STRONGEST LOCKS: SHARK LOCK, ATLAS LOCK, TRI-AD LOCK…….

[@budthecyborg4575]

You say of the Tri-Ad lock "he didn't re-invent the wheel" but I believe that's exactly what Demko did when he invented that lock. The Tri-Ad lock is still arguably the most reliable folding blade lock ever made and I don't see that changing any time soon (I believe the Tri-Ad has the most room for adjustment for wear, and the spring is the same tried and true spring used in the old back lock, and with the design of the Tri-Ad when you oversize the stop pin you're automatically also beefing up the lock).

[@MrNiceGuy80x5]

the tri ad lock has the best, loudest opening sound, THWACK

[@thadward4629]

cold steel groupies are annoying af.

[@Ajibica117]

The triad has failed me more than I like. Flat springs are not good longevity of use in cases like the cold steel swifts and swift II’s I’ve had.

[@Errcyco]

CRKT made this one knife called the CK Folder and it had a massive 4” blade. When you opened it it was so smooth and heavy-with a thwack! That sounded like loading a shotgun when it opened up. I miss that.

[@doransponsel4813]

​@@Ajibica117it failed on you? Are you sure it was fully locked in? I've seen where lint or paper gets stuck in that little notch behind the pivot of the knife and prevents a complete locking. I just dont see a properly set triad lock failing under normal use

[@Ajibica117]

@@doransponsel4813 my swifts have all broken in the same way. The spring which launches the blade out will snap at the base of the joint and this will cause the lock to flop open and closed dude to a lack of tension.

[@Bear-nu8xm]

Brilliant idea for a video. Side by side and opened up

[@BolsteredBlades]

Thanks for explaining the mechanics, build & similarities in these knives. Appreciate it Staas! ⚔️💥👍🏻

[@Errcyco]

Seriously, I loved those cross-section books as a kid that would show ships or buildings lol. Same kinda vibe here ☝️

[@timb4425]

What an awesome tutorial on strong knife locks. Great stuff Nick. Thank you so much for giving us all of this fantastic knife knowledge.

[@JJ-lu6mg]

I agree 💯 % that Cold Steel was pretty cold not to give Demko the credit to that so called “Atlas lock” 👍🏼…

[@egbluesuede1220]

This was really informative. Thanks for taking these apart and explaining how the locks work as well as pros and cons. Objective and informative. Best channel on YT by a mile.

[@stevenrogers7917]

Just watch this video I realized it's a year later but I love how humble you are you are obviously very knowledgeable

[@marcusjuniusbrutus1859]

Thank You for all the effort in disassembling and educating!

[@Gman1024]

Awesome showing of all these locks. I'm fascinated with different locks, so I try to get one of each type. Haven't got any of those superlock ones, but do have a couple Demkos. Thanks for the upload.

[@Errcyco]

Great video Stassa and I appreciate you taking the time to show this stuff. I had to guess for the most part how the Demko locks worked so this was helpful. I hope to have one myself one day.

[@kennymckown8603]

Thanks bro ! After all these years I've never seen how these locks work and compared , well done !

[@YourAverageReviews]

The way the Atlas Lock works makes a lot more sense in my head because you're sandwiching the piece of the lock between the blade and the stop pin versus the Shark Lock

[@stevenlachance8576]

Excellent lock discussion thank you Nick.

[@Hungrybird474]

Haha. You are so right . We will never ever need something that strong but it’s the cool engineering and designs for me .

[@jimmycricket7946]

I'd put my money on the triad lock all day. I think the atlas is basically the same thing as the shark lock, there both def strong but instinctually I still feel the triad lock has them both beat. I wouldn't even consider trying out an ad15 after I witnessed the scorpion lock fail in a joex destruction video.

[@AValentinoFilms]

He should have tied something to the grip, “since the lock is stronger with a grip”. Keep an eye on MidwayUSA sales. I bought my EDC ad15 lite for $40 last month.

