Weird/Uncommon Locking Mechanisms

I'm sure someone is gonna post a bolster lock knife, but it's not actually an unusual locking mechanism as it's just a lockback with a bolster attached to it. Really it's just a unique unlocking mechanism. And I'd say the concept of the buck marksman is really just a pick lock like those on vintage Italian stiletto switchblades.
 
An insane and tricky stud lock on this kershaw speed bump
1.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNJYQ3oJ5hk

Spyderco poliwog
C98G_M.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvMocpZfqSE

Timberline neely lock
TimberlineTimberliteNeeleyLock.jpg

neeely couleur_1.jpg



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-N24dP2Ctg
 
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From Aristocrat Knives, the Majestic. These were made in a couple of different sizes and a couple of different handles.

AristocratMajestic.jpg
 
Timberline neely lock
TimberlineTimberliteNeeleyLock.jpg

neeely couleur_1.jpg
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Timberline made these with clear handles and unsharpened blades as dealer demos. AG Russell had a short run made with clear demo handles and finished blades:

TimberLiteclear.jpg
 
shinyedges said:
That bottom knife looks like the most uncomfortable knife in the world to use... what the hell. Hot spots :confused:
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:D It may well be, although I've found a couple of other QM knives quite comfy even though they don't look like they'd be when you see them in pics. This particular one isn't really of interest to me, so I doubt I'll ever get one and find out.
 
Bob W said:
Timberline made these with clear handles and unsharpened blades as dealer demos. AG Russell had a short run made with clear demo handles and finished blades:

TimberLiteclear.jpg
Click to expand...

yes indeed! a classy starship of the day.
and whilst it looked great on paper (revolutionary even),
it suffered from one major setback.
seeing that its blade was the active mechanism
for the pull-out engage/disengage locking system.
any blade which somehow gets snagged
or stuck in dense material during usage,
could inadvertently become undone
by its user by accidentally unlocking it
during a tug or pull and lift motion.
beyond that,
it was an ingenious product innovation ahead of its time.
though i fear the clip will never meet the current criteria though...
 
Bob W said:
Three different productions of the One Hand design by AG Russell.
OneHandvariations.jpg



The One Hand lock (top knife above) was invented and designed by Pat Crawford. AG Russell modified it just enough and patented it after buying one of Pat's at a show.
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brownshoe said:
The One Hand lock (top knife above) was invented and designed by Pat Crawford. AG Russell modified it just enough and patented it after buying one of Pat's at a show.
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Yes, it's based on the Crawford-designed lock. AG Russell freely admits so. The omission of this fact in my post was not an attempt to deceive or misinform.

Posted by AG Russell on another enthusiast forum:
The story is well known. I bought an early knife from Pat, played with it until I thought I could do the lock better. Asked Pat if he had applied for a patent, he said it was un-patentable (his mistake) and designed my "one hand knife) K87-C. When I was satisfied that I could sell them I sent Pat a check for $5,000, he never replied but did cash the check.
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GIRLYmann said:
yes indeed! a classy starship of the day.
and whilst it looked great on paper (revolutionary even),
it suffered from one major setback.
seeing that its blade was the active mechanism
for the pull-out engage/disengage locking system.
any blade which somehow gets snagged
or stuck in dense material during usage,
could inadvertently become undone
by its user by accidentally unlocking it
during a tug or pull and lift motion.
beyond that,
it was an ingenious product innovation ahead of its time.
though i fear the clip will never meet the current criteria though...
Click to expand...

Interesting tidbit, Timberline's Timberlite knives were made by Camillus. After the Camillus factory closed, Timbelites were available in bulk packaging for practically free.
 
Paul Chen Citizen had a locking pivot button, though not unique to that knife, it was done quite well, and allowed a push-knife locked position, as well as both closed and fully open.

Cas Iberia (Hanwei?) (Paul Chen) had a rather unique lock called the Nature Lock, and the knife that used it was called the Starship.

No pics handy for either, both long since discontinued, but would be worth a Google search. May do that here in a bit.
 
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Bob W said:
Yes, it's based on the Crawford-designed lock. AG Russell freely admits so. The omission of this fact in my post was not an attempt to deceive or misinform.
Click to expand...

Oh I didn't think you were trying to deceive or misinform, it's just that I think Pat should get credit for that ingenious locking mechanism that AG Russell has claimed credit for in his many catalogs. I believe all AGRussell did was add the thumb studs to the lock for ease of opening.

Just because Pat cashed the check doesn't mean much. I've heard the story told differently. Pat stopped making knives with that lock for a long time. It's ironic that a company in Taiwan copied the AGRussell design exactly and undercut his patent for a while selling the exact same knife for a lot less money by mail order in magazine ads (e.g. Popular Mechanics). I've always wanted one of Pat's versions but cannot afford it. I have one of the Taiwanese copies and it's a neat knife with only 5 parts.
 
My wife gave me one of the AG Russell Top Lock versions for Christmas last year.



Here's another version.
I got this one back on the 1980's, it was made in Italy and sold by Edgeco, a catalogue company.
 
I had one of those Edgco knives back in '95. Took it by A. G. Russell's place, and they got a kick out of the quality, or lack thereof.

Neat design, but the stiff backspring used as a lock made closing a bit difficult. I haven't tried any of the newer versions. I'll have to check them out next time I'm in NW Arkansas and can stop by A. G.'s place.
 
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