Oldest mass-produced locking mechanism?

sph3ric pyramid

sph3ric pyramid

Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
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I'm doing a paper on the evolution of the locking production folder, for my high school International Baccalaureate requirements.

My exposure to locking production folders in general has been recent, so I'm not really clear on the history behind them.

What would be the oldest mass-produced locking mechanism that would be most representative of older folders before the transition to modern folders?

I've decided to use the Buck 110 as my benchmark as it's considered a classic folder before the development of one-hand opening lightweight folders (modern folders). So, in that case, I would be using the lockback (with placement of release at end of handle, not sure of what this is called) as the benchmark.

What about the ring-type lock on the Opinel folders?

It would be great if you could mention the sources from which you got your information (as some of the info. might wind up in my paper).

Thanks all.
 
IIRC, liner locks were in use during the early 20th century. Michael Walker updated them, adding ball detents. Sorry I can't be more helpful! Try linking this in Shop Talk, you may get some more info from makers there.
 
Will do!

One of the reasons why I chose the Buck 110 is because of how recognizable it is, and how it can be linked to a company that's made that transition from two-handed wooden scaled lockback hunter, to the present-day Buck/Strider collabs.
 
The oldest type of "lock" may not b e thought of as
a lock at all. It is the "friction lock" of the
clasp knife. They go back to the Romans.

In order to define the word "lock" as used here it
would be a ........"A mechanical method to hold the
blade of a folding knife from closing during normal
use." Both the friction lock and the slipjoint
pre-date all other lock types by this definition.

As far as a lock that attempts to turn a folding
knife into a fixed blade then the "lockback" would
be the oldest.
 
You may want to try asking in the Bernard Levine forum.

Locks go a long way back, liner locks and lock backs were common in diferent makers, probably more widespread than the Opinel type rings, you may want to consider the old electrician knives with locking screwdrivers (liner lock) or the old Spanish navajas with ratches and pull rings (lockbacks).

If I remember correctly there´s a multiblade folder with main locking blade (lockback I believe) in the 1902 Sears catalog (avaliable in facsimile for around $20 U.S.).
 
There are a lot of very old European lockback designs. The Spanish Navaja comes to mind. This had a multi-toothed lockback (called a ratchet). Here is a link to a cool website that lets you see traditional designs from lots of countries:

http://www.the-ekd.co.uk
 
The first known document of the balisong lock is in a book currently on display in the French National Cutlery Museum in Thieves, France, that dates to the early 1700s.
 
I have seen a Boker made lockback from the early 1900's.

The Laguiole was a locking folder in France in the 1800's before they made it a Semi-locker" because of legislation.

Al Buck made a great knife in the 110, but in a historical setting, I don't think "first" would be it's benchmark.

Bernie Levine would no doubt be an excellent source of info for your paper.

sal
 
As Sal says, Bernard Levine will probably know. He has text from a French book on cutlery "The Art of the Cutler", I believe it's called, from the 1700's, not to mention numerous other sources.
 
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