Michael Walker (knifemaker)
Encyclopedia
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. Walker's knifemaking and inventions have influenced other custom knifemakers such as Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson
.
and a copy of American Blade
magazine. Walker noted similarities between his jewelry and custom art knives and decided he would try his hand at knifemaking.
which would not require a sheath, which lead to his development of the Walker Linerlock. In 1981, Walker began a limited partnership with knifemaker Ron Lake. The two makers have collaborated on numerous designs including the LAWKS
. In 1985, Walker became a voting member of the Knifemakers' Guild
.
Walker has collaborated with numerous companies in efforts to make his designs more accessible to the public as his original hand made knives are in demand and sell in the thousands. Some of the production companies he has partnered with include Spyderco
, Columbia River Knife and Tool, Schrade
, Böker
, and Klotzli.
Walker's knives and designs have inspired many other custom knifemakers, notably Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson
. Terzuola credits Walker with teaching him how to make a linerlock folder and Emerson has said that seeing a Walker knife at a gun show gave him the inspiration to become a custom knifemaker, himself.
In 2004, Walker was inducted into the Blade
magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...
. Walker is the inventor of over 20 different knife mechanisms including the Walker Linerlock
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...
which he secured a trademark for in 1980. Walker's knifemaking and inventions have influenced other custom knifemakers such as Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson
Ernest Emerson
Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker known for making decorative knives but later became better known for his combat knives, eventually founding a...
.
Early life
Walker began his career as a jeweler, until 1975 when his wife, Patricia Walker, gave him a Gerber KnifeGerber Legendary Blades
Gerber Legendary Blades is a maker of consumer knives and multitools headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, United States, within the Portland metropolitan area. Currently Gerber is a sub-division of Fiskars Brands Inc, owned by the Fiskars company of Finland...
and a copy of American Blade
Blade (magazine)
Blade is a long-running consumer magazine about knife collecting.First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor, the magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles...
magazine. Walker noted similarities between his jewelry and custom art knives and decided he would try his hand at knifemaking.
Knife making
Walker began making knives full time in 1980 with fixed-blade art knives. When a customer asked him to make sheaths for these knives, Walker found the task more labor-intensive and less enjoyable than making the knives. As a result, he decided from then on to make folding knivesPocket knife
A pocket knife is a folding knife with one or more blades that fit inside the handle that can still fit in a pocket. It is also known as a jackknife or jack-knife...
which would not require a sheath, which lead to his development of the Walker Linerlock. In 1981, Walker began a limited partnership with knifemaker Ron Lake. The two makers have collaborated on numerous designs including the LAWKS
LAWKS
The Lake and Walker Knife Safety system 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...
. In 1985, Walker became a voting member of the 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...
.
Inventions
Walker has patented or trademarked over 20 different mechanisms related to locks and composite cutting blades on pocketknives. These include the "Lake and Walker Safety System" or LAWKS, BLADELock, Linerlock, Ball bearing lock, and Tough Lock.Walker has collaborated with numerous companies in efforts to make his designs more accessible to the public as his original hand made knives are in demand and sell in the thousands. Some of the production companies he has partnered with include Spyderco
Spyderco
Spyderco is a Golden, Colorado, U.S.A. based cutlery company that produces knives and knife sharpeners. Spyderco introduced many features that are now common on folding knives, including the pocket clip, serrations, and the opening hole...
, Columbia River Knife and Tool, Schrade
Imperial Schrade
Imperial Schrade Corp. was an American knife manufacturer of hunting knives and pocketknives. Existing in various forms, the company was the eventual consolidation of the Schrade Cutlery Company, founded in 1904, and the Imperial Knife Company, founded 1916. In 2004 the company stopped making...
, Böker
Böker
Böker or Tree Brand is a commercial manufacturer and distributor of knives, based in Solingen, Germany. Böker primarily makes folding and outdoor knives...
, and Klotzli.
Walker's knives and designs have inspired many other custom knifemakers, notably Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson
Ernest Emerson
Ernest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker known for making decorative knives but later became better known for his combat knives, eventually founding a...
. Terzuola credits Walker with teaching him how to make a linerlock folder and Emerson has said that seeing a Walker knife at a gun show gave him the inspiration to become a custom knifemaker, himself.
In 2004, Walker was inducted into the Blade
Blade (magazine)
Blade is a long-running consumer magazine about knife collecting.First published in 1973 under the title American Blade by Southern House Publishing Co. with Blackie Collins as the editor, the magazine's title was changed to Blade in 1982 after its purchase by Jim Parker and Bruce Voyles...
magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame.