Lockbacks, backlocks and some variations

dks · **on:** September 21, 2014, 05:36:07 PM

The backlock, as seen in the Buck 110 Lockback knife is a classic locking knife system. It is one of the few styles of knife locks that are considered traditional, in its pure form.

Backlock knives have a notch at the pivot end of the blade where a lockbar hooks in, securing the knife in its open position. The lockbar stays in place with the use of a spring. To close the knife a mechanism lifts the lock back out of the notch so the knife can close. There are several variations on how the lockbar is lifted and how big it is but the basic system is the same.

The notch and the lockbar are the tell tale signs of a backlock.

Here you can see it more clearly. (Thanks for the GAW, again)

The classic lockbacks with backlocks have a long lockbar, with a pivot near the middle of the knife, which makes it easier to open (better leverage).

See the length of the lockbar.

The most common variation is the midblock, where the lockbar is shortened and the and release button are moved forward. This makes it harder to unlock the blade and is supposed to provide a stronger lock.

Shorter lockbar.

Some not so obvious lockbacks or variations are shown here. I must point out that some may not consider these true backlocks, but they use the same basic principle for locking.

The GEC variation uses a lever to lift the lockbar (bull lock according to GEC and it does not pivot; you just lift one end up). The notch has two steps in it.

The Mercator has a protruding area where you push down to release the lock.

The Manly uses a lever that releases the lockbar totally (removes the “spring”) so the knife can close freely.

The Wenger uses a button to push the lock up, from the bottom side.

The last one, from LIDL, is unusual in that it locks both open and close and you need to push the lockbar button to open or close it.

Finally, showing that classic designs continue improving we have the Tri-Ad lock, that is an improved backlock system, designed by A. Demko and known for being really strong, and not so easy to release. Here it is used on the CS Spartan.

Finaly, backlocks have been used in multitools too.

Enjoy.

comis · **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2014, 05:40:16 PM

Dks, very nice knife model to clearly show how it works, and thank you for many wonderful and clear pictures to showcase different lockbacks. Great job!

detron · **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2014, 05:58:02 PM

very nice, and very informative! thank you

enki_ck · **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2014, 07:23:48 PM

Great summary of the different styles.

And a cool cameo by the Klecker Trigger Knife Kit to show how it works.

I like the backlock/lockback (Which one is it?

I never can decide what term to use.

) cause you can release the lock even if your'e wearing gloves or have wet or slippery hands, try to disengage a linerlock in those conditions.

For the traditional knives that use a similar lock, there's also a Spanish or French knife that you had to pull a ring attached to the top of the backspring up to release the lock. Can't remember currently what that one was called but the Cold Steel Kudu uses a similar system.

BTW, how are you liking the Manly? I've been eyeing one for some time now, every few months ever since you posted about them.

dks · **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2014, 07:47:24 PM

I was going to mention the kudu but left it out as it is sort of a reverse lockback, with the a bit sticking out of the blade, rather than the lockbar. The principle is still the same though.

The Manly is good and sexy but just too pretty and big for me to use. I sent their customer service a question last year and I am still waiting for an answer..

Definitely worth buying just for being different.

dks · **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2014, 08:26:58 PM

I forgot, so here are some more similar posts, for anybody interested:

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,50194.0.html

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,49987.0.html

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35943.0.html

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,42421.0.html

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,50346.0.html

There are some more too, I think........

Thanks to all for the nice comments!

greenbear · **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2014, 08:51:59 PM

@ DKS brilliant post, thank you for posting it - I have recently been considering buying my first backlock knife and was wondering how they work, and the green knife pic has cleared that up for me - cheers

zoidberg · **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2014, 11:57:29 PM

I want that cool little camo Case.

Great pics mate.

dks · **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2014, 08:57:59 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on September 21, 2014, 11:57:29 PM

I want that cool little camo Case. Great pics mate.

They are quite cheap, and have a decent lockup as the lockbar is metal. They are laso very light as the body is plastic/nylon/composite.

Case and Buck, as well as Boker and Rough Rider and others make a variety of cheap, decent small lockbacks.

If you want something fancy looking but cheap then look into the rough rider models.

Greenbear, as mentioned previously, the Green knife was a Giveaway:
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,53314.0.html

They are definitely worth buying.

