how reliable are blade lock on vic 111?

[sparky42]

i recently had a forester pass thru my hands, really nice piece, but i passed it on becuz i just didn't like the liner lock on there, it moved left to right under the blade instead of what i'm used to right to left , so disengaging it seemed very awkward... i am however keen on the handle slide lock, but got to wondering if the liner lock is all that much more secure?  all my 111's with handle slide lock have a tiny bit of blade play up & down when locked, but are pretty solid side to side, which i've come to understand as normal, but again, especially after remembering taking a bunged up 111 apart, that slide lock doesn't seem like much....

so do any knights of the swiss army have experience with a 111 lock failure?

i searched the site, but couldn't find any info, this is my first post here so sorry if this has already been covered, thanks!

[Gath]

The slide lock is decently robust in my experience, and probably won't break if you don't jam against it hurriedly (Which would be quite often for rescue workers and the like, thus the introduction of liner locks.) As for the liner lock, I like it as I'm left handed and both opening and closing is easy with the left hand, I wonder why they made it like that but it works for me.

[gene stoner]

I've been carring this Soldier for about a year. And I'll just say this about it. If there's a natural disaster earthquake, storm ect. this is the knife I want in my pocket. It's the biggest little knife I own. In my opinion the only thing better would be a fixed blade but most people can't carry a fixed blade so this in my mind is the best 2ed option.

[Corwyn]

3 points here, before the real experts show up:

• The Liner Lock is good. It is unlikely to slip or fold on you. It's not framelock/backlock strong, but up there with the top knife makers on the market of linerlocks so you can do medium-hard work with it, no problem
• The Slide Lock is fine. It has a bit of wiggle but it's unlikely to fold on you during regular use. I have a broken one in my drawer. The locking system is just a small bit of plastic. It's fine for light and medium use but don't baton with it or hit it with a rock or something.
• The Liner Lock is "the wrong way around" because it was made after the specs of the 2008 German Army Knife (also Germany is one of Victorinox's top markets). German law prohibits knives that can be opened AND closed one-handed.

[shark_za]

The Liner Lock is "the wrong way around" because it was made after the specs of the 2008 German Army Knife (also Germany is one of Victorinox's top markets). German law prohibits knives that can be opened AND closed one-handed.

I doubt the military have any issues with this. Sure the GAK is not legal for civilians in Germany because of the lock.

[sparky42]

awesome, thanks for the answers!

yah, i keep the saks primarily for the saw, but i've come to accept the 111 main blade as my dedicated food prep/mess kit knife... the full serrated interests me too for that, seems it might be more versatile for food prep, any opinions?

but the main blade of my sak is not for hard use, more a backup blade for my backup blade... always good to have really sharp & clean, for the aforementioned mess duty, light cutting work here & there, & the occasional surgery...

[jerseydevil]

I'm a fan of the liner locking Vics. The slide lock's strength is fine for what I use it for, but as Gareth said, as a lefty the LL works great.

[gene stoner]

awesome, thanks for the answers!

yah, i keep the saks primarily for the saw, but i've come to accept the 111 main blade as my dedicated food prep/mess kit knife... the full serrated interests me too for that, seems it might be more versatile for food prep, any opinions?

but the main blade of my sak is not for hard use, more a backup blade for my backup blade... always good to have really sharp & clean, for the aforementioned mess duty, light cutting work here & there, & the occasional surgery...

When I bought my Soldier I was sceptical about the serated blade. I never found a serated main blade I liked till this one. The serations make for a very handy all around utilitie knife. Don't sell the Vic 111mm serated blade short. It's a very can do blade.

[NetsNJ]

I have two 111mm liner lock vics.  The lockup is as good as anything I've seen.  I can't imagine it failing.  That beefy locking flathead/prybar is a nice plus.

Out of curiosity, as anyone had any of the 84mm Wenger locking mechanisms fail on them?  The push button?  It snags on clothing sometimes but seems pretty robust.

When I bought my Soldier I was sceptical about the serated blade. I never found a serated main blade I liked till this one. The serations make for a very handy all around utilitie knife. Don't sell the Vic 111mm serated blade short. It's a very can do blade.

The serrations on the tip and plain edge by the choil looked wonky at first to me, but I actually like the setup.  Great for whittling. 

[gene stoner]

And yes the serations can be sharpened very easily easier then many other serated blades.

[LoopCutter]

On my one handed Trekker the lock up is 100%.  It is backward to my "tactical" single blades, yet most are usually 30 - 40% for easier closing. 

As a folder multi knife this a very good camp / hike setup. 


*via Tapatalk

[cody6268]

As one who is left handed, the 111mm liner lock on Victorinox knives is the only liner locking knife I can pull out of my left pocket, open, and close all with one hand easily.  I own a Soldier, and use it considerably.

I never push a knife's limits.  If you never abuse the knife, the linerlock should never fail. I've had them fail on cheap tactical knives all the time (wore down, and it probably was some soft non-steel metal), but never on a Victorinox. 

When it comes to heavy-duty cutting tasks, I prefer the mostly serrated blade. It cuts brush, tarps, feed sacks, parachute cord, twine, etc. better than a plain edge.   Plain edge really only wins out with fine cutting tasks. 

Only thing I can say is--keep it clean.  The one hand opening is much easier when it's oiled, and the stuff that floats around inside is cleaned out frequently.


Also, why is German knife law setup that way?  I could care less about one hand opening, but for safety, I don't like knives I can't close with one hand.

[Luna Knife]

And yes the serations can be sharpened very easily easier then many other serated blades.

