Michael Walker (knifemaker)

Michael Leon Walker
Born	Oregon, USA
Occupation	Knifemaker, bladesmith, sculptor
Spouse	Patricia Walker

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.^[1][2][3] Walker's knifemaking and inventions have influenced other custom knifemakers such as Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson.

Early life

Walker began his career as a jeweler, until 1975 when his wife, Patricia Walker, gave him a Gerber Knife 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.^[4]

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 knives which would not require a sheath, which lead to his development of the Walker Linerlock.^[4] 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.^[4]

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.^[4][5]

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.^[6]

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.^[2][7]

In 2004, Walker was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame.^[4]

References

1. ^ Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives (Hardcover), pages 37-38 ISBN 0-87364-732-7
2. ^ ^{a b} Terzuola, Robert (2000). The Tactical Folding Knife: A Study of the Anatomy and Construction of the Liner-Locked Folder. Krause Publications. p. 47. ISBN 0873418581. 
3. ^ Pacella, Gerard (2002). 100 Legendary Knives. Krause Publications. p. 129. ISBN 978-0873494172. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Shackleford, Steve (2004), "Michael Walker, Cutlery Hall of Famer", Blade Magazine 31 (10): 68–73 
5. ^ Kerzman, Joe (2003), "Pocket Knives", Sporting Knives 2003: 78–79, ISBN 0-87349-430-X 
6. ^ Combs, Roger (2000). "Schrade Builds Hot-Selling, Custom-Designed Knives". Shooting Industry. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_8_45/ai_64996781. Retrieved 2011-03-21. 
7. ^ Basch, Paul (1990), "Searching for the Super Blade", The Blade Magazine 17 (12): 34–37 

External links

• Walker's knives at Artifex Gallery in Taos, NM

Persondata
Name	Walker, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	March 2, 1949
Place of birth	Oregon, USA
Date of death
Place of death