Liner Locks vs Lock Backs?

[pinnah]

I've been digging around the archives with the search function and have found some discussions close to this but not really.

Would be interested to hear people's experiences with the the pros and cons of these two locking mechanisms.

The sense I get in reading stuff out on the general web is that, as a rule, lock backs offer a more solid lock, are generally more consistent across manufacturers but are heavier while liner locks tend to have more play, vary more widely depending on which brand or pattern you're talking about but are lighter.

Does this sound mostly true?

As you might guess, this generally stated question is motivated by a specific interest - in this case with older Schrade liner locks, as is seen on the 194OT or the 125OT "Mustang". If anybody could comment on the quality of the Schrade liner locks that would be great. I've owned lock backs and know them and trust them but have never owned a liner lock knife.

But please, don't let the specific motivation detract from the more general question. What are people's experiences with liner locks compared to lock backs?

[TripleF]

My take is......I like linerlocks. I have a 125OT...it rocks.
The linerlock that put me over the edge was a Kershaw Leek.
And I'm carrying two linerlocks at this moment, a CRKT and a Browning.

Not much help, but it's my 2 cents...

[jerryd6818]

I don't like locks at all. I have a few liner locks and some lock backs but that's just cause I'm a knife addict. My first choice is a slip joint but if a lock is forced on me, I prefer the lock back, even though it's more difficult (for me) to close. I don't know why, I guess it's because somewhere in this small thing I sometimes refer to as my mind, I think it's more secure.

I also don't like seat belts, motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets (stupid and makes 'em look like a dumb a--) and passwords. I think you're starting to get the picture.

[knifemaker3]

I've heard this discussion many times through the years when liner locks first started coming out. They say that should a lock fail the lock back will be sudden and the liner will be more gradual as in the lock will should bend instead of breaking.

In reality, both can fail suddenly and cause a bad cut under certain circumstances. I've had both fail and both times it was due to my beating on the spine of the blade for various reasons.

Another thing about the mechanics of the lock up. The liner lock is built on the triangle system where the three main points of contact form a triangle.

The lock back locks at 2 points at the front and back of the lock.

Both make great options for a locking knife. Neather are well suited in my opinion for truely rough work at least not as well as their fixed blade counterparts.

But, they look cool when you pull them out and flick them open and hear that "click".....

[IMBand]

I prefer a lockback to a liner-lock. I think that its harder for the lockback to fail.
I live in a cold climate and wear gloves quite often, a liner-lock can be released
by the excess bulk of gloves where the lockback might mot. I do own and use
liner-locks and like them just fine.

[zed6309]

Ive got a few frame locks and a couple of liner locks and 2 bucks a 112 and the 110, i love them all but sadly locks arnt legal in the uk so it dont matter whats better or not for me i like the ease of a liner lock but i like the classic look of a older style lock back, i would daily carry a 112 or 110 if i had the choice

[chetr1200c]

i am 51% lock back, 49% linerlock, but it can switch as easily as a bolster lock

[gino]

I own many of both and my personal choice is lock back for sure.

[Ramrod]

Never had a lockback fail.
I HAVE been cut by a sloppy linerlock though. That soured me pretty quick.
Mark

[Owd Wullie]

I had a bad experience with a TL-29 in 1972.

The scar above the knuckle on my index finger is the result of a liner lock failure.

I don't trust 'em at all. I know that a TL-29's liner lock is a cheap design and I have a constant reminder of it. There are much stronger and better types of that system available nowadays but I still don't like 'em.

I've never had a lock back fail yet. I haven't used one like Craig mentioned either.

[HiPower]

does'nt really matter to me since i've been using knives over 60 years & can do or do w/o any lock. the liner locks as produced by gec are fine with me . the strongest of the locks is reported to be frame locks--i remember a test on a camillus dominator with frame lock in which the guy used a plastic hammer to beat that blade thru a poly cutting board---the system lossened up but the lock never failed. the ones i've used thru the years were mostly rocker locks on the back spring but i've used my gec pioneer to cut thru whitetail ribs & THEIR LINER LOCK WORKED FINE.---HiPower

[1967redrider]

I have both and use both but would never trust either if my fingers were the price of one failing. I already did a good job on one finger when I was 10 years old, would like to keep the rest!

[edgy46]

Not much of a locking knife guy, and would never trust any lock to protect my fingers. That said both have thier advantages, and drawbacks. It's mostly a personal choice. (jmo)

[philco]

I own both and I've had flawed examples of both which failed. Fortunately I was able to avoid injury in both instances. That being said, I have a gut feeling and belief that the lockback is the more stable design. Still, as others have stated, I'm not going to bet my fingers on any of them.
I think the important thing is to always work within the limitations of the tool you are using. That applies with knives too.

Phil

[woseyjales]

Seems to me this same discussion is going on over
on the Shadetreemechanic.com forum.
Only difference is that one is titled:
Bumper Jack vs Scissors Jack

[IMBand]

I just recieved 3 GEC knives that lock. 2 #73 Liner-locks and a #72 Lockback.
If I had to decide based on these 3 it would be Liner-locks as they both function
as designed. Unfortunately the #72 is just not right. It requires WAY TOO much
force to release the lock. The blade almost rubs the front side liner and there is
really thin stag near the lock notch. By thin I mean about 1/3 the thickness of the
brass liners!!! I have an e-mail in to Ryan to see about getting it tuned up as I
intend to add it to EDC. I do have another #72 thats identical (has serial # tho)
so I got it out to compare. I was disappointed to find that there is play when in
the locked position and actually quite a bit of side to side wobble!!! The lock is OK
though. Looks like I will need to drag out all of my GEC's and do the QC that should
have been done in Titusville. I am not about to stop buying them, but I do hope that
GEC decides to increase its QC efforts.

I bought a $12 Boker Magnum Lockback from Wildwood that functions flawlessly.