WWW · **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2014, 02:53:35 PM

A very interesting one you may have forgotten is the Nilte Quiete designed by Massimo Fantoni. I really like, both the looks, and the mechanics of the locking system.

http://www.nilte.com/en/producten

360BT · **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2014, 02:21:51 AM

Very good info.

JAfromMn · **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2014, 03:26:56 AM

Great post very informative dks

SolomonKane79 · **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2014, 11:54:26 AM

Very informative, thank you!

Crow · **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2014, 02:40:38 PM

dks, great thread. I love lockback knives, i have few of them.

Must say, that those Lidl knives are nice to start modding. Price of them is not too bad, and you can do wonders on them.

I have one just like yours, and re-profiled it. I took that closed position lock off of it. It is just annoying. Hope it will not come popular to these kind of knives.

THE_LONGBOW · **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2014, 05:31:01 PM

Here is a Buck 110 lockback made of see through acrylic. These were made a salesman samples to show how a lockback works.

Noa Isumi · **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2014, 09:24:21 PM

I picked up an interesting back lock garden knife this summer with a chunky plastic handle that uses trigger buttons on front of the knife to press back and disengage the lock. But I guess that would be the same system Wenger uses.
Should have thought about it before I posted the first time then I wouldn't have to edit

dks · **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2018, 09:49:23 PM

seeing a renewed interest in the stockmans, here is a bump, for fun.

LoopCutter · **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2018, 04:03:39 AM

A new to me lock back

next to my BBW, 2-3/4” blade

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dks · **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2018, 08:55:23 AM

They do look brand new

RR1551 · **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2018, 12:49:15 PM

One of my favorites is the Schrade Old Timer 7OT (Cave Bear) lockback.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

RR1551 · **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2018, 07:54:43 PM

Quote from: RR1551 on February 06, 2018, 12:49:15 PM

One of my favorites is the Schrade Old Timer 7OT (Cave Bear) lockback.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

LoopCutter · **Reply #21 on:** February 07, 2018, 02:11:06 AM

Quote from: RR1551 on February 06, 2018, 07:54:43 PM

Quote from: RR1551 on February 06, 2018, 12:49:15 PM
One of my favorites is the Schrade Old Timer 7OT (Cave Bear) lockback.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

(Image removed from quote.)

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That is a great knife and sheath.
Is that green a reflection on the brass or patina?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RR1551 · **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2018, 02:31:53 AM

Quote from: LoopCutter on February 07, 2018, 02:11:06 AM

Quote from: RR1551 on February 06, 2018, 07:54:43 PM

Quote from: RR1551 on February 06, 2018, 12:49:15 PM
One of my favorites is the Schrade Old Timer 7OT (Cave Bear) lockback.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

(Image removed from quote.)

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
That is a great knife and sheath.
Is that green a reflection on the brass or patina?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you sir! No, I'm afraid the green stuff is patina from storage

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

SteveC · **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2018, 04:09:42 AM

Buck 112 Ranger

20180206_144017 by SteveC, on Flickr

20180206_144127 by SteveC, on Flickr

Spartan19 · **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2018, 07:15:30 PM

Ron Who · **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2018, 09:26:55 PM

Backlock by Klecker. The frame is the spring is the lockbar (Sorry for the bad quality pic).

This one doesn´t get carried. The mechanism pinched me on more than one occasion.

Ray S · **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2018, 11:27:36 PM

I'll post up a few that I own.For those who think the lock back is a new innovation,it actually goes back to the mid 1800's and possibly further.
The first picture is of two George Wostenholm Celebrated Cutlery lock backs dating to around 1860.
The second picture is a Vom Cleff three blade knife with a locking master blade that unlocks by pressing down on the closed manicure blade on the spine of the knife.This dates to around 1900.
The third knife is a KA-BAR folding hunter with a lock system that operates by pushing the top of the folding guard back slightly to release the blade.The protrusion on the guard is the lock mechanism.The mechanism was patented in 1923.
The last one is a small folder with a marlin spike that lock by opening the blades all the way and then sliding them slightly back to fit into a cross pin.To release,merely pull the blade forward and fold.This knife likely dates to the 1950's.