CRKT BladeLOCK™ The genius (and patent) of Michael Walker meet CRKT's precision manufacturing technology. Result: it locks open and closed - by the thumb stud.
CRKT BladeLOCK
Michael Walker. Artist. Craftsman. Inventor of the locking liner folder. Award-winning knifemaker. Designer of over 20 knife lock systems. He says "When I applied thumb studs to my locking liners in the '80s, it occurred to me that it could be the basis for an internal lock. I was granted the patent for the BladeLOCK™ and have made many custom versions. However, no major knife manufacturer was then capable of putting the BladeLOCK into production because of the tolerances required - until now." CRKT is proud that we can bring this innovation to the knife world, because it is everything you have asked for.
The BladeLOCK is an incredibly strong folding knife with a blade that locks when open, and locks when closed. The ingenious positive lock system operates by pressing the thumb stud. To open, press the thumb stud and rotate the blade as you would other knives. When you hear the clean, crisp "snap" of steal locking with steal, the blade is locked - no doubt about it! The strength of the BladeLOCK meets or exceeds any claimed lock strength of existing production folders.
To close, press the thumb stud and rotate the blade into the handle. Snap! The blade is locked closed, with no chance of opening when carried in a pocket.
Like all of Michael's work, the knife is a striking design, with perfect heft and balance. He says simply, "In my work, form follows function."
The AUS 6M stainless steel blade is a Walker Clip Point in satin finish, piviting on Teflon® bearings. The open design 420J2 stainless steel frame receives a contrasting bead blast finish. Black injection molded Zytel® is used for the back spacer, lock covers, and scales. Torx fasteners are used throughout.
Beyond its sleek lines, the handle proves to be highly ergonomic when gripped, with a deep finger notch and prominent thumb ramp to provide security. Friction grooves at the bast of the blade curve and thumb ramp reduce slipping and also can aid in one hand closure of the blade.
The custom Teflon® plated stainless steel clothing / gear clip is removable.
The BladeLOCK is the most advanced lock system that we at CRKT have seen, but we welcome you to compare it with other lock systems at your specialty retailer and decide for yourself. We think you'll want one.
The CRKT Michael Walker BladeLOCK is available in two edge styles:
CRKT HAMMOND CRUISER
And now, here’s the real deal from Jim Hammond: our workhorse production InterFrame version of the custom Cruiser locking liner folder.
Featured recently in Tactical Knives magazine, Jim Hammond’s Cruiser is a multi-purpose folder that has garnered much praise. In Tactical Knives, Pat Covert explains, “Hammond is all about design. Using a combination of CAD (Computer Aided Design) and exhaustive research . . . he spends much of his time up front honing a design before ever handling the steel.”
This fact is obvious as you study the Cruiser, which abounds with design subtleties. For example, the handle features a forward slanted friction grooved thumb ramp and a deep finger choil for the index finger, allowing what is known as the “fencer’s grip”.
To simplify the clean open build, a unique blade stop channel is CNC machined within the blade. This in turn, allows a friction grooved, tapered blade extension (or flipper) which aids opening the Cruiser, and then neatly completes the finger choil. It has been called “the sweetest flipper in the business.”
In translating Jim’s custom Cruiser into production, we used our extremely durable InterFrame build with 420J2 stainless steel liners, one locking. The injection molded black textured Zytel® scales featuring our Operator’s Grip are radiused and contoured with swells to perfectly fit the hand. The long handle, with a pronounced pommel, feels secure and entirely right.
Hammond Cruiser
Our work and sport version of the Cruiser uses tough AUS 6M stainless steel for the clip-point blade. It has a high hollow grind that curves upward near the tip and a long false top edge, making it an exceptionally versatile work tool. Both Razor-Sharp and Combination Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point™ Serrated edges are available. Dual thumb studs and Teflon® blade bearings at the blade pivot allow smooth one hand opening and closing.
We’ve also incorporated the patented* Lake And Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS®) into the Cruiser, which makes the folder a virtual fixed blade when engaged.
To give the Cruiser maximum utility in a variety of work situations, we had Jim design a special paddle style clothing/gear clip system, which can be attached in four positions: tip up, tip down, left or right. (The Cruiser is not designed for tip-up in-pocket carry.) Two clips, hardware and Torx® tool are included. The stainless steel clips are Teflon® plated.
We know Jim designed the Cruiser for speed, strength, and grip, but we can’t help but note it is also one of the most pleasing shapes ever built as a folder.
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