Traditional Lockback models. Please list any you know of.

Ken44

Ken44

Joined
Jun 29, 2005
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The Ken Erickson thread with the locking Arkansas Hunter got me to thinking about what tradional models were made as a lockback.

I have a bad thumb, and can only open the slipjoints Kerry, and Rick made for me with a light pull. They turned out Great, and I thank them much.

Since lockbacks are so easy to open I would like to know what models were once made as lockbacks.
Thanks alot,
Kenny

BTW- I'm just looking for model names, but if you have pics that would be great.
 
I have a lockback model #2004 by Boker. It's a big solid thing with a pretty light blade pull.
 
Ken, I'm pretty much in the same boat. Age and arthritis, and two hand operations in two years, and I'm pretty much done with hard to open knives.

There's the Buck 55 which is a very nice traditional looking knife. Nice wood and brass. Threres the Case lockblades. Also look at the Eye-Brand locking sodbuster with stag handles. It's a very traditional looking knife.

Go to the World Knives site and they have lock blade Laguols, lockblade German pocket knives with nice stag, and a selection of Italion and Spanish lockers. All very traditional looking.

My left thumb is semi operational, so I know where you're coming from.
 
Ken,

I feel your pain (thumb pain that is). Take a look through old Remington catalogs, there should be something that strikes your fancy. Halfrich makes a nice Remington Guide lockback, not sure how close it follows the original pattern though.
 
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Hi Ken,
I have a Tidioute lockback (3 7/8" closed length) that has a pretty light pull.

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I got to Coon Finger your Knutbuster one of you knives at Blade, if you recall..

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But I don't remember if the Tidioute is quite as light as the pull on your KB, but it is typical of a lockback. Not GEC like at all.
If you have not seen the latest in this pattern from GEC, they now have a burnt stag in the Northfield :D. Might be worth a shot, if you like that kind of thing.

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How about a Halfrich light weight Winchester LB like the one you posted on another thread? (That one had a Damasteel blade.) Yeah, I know, carbon fiber's not really traditional. But stag is. :) Jerry's LB5 also has CF and it might not be as traditional a pattern as you want.
 
The Case "Cheetah" would be about as traditional as it gets. The pattern has been in the Case product line since the early 1900's (though the earliest examples do not have the floating guard). It was also in the Case Brothers line before that.
 
The easiest to open if you have issues with hands or fingers would be the mid locks or front locks. Some of the knives with rear locks can be quite cumbersome for someone either lacking dexterity or strength.

The copperlock is easy to manipulate:

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So are these "Bullets" from P.J. Tomes due to the positioning:

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Ken, on a parallel note, how are you with opening single blade knives with profiles that allow for their being pinched open without the use of a nail nick?

There are a number of choices in that arena worth exploring if that is an option for you. (Especially since they can be opened ambidextrously.)
 
Blues said:
Ken, on a parallel note, how are you with opening single blade knives with profiles that allow for their being pinched open without the use of a nail nick?

There are a number of choices in that arena worth exploring if that is an option for you. (Especially since they can be opened ambidextrously.)
Click to expand...

I'm going to find out this week...Case/Bose Tribal (Zulu) Spear :)

Dang you Elliott....
 
JB in SC said:
I'm going to find out this week...Case/Bose Tribal (Zulu) Spear :)

Dang you Elliott....
Click to expand...

Jerry, there are some that probably feature lighter springs than that one but that was the essential idea. Many patterns have enough blade sticking up out of the frame to allow good leverage especially when it can be gripped fairly far forward toward the tip.

Hopefully that dang you will turn into a thank you but even if not, we will have tried and you should be able to send that knife along to another member here. At that point we can try to come up with similar ideas with lighter backsprings. :cool:
 
Not to worry my son wants it if I can't handle it, so he can pony up...

I had no problems pinching open the Case/Bose Dogleg jack nor the Arkansas Hunter. I looked pretty carefully at the Tribal and think it will expose enough blade to pinch open. It's not really a question of thumb strength, but my nails are pretty weak. I am a lefty, it presents some unique problems.
 
JB in SC said:
Not to worry my son wants it if I can't handle it, so he can pony up...

I had no problems pinching open the Case/Bose Dogleg jack. I looked pretty carefully at the Tribal and think it will expose enough blade to pinch open. It's not really a question of thumb strength, but my nails are pretty weak.
Click to expand...

You should be good to go then. I haven't used the nick since the first time just to see how it was cut in. :thumbup:

(Apologies for the slight (but related) detour.)
 
Halfrich's Rounder and Winchester are two of the smoothest lockbacks I've ever opened or closed. I'm not sure what Jerry is doing to the locks, but it is the heat.
 
Blues said:
There are a number of choices in that arena worth exploring if that is an option for you. (Especially since they can be opened ambidextrously.)
Click to expand...

I'd like to add: If your aim to open the knife both in water and on land, stainless steel is likely your best bet. :D :p
 
mnblade said:
I'd like to add: If your aim to open the knife both in water and on land, stainless steel is likely your best bet. :D :p
Click to expand...

Rodney-Dangerfield.jpg


I'm tellin' ya, I don't get no respect!!!
 
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this old kabar has the lock on the swingguard. when opened all the way a nib on the guard falls into the depression on top of the bolster locking the blade. one can hold the knife single handed & push up on the swinggard while pressing the back of blade on the pants leg & close the knife easily with one hand.
 
Here's another one to consider which you may be able to find at the auction sites. You can see how this one would be easy to grip and pinch open. It's a Case 61051 (LSSP) pattern.:

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Blues said:
Ken, on a parallel note, how are you with opening single blade knives with profiles that allow for their being pinched open without the use of a nail nick?
Click to expand...

JB in SC said:
I'm going to find out this week...Case/Bose Tribal (Zulu) Spear :)
.
Click to expand...

Elliott, at Blade I did try to pinch the Case/Bose tribul spear, but could not. That is one knife I REALLY wanted.
I do have both of the CV Copperlocks, but I was thinking older tradional designs like the remington(not sure of model name), etc...

Are the bullets(like some make now) an older design?


JB, do you know if the Whinchester like Jerry makes is true to an old winchester design?
I had one, and loved it, but I couldn't bring myself to scratch up that pretty damascus blade:o


Flymon, that tidioute looks good(and our Hamton's to,lol). Is that there pattern, or is it based on an old one?


JackKnife, I did have surgery on my left thumb last wed. It should help the bottom joint, but Dr doesn't think it will help the tendon(and joint) above that. Said there was a chance it could, but will take a while to see.
I sure hope yours doesn't get any worse on you.


Thanks for ALL the replys,
Kenny


edit- just saw the last couple of post, thanks. Elliott, I really like that Case!
 
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