Tribal Tweak

[Pinemoon]

Posted this over at "Maintenance, Tinkering and Embellishment," but wanted to share here as well in case you don't venture from The Porch too often. I also added a bit more on this post as it's more traditionally focused.

Anyway, I finally pulled the trigger on a Tribal Lock.
I'm on a lockback kick these days and this model seems like a must-have.
I dyed it and added a lanyard hole (you know me ).
I dyed it 'cause I don't have any blue knives, which is something I thought should be remedied. And if you follow Case, you've probably seen the new "Jigged Purple Bone." An interesting cover for sure. I thought Amber Jigged dyed blue might get close. Anyway, here it is:

As Amber Jigged

Tribal b4 by D P, on Flickr
TL b4 by D P, on Flickr

As Tweaked by me

Tribal after by D P, on Flickr

TL after by D P, on Flickr


Another thing I noticed on this model is the blade has no kick, which I thought odd for a Case knife. Some of you that have this model might have noticed this. It looks like the blade is stopped from meeting the backspring by the spring's pivot, which is a raised area in the well. You can't press the blade down a bit when closed like most lockbacks.
Different and interesting , I thought.

 

[Pinemoon]

Here's a shot of the blade with no kick:

Tribal Lock by D P, on Flickr

 

[black mamba]

It's blurple! Nicely done. I like the blue ones, too, and I never noticed the lack of kick until now.

 

[Peregrin]

Nice work there! I didn't notice the lack of a kick, interesting alternative. Thanks for mentioning.
I like the Tribal Lock myself. Darn nice knife.
Here's mine, with a matching trapper that I gifted to a cousin in Pittsburgh.

 

[Pinemoon]

It's blurple! Nicely done. I like the blue ones, too, and I never noticed the lack of kick until now.

Nice blue one you have. I would have bought that version, but didn't 'cause it's bare headed and I wanted a bolster to add the lanyard hole, etc.... to drill through. I have yet to drill a hole in just bone, I'm afraid I might crack it.

Nice work there! I didn't notice the lack of a kick, interesting alternative. Thanks for mentioning.
I like the Tribal Lock myself. Darn nice knife.
Here's mine, with a matching trapper that I gifted to a cousin in Pittsburgh.

Nice pair there
Yeah, no kick-- odd for Case. Must be a Bose thing I'm guessing.

 

[JohnDF]

Super nice job dyeing that one. It looks great!

 

[NativeCraft]

What is "kick"?

 

[Pinemoon]

Super nice job dyeing that one. It looks great!

Thanks!
I've been having fun modding my knives lately.

What is "kick"?

It's the part of the blade on a traditional knife that sticks out a bit at the base of the blade. It stops the edge from hitting the inside of the handle when you close the knife.

Kick by D P, on Flickr

 

[Jody744]

Personally not a fan of Lockbacks but I like what you did there!!

 

[NativeCraft]

Another question: Does anyone know why Case calls that knife the "Tribal"?

 

[Pinemoon]

Personally not a fan of Lockbacks but I like what you did there!!

Thanks

Another question: Does anyone know why Case calls that knife the "Tribal"?

I think it's because of the blade profile. The knife was designed by Tony Bose. I think he referred to it resembling a tribal spear.

 

[Pinemoon]

And it's more of an African reference than an American one.
"Zulu spear"

 

[Peregrin]

If I remember correctly, Tony Bose used the name Zulu for his pattern. When he and Case decided to release the pattern as a collaboration the name Tribal was used, instead of the African tribal name Zulu.
Hopefully I'm remembering correctly.

 

[jstrange]

Looks nice. You did a great job on the lanyard hole. I have been wanting to do that to my trapper, but I’m afraid I will drill in the wrong spot and screw something up.

 

[Eli Chaps]

Ugh... I saw your post in MTE but my mind for whatever reason read it as Triad Lock.

That looks awesome! I love lock backs and Case does them well!

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Another question: Does anyone know why Case calls that knife the "Tribal"?

If I remember correctly, Tony Bose used the name Zulu for his pattern. When he and Case decided to release the pattern as a collaboration the name Tribal was used, instead of the African tribal name Zulu.
Hopefully I'm remembering correctly.

When I bought a tribal lock earlier this year (pocket worn whiskey bone CV) it was at a dealer who was having a Case event and Tony was there. I got him to autograph the box for my knife. He remarked (as best I can recall) that they wanted to use Zulu in the name, but that "Zulu" was trademarked by another company. I believe he said Remington.

 

[Pinemoon]

Looks nice. You did a great job on the lanyard hole. I have been wanting to do that to my trapper, but I’m afraid I will drill in the wrong spot and screw something up.

Thanks, I'd encourage you to try the lanyard hole. It's easy if you have a drill press and solid carbide bit. On a Trapper, just aim for center of hole 1/4 inch down from top and same in from handle scale / bolster line. Go slow.

On some knives like the tribal lock that are contoured and narrow in the rear, I shim the difference underneath with cardboard or carpet or folded cloth so the knife remains level under the force of the bit. I clean up the finished hole with a Dremel cone shaped bit.

Ugh... I saw your post in MTE but my mind for whatever reason read it as Triad Lock.

That looks awesome! I love lock backs and Case does them well!

Thank you. Yes, lockbacks rule!
I am really liking the Tribal Lock. Nice and slim in the pocket and the blade shape is unique