who and when

[skyer]

trying to figure out knife development timeline.
any idea of who and when first introduced the back lock,liner lock,axis lock and thumb hole,thumb-stud,thumb disc,and flipper?etc…

 

[scorpnsnake]

I feel like The Archie will show up and fill you in.

 

[FeelingEdgy]

Lock this up please…

 

[killgar]

I'll do the "liner lock".

There are two basic versions of the "liner lock"-

1. Invented and patented by William Franklin Watson (patent filed in 1905, granted in 1906, patent number 825,093), this design consists of a liner that blocks the blade from closing. One example is the "lock" of the screwdriver on a TL-29 Electricians knife. However, it must be pointed out that with this version of the "liner lock" the liner does not hold the blade in the open position, a backspring holds the blade open.

2. Knifemaker Michael Walker is credited with inventing a different type of "liner lock", the one most commonly used today, in the early 1980's. Although Walker never patented his liner lock design, he filed for a trademark in 1989, and it was granted in 1990 (trademark number 1585333). One major difference between Walkers liner lock and the Watson liner lock is that Walkers actually holds the blade open.

There is a lot of inaccurate information on the internet about when Walker applied for and received his trademark, but if a person were to look up the trademark number they could find official documentation at the US Patent and Trademark Office and see the dates I provided.

Also, it is commonly said that William Watson invented and patented the earlier version of the liner lock with a man named Roy Chadwick, but the patent application and application drawing only names Watson as the inventor (below). However, it does appear that Chadwick was half-owner of the patent.

Of course, there is always the possibility that some knife or tool maker somewhere, at some point in distant history, made something with some kind of "liner lock" before the gentlemen mentioned above. But as far as US government records are concerned, Watson, and Walker get the credit.

 

[knarfeng]

Here is a very old thread containing Michael Walker's comments about the Walker Liner Lock.

Thread 'Michael Walker response'

Aug 8, 2000

to all, Michael called me yesterday afternoonand asked if i would help him get his response onto the forums. he is'nt registered as a member here and don't know about posting. i told him i would be glad to. here is his response exactly as i received it form him.


Hello, my name is Michael Walker. I don't want to get on a rant here, but I would like to say a few words about the "linerlock" chat
going on. Forum? More like a "snivel line" . A place where people can repeat RUMORS and say things that they don't have the guts to stand up in my face and say. Sort of reminds me of the old hens at...

• HermanKnives
• Replies: 41
• Forum: Custom Knife Forum Archive

• 

 

[tltt]

Back lock is lost to history, but it's been in use since the late 1700s, and was common by the 1800s, although an expensive option.

William "Bill" McHenry and Jason Williams (who I think was his stepson) invented the Axis in the mid 90s and patented it in 1996.

Thumb studs have been around since the 1920's, but it was the switchblade era, so they were quickly forgotten about till a reemergence in the early 80s, perhaps even the late 70s.

Modern bottom and maybe front flippers probably started with Robert "Bob" Hayes in the 60s, 70s. He is a somewhat forgotten high end maker that did a lot of fancy mechanisms, but his output was limited -

.

Modern thumb disks? I'd look at Terzoula or Emerson.

Realistic thumb holes? you'd probably have to give that to Sal and Spyderco. Scagel had holes, but they were more like fancy nail knicks.

 

[TC]

There is a lot of inaccurate information on the internet about when Walker applied for and received his trademark, but if a person were to look up the trademark number they could find official documentation at the US Patent and Trademark Office and see the dates I provided.

Yep.

 

[Daedric Panther]

I’m gonna take a guess and say the friction folder has probably been around a while

 

[ChrisB507]

Might be of interest: https://blademag.com/buyers-guides/5-pocketknife-breakthroughs-that-changed-the-class-of-knife

 

[scorpnsnake]

I'll do the "liner lock".

There are two basic versions of the "liner lock"-

1. Invented and patented by William Franklin Watson (patent filed in 1905, granted in 1906, patent number 825,093), this design consists of a liner that blocks the blade from closing. One example is the "lock" of the screwdriver on a TL-29 Electricians knife. However, it must be pointed out that with this version of the "liner lock" the liner does not hold the blade in the open position, a backspring holds the blade open.

2. Knifemaker Michael Walker is credited with inventing a different type of "liner lock", the one most commonly used today, in the early 1980's. Although Walker never patented his liner lock design, he filed for a trademark in 1989, and it was granted in 1990 (trademark number 1585333). One major difference between Walkers liner lock and the Watson liner lock is that Walkers actually holds the blade open.

