HermanKnives
Banned
- Joined
- Aug 11, 1999
- Messages
- 734
to all, Michael called me yesterday afternoonand asked if i would help him get his response onto the forums. he is'nt registered as a member here and don't know about posting. i told him i would be glad to. here is his response exactly as i received it form him.
Hello, my name is Michael Walker. I don't want to get on a rant here, but I would like to say a few words about the "linerlock" chat
going on. Forum? More like a "snivel line" . A place where people can repeat RUMORS and say things that they don't have the guts to stand up in my face and say. Sort of reminds me of the old hens at the fence. What is a linerlock? It is a side spring locking folder that can be opened and closed with one hand without moving the knife in the hand. The lock is tapered to adjust for wear. The back can be partially open for easy cleaning. It seems that the same narrow minded attitude
prevails in this forum as when I trademarked the name linerlock. Most knifemakers making linerlocks didn't understand the difference between a trademark and a patent. Knifemakers thought that the trademark would prevent them from making linerlocks, so they were all pissed at me for it, when in reality I was not concerned as to which knifemakers made
linerlocks. A trademark only covers a name.
I have always helped anyone that asked with the linerlock, titanium, anodizing, etc. because that was the SPIRIT of the Guild. Ron Lake was trying to get the point across that as Guild members we shared our ideas and innovations. Now when someone takes what you have shared with them and sells it to a factory as their own, everything changes. It never had anything to do with other knifemakers making linerlocks or interframes or anything. Ron Lake has always helped everyone that asked and set a great example for those of us who joined the Guild after him. I am surprised to hear so many attacking him. Ron has always said what he thinks is right and why. That is why he was one of the best board members we will ever have. His contribution to knifemaking is tremendous. He set the quality standard of folding knives more than 25 years ago and, to my mind, no one has stepped up to that quality level yet. Ron has never compromised what he believes in, and those who think Ron would stand up and make the points he tried to get across because we are friends do not know Mr. Lake. He is the best friend I will ever have, but that was not what this was about. It was about the spirit of the Guild. It never had anything to do with anyone except those Guild members who have sold designs to the factories. Where we all used to share new ideas and innovation, now you have to cover your ass first or see your ideas on a factory knife from Taiwan the next week. LINERLOCK CONSTRUCTION: Emerson wrote an article for Knives Illustrated a few years ago explaining this. Bernard Levine wrote an article for KI. Ken Warner spells it out in KNIVES 91, page31. A.G. Russell has explained it and Bob Terzuola puts it like this in his new book, Page 47. " The modern LINERLOCK was INVENTED by Michael Walker in 1981 and aside from using a leaf spring, bears no resemblance to the electrician`s knife. Basically what Michael did was to create a true locking system which did not need a back spring to hold the blade open. The leaf spring in the old design was nothing more than a safety device for the screwdriver blade. Michael's leaf spring actually locks and secures the blade in the open position without the need for a second spring. Also ,the true LINERLOCK allows the blade to be opened and closed with one hand, without changing the position of the knife. This INVENTION has truly changed the face of modern pocket cutlery both in hand made and factory production arenas and full credit is due him for his contribution."
