Spyderco locking mechanisms

[monster08]

wats your favorite spyderco lock and y? advantages, disadvantages, ect.

[jossta]

Comp lock by a long shot. Innovative, strong, simple, ambi (to me anyway).

[D1omedes]

I like the good ol' lockback. Ambidextrous, good blade retention, smooth operation and usually allows for a thinner design.

[xceptnl]

The CBBL was one of the sources of my spydie obsession.

[mil]

+1 for compression lock

i really like the bearing lock too, but i see the springs that push the bearing into the tang as a potential weakness

[w3tnz]

In an every day use situation I vote compression lock hands down, find it super easy to use, can open and close the blade one handed and flick the knife out really quickly etc.
I am yet to use a ball bearing lock but I dont really like back locks or liner locks, I find them clumsy to use, you have to use both hands which isn't always an option and with underside liner locks at least there is a risk of the blade closing on your finger when operating it.

[araneae]

Mid-lock. Ambidextrous, strong, reliable.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

dont really like back locks or liner locks...you have to use both hands

Since when? I use every single spyderco I have with one hand regardless of lock type, or size of knife.

That being said. I think that overall...hmm. Probably back or liner. The compression lock can be operated with either hand, but I find that it is better operated with the right hand, and isn't too comfortable in some instances so it doesn't come first. With some slight adjustment, I might put it first.

The CBBL and BBL are good, and I like them, but I think that overall I prefer the other lock types.

[razorsharp]

comp lock, and liner lock when executed nicely (ppt)

[APS]

Mid lock for me too. Mostly b/c of the blade retention.

[Slash]

Does slip joint count?

I think lock depends on the knife and your intended use of that knife.

If I had to chose I would go with mid back lock though.

[sharpguitarist]

hey guys,
when i'm carrying a linerlock, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a midlock, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a cbl, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a comp lock, i like it best.
i like em all!
later,
don

[w3tnz]

Since when? I use every single spyderco I have with one hand regardless of lock type, or size of knife.

probably not the best way to put it.. of course it can be done, I just find it awkward and it easier to close them with both hands, I guess its more to do with the location of the lock than the lock itself, I find it alot more user friendly, each to their own just my opinion. :)

[Half Sack]

hey guys,
when i'm carrying a linerlock, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a midlock, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a cbl, i like it best.
when i'm carrying a comp lock, i like it best.
i like em all!
later,
don

Best answer ever :cool:

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

probably not the best way to put it.. of course it can be done, I just find it awkward and it easier to close them with both hands, I guess its more to do with the location of the lock than the lock itself, I find it alot more user friendly, each to their own just my opinion. :)

That I guess I can see. I tend to play with my spydies until I know them by touch and so just automatically adapt and use each lock instinctively.

There is a lot less hand movement with the comp lock....

[Jay_Ev]

I really like the ball bearing lock WITHOUT the cage. Dodo, Poliwog, D'allara are fun to fiddle around with.

[Blerv]

I buy the knife that calls to me. Haven't been disappointed with a lock or blade steel yet :) . Variety is the spice of life.

[INFRNL]

I really do not care; I like the knives I have more than the locks they use. Thats whats important is the knife itself.

If I had to rate them it would probably be:
Compression
Liner
Ball
Mid/back

I like the first 3 cause they are very easy to operate 1 handed and extremely smooth knives.
Back lock can be done one handed, but I also find that the blades are stiffer and not as smooth.

I will not let a lock keep me from buying/using a knife. I will say that slipits are my very least favorite, but they have their uses

[Jay_Ev]

I like the phantom lock as well.

[wquiles]

I am a lefty, and I really like the Axis lock. For about 10 years all I carried was a BM (alternated between two models) because of the Axis lock, with lefty version of the Sebenza in EDC rotation. So "before" I preferred the Axis lock, followed by the Chris Reeve integral lock.

These were my old knives (still own all except the 2nd from the top Large Sebie):



However, after giving the PM2 a try last year, now I find the compression lock on my PM2's is the best lock I have used so far, to the point that I am not even carrying either the BM's nor the Sebies that much these days - the PM2 is light, strong, and the compression lock rocks!



Will