[@CorruptionManX]

​@@AValentinoFilmsIf it depends on the person's grip, this lock is no longer worth it.

[@bubba92473]

Great way for us to learn about these. Thanks so much Mr Stassa 👍

[@jn651]

Nice; thanks for the dissection!

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

One factor that might influence the purchase of a knife is price, and the Demko knives are quite expensive ($150) while the Cold Steel Atlas lock knives are starting around $70. All things being relatively equal, l think l will give the Cold Steel Atlas lock a shot, just to get my hands on one of these new locking mechanisms.

[@kenmastersmaster]

Or a $40 voyager with a time tested ad lock....

[@CorruptionManX]

​@@kenmastersmasterHe wants to test a new locking system.

[@billballbuster7186]

After using knives for over 50 years I can say knife locks for me is not an issue. I have never had a knife close on me in all that time, I guess because I use them with respect.

[@jfriedman5274]

Thanks for doing what you do we greatly appreciate it glad ya had a good time at blade show!

[@MitchBollig]

Thanks for a great demonstration! Super appreciate you opening them each up. I was reminded of the scorpion lock when I reviewed a knife with the Glen Klecker NIRK lock (CRKT Nirk Tighe), the principle difference being instead of a back spring for tension on a back bar, it uses the body integrally.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

The scorpion lock on the AD-15 is an easy to close knife if you learn the trick to it. You basically grip the lock bar between your thumb and middle finger. With your index finger you push on the spine of the blade. If you do it right the blade will swing fully closed while your fingers stay out of the way of the blade path.

[@Stassa23]

I use to do it that way but for my hands I find it easier for me to just lift the bar with my thumb and swing it down, I no longer have a issue closing it I just find the shark lock , is a lot easier to manipulate and it’s a lot smoother so I tend to grab it instead but I always say use what works best for you 👌

[@not-a-raccoon]

I have the ad-15, and the scorpion lock is as easy to close as an axis lock for me. It did take some practice though

[@AValentinoFilms]

I EDC both an AD-15 lite and CKRT Provoke. I like that I can deploy the AD-15 lite with gloves and the Provoke opens as like a “wave” knife from my pocket. Thanks for the review.

[@EastCoastMan603]

Great video man, I’m running the Demko 20.5. I sold a lot of my other knives. Going to try it out with some PB washers. Thanks again. Edit - Andrew Demko doesn’t get enough credit - the guy is unbelievably talented. He’s got patents for basically 4/5 of the strongest locks in history.

[@wpymes]

Isnt calling the knives AD 10 or AD 15 or Tri-AD after Andrew Demko enough credit. Andrew Demko was a consultant for Cold Steel until 2021. I own an AD15 and the scorpion lock feels absolutely solid. Tests show that it can take around 300lb force, much more than my wrist. Unlocking it to close the blade requires extra skills.

[@mmikee407]

I guess which is the stronger lock between the Shark and Atlas lock would not be settled until a formal testing was done but from observation and just the anatomy of the components, I venture to bet that the Atlas lock is stronger. The power lock in Sandrin is modified to be amenable for use on a very thin ricasso as the tungsten carbide blade is ground in a rather thin grind.

[@code_6]

This is an excellent video. Many thanks. Built like a tank, but difficult to operate in the beginning, my Cold Steel 4Max with CPM-20V blade steel and made in Italy is a tremendous knife. Excellent blade edge retention. This is a workhorse. Funny, but the trouser clip was super cumbersome. When removing the knife it felt as if my trousers were coming off as well. Cold Steel needs to rework their clips. Currently, my tough EDC, tougher than nails and much easier to maneuver is Cold Steel's Recon 1. This knife is filled with value. Love it. Again, thanks.

