An exhibition of 20 AMAZING Michael walkers......

ddd

ddd

Joined
Apr 6, 2003
Messages
2,498
Lets begin the trip with:
3 experimental/prototype Michael Walkers
from the collection of Wolf Schulz-Tattenpach, Germany

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"

From the top:
"Prototype", 1986
Blade is 154CM, with "Walker's Lockers by Michael L. Walker" on one side
and "001 PAT. PEND" on the other. The entire body of the knife is made
of blue anodized titanium. The scales are ebony and fastened with self-made
titanium screws. Depressing the button unlocks the blade that is then opened
by turning the serrated end with one's index finger. It locks open.
Overall length 5 15/16" (168 mm).

"Prototype", 1985
"Early in 1985, Michael asked me if I would like to have a cup of coffee
with him. So we did and he pulled out this knife and showed it to me.
He had just applied for a Patent for its locking mechanism. I was allowed
to show it only to my wife, until in December, his Patent was granted".
Blade is 154CM, with "Walker's Lockers by Michael L. Walker" on one side
and and "Prototype CM" on the other. Checkered ebony handle. Overall
length 5 15/16" (150 mm).

"Experimental Liner Lock", 1983
This early experimental liner lock is the first integral style liner lock
(frame lock). It was also the first knife with a tiny steel ball in the liner to
prevent the blade from opening accidentally. This folder passed a lock
breaking pressure test of 30 foot/pounds. The blade has a welded cutting
edge and the body is made of titanium. Overall Length 6" (152 mm).

MORE TO COME......

David Darom (ddd)


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4 Michael Walkers
From the collection of Dr. Laurence Marton, USA

From the top:
"EZ slider", 1988
One of a kind lock, 6K blade, anodized titanium handle.
Overall length 6 15/16" (176 mm).

"Rotating slider", 1989
One of a kind lock, 6K blade, anodized titanium and mastodon ivory
handle. Overall length 6 5/8" (168 mm). "These 2 knives have unique
locking mechanisms that are the reverse of each other and that have
never been made again".

"Bountiful Harvest", 1992
Unique patented blade lock folder (from the collection of Marlene Marton),
stainless steel blade, anodized titanium handle engraved by Patricia Walker.
Overall length 6 15/16" (176 mm).
"Metamorphosis", 1991
Unique vertical bar lock folder, stainless blade, anodized titanium handle
engraved by Patricia Walker. Overall length 5 3/4" (146 mm).

MORE TO COME....

David Darom (ddd)

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"
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4 Michael Walkers
From the collection of Luigi Peppini, Italy

"Earth, Water, Fire, Air", 1992
Four one-of-a-kind folders, each with a different locking mechanism.
Titanium handles, color engraved by Patricia Walker with scenes
representing the four "elements", earth, water, fire and air.
Overall lengths 7 1/8"-7 11/16" (180 mm-195 mm).

MORE TO COME,

David Darom (ddd)

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"
picture.JPG
 
Yah..

The closest I've had to Michael Walker knives have been repoduction thru Klotzli,Gerber and Spyderco...these are great ..thanks for sharing these photo's.



Boggs

________________

"HOLD FAST"
 
3 Michael Walkers
from the collection of Dave Ellis, USA

From the top:
"Large Blade Lock" 2001
Damascus blade. Two piece, dovetail connected handle of Stamascus and
titanium. Turbine style bolster. Overall length 9" (229 mm).

"D-Lock", 2005
This knife was made for the 2005 Art Knife Invitational Show in San Diego.
Damascus blade, Turbine style bolster. Gold and assorted inlays in the handle.
Overall length 7 1/4" (184 mm).

"Blade Lock", late '90s
Damascus blade and frame. Gold and assorted
inlays in the handle. Overall length 6 1/4" (159 mm).

MORE TO COME......

