Blade Lock on Folders - The Firearms Forum

Smoky14 · 03-27-2005, 08:58 AM

I see different types of blade locks on folders, which is prefered?
I had a bolster lock on a Mil issued knife which allowed the blade to fold under stress and I still wear a scar to remember how ineffective that lock was.
I'm looking at a Gerber and the CKRT.
Help an old man who hasn't kept up with the latest in knife tech.

Smoky the old

Am I using the correct discription for bolster lock ie; springs out from the side behind the blade when it opens. My SOG has a spring lock which engages the back of the blade.
Thanks Smoky

rmrdaddy · 03-27-2005, 09:41 AM

Mornin Smoky,
Which SOG and CRKT models are you considering?

LIKTOSHOOT · 03-27-2005, 10:17 AM

Smoky, lots of folders have locks.....most do not do their job. Gerber is one of the worst. You should not have problems with the SOG.

A simple test of any locker.

Open knife, hold between thumb and forefinger (handle) blade edge up, supporting handle with remaining fingers. Find a piece of wood (wife won`t like this on the coffee table-lol) and rap it sharply on the spine of the blade.
With force, don`t just tap it a few times, whack it.

You will be surprised how many fail this test.

LTS

Keola · 03-27-2005, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the info LTS. I was looking at picking up a folder also and I narrowed it down to a CRKT, Camillius (?) and a Kershaw. I saw the SOG which I think it was the MK14 or MK16 but I wanted one withthe blused finish.

Now I just gotta convince the wife I "need" a new knife.

offeror · 03-27-2005, 04:36 PM

I just looked at a Kershaw folder today (clearance sale at Wal-Mart, odds 'n ends, reg. $49, sale $29) and was very impressed with the heft, the smooth power-assisted operation, and the very sharp blade.

Frankly, I'm satisfied right now with my Cold Steel Voyager, so I didn't spend the $29 on another knife today. I'll probably kick myself later.

I'm not a big fan of the "tension spring" method of locking and unlocking a folding blade, the system that seems to be most popular on inexpensive knives from China. But I'll admit that some upscale folders use a superior version of the same system that looks very strong and reliable, and the system is convenient for one-hand closing.

I'm sure "tension springs" have their strength limits (after all, the blade is resting on a surface about 1 millimeter thick), but most people don't expect performance equal to that of a non-folder, even out of a 4 or 5-inch blade. I do, if I can get it...

03-27-2005, 08:58 AM	#1
Smoky14 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nowhere NM Posts: 656	Blade Lock on Folders I see different types of blade locks on folders, which is prefered? I had a bolster lock on a Mil issued knife which allowed the blade to fold under stress and I still wear a scar to remember how ineffective that lock was. I'm looking at a Gerber and the CKRT. Help an old man who hasn't kept up with the latest in knife tech. Smoky the old Am I using the correct discription for bolster lock ie; springs out from the side behind the blade when it opens. My SOG has a spring lock which engages the back of the blade. Thanks Smoky -->

03-27-2005, 09:41 AM	#2
rmrdaddy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: southern NJ Posts: 165	Re: Blade Lock on Folders Mornin Smoky, Which SOG and CRKT models are you considering?

03-27-2005, 10:17 AM	#3
LIKTOSHOOT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 9,367	Re: Blade Lock on Folders Smoky, lots of folders have locks.....most do not do their job. Gerber is one of the worst. You should not have problems with the SOG. A simple test of any locker. Open knife, hold between thumb and forefinger (handle) blade edge up, supporting handle with remaining fingers. Find a piece of wood (wife won`t like this on the coffee table-lol) and rap it sharply on the spine of the blade. With force, don`t just tap it a few times, whack it. You will be surprised how many fail this test. LTS

03-27-2005, 12:51 PM	#4
Keola V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Currently Springfield, VA. Soon to be back home in Hawaii Posts: 90	Re: Blade Lock on Folders Thanks for the info LTS. I was looking at picking up a folder also and I narrowed it down to a CRKT, Camillius (?) and a Kershaw. I saw the SOG which I think it was the MK14 or MK16 but I wanted one withthe blused finish. Now I just gotta convince the wife I "need" a new knife.

03-27-2005, 04:36 PM	#5
offeror Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 586	Re: Blade Lock on Folders I just looked at a Kershaw folder today (clearance sale at Wal-Mart, odds 'n ends, reg. $49, sale $29) and was very impressed with the heft, the smooth power-assisted operation, and the very sharp blade. Frankly, I'm satisfied right now with my Cold Steel Voyager, so I didn't spend the $29 on another knife today. I'll probably kick myself later. I'm not a big fan of the "tension spring" method of locking and unlocking a folding blade, the system that seems to be most popular on inexpensive knives from China. But I'll admit that some upscale folders use a superior version of the same system that looks very strong and reliable, and the system is convenient for one-hand closing. I'm sure "tension springs" have their strength limits (after all, the blade is resting on a surface about 1 millimeter thick), but most people don't expect performance equal to that of a non-folder, even out of a 4 or 5-inch blade. I do, if I can get it... __________________ The Second Amendment does not exist to protect the gun rights you like. It exists to protect the gun rights you hate.