[@Cid_1]

I would choose the Sharklock in most situations. One can also argue that the Sharklock is safer to use as it don't have to reposition the hands to unlock the knife. Specially in an environment like a construction site where you might have people working below you etc. It is also clear that CS got most of the design from Demko (probably when he was still with them), cause the likelihood of someone coming up with something that similar is highly unlikely.

[@kylekarcher]

Demko got it from We knife

[@Errcyco]

Kinda crazy how two year later it’s still only on AD’s or the Flytanium Arcade. If we had a $80 knife with shark lock that would be sweet.. or $100 maybe so it’s not too cheaply made

[@Goliath4497]

@@kylekarcheryou mean the Vision? If you mean that knife than no, Andrew Demko is the original

[@kylekarcher]

@@Goliath4497 Andrew got inspired by the designer of the vision. His lock was out first. Do your research.

[@Thesergeant114]

Awesome video, very informative, thanks! All in all love your content, keep up the great work.

[@markanderson8677]

This is the most infomrative knife video I've seen in quite a while. Well done!

[@willblake72]

Excellent video Stassa, thank you for the breakdown! I found that shark lock on the 20.5 to be in the way and uncomfortable until I replaced the stock scales with slightly beefier ones. Now it's much better. I guess having more thumb real estate made the difference.

[@khakicampbell6640]

Great comparison video! 👍

[@cassanoa]

btw - the ckrt seismic has a small screw that adjusts the detente spring tension which makes it very easy to customize the opening and closing without fiddling with the pivot bolt being touched - i got mine to Ferrari smoothness - the blade has a almost talwar ( my next target ) shape - the ckrt clever girl has a Persian looking blade - another beautiful and functional defensive blade

[@chanabhaji2726]

Mike read pie lock is a belter too. Agreed innitive new lock designs keep things fresh. Stolen is a strong word. Remember Everything is Borrowed.

[@lonewolf597]

I feel like I'm in knife college! Thanks for this! I agree that Sold Steel should credit Demko, but they are under new ownership, so that won't happen.

[@jimcarlson6157]

I'm a dull guy, so I couldn't get into knife college

[@bback74]

Appreciate this. Thanks a bunch!

[@DONK0]

Great video! Very helpful.

[@Nightwolf866]

I thought (from watching videos) the scorpionlock would be more fidgety. It's so strong you feel like He-Man if u carry it, but it's kind of hard work to use.

[@gregvanderlip7726]

I have returned with button lock and axis lock experience and i still want try shark,atlas , and def triadlocks now oh an compression 😊

[@mynamesjeff347]

That Sandrin Torino is really sweet I might check that out

[@samhenderson2947]

looks like atlas lock bar could be adapted to be either top release like the shark lock or stick pin through it , cut slots in the handle and it would be a super strong axis style lock. handy design.

[@J1c80]

I wonder if Demko actually designed & sold the IP for the Atlas lock to cold steel when the new owners bought cold steel ..id be willing to bet Lynn Thomson & Demko had that knife with the Atlas lock in the pipeline before they sold Cold steel to GSM Outdoors & it was part of the deal that knife is very Demko the blade style everything about it .

[@The_AntiVillain]

if i remember correctly, the last locks are open patents where any one can use it

[@Mntoyaz]

Great video! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Houdini would love this new crop of locks.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Cold steel makes a pocket bushman that when deployed is basically a fixed blade. The mechanism is not practical, but is incredibly strong. I like the knife for a go bag or something like that, but it really isn't an edc. Some people may not be bothered by the design for edc. It is a large folder which I personally prefer, but so is the ad-10. So, whatever floats your boat.

[@diducthesizeoftahtchicken]

Amazing and super informative video!!!!

[@jerrydonquixote5927]

I like what you did thanks because I was absolutely going crazy trying to figure out how this Demco lock worked! lol

[@f804.de.ruyter]

Scorpion lock got allot in common with the ratchet lock on spanish navaja knives.

[@knickly]

The Tri Ad lock seems like it would be readily suited to reblades, in that it should be pretty tolerant of lock geometry variance.

