It is time for some knife talk again. Today I will mention some about my interest for locking mechanisms. Swiss Army Knives are my favorite subject to discuss and write about. I am always open for
other knives that can be used in combination with SAKs. Safety knives to be used on the water can be very smart to bring. One of my favorite combinations is the SwissTool and OH locking Wenger or Victorinox. Safety knives on the water should have a few important
factors in them. For my use the SAKs and products from Switzerland can fulfill every factor for me. The Swiss quality in them makes sure I am always safe.
I would like to mention a Benchmade knife that I just recently bought. The knife is called The Griptilian H2O. I know about the Axis lock from before and it is a very comfortable and safe mechanism for safety. The handles got an
easy to see color that is orange and the blade steel is the very corrosion resistant n680. The H2O also got a pocket clip that can be used for rescue and safety tasks. I do like comfort and safety during my time on the water from spring until autumn. It is
also fun and exciting to do some small tests and learn why things are as they are. I recommend studying the axis lock because it is a genius invention.
The safest carry
system is open for discussion and the pouch or clip carry can be difficult to be bombastic on and say one is better. It all depends on situation and how accessible it must be. -When every seconds count you must be able to open the blade safe and with control.
SAKs got this option today with clip designs that can be attached on the belt or on your floating device.
It is no point for me to test
out this Benchmade because this people have already done. So why should I show this then?
The answer is simple, it is the locking mechanism! Most SAKs got lock that is designed to prevent
accidental closing. I have never seen any fail. That said the Axis lock is designed to be a sturdier mechanism that can take harder use. It should be used with care and with a philosophy that cause the least amount of force against the lock. It is wrong use
of a knife to put force against the lock.
The Axis lock is also easier to fold the blade in with for people with little practice.
Pouch and clip carry can have its ups and downs and it can in some situations be a bit risky to have it on a belt, in the pocket or on a floating device. If one should be very unlucky the blade could open and cause damage to a person. Pouch carry
can eliminate such difficulties. It is a bit easier for most to open compared to SAKs. I understand clip carry can be the best for many users in several situations too.
Benchmade knives
can be used in combination with SAKs and you therefore have a stronger locking option available. The n680 is very good steel for environments that are salty and wet. This steel got a surprisingly good edge holding ability on several materials and it is very
sharp out of the box. I like the blade design and everything about it.
The Swiss Army Knives usually got a slip joint mechanism with a locking mechanism in combination. In
many ways this is a safe construction because it takes some pressure to open the blade. Axis lock blades do not have this opposite spring pressure that a slip joint have. It can be opened with minimum force.
I still prefer the Wenger design over any yet. It can be opened and closed just as fast and safe as any product out there.
The Griptilian H2O is lightweight and very comfortable. I believe it is an excellent blade to be used in combination. I believe locking mechanism is an evolution in knives and it is a shame
that they are misused for violence and stupid things. For many people such a blade can be the difference between life and death on their job or in the outdoors.
Some locking mechanisms got
an origin as tactical inventions that can be used for combat. Some may find its way into safety and rescue blades. I will not go into this aspect at all because my focus the complete opposite. Another important factor that we know today is that soldiers do
not use folding knives no matter what mechanism in them for combat.
In my experience different mechanisms can be educational and enhance knowledge about knives.
Slim blades used on the 84 , 85 and 91mm category can be used for tasks that require precision. They can reach places that sturdier blades will get difficulties with.