David Darom (ddd)

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"
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Last edited:
5 Zippers by Michael Walker.......
from the collection of Ed Wormser, USA

From the top:
"Crescent Shape Zipper", mid '90s
Tiny blade lock with zipper blade, stainless Damascus blade and bolsters.
Overall length 5" (127 mm).

"Blade Lock Zipper", 2003
Stainless Damascus blade and bolsters. Meteorite handle with gold accents.
Overall length 7 3/4" (197 mm).

"Blade Lock Zipper, late '90s
Stainless Damascus blade and bolsters. Gold and mixed metal inlays in handle.
Overall length 7 3/4" (197 mm).

"Blade Lock Zipper", 2002
Stainless Damascus blade and bolsters. Gold and mixed metal inlays in handle.
Overall length 7 3/4" (197 mm).

"Small Blade Lock Zipper", 2001
Stainless Damascus blade and bolsters. Gold and mixed metal inlays in handle.
Overall length 6 1/4" (159 mm).

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"
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Michael Walker and Merry Lee Rae,
From the collection of Dr. Laurence Marton, USA

"Puffin", 1993
Blade-lock folder, stainless steel blade, anodized titanium handle with
cloisonné inlays (Rae). Overall length 7 5/8" (194 mm). "The fusion of
these two marvelous talents did not yield immediate results. Merging the
free flowing art of cloisonné and the exacting talents of an individual who
deals in thousands of an inch took time, patience, and the creation of new
techniques. The results speak for themselves"!

ENJOY,
David Darom (ddd)

As shown in my book "The Great Collections"
picture.JPG
 
Thank you very much! I had no idea he covered so much range in his work. And so many many (like me up until now) know him mainly for a lock!
 
You left out Phil's....it is the best one....possibly yet of ANY, imo.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
What eye openers. Incredibly versatile and ingenious.

How ironic that the highest dollar folder maker in the world (arguably), can utilize production damasteel with such success. I am sure this has riled some forging makers and aficianados. Am I mistaken? I understood this is what he uses.

Thank you David. :thumbup:

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
What eye openers. Incredibly versatile and ingenious.

How ironic that the highest dollar folder maker in the world (arguably), can utilize production damasteel with such success. I am sure this has riled some forging makers and aficianados. Am I mistaken? I understood this is what he uses.

Thank you David. :thumbup:

Coop
Click to expand...

It's what he uses. He also uses meteorite and Shining Wave MOKUME(Take THAT Les Robertson!:D:D:D) on the handles.

The funny part....."the highest dollar folder maker in the world (arguably)" is not a wealthy man, and CERTAINLY could not afford to keep his own knives at their current cost....he is a fine and gentle man.

Michael's genius is in the design and execution of fine folders...not in the making of steel, although I would put some forged-to-shape feather pattern from Harvey Dean into one of his knives given the chance.

Many of the forge guys just don't have Michael's level of skill in machining, especially when it comes to folders...but Dan Farr showed me a John Perry folder at Reno that was really quite impressive, and for the price, a steal.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Yes, STeven, I did forget Phil's Walker, and indeed it is a true beauty!
You STeven, with your phenomenal memory don't miss anything, do you..... :)
It is Michael Walker's "Sharktooth Zipper" of 1997.
A blade lock, with a composite blade of titanium and stainless Damascus.
Stainless Damascus frame with Mother-of-Pearl, titanium, Meteorite, silver and gold.
Overall length 7 5/8" (194 mm).

Well, this makes it 21 Michael Walker knives all together in one Thread...... Enjoy!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

From my book "The Great Collections"
picture.JPG
 
SharpByCoop said:
What eye openers. Incredibly versatile and ingenious.

How ironic that the highest dollar folder maker in the world (arguably), can utilize production damasteel with such success. I am sure this has riled some forging makers and aficianados. Am I mistaken? I understood this is what he uses.

Thank you David. :thumbup:

Coop
Click to expand...

It is also because he was instrumental in the initial development of damasteel. He used to sell it at shows if I recall..
 
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