Folding Knife Technologies

F

flarp

Joined
Sep 7, 2011
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I've seen various mentions around here about specific knife features and designs developed by different manufacturers (eg. CRK's frame lock, Spyderco's Spyderhole, etc.). I've wondered when some of these designs first came about and who came up with them. So, in an attempt to tap into the knowledge and experience of other members here... When did these knife technologies first come about, and who came up with them? Sources and/or reference knife models would be great as well.

Opening mechanisms:
- Nail nick, Thumb stud, Thumb hole/notch, Flipper, Auto-openers, Assisted-openers, Balisong

Lock types:
- Slipjoint, Back lock, Liner lock, Frame lock, Axis lock, Arc lock, Ring lock

Carrying systems:
- Pocket clip, Multi-position pocket clips (tip-up & tip-down, left & right side), Bayonet clip

I'm sure I've missed several, so if you can think of others, please share. Also, there may be vendor-specific variants on the above (eg. CRKT's LAWKS addition to the liner lock, or Cold Steel's Tri-Ad variant of the back lock), so any information there would be welcome too.
 
Back lock - Mar-McBurnett
Integral Lock - Chris Reeve
TriAd - (modified back lock) Dmko
Caged ball bearing lock- E. Glesser
liner Lock - Walker
bolt Lock - Collins
Compression lock - Glesser
Stop lock - Glesser

Spyderco contributed the pocket clip, serrations, opening hole, and a ton of other stuff, can't recall at the moment. I don't have dates for them though. Not sure about individual clip styles, but, they app started as the integral clip ike on the early Spyderco models.
 
May have been, i should have clarified, the midback lock. In my mind, it's almost the same. I can't find much info at the moment, my google-fu is weak and I'm in a crappy cell area (droid is barely hanging on).
 
RevDevil said:
May have been, i should have clarified, the midback lock. In my mind, it's almost the same. I can't find much info at the moment, my google-fu is weak and I'm in a crappy cell area (droid is barely hanging on).
Click to expand...

ah, no worries, honestly if it locks it works for me :P
 
I'm not 100% on this, but I believe automatic knives originated from spring-loaded folding bayonets developed in the 1600s. I don't know if the original inventor is known.
 
Found this paper about liner locks. Developed by Michael Walker in 1980, possibly based on a locking liner design by Watson & Chadwick in 1906. Also found this thread crediting the liner lock and frame lock to Otto Altenbach in 1929. That patent was apparently in Europe and not known in the US, and there isn't evidence that any knives were made using that design. It also credits Walker with introducing both the liner and frame locks in 1980. (Bernard Levine authored the paper and provided the additional info in the thread linked above.)

Haven't found references to when or what mainstream knives started incorporating the liner locks. Walker is identified as a custom knife maker, so I would assume the first knives to feature the liner and frame locks were customs from him.

This Wikipedia article credits the invention of the frame lock to Chris Reeve in 1990 where it first appeared on the Sebenza. Levine's paper, however, credits the invention to Altenbach in 1929 and the introduction to the US by Walker in 1980. Not sure which is right.
 
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RevDevil said:
McHenry & Williams designed the 710 and the lock I think. I knew I was forgetting a couple biggies in there.


Link/pics?
Click to expand...

Correct on the axis lock.

138.jpg



Mid-back lock.
 
This Wikipedia article describes the locking mechanism on an early 1700's Spanish Navaja knife that seems to describe a back lock. It doesn't give a specific date, but it does say they were outlawed in May 1750. Presumably the knife and lock were invented and manufactured prior to that.

Quoting the article:
The locking mechanism itself consisted of pinion teeth (piñones or muelles) cut into the blade heel (hoja con talón) that are engaged by a lug attached to either the backspring or a separate spring-loaded metal latch as the knife is opened. The last pinion tooth serves to keep the blade locked in its fully opened position.
Click to expand...

The back lock design appears to have been popularized by Buck knives in 1964 when they developed the original Buck 110 Folding Hunter. (source) It does not, however, credit Buck with creating the back lock, only popularizing it.
 
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I know Navajahs with ratchet locks were around as early as the 1500s and possibly earlier. Different mechanism than a back lock, though.
 
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