Michael Walker Liner Lock Controversy

Not that it matter's, but here is my opinion!

As a knife collector (both custom and production), I feel that this situation is a disgrace, not only to Walker, but to all custom knifemakers and collector's!!!

If Lake just wanted for his friend to be recognized for his accomplishments and everything he has contributed to the custom knife industry, why didn't he approach this with a little common sense???

Many custom knifemakers that were in attendance at the guild show, have stated that Lake wanted his friend to be recognized as THE INVENTOR OF THE LINER LOCK!!! That is absolutely absurd!!!!!

I feel that Walker deserve's a great big pat on the back for all his hard work, but not to be given credit for something that he did not do! Hell, maybe at next year's show they could honor the man that invented the Wharncliffe blade.... We all know who that was!

There is one knifemaker that comes to mind... He is not only one of the most talented knifemakers out there, but he is also one of the most humble makers that I have had the pleasure of meeting!

This guy's knives are totally awesome, and I am quite certain that he knows it.... He has to know that he is one of the best, but to this day, I have never seen him pat himself on the back.... To be honest, I have never even known of this maker to post a picture, or, for that matter even discuss the quality of his knives. I know he is grateful, and appreciates each and every comment about his talent, but I have never even seen him publicly add to a thread where his knives are being praised!

I know this to be true, because one time I commented on the quality of his knives for the price (I never even expected him to see it), and although he didn't post to the thread, I received a very polite e-mail a few days later that basically said, "Thanks for the kind words... It means a lot to me!".... IMHO guys, that is pure class through and through!!!!

I would almost be willing to bet the farm, that if anyone tried to give this guy credit for something he did not do.... No matter if it was in front of the knifemaker's guild, or a bunch of freaking idiots, he would not allow it to happen!!!!

Like I said earlier.... I am sure that Ron Lake meant well, but Michael Walker should have never allowed it to happen!!! If nothing else, he should have, at the very least, corrected his friend's bad choice of words!

Just my two cents worth!!!!

Gene
 
Darrel, please give me a minute as I am still recovering from Tim Hermans post. LOL

I agree that Lake is off base with his Auto's comments. Although, Im sure he feels he is trying to help the Guild (which does not allow auto's to be openly displayed at their show).

I have found in the custom knife market, the guys who protest the loudest against a particular type of knife or machine being sold or used. Are generally the makers who's own business (not the good of the Guild) will be negatively impacted by the contiued sale of said knife or the use of said machine.

Custom Automatic knives are sold in the US everyday. The LEO types know this. They also know that at (on average) $600 a knife, that the "gang banger" the legistlation was orginally drafted against can get a gun and a bunch of ammo. When was the last time that a "West Side Story" type scenario with gang members using "switchblades" acted out? I would hazard to guess not in anyones recent memeory.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor"
Albert Einstein
 
Les,
Knifemakers have a choice. Drive a horse and buggy or drive a car. The car has made a big impact on the trans industry.
Until 5 years ago its seemed like the knife industry was driving horse and buggy to me anyway.

Yes Tims post should be save and framed .
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I feel your right on the head with the auto's
also.
Will you run for president of the International knifemakers Association?

We need to get on with a new outlook and vision.
Power junkies removed.


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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
 
I agree with Les, Tim, DR, and others. I also sense a hypocracy with the Guild. Both the Guild and the ABS should aknowledge the likes of David Boye. His impact on the knife industry probably won't be noticed until after he is gone. MANY, MANY makers wouldn't have even made their first knife, had it not been for David's "how to" book. And it still encourages new would be makers daily. I would guess that were a poll taken, most Guild and ABS makers have or started making because of David and his book. Look at what aknowledement he gets. Neither organization wants to admit David's knives (Dendretic cast) or the impact he has made on our industry. Imagine what this industry would be like, had there NOT been a David Boye.
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Howard A. Faltz, Owner
Arizona Knife Source
"Keep it Sharp"
Luke 22:36
www.azknife.com
 
several points i think got mixed up...

