Case - RussLock ; how does it work?

oupa

oupa

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As these knives are not available in Africa or Australia, I have never actually seen or handled one of these knives. The locking method facinates me.
How does the opening mechanism work? In the pictures it looks like the blade "snaps" into place just like a traditional pocket knife.
If so, would it not be rather difficult to open with one hand?
Any info would be welcome.
Thanks
 
the locking mechanism is a liner lock, a piece of metal that springs into place behind the blade tang. As to the opening mechanism, i don't have any experience with it so i really couldn't help you there.

- Pete
 
oupa,
The RussLock IS extremely difficult to open one handed (but not impossible). Primarily because it is a small knife overall and has a strong spring. It also has a lot of smooth surface in the handle, the blade and the "ear" to get much purchase.
Closing it one handed is even harder. The only way to close it one handed is to put the back of the blade against something (a leg, etc), operate the lock and push closed. NOT a good idea with the shape of the blade.

John
colobbfan
 
Yes, the knife is constructed like a traditional slipjoint with a strong backspring. The liner lock is like the ones on the screwdriver blade of some electrician's knives, it's not well fitted like a good tactical folder. You just push down on the lever that sticks forward and the blade just snaps open. It's a little awkward at first but you could get used to it. The whole knife is pretty much a novelty in my book, but I'm sure somebody likes it.
 
I have 2 of these good looking little knives. It takes a bit of practice to get use to opening them, but it's not hard at all. The knives work off a slip joint, but they do have a liner lock style spring to prevent accidental closure. Curiously, the liner does not make contact with the blade tang on my models so if you try to close the knife without pushing the liner out of the way, you can feel a tiny gap, but this is of no concern as the slip joint prevents any kind of blade wobble, so the liner is there just in case. As stated before, this is by no means a "tactical" folder and is not designed to be. It is just a nice traditional looking pocket knife designed for one handed opening.
 
Thank you for the comments.
I must say I find it a good looking pocket knife (must be showing my age!).
I also got a reply from the manufacturer, which was a pleasant surprise.
I am tempted to get one.
 
The trick to opening the Russlock one-handed, as it was related to me, is in how you hold the knife. I was told to grasp it like one would a disposable butane lighter, using the thumb to flick down the blade arm as if striking it. This works pretty well. There really is no safe way to close it without using two hands, though, as has already been stated.
 
El Cid is right on target. I handled one briefly at a gun show and got the hang of it in about 30 seconds. It's a neat old-timey idea, although not a blade style I'd use or collect. Fifty years from now (mark my words, you whippersnappers out there) they'll fetch big bucks at knife shows from collectors and knife freaks like us.
 
Thanks for all the info.
I could not resist.
Ordered one - with the script writing on the handle.
 
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