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What Is Your Favorite Knife Locking Mechanism?

The Night Rider

The Night Rider

Professional

I really haven't been a knife 'collector" for very long. Until recently the only two locking mechanisms I was even aware of were Back Locks (Buck) and Barrel Locks (Opinel).
My first "Tactical" knife was a CRKT Ignitor that had a Liner Lock that just never looked all that sturdy to me. I own one Liner Lock now but it was a gift.

A former coworker told me once that he refuses to ever dress a deer with a folding knife because the lock on a Buck 110 failed on him and almost cut his finger off but I've never seen a back lock fail.

My personal preference is for Back Locks or Axis Locks


 
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I prefer a beefy liner lock. I like that I can actually see how the lock engages the blade and can make sure that it is making an appropriate amount of contact. I'm sure that many other systems do a fine job, but I like the simplicity of the liner lock.
 
Favorite? The Blackie Collins Boston action. Very sadly To my knowledge no current production knife uses it. All is not lost however as I personally believe there are several locks which are inspired by it, including the axis and ball bearing locks.
 
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I really like the Buck style lock when doing heavy work but for lighter work especially when I am constantly closing the knife during repetitive tasks, the one handed usefulness of a liner lock is also nice. For skinning elk, deer, bear, etc I have a fixed bladed skinner I have used for since the early 70s I wouldn't trade for anything. (Kershaw Model 1030)

As a side note, whenever legal, I am at least going to carry a flipper knife with a preference for an automatic knife. My current daily carry is now a Buck 122 Auto Elite which replaces a Buck 500 custom conversion automatic. Where autos are a no no, I really like the CIVIVI Elementum. Where flippers and locking blades are illegal :mad: I have a cheap stainless "credit card multitool".
 
I'm not nearly as particular as you guys. Mostly I think people who have had locking mechanisms on their knives fail were using the wrong knife for the job. I have never in my life dressed an animal with a folding knife of any kind. Folders or for when you have to conceal or for daily utilitarian knives. Things like cutting open boxes or packages, cutting rope or tubing, stripping a wire, makeshift screwdriver or pry bar, etc..

This one is cool. I'd carry it.

toorknives.com

Karsumba | Toor Knives - 100% American Handmade Blades

We designed the Karsumba with traditional Karambit knife features like the curved blade, but removed the ring in order to reduce its overall length, making it much easier to conceal. It's made from recision ground out of CPM 3V steel and an easy to grip G10 handle.
toorknives.com toorknives.com
 
Bassbob said:
I'm not nearly as particular as you guys. Mostly I think people who have had locking mechanisms on their knives fail were using the wrong knife for the job. I have never in my life dressed an animal with a folding knife of any kind. Folders or for when you have to conceal or for daily utilitarian knives. Things like cutting open boxes or packages, cutting rope or tubing, stripping a wire, makeshift screwdriver or pry bar, etc..

This one is cool. I'd carry it.

toorknives.com

Karsumba | Toor Knives - 100% American Handmade Blades

We designed the Karsumba with traditional Karambit knife features like the curved blade, but removed the ring in order to reduce its overall length, making it much easier to conceal. It's made from recision ground out of CPM 3V steel and an easy to grip G10 handle.
toorknives.com toorknives.com
Click to expand...
Very nice bassbob I like it
 
Bassbob said:
I'm not nearly as particular as you guys. Mostly I think people who have had locking mechanisms on their knives fail were using the wrong knife for the job. I have never in my life dressed an animal with a folding knife of any kind. Folders or for when you have to conceal or for daily utilitarian knives. Things like cutting open boxes or packages, cutting rope or tubing, stripping a wire, makeshift screwdriver or pry bar, etc..

This one is cool. I'd carry it.

toorknives.com

Karsumba | Toor Knives - 100% American Handmade Blades

We designed the Karsumba with traditional Karambit knife features like the curved blade, but removed the ring in order to reduce its overall length, making it much easier to conceal. It's made from recision ground out of CPM 3V steel and an easy to grip G10 handle.
toorknives.com toorknives.com
Click to expand...
I agree with Bassbob about using the knives wrong when the locking mechanisms fail. I have used all of the named locking systems and never had one fail. Seems to me that a knife would have to be used in a manner completely inconsistent with how it was designed.

Bassbob , I have used a folding knife to skin and quarter a deer once. I have posted about it before . It was a Schrade USA made model 330. I have one in my pocket right now and it has a 2 & 1/4 " cutting length blade. Was it the proper tool for the job , no . Would I do it again just for fun ? Again no.
 
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