Compression lock

[tique]

I have seen this referenced here several times and have heard nothing but good rants on it elsewhere. I have yet to understand what the heck it is though. The website doesn't give a very indepth response, and there is nothing resembling a decent Spyderco dealer in my area to find one to play with. I am always interested in learning about new ways to advance a design, and I cannot seem to find a thing on the compression lock. If I had the cash, I would buy a Gunting just to see it work and then probably trade it later as I have no need for one currently, and no offense meant by this, but I think it's a bit on the ugly side. I just haven't grown to appreciate it I'm sure, as I didn't like the Spydie hole at first either, but that other company got me hooked on them, and I have since started to turn to Spyderco as I think some of your products are vastly superior.

While I'm on the lock subject. Has Spyderco ever ventured into the axis-type lock area? I find this to be an excellent lock and I am considering 2 models with it and the Viele for my carry knife. I think I have settled on the Viele, and just have to wait to clear some $$$ and then I'll have one ordered. It may just be that the compression lock is superior to the axis, but as I mentioned before I have no idea how or what a compression lock is, so I am in the dark on this one.

[tique]

Okay, so I completely skipped the knife anatomy page. My bad.
I would still like a little better description of one, and I would love to see one on an actual knife.

[Carlos]

Cut and paste this url to see some scans:

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum52/HTML/000953.html

The basic principle is that the compression lock places a bar between the tang and stop pin -- it is this which locks the blade in the open position. Pressure on the blade would need to crush the steel bar to make it fail. Personally I think that simpler one-piece locks (like the compression lock) are a better way to go that the more complicated mechanical locks like the Axis.

[tique]

That makes a good bit more sense now. I will still be on a quest to find a Gunting while on vacation, but that makes it a bit easier to understand.
Thanks Carlos

[Hojo]

Here's another scans from Bladeshow 2000 by late Mr. Mattis.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jkmchai/BladeShow2000/

Check out "Spyderco-Gunting-openfacetrainer.jpg" It shows very well how the compression lock works. I agree with Carlos that simpler one-piece lock are better choice than more complicated ones--more complicated, more possiblity of mechanical failure, IMO.

[sal]

The Compression lock, though very simple in concept seems difficult to understand. I have a cutaway version of the Gunting showing the lock actually going into position. This makes it much easier to understand.

The Axis lock is a very good lock. It is both strong and reliable. I commend Benchmade, McHenry and Willams on the accomplishment. We try avoid "taking" the ideas of others unless done properly (royalties, etc.). I do not believe that Benchmade has made this available to others.

I also personally lean towards simple (like Nature) solutions. The Complression Lock is one piece, which when used as an integral like the ATR, adds no pieces to the knife.

sal

[tique]

Alas, I still have yet to find a Gunting. I traveled to several large shops over the holidays and could not find one, and none of the shops around here intend to carry them.
I saw a pic of the cutaway gunting, and it did make a good bit more sense.

Sal, I understand that your stance on the axis lock, seems very reasonable. Now that I look at it more, the compression lock seems a bit similar, it follows a bit of the same principle at least.
Now that I look at it a bit more, I do like the simplicity that it lends to a knife's design. I think I may pick up one of the newer models with it when they become released so I can play with it.

What is the next compression lock model due out, and when?

[Carlos]

The next model with the compression lock is the Vesuvius: 3 1/8" (79 mm) ATS-34 blade, G-10 handle with G-10 Shell inlay, weight 3.4 oz (96 g).

You can see a scan at this url, it is the knife pictured at the top:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=222944&a=1651093&p=34022620&Sequence=0&res= high

After the Vesuvius the next compression lock knife will be the ATR -- which is an integral lock in titanium. No pictures until after the SHOT Show.