Can Skeletool Blade Close Accidentally?

[Rico-2]

The video beneath states, that there would be a design flaw in the Skeletool CX. Shorlty after time-point 8:00 it says, that the liner lock of the blade, can inadvertently be depressed. That might result in a wounded finger, by accidental closure of the sharp and large blade.

What is your experience and judgment on this issue? And could the other members of the Skeletool family, have this same problem, like for example the new orange Skeletool RX?

Video: "Leatherman Skeletool CX - My Two Cents..."
 

[Fortytwo]

It seems like a ridiculously improbable scenario. You accidentally depress the liner-lock (unlikely) while putting force on the back of the knife (of course that's quite common but putting force on the back with nothing stopping the blade?). No, I'm not seeing it.

[zoidberg]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

[yud]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

[zoidberg]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

Yeah cause that makes sense...

[NKlamerus]

Any lock can fail. I have had the lock on my wave fail multiple times. Never on my skeletool though.

[enki_ck]

Nonsense, I've just tried to recreate the "flaw" and you really have to go out of your way to grip the skele in a way that you could accidentally disengage the lock. And in that position it's quite uncomfortable and unnatural to hold so it's highly unlikely that anyone would ever hold it like that.

I've carried and used a Skele ever since it came out in 2008, as the wear on it shows, that used to all black.

 

And in all those years I never managed to accidentally disengage the lock. It's a problem that only exists on paper of those who seek problems where there are none.

[zoidberg]

Didn't Kampfer have that problem with one of the new SOGs?

[yud]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

Yeah cause that makes sense...

Not saying that the issue makes sense, just that an auto correct error doesn't really work within the meaning of the post.

[zoidberg]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

Yeah cause that makes sense...

Not saying that the issue makes sense, just that an auto correct error doesn't really work within the meaning of the post.

I think you misunderstood me. Natural selection and some sarcasm. Not too sure why you introduced the word error.   

[zoidberg]

Didn't Kampfer have that problem with one of the new SOGs?

[Alan K.]

A lock on a knife, just as a safety on a firearm, is a mechanical device, which, by their nature, can and do fail.  They are applied by the designers and engineers (usually at the urging of lawyers) to limit the manufacturer's liability, and to augment your own safe handling of knives and firearms.  If you follow safe practices, then locks and safeties are generally extraneous and unnecessary.

[yud]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

Yeah cause that makes sense...

Not saying that the issue makes sense, just that an auto correct error doesn't really work within the meaning of the post.

I think you misunderstood me. Natural selection and some sarcasm. Not too sure why you introduced the word error.   

 

Ok I am confused, I thought when you said auto correct you were referring to a phone or tablet changing the word feature to flaw.  So 

I get it now

[zoidberg]

Liner locks are not flaws, they are a feature. An auto correct for those that don't pay attention.

Silly question, of course a lock can fail that is why we have fixed blades and not just folders.

But I don't think this is an auto correct error, the perceived flaw is in the placement of the lock not the existence of it.

Yeah cause that makes sense...

Not saying that the issue makes sense, just that an auto correct error doesn't really work within the meaning of the post.

I think you misunderstood me. Natural selection and some sarcasm. Not too sure why you introduced the word error.   

 

Ok I am confused, I thought when you said auto correct you were referring to a phone or tablet changing the word feature to flaw.  So 

I get it now

Lol, I shouldn't post before morning coffee.      Glad we figured that one out though.   

[Kampfer]

Used Skeletool for a long time, that never happened

[yud]

So in a bout of living dangerously, wearing no safety equipment, pants, or shoes. I decided to see if I could depressed the lock while holding the knife, I can't do it in my left hand.  It is possible in my right be required an awkward position and way too much force to do it accidentally.

Zoidberg 

[Rico-2]

I decided to see if I could depressed the lock while holding the knife, I can't do it in my left hand.  It is possible in my right be required an awkward position and way too much force to do it accidentally.

Thanks for the experiment. Which type of Skeletool was that?

[Poncho65]

Any lock can fail but within reason most usually don't fail  There is the occasional freak accident and things happen, materials fail but locks are ultimately meant to keep you from getting cut

[yud]

I decided to see if I could depressed the lock while holding the knife, I can't do it in my left hand.  It is possible in my right be required an awkward position and way too much force to do it accidentally.

Thanks for the experiment. Which type of Skeletool was that?

Just a plain old Skeletool

[Dean51]

If you watch him when the lock opens he is trying to open it. That's not how you would hold the tool in actual use.
I'd don't I'll listen to him when it comes to MT or knife advise.

[Kampfer]

If you watch him when the lock opens he is trying to open it. That's not how you would hold the tool in actual use.
I'd don't I'll listen to him when it comes to MT or knife advise.

[zoidberg]

If you watch him when the lock opens he is trying to open it. That's not how you would hold the tool in actual use.
I'd don't I'll listen to him when it comes to MT or knife advise.

I think he is referring to the first video, not yours.

[WoodsDuck]

I recommend wearing chafe-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the harsh edges of the liner lock.

[Wanimator]

The SOG's failure is entirely different than the Leatherman's non-issue. A Cold Steel Tri-Ad lock in theory could disengage from your hand's pressure on the lock. Leatherman could actually make a 'left-handed" framelock that way the detent ball doen't get exposed to the elements and lose lubrication and in this scenario it would just make the lock stronger.

[Dean51]

If you watch him when the lock opens he is trying to open it. That's not how you would hold the tool in actual use.
I'd don't I'll listen to him when it comes to MT or knife advise.

I'm referring to the first video. Stop it at 8:21 and you'll see his finger directly on the lock and his thumb is on the other side. He is not gripping it looks like he is deliberately trying to unlock it.

[ironraven]

Any lock can be forced to fail. Any blade can be broken.

That being said, it takes a LOT to make a liner lock fail. You'll probably break the blade first.

[Etherealicer]

Any lock can be forced to fail. Any blade can be broken.

That being said, it takes a LOT to make a liner lock fail. You'll probably break the blade first.

In general I agree. The risk with line-locks is if they don't engage properly.

I have this problems with my Surge. If I oho the blade, the lock does not engage properly, only when I put a bit of pressure on the blade it engages completely (I can also use two hands to oben the blade and engage the lock properly). This is a fairly unimportant problem, especially if you are aware of it.

This could become dangerous if the same thing would happen on the serrated blade / belt cutter of the Charge*. Imagine you want to use that belt cutter, you're stressed out, panicked and the lock does not engage properly. Unlike with blade use, when using the belt cutter it will not engage the lock, so technically the serrated blade could collapse on you.

* Charge and Surge are similar enough to imagine that the problem I have with the Surge, someone else might have with the Charge.