New Lock Design

A

A.R. Niemi

Joined
Dec 2, 2002
Messages
55
I have come up with a totally differant lock mechanism
that is exceptionaly strong yet simple.The knives I
have made use s30v throughout and I figure they cost
about $150.00 to make.My question to you all is who
would you send it to for a thorough and honest test
for strength,that most people would accept as
definative and not repute the findings.

Thanks
Arlee Niemi
Centerlock knives
 
Me?:D

Either someone like Dexter Ewing, or another well know forumite. And while I am at it and observant, welcome to the forums.
 
Dexter would be a good choice, Gus Kalansis's opinion would also be beyond reproach. Les Robertson would also be on my list. Cliff would not be on my list.
 
Hi A.R. Welcome to the Blade forums.

May I suggest that you make a model with the complete locking mechanism. Cut the blade to shape but do not grind or finish the blade or handle. Send it to Spyderco att: Barry, 820 Spyderco way, Golden CO 80403.

Spyderco has a breaking machine hbooked to a CP that prints a computer graph of the break on the first page and a graph of inch/lbs per inch of blade length and how that measures to Spyderco's "in house" lock strength standards. Spyderco's tests are numerically controlled and are consistant. We return the broken knife to you so you can take it apart and determine what failed. This gives you the opportunity to improve it. IMO this is the most accurate and afordable way top test your lock.

Spyderco charges $25 for this service.

Rules are;

1. You cannot use our tests for advertising, as we are not an "authorized" testing location.

2. Spyderco cannot share your information with anyone. It is private information. This is a service that Spyderco provides in the interest of the safety of the knife industry, so factories and makers can develop and improve the safety of their locks.

sal
 
If your knife got by Cliff, that'd make me feel better. Discuss with Cliff how he'll do his testing first, and make sure you're happy with it.

I'm not particularly good at testing for lock strength, but I've gotten very good at causing locks to accidently disengage -- in other words, testing reliability rather than strength. I'd be happy to take a look at your knife to test for reliability. If you're interested, email me at heelh00k@yahoo.com and we'll discuss the tests.

Taking Sal up on his offer would be a great idea for a more objective strength measurement.

Joe
 
Well Arlee, you could do MUCH worse than send a knife to be tested by anyone of these gentlemen. I would suggest sending a knife to all three of these gentlemen. If you are going to go with only one person, then I would take advantage of Sal Glesser's offer in a heartbeat! This will give you very definite results, not subjective opinions. Good luck and let us know how things turn out!
 
Arlee, if you're thinking of patenting that lock mechanism please don't disclose it prior to filing the patent. If you intend to send it out for testing, make sure the recipients are under obligations of secrecy.
 
I fully agree with Easyrider and John Chong.

I would also say if you had only one to send out, send it to Sal Glesser. Sal will provide a documented engineered test, he has the utmost integrity, you could use this opportunity to discuss licensing your lock design to Spyderco.

I am a resgistered professional mechanical engineer specializing in mechanical design, risk analysis, and maintainability. I'm also a knife knut. I would be willing review your design and comment on it at no cost to you under a nondisclosure agreement.
 
Sorry, just realized you asked specifically about a strength test. For that, I'd go with Sal and "the machine". I'd probably also send one to Cliff, to see how the lock strength fares when subject to Cliff's imagination.

If you're also interested in reliability testing -- which to many of us is at least as important as strength -- you'll want to send one to a human. If it wasn't me (after all, who do I trust more than myself :) ), my vote would be Cliff.

Joe
 
Was going to suggest Spyderco for the strength test and Dexter for all else.
 
I would also say if you had only one to send out, send it to Sal Glesser. Sal will provide a documented engineered test, he has the utmost integrity, you could use this opportunity to discuss licensing your lock design to Spyderco.
Click to expand...

I think that is the best idea presented. Spyderco may end up being interested in your design or you creating a knife with that lock type in it...who knows:). hmmm....forgive my ignorance, does Spyderco have any knives that are not liners and lockbacks?

Warthog
 
Originally posted by Warthog
I think that is the best idea presented. Spyderco may end up being interested in your design or you creating a knife with that lock type in it...who knows:). hmmm....forgive my ignorance, does Spyderco have any knives that are not liners and lockbacks?

Warthog
Click to expand...

Were you kidding?? They have the Meerkat locking system and the one on the Vesuvius locking system. Not sure what either is called, but both are pretty cool, Short of an Axis lock though. :(
 
You'd be a fool to:

A) Reject Sal's offer.

B) Not insist on a signed, non-disclosure agreement BEFORE sending anyone the knife. A lawyer specialized in intellectual property law can put one together for you for very little cost.
 
I agree with Gollnick, Don't even describe it to anyone until you have taken the proper precautions.
 
Hi Arlee. If you do not have the design patented and you are interested in using Spyderco's service, then first contact Peter Jhones at Spyderco for their normal disclosure agreement which will protect both you and Spyderco.

Peter Jhones email address is spyrdl210@AOL.com (SPYRDL210@AOL.COM)

sal
 
Thanks to all for the advice.Sal am I missing somthing? What good is it to know the lock
strength if you can't tell anyone? Any way I have sold 10 knives.I am fairly certain
no one could mass produce this knife, so I'm not worried about patents.This is the
only test I have done to date.I layed the knife on two 2 by 4's and had a friend of
300 lbs.jump on the middle as hard as he could,trying to make the lock fail but it
didn't even loosen the fit, and it still opened and closed perfectly.It locks
cloesd with the same strength(no pocket suprises).
Hopefully I can sell some at the mini O.K.C. show in Eugene Dec.14?

Thanks for all the advise
A.R.Niemi
 
Nothing is too complex for mass production! It could be the best thing since sliced bread! Don’t make the mistake many inventors made with common inventions that revolutionized the marked but, never made a cent off it for not thinking! think about it!
 
Arlee,

I am fairly certain no one could mass produce this knife, so I'm not worried about patents.
Click to expand...

I'm with Will'em that nothing is beyond mass production if someone is determined enough. But even ignoring mass production for a moment, what if other custom makers follow the design? Put together all the custom makers, if they used your lock design that's a lotta knives being produced.

Case example: the liner lock. One of the most used locking mechanisms in customs and factory knives. Invented by Michael Walker but he didn't patent it. Imagine his returns if he got a royalty from every knife sold with a liner lock (used under license in that situation).

If you think your lock has potential and that others might be tempted to copy it, consider patenting it.
 
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