[@paranoiia8]

You would be surprised how hard lock need to work when you stab a knife on a hard surface even when you just slap it on wood. It's just for a fraction of a second but it's nice to know that a knife will not bend and cut your fingers when doing it. So the stronger the lock the better. As it's not about if you need it it's about having confidence to use your knife in emergency.

[@Patriot-rising]

My preference is for the Demko Sharklock. I own 2 knives one being a overseas model the other a titanium USA .

[@minghancai563]

Great video!

[@burgknife758]

I for one am happy theres so many different lovk types .i get bored easily no matter how nice , different , orginal.the knife is .so variety is more important to me then strength, ingenuity , originality or rarity

[@nicolaspiquette972]

I would like if you can do an update since the civivi vision FG just came out! I know it is supposed to be a budget version of the vision R but they've put some work to the locking mechanism.😊

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great information!

[@jayhawk703]

Great video! Thanks

[@Lit_Hot_takes]

The Shark lock should be industry standard.

[@MrBowser2012]

really cool stuff.

[@ColdSpyderBuck]

They should make a knife with the Atlas lock called the Irons

[@azraelsblade]

Thanks!

[@alexandermcalpine]

Great post!

[@Essex626]

This is a great video to show how the superlock operates similar to the shark lock, but the internals are actually not that similar.

[@tomfoolery2082]

Could u replace those locked up bearings with bronze washers . Would tht help .

[@chrisb9478]

Great video

[@the_knife_degenerate]

::spring flies out and screams:: I DON’T WANNA LIVE!!!

[@49giants3]

The ad10 has the smoothest triad lock ever. Idk how they did it, but every cold steel with a triad would benefit from the same smoothness

[@treyeppes7398]

Hey Trey with the Drop Bear, or did I wear it out

[@manifestgtr]

I really like my 20.5…I waited til I could get the exact one I wanted (3v stonewash) and put micarta scales on it…precisely how I envisioned “my version” of that knife. I’m not sure where the shark lock gets this reputation for overwhelming strength, though. Certainly most locks are more than you ever need and some types will probably outlast the pivot in a true torture test. But as I was examining the mechanism during the scale swap, it occurred to me as more of a flicky, easy to use design moreso than one of brute force. Honestly, I’d be willing to bet that spyderco’s cbbl is probably even stronger under many circumstances…especially when you factor in that there’s no stop pin…it’s a stop SLAB. I love the 20.5, I think it’s a really novel design and i really like both of the standard blade shapes…but I question the narrative of overwhelming force when it comes to the shark lock.

[@Mr.NorthSacra916]

I appreciate this video

[@levipankey]

Great input! 👌

[@bozelius9243]

It’s crazy how most of these are Demko designs or inspired by demko.

[@john0270]

Idk I think the spyderco compression lock would hold its own. definitely against something like the axis locks. I have actualy broken my ad-15 lite's lock, the blade slot actually cracked and failed. I believe when they pressed in the stop it over stressed the blade steel and cracked it. I have short on my channel showing it. Would love an ad 20.5 in 3v and textured titanium......

[@joshalmightyblades]

AD 15 YOU GRAB THE BACK PART OF THE HANDLE THEN PUSH DOWN ON THE BLADE. JUST MAKE SURE YOUR FINGERS ARE CLEAR.

[@dtester]

I feel like the Atlas could be an improved Shark lock but hard to say what happened behind the scenes. There is an interview where CS said they got inspiration from the Tri-ad for the stop pins so that sorta is giving props to Andrew.

[@snakeinthegrass4726]

Very nice video. Thanks

[@Hungrybird474]

Oh yeah baby . I see a scorpion lock in there 👍👍.