So yes, I DID invent the LINERLOCK. I also came up with the name LINERLOCK.It is not just aboutthe spring. It is the whole concept of the LINERLOCK. The look, the action, style, construction ect. Iquit making linerlocks for the most part in the 90's because there was so much crap being made and called "LINERLOCKS" that I didn't want to be
associated with it. I went on to other things. Any of you who think those old brass safety knives were linerlocks need to make them. Take out the ball detent, the cutout for the stud, the one hand-opening device, stud, washer, etc., the thrust washers, the stop pin, the titanium liners, the tapered ramp, the anodizing, the open back, the one-hand operation, the screw construction. Then add a back spring. Go ahead and make tons of them without these features. I hope you do well! But, on the other hand, if you choose to usethe innovations I spent years developing, then do so with a little appreciation. We all benefit from the work of those who came before us. I for one give credit to those who paved the way before I started making knives. Ten, fifteen or twenty years ago if you wanted to be successful at this business, you had to come up with something of your own. Ron Lake, Bob Hayes, Paul Poehlman, Bob Loveless each inspired me in a different way. There are those who contribute to knifemaking and those who just take. Which are you?? Trademarks: You cannot simply change spelling ,add dashes and dots or other silly things likethat to get around trademarks. Get real. If a consumer would confuse the two examples as being similar, then it is too close. You could not make soda and call it cola coke for example. All this info is available at the PTO (Patent Trademark Office) web site. Check it out! The comment that you have to have a patent to get royalties is incorrect. Only 5 Guild members I can think of of the 20+ makers getting royalties have patents; Ron Lake, Michael Walker, Blackie Collins, Bill McHenry & Bud Nealy. If I missed someone I apologize, but you get the point. To get royalties all you need to do is get a factory to produce a knife or linerlock style. It doesn't even need to be your own! Ron and I receive our royalties for the L.A.W.K.S.TM & Walker Knife Safety. This is the only significant linerlock innovation that has come along. It turns a heavy use folder into as close to a fixed blade as possible. It is used to prevent accidental release. The idea was that of Ron Lake. The only other innovation on the linerlock is the opening disc Bob Terzuola added to the top of the blade. Orders: I guess I need to clarify this also. I only take as many orders as I feel I can do in 1 year, and still be able to attend some shows. I try the new wrinkles on knives I make for the shows. Some customers want an order just as we discussed, others leave it up to me. All get the same dedication to the work I have given for 20 years. Mixing orders with doing some pieces for show (trying new things) means a "better" knife in general. Growth.
Finally: Those of you who have something to
say about me, need to step up in my face and say what you have to say. You also better be able to back it up with facts if you are a Guild member because there is recourse through the Guild for making false statements
about another Guild member. The strange thing about this Internet deal is that fact and BS are all taken as fact. Guess I will head on down to the local barber shop as they will be solving the nation's political problems today.
take care,
michael
Hello, my name is Michael Walker. I don't want to get on a rant here, but I would like to say a few words about the "linerlock" chat
going on. Forum? More like a "snivel line" . A place where people can repeat RUMORS and say things that they don't have the guts to stand up in my face and say. Sort of reminds me of the old hens at the fence. What is a linerlock? It is a side spring locking folder that can be opened and closed with one hand without moving the knife in the hand. The lock is tapered to adjust for wear. The back can be partially open for easy cleaning. It seems that the same narrow minded attitude
prevails in this forum as when I trademarked the name linerlock. Most knifemakers making linerlocks didn't understand the difference between a trademark and a patent. Knifemakers thought that the trademark would prevent them from making linerlocks, so they were all pissed at me for it, when in reality I was not concerned as to which knifemakers made
linerlocks. A trademark only covers a name.
