Pocket knives come in a huge variety of styles. Knowing how to close a pocketknife is an essential consideration to make before purchasing one because each of them opens and closes differently.
There are nuances to each of the pocket knife blade closures you’ll find at a knife shop, so it’s important to understand how to close them safely regardless of the blade. You’ll gain more knowledge about each type of knife, as well as how to recognize the benefits and applications of each mechanism and make an educated decision.
Table of Contents
The Lockback
In the history of pocket knives, the Lockback is one of the earliest locking mechanisms. A projection-shaped locking lever on the handle’s back serves as this type of locking mechanism. When the pocket knife is opened, the metal spine engages with a notch in the back of the blade, impeding the blade’s ability to return.
A flat spring located inside the handle’s back presses the lever for the Lockback mechanism. By applying pressure to the back of the lever, it can be unlocked. The linings on the back of the handle have a small cutout that provides access to the latter.
The Lockback knife lever contacts the cam surface at the back of the head when it is in the closed position. It stops it from opening on its own.
This lock’s benefits include the knife’s type’s simplicity of use. both with the right and left hand. The ease of construction and stability of the pocket knife blade, when held in the closed position, are additional benefits.
The Power Lock
A variation of the Lockback is the power lock. The 5&Prime blade’s locking force was initially intended to be improved. When you look inside this lock, you’ll find that it has incredible power despite its simple, everyday appearance.
A secondary cam is a key to both the locking feature’s strength and functionality. The tang contacts a locking pin as you open the blade. This is a very strong one. It is situated inside the handle, and its primary function is to halt the rotation.
Halfway down the handle of the blade is a locking bar that interacts with a counter-rotating cam to lock the tang in place.
A spring-loaded lever is also included in this model. At the back of the knife, handle is where you’ll find this one. The cam rotates around its pivot because of it. Due to the concave surface on the top of the tang, the finger at the base of the cam can slide against it and avoid the sharp edge. Each of these components ensures that your pocket knife closes securely.
The Liner Lock
The most widely used locking mechanism at the moment is the liner lock design found in pocket knives. A spring-loaded wing allows you to lock the liner lock knife. The wing is an essential component of one of the steel or titanium side plates (liners) that make up the handle’s skeleton.
The liner bends slantwise to the inside of the handle after the pocket knife has been opened. It catches the beveled back portion of the head and stops it from turning.
The locking wing is bent outward to unlock. Pressing it with your thumb is the most practical method. When the pocket knife is closed, it rests against a pawl that is drilled into the side of the blade’s back. The blade won’t open automatically as a result of this.
The ease of construction and straightforward operation are the liner locks’ main benefits. However, left-handed people may find it a little trickier to use the liner lock mechanism.
This is the video to show you how To Close a Folding Pocket Knife.
Automatic Knives
Switchblades, also known as automatic knives, are spring-loaded and opened by pressing a button. It functions like a liner lock to shut an out-the-side opener. The blade is released from tension by pushing the bolster tab to one side, after which it is folded back into the housing.
The Frame Lock
Using the liner lock operation in a frame lock knife, the frame lock is a very powerful, stable lock. The handle frame’s side plates are where the frame lock and other locks differ most. They are so thick that additional facings are not necessary. As a result, the locking wing is significantly thicker and more rigid. Frame lock pocket knives are therefore less sensitive to dynamic loads.
This lock is also a great deal dirt-resistant. The locking leaf and the facings are flush, leaving no room for dirt to collect. Most frequently made of titanium, this lock is also occasionally made of steel and aluminum.
The Compression Lock
In a manner similar to a liner or frame-type locking pocket knife, the compression lock is closed. The inclusion of a locking pin inside the handle and a notch at the blade’s base distinguish it from similar items. This kind of lock utilizes a liner inside the handle. In order to keep the blade open or closed, the liner serves as a support. It is essentially the metal piece that you handle by pushing to the side of the handle.
Simply hold the knife in your dominant hand, paying special attention to your dominant thumb, to safely close it. Both the handle cavity and the blade should be pointed outward. Use your other hand to begin gently closing the blade. Remove your thumb once the blade is closed by a quarter.
Whether the knife is closed or open, the liner precisely and automatically fits into the notch at the bottom of the blade. The liner fits between a locking pin on the handle as well.
The Button Lock
A well-liked locking mechanism is the button lock. On switchblade and rapid deployment knives, it is most frequently used. These features make it very desirable but also a rather risky kind of knife. especially if you don’t treat it carefully. The blade can be activated with just one click of the release button, surprising and hurting you.
