First production zytel or FRN knife?

[elkins45]

What was the first mass produced quality knife that used zytel, FRN or other modern engineered synthetic scales? I'm thinking specifically of unlined ones where it wasn't just a conventional knife with synthetic scales.

Anybody know for certain?

 

[Bob W]

I don't know for certain, but I just today looked up dates for a couple of models: The Spyderco Endura, Delica, and Ladybug were released in 1990; but the Bucklite was released several years earlier in 1984. Not a definite answer, but now you have a base date to try and beat.

 

[Phydeaux]

The first FRN linerless lock back I can remember was my Gerber LST, probably the early 80s. It was my EDC for many years and I still have it.

May be AG Russell will chime in and know some of the history and background.

 

[kreole]

Phydeaux has it. From http://www.atlanta.com/atlanta/articles/blackie-collins-self-taught-knife-making-genius/

The first design, the Gerber L.S.T. (Light, Strong, Tough) has sold three million so far and is still a staple in the Gerber catalogue 14 years later.

“That was the first molded Zytel handle,” Collins said. “Now, it’s the most copied knife in this century in the United States. “I wouldn’t be in business if it weren’t for injection molds.

And from it's product page http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/192

It was brought to market back in 1980

 

[ThievesLikeUs]

I'm not sure of the year, but what about the old Gerber Bolt Action?

 

[kreole]

I'm not sure of the year, but what about the old Gerber Bolt Action?

The patent for the bolt action lock was filed in July 1981 (http://www.google.com/patents?id=Yv...ook_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA), so it didn't beat the LST unless they went to market before filing the patent.

 

[yablanowitz]

The patent for the bolt action lock was filed in July 1981 (http://www.google.com/patents?id=Yv...ook_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA), so it didn't beat the LST unless they went to market before filing the patent.

I had an LST for a couple of years before this came out.

 

[kreole]

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk28/yablanowitz/Requests/DSCF0377.jpg[/IMG

I had an LST for a couple of years before this came out.[/QUOTE]

Something will say patent pending when the patent has been filed and not yet issued, not before it was filed. 1981 was when it was filed, and 1984 is when it was issued, so that knife is between 1981 and 1984 :)

 

[yablanowitz]

If I remember right, I bought it in 1984, and I know I had two LSTs when I got the Bolt Action.