Tool 'locking' term

[Lynn LeFey]

I have looked for a term to describe the non-locking joints in multitools, such as with old buck knives, where it resists folding but doesn't actually lock. Is there a good term for this? Slip Joint is about as close as i can think, but I'm not sure that's the right term.

Example: The Leatherman Wingman has a locking blade and scissors. All of the rest of the tools don't lock, but do have strong retention. I have several cheapo multitools that do not even have that kind of retention, though.

[jekostas]

It's called a slipjoint, it really is about the only term used.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yup.  Slip joint is the common term used for just about any non-locking folding tool.  The knife folk think it's just for slip joint knives like Case, but it actually refers to the mechanism, not the blades.

Def

[dks]

You also have friction folders where the blade is held open by friction or by the users hand..

Some cheap multitools use the friction system so if you oil them they do not work properly

[Lynn LeFey]

Thanks all.

The next question I have is whether there's a name for the piece in a slip joint that holds the blade in place. Like retention bar or retention spring, or some such.

Sorry for the noob questions on nomenclature, but I figure a few 'Hi, I'm a new recruit who hasn't even polished their boots yet' sessions would make any future reviews I do on tools sound a lot less idiotic.

'So the pointy thing made of shiny stuff, opens and goes clickity. Then you have to push on the other thing to make it go away.' 

[dks]

Backspring 

[sjian]

The backspring acts on a cam which causes the tool to stop at one or more different detents.

For example, the cap lifter on my SAK has 3 detents, 0 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees in which the tool "snaps" into place.

By definition I'd call it a Detent.