[@MrJackfriday]

What would be the best lock if somebody would make a folding machete? Mostly chopper and not a slicer

[@rwirtz77]

the vision is similar to extracters on some guns, you can depress the spring and just pull it out and clean it. my milled sig p220 is like that and it's nice for keeping it clean, glocks are use the same technology, you can take the entire guns down without hammering out any pins. I like designs like that, maybe one day instead of torx screws you'll just be depressing springs and taking everything down. Knife making has been pretty crud up until recently. Frame locks how the frame is milled out real thin for the frame lock spring, that's so hoky and just 10 years ago, strider, chris reeve, hinderer was all people talked about and those knives suck so bad, i carried a xm 24 tip down and it sliced up my pants pocket because of the open construction. Cris reeve put the ceramic ball on there frame lock and that was neat but still a crud frame lock. These modern locks are a step in the right direction and i feel they can be improved on.

[@butchcassidy3373]

Check out the Rike Unicorn. Cool field stripping set up

[@rwirtz77]

Tri ads can have problems if not made right, shark and atlas the coil springs are too whimpy, they need a strong spring like a gun hammer, maybe not that extreme or a duel spring incase the spring breaks if thats possible, my favorite is the AD 15 because its so simple and not hoky like a frame lock is. A leaf spring in the AD 15 would be better, everyone knows a leaf spring is better then a coil. A good old Buck 110 or better yet a Case Hammerhead will out last all these coil spring, i have tri ad locks that go and go and go as well. I like the Shark like though just because i like it. I don't think the Atlas Lock is a copy as far as giving Andrew credit, They made it different enough same as the Tri Ad is just a lock back but Andrew made it different enough. I agree they are all interesting and i feel like a design where if the blade comes down it wont chop ypur fingers off is the most important. Case Hammerhead has a super strong spring and tolerances are very very tight so these designs are reinventing the wheel but i still think they can be improved on, maybe not the tri ad but ive had tri ads that were messed up, the lock bar falling too deep and thats right out of the box. All locks need good quality control #1

[@joshalmightyblades]

Scorpion Lock 💯 jmo

[@louiecatt5984]

Missing the CRT Deadbolt lock

[@TheSilence1]

The potential point of failure for each of these knives are the springs. If the springs fail for any reason then all of these knives are gonna hurt you...except for the scorpion lock. You can keep that blade open just by squeezing the handle. For me that puts it above the rest.

[@Hungrybird474]

Hey stasis bro can we get a review or Amazon knife of the month on an eafengrow 902 , 225 or 335 and ganzo 720 amd call the video “ Inspired by the greats “ well no the 902 I don’t think . I thought the ganzo neformat was a good deal at $29 , the action , dude at least in my two examples the detent and action is spot on and it’s a comfortable knife to carry . The others are bigger but I carry them quite a bit . I actually spent on a lionsteel sr1 because of the ganzo 720 but I don’t use them the same way😊🙄. What about a knife sale ? You getting rid of anything ?

[@Ike-Mi]

code 4 almost double price now, glad i got it with xhp. almost threw it in a random trinkets box cuz it was a cheap coldsteel knife. spring tension is fine ppl who complain have weak fingers

[@Ike-Mi]

i also sanded the and crowned the lock bar, and the clip and screws, all satin like the blade

[@Ike-Mi]

brushed

[@bodyno3158]

They all utilizes the very same principle: make the locking piece bear load by compression, instead of shear (axis lock), or bend (liner/frame lock). Steel is extremely strong in compression. Thus the lock can almost never break, if something fails it's usually not the lock, since you have to squish that tiny piece of steel flat to do it, the stopping pin or handle scale/liner, or even the pivot pin, will definitely fail first (at that point, you really, really should get a fixed blade). The only question is, is everything worth it? People can hardly use a normal linerlock knife to the point of failure, what's worth of all those extra strength?

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I carry the Torino with my AD20 awesome pairing. I think Cold Steel stole the design and should pay up.

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

Great vid, thanks. Congrats for it. The most significant lockers clearly explained.

