New lock for Bailey!!!!

Bailey Bradshaw

Bailey Bradshaw

Joined
Sep 13, 2001
Messages
816
Well, no it isn't a new lock, just new to me. I have always reveered Scott Sawby's self lock. For me, and the style of knives I make, it is the quentisential lock. The fact that it is ambidextrous, sealed from debris and leaves such a clean frame for engraving gives it everything I could want in a locking folder. I did some research, worked on prototyping a working model, and contacted Mr. Sawby about permission to make knives with his lock for sale. He has been incredibly kind and generous in not only granting me permission, but has been forthcoming with advise and sharing tips and tricks to make the knives work.


I have been carrying my prototype FB2 for about 2 weeks now, and like it better every time I pull it from my pocket. I have a few horses, and get to use the knife for anything from opening feed bags to cutting bailing twine from tractor implements. Needless to say it gets a good amount of heavy work. The lock has held up without fail, stays clean and is eeeasy to use one handed.

Scott has really shown what is so great about the knife industry. He has been so generous, and I want to publicly thank him. I will always use his name in conjunction with the lock on my knives. He deserves credit for a brilliant design.

I attatched a couple of pic of my prototype, which I am in the progress of engraving. It will feature checkered panels on the front and rear bolsters, with relived scroll work in the center panels borderd with gold inlays. It is a very slightly modified version of my FB2. I will debut the new folders with the Sawby self lock at Blade, and should have three models ready by then.

Let me know what you think.
 
Scott is one of the good guys for sure. Makes a HECK of a good knife, easy to talk with as well.

Yours looks really nice. If I can only convice you to break that choil at a 45 degree angle, it'll be perfect!:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Thanks Steve, Scott is obviously one of the good guys.

As for the choil,....I would make YOURS any way you want.:p
 
I am not familiar with this lock at all. Can you tell me about it? I am curious.
 
That looks awesome! I really like the clean and simple look of that piece. On first glance it could be confused for a slip joint ;). Even more impressive work from Mr. Bradshaw.
 
That is a great looking knife, Bailey. I love how clean it is.

Scott Sawby definitely has made many awesome knives.
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
Scott has really shown what is so great about the knife industry. He has been so generous, and I want to publicly thank him. I will always use his name in conjunction with the lock on my knives. He deserves credit for a brilliant design.
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Bailey, in my opinion, you are right up there with Scott. You are pretty helpful with information also.

Bobby
 
Hats off to you and to Scott, Bailey. The willing sharing of information - and the giving of credit where it is due - are some of the best parts of the custom knife world.

I really like the look of this folder - as others have noticed, it is very clean in profile and a great canvas for your superb engraving. I look forward to playing with your Blade offerings.

But part of me wants to tell you to stop already! :mad: If there's a maker who will drag me kicking and screaming into the Japanese sword and high-end folder fields by the sheer compelling nature of their work, it will be you. My wallet is screaming at the very thought! :p ;)

Roger

PS - how is the lock released?
 
I might get it wrong.:)

In the bushing region there is a spring, that either drives a bar, or the blade tang itself into a mate, when the blade is rotated to open position.

When a knurled area on the tang is pressed inward, the locking action is released and the blade can be closed. Scott Sawby invented and patented this action

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Does that lock press straight down, or up toward the blade? I remember using one once and being terrified that my thumb would slip off the lock and onto the blade, but I may have been pushing in the wrong direction to release it. In any case, hats off to Scott Sawby for his generosity and to Bailey for yet another beautiful knife.

John Frankl
 
The self-lock action presses pretty much into the knife handle, more of a 90 degree angle, than towards the blade. In Scott's case, the knurling on the tang is very deep and sharp, and the spring is not super resistant to pressure, having two myself, slipping onto the blade has never been a big concern.

Now, when Buck Knives tried to make this knife, the lock didn't work so well AND people were cutting themselves. Go figure. How's Korea, John?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Steve has it right. To release the lock, you press on the bottom of the blade tang and lift the blade out of the locked position, then it will close freely. A bearing detent keeps the knife closed in the handle sort of like a liner lock. When opening the knife, as the balde gets close to being fully open, it is a little higher than the spine. It will fall into the locked position via a spring in the center bushing. They are really easy to use with one hand, and with either hand.

The lock mechanism is sealed inside the pivot hole of the blade. It also has only one moving part, the blade. No levers or rockers or buttons, just clean and simple. I may end up converting all of my folder models to the Sawby lock. As I progress in my career ( Steven will love this) I am narrowing a little in what I make. I really don't make many slip joints anymore, and lockbacks can be very finicky. My folding bowie model folders have done well, and they are distinctive enough to be recognizeable as my own.
 
Bailey Bradshaw said:
Steve has it right.


.....As I progress in my career ( Steven will love this) I am narrowing a little in what I make. I really don't make many slip joints anymore, and lockbacks can be very finicky. My folding bowie model folders have done well, and they are distinctive enough to be recognizeable as my own.
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YES, I do love this!!!!!

...NEVER have I seen someone so talented, try to spread themselves so thin.

You are now one of the very good ones, with potential to be great! Truly GREAT! In a Moran, Loveless, Fisk, Clark, Fogg, kind of GREAT.

To quote Yoda, "Heed my advice at your own risk, young Jedi".

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Good show Bailey!

Not only is the Sawby self-lock one of the best (and underutilized) locking mechanisms available; Mr. Sawby IMHO, makes some of the nicest folders today, and has for many years.

-Michael
 
Beautiful Knife Bailey..and I think it is damn cool you incorporating Scott's signature mechanism and incorporating into what is beacoming a signature
design of yours..But Please don't shun the slipjoint..you make one of the very best!
 
RAN said:
Beautiful Knife Bailey..and I think it is damn cool you incorporating Scott's signature mechanism and incorporating into what is beacoming a signature
design of yours..But Please don't shun the slipjoint..you make one of the very best!
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Riad,

With true respect, Bailey making slipjoints is a waste of time.

Why?

Shadley, Ruple, Davis, Cover, Bose & Bose. That has the whole price spectrum covered.

There is a true depth of field in slipjoints right now, and not a lot of room to make a name, unless Bailey feels like making a 30 bladed exhibition piece, and getting the Wooden Sword or trying amongst a crowded field for Best of Show, at Blade.

The true Japanese style market, AND the trick mechanism market are still wide open, collectors for both NEVER get enough.;)

Bailey has already achieved MS ranking, and is making a very fine product, and right now, we all enjoy his VERY reasonable prices, but to bust out in a big way, to attain the press/desireability that Big John had only 1-2 years ago, and have it run for the long race, requires more than skill and fire, it requires a niche need.

He can fill it, and I am trying to help him, as much as I can , Lord willing.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Actually, Steve is trying to put a brass ring in my nose and drag me into the trailer!!:p

I do, admitedly, spread myself thin. It may be my ego, but I want to be good at everything, all facets of making these things. Not to mention the headache of out sourcing work on some pieces. I just can't do it. I am finding my niche......s though:D

I have long admired the top interframe makers, and when I hold one, I get that goofy feeling. Same feeling as when I hold a $30k Rizzini R1 shotgun with fine buluino and marble cake Turkish walnut. Scott's work fits this description, and the lock is one of the features that makes his knives stand out from this elite group.

I would like to join this crowd, and being able to use Scott's lock will help a bunch.
 
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