Photos My collection of Tekna Hidden Edge folding knives

[hoyer]

Hi everyone

A few years back I stumbled on Tekna knives. Their "Hidden Edge" model really struck a chord with me and since then I managed to acquire three.

These knives were made in the US in the 1980's and have really ingenious button lock mechanism. The mechanism is completely housed in the pivot and the knife only weighs 1.25 oz.
The pivot hole in the blade has 2 notches spaced 180° apart wich engage a little ball bearing and thus locking the blade open and closed. The knife can be opened and closed one handed.

Some pictures. Feel free to chime in if you remember this vintage knife company.

The original packaging:

 

[gotgoat]

I remember their diving knives also
thanks for the memory lol

 

[unwisefool]

Very cool, never heard of them before

 

[GIRLYmann]

I would think of Tekna being pretty much ahead of its time.
Who would have thought that these products fall under the vintage category?!
however, imo it still looks just as ultra kool now.
Thanks to its design philosophy of creating high tech looking products with its then ultra modern design concepts.
Their products were not spared from being replicated illegally by oriental far east cloners
Thanks for sharing op!

 

[gazz98]

Very interesting. New to me.

Is it me or does the "new" deadbolt lock of CRKT XOC seem very similar to this lock?

 

[hoyer]

I would think of Tekna being pretty much ahead of its time.
Who would have thought that these products fall under the vintage category?!
however, imo it still looks just as ultra kool now.
Thanks to its design philosophy of creating high tech looking products with its then ultra modern design concepts.
Their products were not spared from being replicated illegally by oriental far east cloners
Thanks for sharing op!

Their designs were indeed ahead of their time (the packaging on my knife says "©1986).
A pierced blade in most cases scream 'mall ninja' to me, but these knives are imo aesthetically very pleasing.

Very interesting. New to me.

Is it me or does the "new" deadbolt lock of CRKT XOC seem very similar to this lock?

They are similar in the fact that the button is situated in the pivot, but their internals are in fact completely different.

 

[CableGirl]

I still have mine as well as packaging, kinda weird to see it here as it almost makes me want tho check on mine to see it is still there.

Id be interested to know how the locking mechanism is assembled.

Tekna made quite a few interesting things, one other in my collection was the "Security Card" with flashlight combo. Interesting to note the Security Card knife was my every day carry in Jr. High School and no one ever batted an eye. Appears the Security card can still be purchased.

 

[The Whip]

Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane, hoyer! I always loved Tekna's knives, and that Hidden Edge was definitely a favorite--well ahead of its time. I believe Tekna was the first modern manufacturer to adopt that Bic-lighter-style opening configuration. Cold Steel followed suit around the same time with its UltraLock folder series.

I'll try to dig out some of my Tekna models to add to the thread. But for those talking about Tekna in the past tense, don't. The company has had some spells of inactivity, but it's now alive and well again. Tekna had a booth at last year's Blade Show, and I spoke to the owner for awhile. He's trying to revive the company's presence. The dive knife and the survival model (with the integrated handle flashlight, and now a compact fishing reel sheath attachment) are currently available.

-Steve

 

[hoyer]

Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane, hoyer! I always loved Tekna's knives, and that Hidden Edge was definitely a favorite--well ahead of its time. I believe Tekna was the first modern manufacturer to adopt that Bic-lighter-style opening configuration. Cold Steel followed suit around the same time with its UltraLock folder series.

You're welcome! I had to google the (vintage) Cold Steel UltraLock, very cool!

I'll try to dig out some of my Tekna models to add to the thread. But for those talking about Tekna in the past tense, don't. The company has had some spells of inactivity, but it's now alive and well again. Tekna had a booth at last year's Blade Show, and I spoke to the owner for awhile. He's trying to revive the company's presence. The dive knife and the survival model (with the integrated handle flashlight, and now a compact fishing reel sheath attachment) are currently available.

I had no idea the company was still active! Thank you for this information.
I would love to see your collection of Tekna knives.

 

[gazz98]

They are similar in the fact that the button is situated in the pivot, but their internals are in fact completely different.

I mentioned that because when I looked at the back of the XOC, it looked like 2 notches spaced 180 degrees apart, exactly as you described.

When I first read your post, that was the first thing that popped into my mind since I read the XOC post at BFs the other day.

 

[The Whip]

You're welcome! I had to google the (vintage) Cold Steel UltraLock, very cool!

You'll have to do some scrolling, but good pictures of the original UltraLocks here:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/rare-gems.1462691/

I had no idea the company was still active! Thank you for this information.

Until last year at Blade, I didn't either. I was very glad to learn that it's back up and running. The owner is starting with a refresh of the vintage models, but he said he also has some new ideas he'd like to explore. I'm anxious to see what he has in mind.

I would love to see your collection of Tekna knives.

I'll apologize in advance for the delay, but I'm going to be busy this weekend. I'll try to get some pictures up this week.

-Steve

 

[rover]

I definitely remember Tekna. In the 90s, I had one of their survival knives. Back then, many survival knives included a fishing kit but only the Tekna included a reel that transformed the sheath into a mini fishing rod.

A fun company with some unique products. I dig yours. First I've seen of those.