LAWKS
Encyclopedia
The Lake and Walker Knife Safety system (LAWKS) is a patented addition to folding knives using the Walker Linerlock
, designed by noted Knifemakers' Guild
members Ron Lake and Michael Walker
. The safety comes in two versions: original LAWKS and the Columbia River Knife & Tool
company's patented AutoLAWKS. These additions raise manufacturing and engineering costs, but ensure safety and security.
The AutoLAWKS mechanism was designed after professional military/law enforcement consultants pointed out that sudden tactical or immediate operation situations would call for focus on something other than actuating a safety switch under duress. The AutoLAWKS automatically activates, as the knife is opened. To close the blade again, the user has to pull the switch back to free the liner lock like the original LAWKS, but the AutoLAWKS switch automatically returns to a neutral position.
Walker Linerlock
The Walker Linerlock is a locking system developed by custom knifemaker Michael Walker in 1980 for use on folding knives.When the blade of the knife is in the opened position, it is held in place by a leaf spring that butts up against the tang of the blade to prevent the blade from closing...
, designed by noted Knifemakers' Guild
Knifemakers' Guild
The Knifemakers' Guild is an organization made up of knifemakers to promote custom knives, encourage ethical business practices, assist with technical aspects of knife making, and to sponsor knife shows...
members Ron Lake and Michael Walker
Michael Walker (knifemaker)
Michael Leon Walker is an American custom knife maker and sculptor based in Taos, New Mexico. Walker is the inventor of over 20 different knife mechanisms including the Walker Linerlock which he secured a trademark for in 1980...
. The safety comes in two versions: original LAWKS and the Columbia River Knife & Tool
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Columbia River Knife & Tool is an American knife company established in 1994, and currently based in Tualatin, Oregon, United States. The company's president and sales executive is Rod Bremer and the finance executive is Peggy Bremer...
company's patented AutoLAWKS. These additions raise manufacturing and engineering costs, but ensure safety and security.
Operation
The original LAWKS mechanism consists of a switch on the handle of the knife, connected to the liner lock. When pulled back, the liner lock can easily be pushed back to close the knife. But when the safety switch is pushed forward, it acts as an extra lock ensurng the linerlock can not be used to close the knife, making the folding knife a virtual fixed-blade tool.The AutoLAWKS mechanism was designed after professional military/law enforcement consultants pointed out that sudden tactical or immediate operation situations would call for focus on something other than actuating a safety switch under duress. The AutoLAWKS automatically activates, as the knife is opened. To close the blade again, the user has to pull the switch back to free the liner lock like the original LAWKS, but the AutoLAWKS switch automatically returns to a neutral position.