I sharpen my OH Trekker7 times on on the grind side then 2 times on  the flat side somewhere between 15-20 degrees.  Been stropping for 10 years but only started steeling this year.

Those serrations are superbly designed for all kinds of work.  Ive even processed rabbits and fish with it

[Tomcat_81]

German knife laws are even more crappy than already said.
Knives are practically forbidden (legal reason blah blah aside) when they can be opened with one hand and lock. A paramedic for example had his Vic rescue tool confiscated by police because it is a locking one hand opener. 
Thus, the new GAK can not be carried in public unless you are hunting or fishing at the very moment and have a good lawyer.

Ironically, one of the masterminds behind this law has since been kicked out of our parliament because he was in possession of child pornography and 'accidentaly' 'lost' his laptop which could have contained much more.

Tomcat

[willc]

3 points here, before the real experts show up:

• The Liner Lock is good. It is unlikely to slip or fold on you. It's not framelock/backlock strong, but up there with the top knife makers on the market of linerlocks so you can do medium-hard work with it, no problem
• The Slide Lock is fine. It has a bit of wiggle but it's unlikely to fold on you during regular use. I have a broken one in my drawer. The locking system is just a small bit of plastic. It's fine for light and medium use but don't baton with it or hit it with a rock or something.
• The Liner Lock is "the wrong way around" because it was made after the specs of the 2008 German Army Knife (also Germany is one of Victorinox's top markets). German law prohibits knives that can be opened AND closed one-handed.

Very cool info!!!

The new Soldier/Trekker has been my work edc for a couple years now.
I use my blade a lot and it is a reliable blade lock.

Being a lefty I love the way it is setup.
Also I've come to like the serrations forward on the blade.

The only thing this SAK is lacking is a clip so I just add the Nite Ize clips to my 111mm SAK's.

[Luna Knife]

I  picked up this used rucksack and case for cheap at a flea market.

It was inexpensive as it was filthy and showed blade damage from misuse.  The lock worked fine.  Ive passed it onto a nephew since these pictures were taken.

I kept the paracord dangler my daughter made for me.   I also kept the sheath

[gene stoner]

Those serrations are superbly designed for all kinds of work.  Ive even processed rabbits and fish with it

That's the one thing I have not had time to do with my Soldier is any butchering of any kind. How well did the trekker do? Did it make a mess of it or did it do OK? I would imagine that the lack of a point could be a problem when dressing game but how big of a problem I'm not sure.

[Luna Knife]

Those serrations are superbly designed for all kinds of work.  Ive even processed rabbits and fish with it

That's the one thing I have not had time to do with my Soldier is any butchering of any kind. How well did the trekker do? Did it make a mess of it or did it do OK? I would imagine that the lack of a point could be a problem when dressing game but how big of a problem I'm not sure.

This is no filet knife or a large game skinning knife but for making a silt in a trout to remove entrails its good.  I also used the serrated blade for descaling alothough the saw is great for that too.

For rabbit, I first cut off the feet then remove the skin like a sock.  when its gutted and rinsed, I cut up in small peices to soak in milk.  I get the batter ready while the dutch oven is on the fire with a few inches of cooking oil in it.

I guess I should mention I slightly ground the back of the tip of the serrated blade to make for easier penetration

[gene stoner]

Those serrations are superbly designed for all kinds of work.  Ive even processed rabbits and fish with it

That's the one thing I have not had time to do with my Soldier is any butchering of any kind. How well did the trekker do? Did it make a mess of it or did it do OK? I would imagine that the lack of a point could be a problem when dressing game but how big of a problem I'm not sure.

This is no filet knife or a large game skinning knife but for making a silt in a trout to remove entrails its good.  I also used the serrated blade for descaling alothough the saw is great for that too.

For rabbit, I first cut off the feet then remove the skin like a sock.  when its gutted and rinsed, I cut up in small peices to soak in milk.  I get the batter ready while the dutch oven is on the fire with a few inches of cooking oil in it.

I guess I should mention I slightly ground the back of the tip of the serrated blade to make for easier penetration

Thanks that's helpful.

[firiki]

When I bought my Soldier I was sceptical about the serated blade. I never found a serated main blade I liked till this one. The serations make for a very handy all around utilitie knife. Don't sell the Vic 111mm serated blade short. It's a very can do blade.

+1 on eveything You need to be careful with it 'coz it can slash deep into your finger but I concur, a very can-do knife. 

[Donald]

I have two 111mm liner lock vics.  The lockup is as good as anything I've seen.  I can't imagine it failing.  That beefy locking flathead/prybar is a nice plus.

Out of curiosity, as anyone had any of the 84mm Wenger locking mechanisms fail on them?  The push button?  It snags on clothing sometimes but seems pretty robust.

<snip>

I like the 85mm Victorinox Swiss Army EvoGrip S17 Swiss Army Knife and the lock has functioned well for me. I think it makes a great travel knife if you are not in one of those places that ban locking knives. The blade length is usually short enough to meet any length restrictions. An interesting mix of Wenger and Victorinox. Although there may be certain very occasional benefits from the Wenger tools, I think it has overall been a big plus to adopt the Victorinox style can opener and sharper reamer, and more easily acquired Vic T&T. The scissors are still the Wenger style with integrated spring. The scissors are serrated with small serrations as were the later Wenger scissors.

IIRC I dimly remember having to watch not to depress the lock release if holding the knife wrong when stropping where one is putting pressure on the blade. I like the locking screwdriver although it will only lock if you are putting a fair amount of push into the screw...which would be when you might need it the most. I did hear of one TSA acquisition of a thicker Wenger with that type of lock being broken, although it was promptly replaced.