Why so many lock-backs?

Ray.Hood · #1

Why the aversion to liner-locks Spyderco

guys?

A wondering soldier and collector.

Jimd · #2

Welcome aboard, Ray!
I'm not sure I'd call it an 'aversion', as Spyderco does have knives with liner locks.

However, for many of the smaller knives, they seem a bit small in size for a liner lock, so the lock back seems to work better.

Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com

CKE · #3

I think <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> is really trying to go with their compression lock. I agree with jim some of their smaller models would be a bit harder to use with a linerlock. I love my linerlock Centofante's and the Millie is SWEET. Take Care and welcome to the Forum. Enjoy your stay.

One day at a Time....I WILL BEAT THIS!!!

haji · #4

Because liner locks are generally fat, and Spyderco has always been one of the slimmest high performance knives on the market. Besides, liner locks are gonna be replaced by whatever the next fad is. Some of my EDC knives are liner locks, but I tolerate the lock because the knife has other features I like. The Compression Lock has been a tough sell for my shop; most of my customers don't like it. Lockbacks are flat and well proven; lockbacks don't have the track record of failures that liner locks do. Just about every maker of liner locks has a knife model that failed the spine whack test (which I don't put much faith in, but many do), while few lockbacks have. Spyderco has always gone with what works, not what everyone else is doing.

BTW, welcome to the forums!

RAT 54 · #5

Welcome aboard.

Ian

Mr Blonde · #6

Purely for me, lockbacks work; they are reliable and proven (Delica, Endura), and can be very strong (Chinook). Plus, they are perfectly ambidextrious which is a definite plus for this self-confessed leftie!

Wouter

Spyderco photos and reviews at: <a href= http://www.geocities.com/mrblonde50>Mr Blonde’s Blog</a>

BigDog96 · #7

I have no problem with lockbacks , all linerlocks are rightie at this time so that is a no go for me . The compression lock is another story , love my new SS ATR and yes I can open and close one handed but seems to be a two handed operation for righties . This may be the reason some people are not warm to the compression . Lockbacks are strong , if I had to pack a bug out bag , three big knives would go : Randall 20 , 21 , and the ChinookII , small Swiss Adventurer left hand lnerlock .

thombrogan · #8

Safe, reliable linerlocks are harder to build than safe, reliable lockbacks. Then, there are the upper bounds to how strong you can make lockback or a compression lock compared to a linerlock or framelock.

On the other hand, lockbacks are much more prone to failure from fouling (collecting lint) than linerlocks. My brother used to have an off-brand liner lock that was so cruddy it wouldn't fully close, but it would safely lock open despite all of its accumulate pocket squalor.

-Thom Brogan <a href="http://www.tntbrogan.com" target="_blank">Pictures</a> of our daughter, Cynthia

Ray.Hood · #9

Outstanding! It's good to know that you guys are listening. Ft. Hood, TX gets kinda boring,so...
I've noticed other makers going with the round hole also. whatcha think guys?
Thanks for the grand welcome!

CKE · #10

Other Companies "borrowing" the round hole can be a heated debate around here sometimes. More so at other Forums though I have seen<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Take Care and good to see you are enjoying the place.

One day at a Time....I WILL BEAT THIS!!!

Ray.Hood · #11

What type of lock is on the Para-Mil?
Compression?
CKE, check out T.A.D. Gear, Inc.com
OOOOO, Tritium Thumbstuds!!!

rycen · #12

Yes the Para is Compression lock.

Ray.Hood · #13

Thank you good sir(s).
It's good to see a brand going with good, hard steel in their knives. I'm really hard on my knives and I'm not a really great sharpener,oh well. Practice makes perfect.
Love my Spydercard though! Great back-up toy.

dialex · #14

Hi Ray. As my forespeakers mentioned, there are a few linerlocks in the Spyderco line, but Spyderco also pushed further the linerlock concept with their compression lock, which is (much) stronger than a linerlock and ambidextrous.
OTOH, lockbacks are a favorite among many knifeusers, because they are reliable and easy to operate, fully ambidextrous and strong.

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