1. the guild did not do or try to rewrite history! it only "recognized" that michael walker invented the linerlock. after talking with michael this evening, in order to make the right decision, we need to look at the patents involved here and see what differences truely exist. michael told me tonight the he did indeed have acceptance from the patent office on his linerlock and that it would have been approved. the patent for the electricians knife nowhere in the patent called it a lock but due to the configuration of the mechanism it was just a saftey. if enough pressure was put on the blade, thel safety leaf would be moved away and the blade would close. at this time he was not making alot of money on his knives yet and the 6 month limit to patent it after it was shown to the patent office ran out before he had money enough to patent it. so, if this is true and the patent office and all the researchers and lawyers involved in approving a patent agreed that his lock was patentably different from the electricians knife, then he did invent his linerlock. so, i for one believe we all should stop the negative comments about michael til we can prove otherwise.

2. michael told me he was against ron lake doing this at the guild meeting. if you know ron at all you will know that once he sets his mind to something and decides to do it, god himself couldnt change his mind. i agree that he didnt word things the best and put people on the defensive from the start. michael told me he knew what would happen and didnt want to be there. so all the negative comments about michael i dont feel is entirely fair and i apologize if i said anything negative about michael. jump on ron all you want
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3.the complaint from ron about autos went no further than just that! the guild cannot and will not dictate what makers can make. the guild only asks that at the Guild Show, autos are not presented on the tables for sale because we pretty well know they will be taken home to switchblade illegal states and transporting them interstate IS still a felony! i feel the guild doesnt care what makers do at other shows around the country, just its own show and i see nothing wrong in this rule. if a maker dont want to follow the show rules the guild lays down jusr fot its show, then dont attend, very simple.

4. darrel i agree with you about other inventors! the simple fact we all overlooked is...nobody stood up and nominated other inventors of locks to be recognized! i bet they would pass a vote also and be recognized for theis accomplishments. next guild meeting, bring up these other guys.

5.howard, there were many voters at the meeting who when it came put their hand up and be heard, they did nothing. the guild only did what the voters decided! this seems to be what everyone is missing here, the guild didnt decide anything! the voters did. if peer pressure and that sort of thing keeps people from voting in what they believe to be true, then thats life. i was very surprised at all the moaning i heard throughout the room when ron brought this subject up, but come actual vote time, where were all the complainers? i was very disgusted with how the whole meeting went and all the whining during friday and saturday at the show, only to find them all speechless come meeting time when they could make the difference. i was going to stand up and had quite a few things to say but after seeing that most members there were all talk and no action, i gave it up.

if you all look at me as changing my feelings about all this now and turning around, you are wrong. i have just realized that i dont know all the facts about the patents involved and should not say yes or no to michael inventing the linerlock. i do feel michael is getting an unfair negative treatment over this all simply because his friend worded things badly. i just want things done fairly and not just bash a guy because we think he is greedy or anything else. facts are what we need at this point, not emotions and egos.

look at what michael has done for folding knives! if not for him, would all the linerlocks out there even be made today? even if he only improved it th what it is now, if he didnt would linerlocks even be made now?

i think alot of us got our panties in a wad and blew this way out of proportion. but michael does deserve alot of credit for what he has done for folding knives and the knife business.
 
I'm not sure if you have noted the post by A.T.Barr over at Shop Talk. You might want to read that too.
My humble opinion is that the lock Walker invented is easily different enough from the lock used previously (for instance electricians knife). But as he does not hold a patent for it, nobody needs to pay any royalties. That may be unfortunate to him (you must ask him if it really is - listening to some of you who know him, might not even be that unfortunate). But his lock was different enough from the locks of that time. And if what HermanKnives wrote about the patent is also true, then that should prove it to everyone.

Hugo.
 
I would love to hear Michaels and/or Rons comments about the situation. Tim, I beleive you said you had contacted michael about this. Any chance of him being coaxed into commenting here?
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
david,

Michael called me yesterday, aug.7 and asked if i could help him get his statement here on the forums. i told him i would be glad too. he emailed me his comments he has written up and i will have it posted by this evening.

tim
 
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