- Joined
- Nov 16, 2009
- Messages
- 997
Here is one that we've had around the shop since 2010, some info from Rick.....
Without further ado this is the first LOCKBACK XM-18. BUT this is not your normal lockback…This is what I call my improved lockback…let me explain…One of the weak areas in the lockback mechanism is the lockbar in that when you are applying downward force on the knife such as taking a heavy cut the force from that travels from the blade right through the lockbar,to keep the lockbar from moving backwards under this force is the small cross pin that goes through the lockbar into the two handle sides…a lot of times this is a small pin. I wanted to eliminate this area of weakness..so I have my blade using the thumbstuds as one of the lockup points. So all of that pressure is transferred directly into the handle case instead of in the lockbar.If you look at the picture looking at the top of the knife you will see a gap between the lockbar and the blade..this allows foreign material to escape the the lock notch…no more filling up that notch with pocket lint!..
The spring set up is also totally different than a conventional lockback . I wanted to continue the “open back” design of the XM-18 series..but how to do that when you need the lockbar spring for the lockbar which is traditionaly a leaf spring in the back of the knife…well how I accomplished that was I moved the springs to the outside! I put TWO outboard springs under the handle and between the liner and handle..there is a pin through the lockbar that engages these springs..so if a spring breaks you have another as a backup, and of course it is very easy to change out these springs..The lockbar pivot is also the large handle nut that I use on the regular XM’s…which brings up the point that this lockback is all screw construction..meaning this is one that you can work on…
Another cool feature o f this design is the blade stop feature when the blade is closed..on conventional lockbacks when the blade is closed and you have it in your hand you can move the blade towards the back of the knife by squeezing your hand…my design eliminates this because I have the blade stop on the bottom of the lockbar pivot engaging the choil of the blade..that makes the blade set in there firmly and not letting it move toward to back of the knife.
Overall this is a very solid lockback design and it takes the old lockback mechanism in a new more sturdy direction!
Now I know the big question a lot of you will have is when can we see these in production?...that I don’t know..haha..I would really like to see these out there in use..and you may see the mechanism in another design knife besides the XM-18…time will tell.
I want to sincerely thank you all for you ongoing continued support for Rick Hinderer Knives! As I have said time and again my dream would not be a reality without you all!
Rick Hinderer
Without further ado this is the first LOCKBACK XM-18. BUT this is not your normal lockback…This is what I call my improved lockback…let me explain…One of the weak areas in the lockback mechanism is the lockbar in that when you are applying downward force on the knife such as taking a heavy cut the force from that travels from the blade right through the lockbar,to keep the lockbar from moving backwards under this force is the small cross pin that goes through the lockbar into the two handle sides…a lot of times this is a small pin. I wanted to eliminate this area of weakness..so I have my blade using the thumbstuds as one of the lockup points. So all of that pressure is transferred directly into the handle case instead of in the lockbar.If you look at the picture looking at the top of the knife you will see a gap between the lockbar and the blade..this allows foreign material to escape the the lock notch…no more filling up that notch with pocket lint!..
The spring set up is also totally different than a conventional lockback . I wanted to continue the “open back” design of the XM-18 series..but how to do that when you need the lockbar spring for the lockbar which is traditionaly a leaf spring in the back of the knife…well how I accomplished that was I moved the springs to the outside! I put TWO outboard springs under the handle and between the liner and handle..there is a pin through the lockbar that engages these springs..so if a spring breaks you have another as a backup, and of course it is very easy to change out these springs..The lockbar pivot is also the large handle nut that I use on the regular XM’s…which brings up the point that this lockback is all screw construction..meaning this is one that you can work on…
Another cool feature o f this design is the blade stop feature when the blade is closed..on conventional lockbacks when the blade is closed and you have it in your hand you can move the blade towards the back of the knife by squeezing your hand…my design eliminates this because I have the blade stop on the bottom of the lockbar pivot engaging the choil of the blade..that makes the blade set in there firmly and not letting it move toward to back of the knife.
Overall this is a very solid lockback design and it takes the old lockback mechanism in a new more sturdy direction!
Now I know the big question a lot of you will have is when can we see these in production?...that I don’t know..haha..I would really like to see these out there in use..and you may see the mechanism in another design knife besides the XM-18…time will tell.
I want to sincerely thank you all for you ongoing continued support for Rick Hinderer Knives! As I have said time and again my dream would not be a reality without you all!
Rick Hinderer
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You've outdone yourself...yet again! Thank you!