You must hold this knife with your dominant hand and thumb in order to safely close it. On the handle, facing upward should be the infamous release button. Regarding the blade, it must be pointed outward. The process continues in the same manner as with a compression lock type. When the knife has closed to about one-fourth of its length, you release the button. Close it again and again until the handle cavity and blade are locked.
The Axis Lock
An actual axis is used in the axis lock to close the pocket knife. It moves horizontally through the steel side plates of the handle frame’s notch notches. The locking axis overlaps the back of the blade from above as the knife is opened. The blade can’t retract as a result of this. This axis is joined to an omega spring, a tension wire with a u-shape.
The locking axis is pulled back to unlock. Cut-outs in the handle’s side linings allow access to its ends. In the locked position, the axle presses on the cam surface at the rear of the head, preventing it from opening by itself
The axis lock’s benefits include practical insensitivity to dynamic loads and contamination resistance. It is lightweight and simple to use with either the right or left hand. The somewhat flimsy omega springs are its weak point.
The Ring Lock
There are numerous, quite diverse variations of the ring lock. The most typical has just one locking piece. This can be found near the handle’s spine. It holds the locking piece firmly and is attached to the ring that is used for pulling and twisting.
This kind of lock resembles a gear with sharp teeth. You can choose to lock the blade at a variety of angles depending on the number of teeth. At the pivot of the blade, the infamous gear-like component will then be found.
The closing speed of all the models in this guide is the slowest lock type. You must insert your finger into the ring and pull it out carefully to accomplish this. Pushing on the blade’s blunt side is necessary at the same time. Both the blade is released and your hands are moved out of the way with this motion. You should refrain from wrapping your finger around the handle.
The Lever Lock
Among the rarest kinds of locking mechanisms is the lever lock. It’s typically used on knives with assisted openings. Even though it isn’t very common, it still possesses many desirable traits, including safety and speed, neither of which are mutually exclusive.
A level and an indentation can be found on the handle at the knife’s neck, according to technical specifications. Unlocking the blade requires flipping the lever. You must press the level while it is flipped in order to release the assisted blade.
Simply pressing down on the level will reopen it after they are closed. To return the blade to the handle, make sure to flick it. You could also do this with your fingers if you have experience.
The Tri-Ad Lock
A hole is present in the tri-ad lock at the back of the knife. The release that occurs when the blade is opened allows the blade to be released from its compressed state. To close the knife, is sufficient.
Additionally, this lock has a cutout in the shape of a hammer. This is situated next to an extra locking pin at the rear of the blade tang. The fact that the blade’s vertical play is eliminated is what’s important.
The blade tang and the metal plate’s entire surface fit together perfectly. The locking mechanism has a slight lean to it. The lock is more likely to be forced inward than outward when doing so. By relieving the lock bar of impact, this movement helps protect the knife from wear.
FAQ
What is the Most Secure Pocket Knife Locking System?
On this subject, discussions have never ended. All of the locks discussed in this guide are extremely secure; they’re certainly more secure than non-locking pocket knives. The craftsmanship used in creating these mechanisms is what will really matter. The security of a cheap, shoddy locking system may not be as high as that of a locking system made to last.
Handle knives like the slip joint knife carefully because they lack a locking mechanism.
What Should You Check on a Pocket Knife before Using It?
Keep an eye out for rust, damage, any broken parts, and any malfunctioning locking mechanisms whenever you close or open your pocket knife. These are things that might prevent the knife from working, make it less effective, or even endanger the user.
Should You Clean a Pocket Knife After Each Use?
That question has a straightforward “yes” response. After every use, your pocket knife should always be cleaned. It can be hazardous to use a knife that has become soiled or wet. Prior to putting the pocket knife back together after cleaning it, be sure to completely dry it.
What Safety Precautions Should You Take With a Pocket Knife?
Using a pocket knife requires a lot of safety measures. Before using a pocket knife, make sure you are knowledgeable about knife safety because even the smallest knives can be deadly.
Make sure none of your fingers touch the knife’s blade when you close it. Any time you close a pocket knife, be mindful of where your fingers are because the blade will swing toward the handle.
Yes. Removing the pocket clip — like those found on folding knives from Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco, Kershaw, and other makers — won’t affect the function of the knife. To remove the screws holding the clip to the knife, the right tool is required, typically a Torx driver.
Conclusion
The majority of folding knife locking mechanisms are like this. If the knife you purchased from an online knife retailer has one of these closure methods, make sure you close it securely and correctly while paying close attention to your closing technique. Any type of pocket knife you use can be quickly closed and kept in the convenience of your pocket as long as it has a reliable locking mechanism.
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