There is a lot of inaccurate information on the internet about when Walker applied for and received his trademark, but if a person were to look up the trademark number they could find official documentation at the US Patent and Trademark Office and see the dates I provided.

Also, it is commonly said that William Watson invented and patented the earlier version of the liner lock with a man named Roy Chadwick, but the patent application and application drawing only names Watson as the inventor (below). However, it does appear that Chadwick was half-owner of the patent.

Of course, there is always the possibility that some knife or tool maker somewhere, at some point in distant history, made something with some kind of "liner lock" before the gentlemen mentioned above. But as far as US government records are concerned, Watson, and Walker get the credit.


View attachment 2828450

I knew you would have some answers on this!

 

[scorpnsnake]

I’m gonna take a guess and say the friction folder has probably been around a while

Like since the Iron age I believe.

 

[chevyrulez1]

trying to figure out knife development timeline.
any idea of who and when first introduced the back lock,liner lock,axis lock and thumb hole,thumb-stud,thumb disc,and flipper?etc…

This thread has alot of this information in it

A

Thread 'Firsts? Who invented what in the knife industry?'

Jan 2, 2013

I have thought about this for a long time and finally figured to post it. Who did it first?

The liner lock?

Frame lock?

Axis lock?

Other forms of locking folders?

The pocket clip on folders?

The thumb stud?

I assume Spyderco invented the hole in the blade for one handed opening?

Any other cool "firsts" you can think of?

• akthor
• Replies: 70
• Forum: General Knife Discussion

 

[skyer]

I'll do the "liner lock".

There are two basic versions of the "liner lock"-

1. Invented and patented by William Franklin Watson (patent filed in 1905, granted in 1906, patent number 825,093), this design consists of a liner that blocks the blade from closing. One example is the "lock" of the screwdriver on a TL-29 Electricians knife. However, it must be pointed out that with this version of the "liner lock" the liner does not hold the blade in the open position, a backspring holds the blade open.

2. Knifemaker Michael Walker is credited with inventing a different type of "liner lock", the one most commonly used today, in the early 1980's. Although Walker never patented his liner lock design, he filed for a trademark in 1989, and it was granted in 1990 (trademark number 1585333). One major difference between Walkers liner lock and the Watson liner lock is that Walkers actually holds the blade open.

There is a lot of inaccurate information on the internet about when Walker applied for and received his trademark, but if a person were to look up the trademark number they could find official documentation at the US Patent and Trademark Office and see the dates I provided.

Also, it is commonly said that William Watson invented and patented the earlier version of the liner lock with a man named Roy Chadwick, but the patent application and application drawing only names Watson as the inventor (below). However, it does appear that Chadwick was half-owner of the patent.

Of course, there is always the possibility that some knife or tool maker somewhere, at some point in distant history, made something with some kind of "liner lock" before the gentlemen mentioned above. But as far as US government records are concerned, Watson, and Walker get the credit.


View attachment 2828450

I'll do the "liner lock".

There are two basic versions of the "liner lock"-

1. Invented and patented by William Franklin Watson (patent filed in 1905, granted in 1906, patent number 825,093), this design consists of a liner that blocks the blade from closing. One example is the "lock" of the screwdriver on a TL-29 Electricians knife. However, it must be pointed out that with this version of the "liner lock" the liner does not hold the blade in the open position, a backspring holds the blade open.

2. Knifemaker Michael Walker is credited with inventing a different type of "liner lock", the one most commonly used today, in the early 1980's. Although Walker never patented his liner lock design, he filed for a trademark in 1989, and it was granted in 1990 (trademark number 1585333). One major difference between Walkers liner lock and the Watson liner lock is that Walkers actually holds the blade open.

There is a lot of inaccurate information on the internet about when Walker applied for and received his trademark, but if a person were to look up the trademark number they could find official documentation at the US Patent and Trademark Office and see the dates I provided.

Also, it is commonly said that William Watson invented and patented the earlier version of the liner lock with a man named Roy Chadwick, but the patent application and application drawing only names Watson as the inventor (below). However, it does appear that Chadwick was half-owner of the patent.

Of course, there is always the possibility that some knife or tool maker somewhere, at some point in distant history, made something with some kind of "liner lock" before the gentlemen mentioned above. But as far as US government records are concerned, Watson, and Walker get the credit.


View attachment 2828450

didn't know the 1905 story,thanks and appriciated