[@chrisventer3060]

Great job 😊😊😊

[@J0eMega]

1:12 clearly a skill issue 💪

[@gregvanderlip7726]

Great vid stass

[@bamaninja929]

It's a lock for sure.

[@MrNiceGuy80x5]

im really hard pressed to buy another cold steel again after the buy out. i was really hoping they would keep andrew demko on board so that we couldve gotten a cheaper ad20. we couldve gotten ad20.5 in s35vn for under $200. and it kinda sucked they moved the main store from ventura to texas. no more parking lot sales for me, oh well i got the old knives i want in cts-xhp.

[@jpolhamus71]

S35vn 20.5 is coming i watched a video and heard them say many more different blade steels are coming

[@MrNiceGuy80x5]

@@jpolhamus71 yea I watched the blade show videos, but if we’re getting it with aus 10 for $150 and d2 for $160, how much do we think a s35 is ganna be

[@jpolhamus71]

@@MrNiceGuy80x5 they have 3v for 189. So I cant see s35vn being any more .. magnacut maybe 200 but I don't know

[@MrNiceGuy80x5]

@@jpolhamus71 cold steel just drop their shark lock knives. 3.5in s35vn for $165

[@jpolhamus71]

@@MrNiceGuy80x5 you mean cold steel atlas lock. I will wait for that steel on a demko Ad20.5

[@nameless-yd6ko]

Thank you for the vids! How is it, do you think, that all this 'lock' discussion seems to only focus on the vertical plane? Could it be because it lets us play with erection producing numbers? Big pounds? Why not take one and clamp it up on the horizontal plane? Hang some weights on the tip end (or handle end) and see what the 'weakest link' in the chain will be. Because of it, the knife might never get to play in the stratospheric regions the vertical tests indicate available. "No feature is an island!" - Gilligan

[@Stassa23]

Probably because the weight would sit mainly on the pivot and the blade and probably would just snap the blade however I’d love to see some side to side testing 👌🍻🍻

[@nameless-yd6ko]

@@Stassa23 YES! Side to side is what I'm talking about! We never see that, yet we probably put more stresses in that direction (stropping, sharpening, carving...) than on the back of the blade.

[@ronniegreene1274]

I understand what u r saying but all the companies out there are not giving all the credit to benchmade for there axis lock

[@gregvanderlip7726]

I'd love get chance to use button and shark 🦈 locks 🔒

[@lallawmzuali5217]

I think Andrew himself designed the Atlas lock too

[@kirkpreston4864]

Thanks for using the sandrin in the video for this haha

[@Stassa23]

I did it for you since you asked me to in my blade show Haul video 👍

[@kirkpreston4864]

@@Stassa23 sweet that’s awesome thanks again big fan

[@gnomersy1087]

Don't get me wrong I'd love for people to be open about where they get their ideas from so that everyone knows and those people get the respect they deserve. But in our society "giving credit" for a design variation opens people up to lawsuits as far as I understand it so I have no doubt that any business worth their salt will not do so under any circumstances unless they are actively collaborating under contractual terms with said person.

[@Stassa23]

That’s something I know nothing about so if that’s true that makes sense

[@jimcarlson6157]

not giving credit to the original designer does not protect one from litigation so I don't see your point

[@gnomersy1087]

@@jimcarlson6157 It's not that it protects you from litigation it's that it adds difficulty to litigation. In patent law you need to prove that something is unique, not common knowledge, and useful. When you state that the source of your design is based off of someone specific you make it harder to argue that the design is in fact not unique/common knowledge if they sue you.

[@jimcarlson6157]

@@gnomersy1087 ok, but if you think that simply denying obvious thievery bolsters one's odds of a favourable outcome, I feel sad for us both, Professor

[@gnomersy1087]

@@jimcarlson6157 Of course it does compared to the alternative of admitting it. Regardless of what crime you commit denying it is a better choice than admitting to it. That's why plea deals exist to give people a reason to admit to a crime when they otherwise have none.