A Few Vintage Japanese Lockbacks

[AFAustin]

A while back, I asked about 1970s-1980s era Japanese lockbacks, and got some helpful replies:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1001300-Opinions-re-1970s-1980s-Japanese-Lockbacks

I decided to go ahead and acquire a few and see how they were up close. I have a handful of them in now and really have been enjoying them. Some came used, but most were new or almost new, but having sat in storage for many years, a little TLC was required. So, a fair amount of buffing, polishing, sharpening, and washing/cleaning ensued.

While the quality and F&F has varied, overall I've been very impressed with these knives, and considering the modest prices, I really think they are exceptional in the bang-for-the-buck category. Each has sharpened up nicely and taken a good edge.

Hope you enjoy them.

Andrew

IC Cut Coast Cutlery 9100. A real hunk at 5.4 oz. with a solid, quality feel.

American Blade AB-8. A more pedestrian knife, but a nice size and grip to do some work.

Kershaw Wild Turkey 4150. A slim elegant knife, excellent in the kitchen.

Parker Cut Co. Eagle Brand 512-SB. Another whose F & F really impressed me, with some nice bone.

Khyber 2725. Very stout, "little big man" type knife.

Kershaw Indian Ford. This one is actually of recent vintage, but was made in Japan before production shifted to China. Again, the quality for the price impressed me.

Frost Barracuda. Some pretty sandalwood scales on this one.

Parker Bros. Challenger. This is the small (3" closed) version. Thin & light, with a FFG blade that took a fine edge.

 

[Will Power]

Very interesting. That light coloured bone Parker looks a treat, fact it looks a lot like a Moki.

Thanks for showing these, well worth having.

Regards, Will

 

[TLARbb]

I had one of those Parkers that I picked up many years ago. I really liked it and don't remember what happened to it. But I liked it quite a lot.

Ed J

 

[wouldestous]

ive got an old 'parker cut. co.' trapper pattern that has 'surgical steel japan' blades. its likely not as in good a shape as these specimens.

 

[TLARbb]

Delete duplicate post.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Glad you were able to check out one of the Kershaws, Andrew. I have an 'Indian Ford' model exactly like the one you've pictured (from Kai/Japan), and they are very nice. Also have a couple or three of the Parker ('Eagle Brand') knives that seem consistent with the examples you've shown. I think I might've mentioned in your other thread, I don't recall if I've ever seen a bad blade from a Japan producer. Though many of the steels used in them seem to be of 'lesser' steels (by perception only), they really seem to know how to get the most out of them. Heat treat and edge grinds always seem to be above par, compared to many others of similar vintage and price point.


David

 

[Berkley]

Great photos of some very clean, elegant folders. It's easy to see why you're attracted to them - hard to resist the temptation, in fact.

 

[Thalestin]

Some of those are very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[AFAustin]

Thank you, gentlemen, for the comments and kind words. This has been a fun little excursion, and enjoyable to share.

Andrew

 

[Mossyhorn]

You certainly have some great knives. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Stich2442]

Nice collection, I recently found my Parker that my father bought for me when I was young, I sharpened it up and started carrying it again, brought back a lot of memories. I was very surprised how well the 6A steel took a excellent hair shaving edge. It's funny as a kid I thought it was a large knife, I have it next to a Case peanut for size reference.
Here is the link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1007630-Found-a-old-friend

Pete

 

[zippofan]

Very nice knives! I especially like the Kershaw and the Parker's. I don't have many Japanese traditionals, including a couple from AG Russell, Pinched Peanut and Spire, Kershaw Double Cross and my latest, a Browning small stockman. The fit and finish on all of them is very good to fantastic.

 

[sitflyer]

hope you don't mind me posting this pic here, this AG Russell lockback is from a few years back, simply stamped "Made In Japan" opposite AG's stamp on the tang.
I have seen one example of this knife with a plain steel blade, but a saavy sniper beat me to it...

the steel took a very keen edge ( once I figured out that a diamond stone was needed) and holds it extremely well.

 

[paulhilborn]

Andrew,

Heres a couple of Parker Lockbacks.

"AIDA DESIGN" JRC "PARKER MAKER". They are hands down some of the best F&F knives I own:thumbup: They are flawless!!!

They have great looking (I believe) black micarta scales---unfortunately the pictures cant capture how nice they are

Paul

 

[AFAustin]

Paul, those are fantastic! You are too modest---your photos are outstanding.

Can you tell us more about the Aida Design label and the background on these beauties?

And sitflyer, that A.G. Russell is also incredible---with a very strong Moki flavor!

Andrew

 

[Will Power]

Look at that tang/spring match! Deeply impressive, thanks for showing them, both very desirable models.

Regards, Will

 

[paulhilborn]

Andrew & Will, Thank you, I may not be 100% in my recollection of the knives and their history but if (and a big if) memory serves, AIDA is mainly a cutlery line such as tableware That Parker collaborating with? Others are invited to chime in if they know for sure. Regardless their F&F is superb.

Paul

 

[avoidspam]

Andrew,

Heres a couple of Parker Lockbacks.

"AIDA DESIGN" JRC "PARKER MAKER". They are hands down some of the best F&F knives I own:thumbup: They are flawless!!!

They have great looking (I believe) black micarta scales---unfortunately the pictures cant capture how nice they are

Paul

Stunners

Sam

 

[StuntDouble]

Paul, beautiful knives. I would be willing to bet Moki made those for Parker. They look fantastic.

 

[Bob W]

I'm a fan of sleek "gentlemanly" Japanese lockback knives also. Don't think I have any as old as the 70s though; most are from the 90s. AG Russell, Gerber Silver Knights, Soque River, Aristocrat, Paragon...