I have always helped anyone that asked with the linerlock, titanium, anodizing, etc. because that was the SPIRIT of the Guild. Ron Lake was trying to get the point across that as Guild members we shared our ideas and innovations. Now when someone takes what you have shared with them and sells it to a factory as their own, everything changes. It never had anything to do with other knifemakers making linerlocks or interframes or anything. Ron Lake has always helped everyone that asked and set a great example for those of us who joined the Guild after him. I am surprised to hear so many attacking him. Ron has always said what he thinks is right and why. That is why he was one of the best board members we will ever have. His contribution to knifemaking is tremendous. He set the quality standard of folding knives more than 25 years ago and, to my mind, no one has stepped up to that quality level yet. Ron has never compromised what he believes in, and those who think Ron would stand up and make the points he tried to get across because we are friends do not know Mr. Lake. He is the best friend I will ever have, but that was not what this was about. It was about the spirit of the Guild. It never had anything to do with anyone except those Guild members who have sold designs to the factories. Where we all used to share new ideas and innovation, now you have to cover your ass first or see your ideas on a factory knife from Taiwan the next week. LINERLOCK CONSTRUCTION: Emerson wrote an article for Knives Illustrated a few years ago explaining this. Bernard Levine wrote an article for KI. Ken Warner spells it out in KNIVES 91, page31. A.G. Russell has explained it and Bob Terzuola puts it like this in his new book, Page 47. " The modern LINERLOCK was INVENTED by Michael Walker in 1981 and aside from using a leaf spring, bears no resemblance to the electrician`s knife. Basically what Michael did was to create a true locking system which did not need a back spring to hold the blade open. The leaf spring in the old design was nothing more than a safety device for the screwdriver blade. Michael's leaf spring actually locks and secures the blade in the open position without the need for a second spring. Also ,the true LINERLOCK allows the blade to be opened and closed with one hand, without changing the position of the knife. This INVENTION has truly changed the face of modern pocket cutlery both in hand made and factory production arenas and full credit is due him for his contribution."
So yes, I DID invent the LINERLOCK. I also came up with the name LINERLOCK.It is not just aboutthe spring. It is the whole concept of the LINERLOCK. The look, the action, style, construction ect. Iquit making linerlocks for the most part in the 90's because there was so much crap being made and called "LINERLOCKS" that I didn't want to be
associated with it. I went on to other things. Any of you who think those old brass safety knives were linerlocks need to make them. Take out the ball detent, the cutout for the stud, the one hand-opening device, stud, washer, etc., the thrust washers, the stop pin, the titanium liners, the tapered ramp, the anodizing, the open back, the one-hand operation, the screw construction. Then add a back spring. Go ahead and make tons of them without these features. I hope you do well! But, on the other hand, if you choose to usethe innovations I spent years developing, then do so with a little appreciation. We all benefit from the work of those who came before us. I for one give credit to those who paved the way before I started making knives. Ten, fifteen or twenty years ago if you wanted to be successful at this business, you had to come up with something of your own. Ron Lake, Bob Hayes, Paul Poehlman, Bob Loveless each inspired me in a different way. There are those who contribute to knifemaking and those who just take. Which are you?? Trademarks: You cannot simply change spelling ,add dashes and dots or other silly things likethat to get around trademarks. Get real. If a consumer would confuse the two examples as being similar, then it is too close. You could not make soda and call it cola coke for example. All this info is available at the PTO (Patent Trademark Office) web site. Check it out! The comment that you have to have a patent to get royalties is incorrect. Only 5 Guild members I can think of of the 20+ makers getting royalties have patents; Ron Lake, Michael Walker, Blackie Collins, Bill McHenry & Bud Nealy. If I missed someone I apologize, but you get the point. To get royalties all you need to do is get a factory to produce a knife or linerlock style. It doesn't even need to be your own! Ron and I receive our royalties for the L.A.W.K.S.TM & Walker Knife Safety. This is the only significant linerlock innovation that has come along. It turns a heavy use folder into as close to a fixed blade as possible. It is used to prevent accidental release. The idea was that of Ron Lake. The only other innovation on the linerlock is the opening disc Bob Terzuola added to the top of the blade. Orders: I guess I need to clarify this also. I only take as many orders as I feel I can do in 1 year, and still be able to attend some shows. I try the new wrinkles on knives I make for the shows. Some customers want an order just as we discussed, others leave it up to me. All get the same dedication to the work I have given for 20 years. Mixing orders with doing some pieces for show (trying new things) means a "better" knife in general. Growth.
Finally: Those of you who have something to
say about me, need to step up in my face and say what you have to say. You also better be able to back it up with facts if you are a Guild member because there is recourse through the Guild for making false statements
about another Guild member. The strange thing about this Internet deal is that fact and BS are all taken as fact. Guess I will head on down to the local barber shop as they will be solving the nation's political problems today.
take care,
michael
