COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE TECHNOLOGY

The locking liner style of folder lock has many advantages: it is lightweight, reliable, strong and easy to open and close with one hand. However, there is the very slight possibility that twisting or torquing the knife with a firm grip may accidentally release the locking liner.

In 2000, we began to incorporate the patented* Lake And Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS), designed by noted Knifemakers' Guild members Ron Lake and Michael Walker, into our newer locking liner folders. When the LAWKS lever is pushed forward with a flick of the thumb, the knife becomes a virtual fixed blade, and the locking liner is virtually impossible to release by the most vigorous use until the LAWKS lever is retracted.

Even though LAWKS increased our engineering and manufacturing costs significantly, we believe that the superior security and safety it offers is worth it to our customers. Today, CRKT locking liner folders designed for heavy-duty work and tactical use come with LAWKS as standard equipment.

As good as LAWKS is, our military and law enforcement consultants pointed out that an operator may not have time to think about actuating the LAWKS lever during a sudden tactical event.

Our new patented and exclusive AutoLAWKS answers that question: it automatically actuates when an AutoLAWKS-equipped folder is opened and locked, creating a virtual fixed blade instantly. A powerful spring inside the handle forces the AutoLAWKS cam forward, and a metal bar prevents the locking liner from releasing accidentally.

One-hand closing is still easy, as shown in the photographs below. Just pull the AutoLAWKS lever back with the index finger and press in the locking liner with the thumb. The blade will release and can be closed with gentle pressure of the index finger while you rotate the handle in the palm of your hand.

Overall, we believe that AutoLAWKS is the most advanced knife safety improvement of its kind, and we are proud to offer it on many CRKT locking liner folders.

* U.S. Patent No 5,596,808, additional patents pending.

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LAWKS. Many CRKT folders feature the patented Lake And Walker Knife Safety system. This system converts folders into virtual fixed blades when the blade is opened and locked, and when the LAWKS lever is slid forward. To fold the knife, simply slide the lever back, and release the liner.

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Just nudge the thumb stud straight upward lightly to open and let the OutBurst mechanism do its job.

The patented* OutBurst assist mechanism accelerates the blade open on OutBurst-equipped CRKT models after you have opened the blade approximately 30 degrees. Just nudge the thumb stud straight upward lightly, in the direction of the knife centerline, releasing it as you would shoot a marble. Don’t press down on the blade or try to follow the blade open. Once the blade reaches the 30 degree zone, it should spring open and lock. It make may take a little practice to get the action down. In general, larger CRKT knives are easier to open because they have more blade weight. If your knife blade action is sluggish and stalls on OutBurst opening, periodically use a small drop of a lubricant such as Tuf-Glide or Break-Free CLP, or a light machine oil, at the pivot points and at the tip of the OutBurst spring where it meets the blade cam. Keep the blade pivot area clean and lubricated. Tuf-Cloth is an effective blade cleaner and protectant. OutBurst assisted opening is legal in most jurisdictions, but check your local regulations to be sure. Your knife can be quickly converted to a conventional opener by removing the OutBurst spring whenever desired, as shown in the photo at lower left. OutBurst spring removal. The OutBurst spring can be removed on most models without disassembly (shown here for clarity). Simply loosen the set screw with a No. 6 Torx tool and slide the spring out the butt of the knife, then retighten the set screw. When replacing the spring, you will notice a flat grind which should be aligned above the set screw. On other models, the OutBurst spring is pressed in place, and can be removed or replaced by dissassembling the knife. A set of Torx tools is needed. * U.S. Patent No. 6,834,432.

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Fire Safe. This new patent-pending system relies on a spring-loaded thumb stud and a pin at the locking liner. When you open a Fire Safe equipped folder by pressing the thumb stud, first the locking liner and pin are released. Then with a nudge outward, the OutBurst assisted opening mechanism takes over and propels the blade into the open and locked position. The required combination of pressing firmly and nudging the blade helps prevent accidental opening.

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