Okay, no go with me here

If Walt does have some psychic abilities
If Locke knows (or senses) these abilities
If Locke can't open the metal hatch thing-a-ma-bob
If the hatch opens inwards

What if Locke wants Walt to open the hatch? With the knife training thing, it was almost like Locke was trying to get Walt to focus his powers. The result - Walt got that knife right into the tree knot.

Yeah, yeah, there are a lot of "ifs" ;) but.... that' s all I got folks, a lot of "ifs".

Good point. I think you may be right about Locke wanting to use Walt's abilities. ;)

it's bigger than that.

i think the baby is now in the hands of the others. the baby that was destined to be an evil force without claire.

locke wants walt to be the good force to combat that evil force.

the battle will be between the others and the plane survivors.

as forshadowed by the backgammon discussion.

locke is preparing walt and the weaker survivors for the fight.