Though they are definitely different from one another — so much so that there are two separate patents filed — the AXIS lock from Benchmade operates on much the same principle as SOG’s Arc lock. This style folding knife has no lock or backspring. path. Safety: Positive closing feature ensures that the blade securely stays within the handle when closed. I'm looking for an assisted release or regular flip opening folding knife good for EDC and self-defense as a last resort. Granted the ring doesn’t actually lock into place — meaning it isn’t 100% secure — but it’s a simple and elegant solution to the safety issue of a non-locking knife. Ambidexterity: Blade can be comfortably accessed with either hand.". However, instead of a bar that moves in a vertical motion, the arc lock has a device that moves in an arc. These locks are convenient and common, but they can become less secure over time, eventually requiring repair or replacement. The Knife You See Here: An exceptional USA-made everyday carry knife, Benchmade’s Anthem boasts an ultra-thin anodized billet titanium handle with chevron-style ridges. The actual locking mechanism is incorporated in the liner of the handle, Locking Liner). Matthew Lerch—Master Knife Maker “A Primer on Folding Knives is very thorough. If you find that you have an interest in folding knives and their constituent parts, there’s one important piece you should familiarize yourself with that might not quite as obvious as, say, the steel in the blade or the ergonomics of the handle. have a liner lock or inertia to engage the knife tang, and as a result the tang is wedged solidly Don’t hesitate to contact us if something’s wrong or mislead information about Knife Locking Mechanisms. Overall, the bar and arc device both function identically and block the tang of the blade from closing when engaged. And it has a bit added bonus: it was made in the USA. bearing between a fixed anvil and the blade tang. It also comes with Buck’s lifetime warranty, so you know you can rely on it. These knives require the user to apply friction, or pressure, on the tang to keep the knife deployed in use. Strengths – Completely ambidextrous, generally very strong as the locking mechanism is normally as thick as the blade stock. handle that uses a rocker arm, which pivots in the center. spring-loaded bar that rides forward and back in a slot machined into both Instead of a lock, these types of knives often have an extended tang (an extension of the blade beyond the pivot on the opposing end of the tip) that is fanned out and keeps the blade from spinning a full 360-degrees. You As you might gather from their name, friction folding blades do not have any mechanism of which to speak — most often featuring little more than a blade, a pivot (the point at which the blade/handle rotates to open or close), and a very basic handle. The pin also holds the blade closed, so you must press the lever in order to Once it’s either opened or closed (yes, this is a two-way lock), the ring simply rotates manually and closes the cutout gap, thus preventing the blade from opening or closing. lessened the possibility of gripping the handle hard enough to depress the HiConsumption was established by gearheads for gearheads as a modern day men’s lifestyle publication, uncovering the greatest products in adventure, tech, gear, automotive, and style. Custom knifemaker David Boye removed a small arc or You have officially advanced from generic locking mechanisms to brand-specific ones. section of the scale is fixed into the handle cavity to lock the blade open. between the liners and is positioned over the rear of the blade. --Pete - Los Angeles, CA. Non Locking Blade -- a blade having a spring acting the blade in an open position. The bolster lock is very similar to the lever lock. The AXIS lock has traditionally been found on Benchmade knives, the AXIS Lock is one of the most intuitive systems locking knife mechanisms around, but describing the mechanism is not as easy. That means, along with being easy to operate and quite convenient, its also not marred by the main downside of a liner lock, as impacts and extreme usage — rather than knocking the lock out of place — serve to increase the lock’s pressure and, therefore, its security. Locking system developed by custom knifemaker Michael Walker. For reference, this type of “lock” is very common in Swiss Army Knives and the kinds of simple folding blades used by the Boy Scouts and similar outdoor-focused youth organizations. LinerLock (a.k.a. Liner Lock. I'm wondering which locking mechanism is least likely to accidentally be released. The first true locking mechanism on our list, liner locks are one of the most common systems you’ll see used in everyday carry knives. called a liner. The actual locking mechanism is incorporated in the Omega springs tension the AXIS bar against notches in the blade. At least cosmetically, SOG’s Arc lock appears to function like a button lock. performed with the thumb, allowing for one handed, hassle free action. And while you might know that these cutting tools collapse into themselves and have a blade on one end and a handle on the other, they can actually get a bit more complicated than that what with their wide array of potential materials, silhouettes, and even the mechanical bits. knives. ARC Lock. Liner locks are commonly found on tactical folders, both production and custom. A compressive lock wedging a stainless steel ball 5,615,484 to Pittman, which discloses a cam mechanism centered at the point of … The blade can be readily actuated open Part II goes over locking mechanisms that have been developed by different knife manufacturers. David Boye Dent. in your understanding of the various A Compression Lock uses a small piece of metal that A clasp locking system uses a piece of strong metal at the top rear of the handle. against it, which provides some resistance to it's opening and closing as it By design there New to knives. People have sent me some pictures of knife mechanisms and some patent drawings I will hopefully get to. Lever Lock. It also comes with a CPM-20CV drop point blade, a reversible tip-up pocket clip, and it has a lifetime guarantee. A second pin is fixed into the inside types of blade locks and how they function. Locking liners are commonly found on tactical folding knives, both One of the criticisms of this lock is that it is easy to accidently disengage under harder use. It has all of the attributes knife designers relentlessly search for, but rarely find. All things considered, this is one of the most secure and reliable lock types out there right now. handle material, it is called a liner. Let’s start with the frequently used liner lock. ©2020 Hiconsumption LLC. The Knife You See Here: A sturdy and ergonomic tactical folder that is minimalistic and refined enough to add to your everyday carry, the Cold Steel 4Max comes with a CPM-20CV drop point blade, titanium liners inside a 3D CNC-machined G10 handle, and a hefty pocket clip. Examples would be the Bench Mark Rollox, or its licensed derivative, the CRKT Rollock. First, it helps keep the knife closed, adding resistance to keep the blade in the folded position unless manually pulled past the 90-degree position. Knife Locking Mechanism Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. The A notch on one Similarly, to disengage the lock, the bar must be pushed/pulled backward and then the blade can flip back into closed position. A lug on one end of the arm engages a notch in the blade’s tang to lock the blade open. liners. Two omega style springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar its Subsequently, a thicker material is used to provide enough surface area to be a functional handle and in turn creates a larger surface area to lock the blade with. They can be one end springs or two end Sebenza Lock (FrameLock). Almost every knife has a type of locking mechanism. For starters, the lock is housed toward the spine of the handle in an arcing slot — hence the name — and is equipped with a one-way spring that is always engaged, putting forward pressure on the lock bar. Much more modern and even rarer than the previous locks on this list, button locks are often found on automatic knives — those that require little-to-no effort on the part of the user to deploy. To prevent injury to the knife user through the blade accidentally closing on the user's hand, folding knives typically have a locking mechanism. The bar extends to both sides of the knife; spanning the space definitely more than adequate for the demands of normal knife use. A bi-fold knife locking mechanism is provided which maintains the open and closed positions associated with the bi-fold knife. Each one has different working mechanisms and different roles. Again, make sure you’re paying attention and you should be able to navigate the landscape. Disengagement of the lock is performed with the thumb,