock backs implementing the internal stop pin of the chap.

It feels weird being able to buy a $30 tri-ad knife with zero play in any direction, but after 20 years being unable to find any Spyderco lockback under $250 in my collection that I can say the same about.

I agree, if just for the zero-play lockup alone.

I think the Triad lock is a stronger design, but that wouldn't be the reason to put the lock into a Delica/Endura/Police/etc, as there is so little material around the pivot, the blade will snap at the pivot far before it gets any benefits from the break-strength of a Triad lock, so the real benefit here is the lockup tightness.

[aicolainen]

...so the real benefit here is the lockup tightness.

And quite possibly longevity. With a stop pin that relieves the lock interface from stress and friction during use, I can only assume the lock will last and provide a strong and secure lockup for longer.

I have yet to wear out a lock of any type, but that's not to say longevity isn't necessarily an issue. I still haven't been into this for very long - and until recently I rotated my knives quite frequently so wear was spread over many samples. So any worn out lock at this point in my folding knife journey would've had to be one of terrible design or quality.