Walker Linerlock

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The Walker Linerlock is a locking system developed by custom knifemaker Michael Walker in 1980 for use on folding knives.[1] When the blade of the knife is in the opened position it is held in place by a leaf spring (also called a lockbar) that butts up against the tang of the blade to prevent the blade from closing. To release the lock the user must press the lockbar back toward the handle side from whence it came to allow the blade to close. In the closed position the lockbar rests alongside the handle and the blade. [2]

While linerlock-style knives have been around since the late 19th century in what was known as an electrician's knife, Walker refined and popularized the design, eventually securing a trademark (SN 73813333) for the name linerlock.[3] Walker's main contribution to improve the design was to enable the leafspring to securely lock the blade open and facilitate true one handed opening of the knife.[4] This was accomplished by removing the weak backspring and adding a heat-treated stop pin to align the blade in the open position. Walker also added a detent ball to hold the blade in the closed position using the same spring force from the liner.[5][6]

Linerlock mechanisms are most commonly composed of steel or titanium.

Some of the many knife makers and knife manufacturing companies that utilize the Walker liner lock include:


[edit] References

  1. ^ Delavigne, Kenneth T, Spyderco Story: The New Shape of Sharp, ISBN: 1581600607, pp. 118-125
  2. ^ Warner, Ken, Knives 91(1991) page 31
  3. ^ Haskew, Mike. Handmades that Stand the Test of Time, Blade Magazine, January 2004
  4. ^ Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives (Hardcover), pages 37-38 ISBN 0-87364-732-7
  5. ^ Terzuola, Robert, The Tactical Folding Knife: A Study of the Anatomy and Construction of the Liner-Locked Folder, Krause Publications, (2000), ISBN: 0873418581,page 47
  6. ^ Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives (Hardcover), pages 37-38 ISBN 0-87364-732-7

[edit] External links

  • [1] How to close a liner lock knife FAQ

[edit] Sources

U.S. Patent 4,896,424 


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