Tag: scales

How Personalized Pocket Knives Are Made

Personalized pocket knives are usually hand made.

65010 Small Rosewood Pocketknife-Gold
65010 Small Rosewood Pocketknife-Gold
  1. Of course, you need a blade or two to start with. The rest of this is how the blades are protected and held in place when you are using the knife.
  2. The liner is normally made of 2 layers of steel. One on each side of the blade. Then we add the metal bolsters.
  3. All of these pieces are held together with metal pins, through the bolster, the liner layers, and the blade.
  4. How about a spring, so the blade is held closed, and held open? That is usually held in place between the 2 layers of liner, by a pin in the middle of the knife.
  5. To top off the appearance, scales (handles) are added. They can be made out of bone, wood, steel, or synthetic material.
  6. The final product then is personalized with your name. This is usually done by laser engraving on the blade or the handle, or the bolster.
  7. Some modern knives get their advanced look by having the liner do the job of the scales. Some have only a liner on one side, to save weight, and create a daring look.
  8. Locking mechanisms are of two types. The liner lock holds the blade open by a spring action of sliding into the tang of the blade. The tang is the “root” of the blade. The other type of locking mechanism is the “lockback”. This is done by the spring locking against the blade tang. A lockback mechanism is easier to use. Some knives don’t have a locking mechanism. The blade tang just has a flat spot that rests on the spring to stay open when in use.

This is how the standard Personalized Pocket Knives are made. Knife designers are always looking for more unique ideas to attract knife lovers.

The 4 Best Pocket Knives in 2016

Pocket knives are so popular because they are collector items. Other reasons are: They are useful, portable, made of steel, helpful in self defense, a powerful tool in a small package, and made of interesting handle materials. In our opinion, the best pocket knives in 2016 are these. Our selection is based on popularity with our customers, and our own opinion on the quality put into these beautiful knives. In alphabetical order, they are:

BLANK ONLY-Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM

The Boker Magnum King Barlow 01MB559DAM is styled after the antique barlow knives made in the 1600’s in England. This design of a subtle teardrop shape fits well into the hand. Like all barlows, it is 3 3/8″ closed, and has an over-sized bolster. The burl wood scales (handle) add much character. The pinnacle of its beauty is the genuine damascus blade. It also has a lockback mechanism. This is a safety feature not found on the original barlow knives.

110b.jpg Buck Folding Hunter Lockback Knife 110

By far, the pocket knives of all pocket knives is the Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback. Its size, weight, composition, extra sharp stainless steel blade, and wooden handle with stainless steel bolsters make it the king of pocket knives. When someone asks for a Buck knife, this is the one they are referring to.  USA-Made.

zippo clone Case Executive Lockback 7200

Case has been making pocket knives by hand since 1889. Located in the woods of Pennsylvania, they take pride in the hand-made tradition. The 7200 Executive Lockback is the top seller. People like it because it is the right size and shape for a man’s pocket. There are no sharp edges on the handle to cut into your pocket. The stainless steel blade comes super sharp, and it is easy to keep sharp your whole life. USA-Made.

1620-engraved-camo-scallion-smooth Kershaw “Scallion” Knife, Camo 1620

The classy Kershaw Scallion Camo 1620 knife satisfies both the camo lovers and the knife collectors. The patented Speedsafe opening mechanism makes it fun to open with one hand. No worry, there is a tip safety lock to prevent accidental opening. A removable pocket clip makes this knife a real keeper. USA-Made.