Never used one, just don't like 'em. Any rational reason why?

Liner locks require precise fitment to function properly. Liner locks from high end manufacturers are, in my experience, perfectly fine. With lower quality knives, they tend to have issues. Some of which can be potentially dangerous.

With that said, all folding knives are a compromise compared to a fixed blade.

I don't have a problem with them if its well made. Spyderco has been very reliable for me. Oddly enough, I'm not a fan of axis locks.

I'm the opposite. I prefer the axis lock to spyderco's liner lock and compression lock knives.

It's no big issue to me because I've never been comfortable abusing any folder like I do a fixed blade. Anyway, the well-regarded Sebenza uses a frame lock, which is similar to a liner lock. So, the system can't be all that bad, right?

I'm OK with liner locks or axis locks. They both work for me. I don't like back locks. Sometimes a bone in my hand presses into the lock a bit too much and releases it. Has anyone else had this problem?

Obviously, fixed blade is best if you have the space.

Da Bing

The backlock accidental release is known - the 'Boye detent' (a little scoop taken out of the back of the lock) helps with this. Spyderco look like they have tweaked their backlocks to recess the exposed p

ireckon... my Sebenza engages about .090" of the .150" of the frame and is rock solid and the Kershaw Leek the entire .095" of the frame... I can flex the liner locks of most of my cheaper polymer framed knives ... I've been carrying a Benchmade axis lock for many years but do try to keep the roller mechanism and hairpin springs clean...

there's always a balisong...

Does anyone prefer the balisong over a regular folder? Though it's fun to play with, esp. to open, to secure it for use involves two movements and two hands (flip the blade out, then lock the bottom of the hilt with the other hand). I always fear the bottom lock can be disengaged if your hand slips or if the butt brushes up against something. I used a Benchmade balisong regularly for a month (for various tasks), and while it stood up to use, I'm not sure the two points of contact (securing the blade to the hilt) made it more robust.

Avoid cheap balisongs like the plague.

Da Bing

Your dislike doesn't seem irrational to me. Mine is born from not wanting to put my fingers in the path of the blade when unlocking it to fold.

I was a die-hard lockback fan for folding knives, and got rid of any liner locks that came my way. Now the only folding knives that I actually use have Benchmade Axis locks or Spyderco's ball-bearing lock.

While all folding knives are a compromise compared to a fixed blade, I'm a lot more likely to have a folding knife with me.

I don't mind either. Used and use both, have all 10 fingers still.

I really don't like brussel sprouts, lima beans or liver however.

You don't have to have a reason to like/not like something.I personally do not trust "lock blades".I have seen too many cut hands from using it beyond its limits.A lot of people do not keep them sharp enough either."It'll cut if I push harder" is their subconscious thought.
I use a SAK Farmer and have no problems with it.Knowing its limitations and keeping it properly sharp is hte answer.Heavy cutting is for fixed blades.Currently a BK-14 ESKABAR is the heavy cutter for me.
Remember a folding knife is designed to close and can do so when you least expect it....

BOATMAN
John

I like the backlocks the best. All of mine these days have that "Boyle dent" to make them safer. I don't care for liner locks because you have to put your finger in the way of the closing blade. However, I've never cut myself with a liner lock, but I can envison it happening. And whatever that lock type is on a Benchmade Gryptillian - that is the only locking mechanism where I have actually cut myself while closing the knife. In a knife store, inspecting the knife. How embarassing. I obviously mishandled the knife, not knowing what I was doing. It was like after a certain point in closing the blade, it somehow pulled out of my grasp and snapped itself the rest of the way closed. Unfortunately, with an errant finger still in the way.

I worked in a knife store for 15 months and came to a similar conclusion.

Since I am a compulsive kind of guy, I examined the knives I did not like and tried to figure out why. My conclusion was that a liner lock seemed to be the easiest style to do badly. And maybe how they fit my hand.

Having said that, there were some manufacturers that seemed to do a good job, at least it was good six years ago. Two I remember are Lone Wolf and the Al Mar SERE. And the framelock Sebenza.

I'm a little surprised to see so many people worried about a liner lock knife cutting you as you close. When opening or closing a knife, I try to be very mindful. Do it at a safe, slow speed. Use both hands if necessary. Give it my whole attention. I wouldn't just "whip out" the blade and snap it close. As a consequence, I don't regard this as a risky phase of using the knife.

I'm more worried about the lock getting accidentally released or failing when I'm using the knife. This is when I have to pay attention to the task at hand, not to the integrity of the knife. This is where I have to trust the knife not to fail you. Alas, I had two accidental releases with a back lock knife (not due to operator error), and I never used a back lock again. Maybe the Boye thingy fixed the problem, but I've found the axis lock to be plenty satisfactory for most uses. I've also never had problems with the one liner lock I have.

Da Bing

I am trying to think of how one would use a knife and cause it to CLOSE. It seems like normal knife operations would be trying to force the knife OPEN, not closed. The only operation I can imagine that would tend to close a knife would be stabbing something. Not an action I'd undertake with a folding knife. Slicing, whittling, ... they all put pressure to open the knife. What am I not seeing?

Way back when my father gave me my first knife, I was instructed to always cut away from myself, and to keep fingers away from the path of the blade. If you do that, it doesn't matter whether the knife has a lock or not. It's a analogous to treating all guns as if they are loaded.