All About Pocket Knives

Over the years I have always had a fondness for the lockback folding hunter . The pattern is fairly standard like an original LB7 or 8 original USA Schrade or a Buck 110 there are many knockoffs and most companies have a version but the style and pattern is basic. Size may vary Schrade had them from a small LB1 all the way up to the LB-8. I am sure most of you are familiar with these knves. I like this type of knife however I never cared for carrying a knife which I had to open with two hands. Over the years there have been numerous attempts to make these capable of curing this aspect of the knife. One of the earliest was a small piece which would attach to the blade with an allen key so that the blade could be pushed open with the thumb. It was sold under the name of LIL bandit. and came in two sizes for larger ( thicker ) or smaller blades. these attempts were to circumvent the idiot switchblade laws. I decided to write this today because recently I purchased the relatively new elite 110 automatic now ( finally ) being made by BUCK. Advertised at 250.00 I paid 170 off ebay which is not allowed to sell automatics. Which is another idiot rule enforced upon whim. While this pattern has been a favorite they have not been for the most part customized to be automatic. Perhapes the exception to this is the Buck 110. These have been being turned into automatic versions for years. Cumberland mountain made a good one with a quality knockoff knife. There were also a lot of actual bucks redone by custom guys. Buck finally had the balls to start making the real thing. While thinking about this evolution it seemed to me that I had not seen much written about this segment of knife history. I am including pictures of various examples of these knives with some variations. I have others but these are some examples and I can only list so many pics. #1 is the new Buck elite version (which while a very nice knife with a good action actually does not feel as good as some of the old conversions #2 is a buck 110 older conversion. #3 is the cumberland version #4 is a CASE Mako which has been customized to full auto. #5 is a favorite of mine It is a Schrade LB7 rehandled in stag with a flylock mech to full auto. It is a dandy works, flawlessly I do not know who made it he was from OKLA it is one of a kind. ( to my knowledge) ( Note for some reason it is tough to find converted old Lockback Schrades ). This was i was told done by a guy for a friend then the friend sold it. #6 and 7 are Canpolin made in Italy in 2009 they are a variation on the other lockbacks and the blade is released by lifting the backspring with the lanyard. They are larger than a 110 but very nice knives. #8 is a knife from the middle 90tys it is a rare custom marked JAS It is a custom I researched it for years and finally found an article on it in the old switchblade News. What caught my eye when I saw it was that it was a lockback hunter, automatic and had another aspect it was a dually ( manual or automatic ) this was a rare concept back then. Notice how the button is flush and looks like a shield that was to desguise that it was an automatic. Duallys can be found now but 25 years ago. I had never seen one. #9 is a Herman Willams LB7 it is not automatic however i included it because I have it in a special sheath that automaticly opens the knife when you remove it. #10 is rather weird it is a patented prototype sent to me by the inventor You squeeze the big brass piece lifting the back spring allowing the knife to swing open then you release the backspring locking the knife. These are only a few of the many variations and mechs that were done to turn these into one handers , To be honest most of these are a bit rare and I usually only carry one of these when I want something special. However i do carry a knife everyday. I am out of picture space which is just as well because I carry a perlex handle assisted opening liner lock. It is a large lockback folding hunter inexpensive and opens as quick as any automatic. For some reason when you open a assisted opener no one notices but when you throw an automatic everyhead turns I suppose that in some strange way that is why we love them LT

Nice bunch of knives. Thanks for taking time to show and explain.

Great information LT! I was aware of four or five of those that you posted, but I think the only one I had ever held in my hand was a earlier Buck 110 conversion.

Great historical information, thank you for sharing with us!

Nice post
Great looking knives

Very nice collection! I'd love to experience the action on them first hand. I'm especially interested by the lanyard pull ones. I guess you still need two hands?

I've been carrying a 110 daily for over 30 years. One of the things I like is I can open and close it with one hand.

I pinch the blade to start it opening then catch the blade on my jeans to open it fully.

To close I hold the lock button then push the spine on the blade in the back of my leg.

(I've never had an accident doing this, but use caution if you decide to try it.)

I have no need for an automatic 110 it is illegal for me to carry one. (I still had to have one). As much as I like it, I m not sure I'd carry it if I could. Even the sheath you show is a felony to carry here.

The 110 is perfect the way it is. I like that it is a sportsmans knife, and not a fighting style.

With that said, I'm glad Buck stepped up and started making one themselves.

The Cumberland tool knife is a rare bird. They had a great reputation for a quality build. I bought 2 of Buck's factory autos with the intention of giving my Brother in Law one but by the time they put them out he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Needless to say it behooved me to hang on to it. The conversion pictured was built by Wirtz Wire. They did a good job and backed it with a warranty until he ran out of parts a few years ago.

I had an Uncle Henry LB-8 in mint condition converted into an auto. When you press the Uncle Henry Shield it actually discharges the knife blade and locks into place. You have to push down on the original locking mechanism to close it. Throws like a bear. Uncle Henry Rules!

I had an Uncle Henry LB-8 in mint condition converted into an auto. When you press the Uncle Henry Shield it actually discharges the knife blade and locks into place. You have to push down on the original locking mechanism to close it. Throws like a bear. Uncle Henry Rules!

Anyone else have any cool Schrade auto's they want to post. I am a self Certified Schrade/Uncle Henry knifaholic so if you have one - Please post. Thanks - Uncle Henry

Very interesting display of knives here and special thanks to Rich for starting the post and the history lesson. I have never been a fan of the Buck 110 or similar knives because they feel a bit too handle heavy for me to use for any length of time and they do not carry well on my hip due to some back issues.
I did find one Buck model(the 186 Titan)that was the same size as a 110 and just as rugged but about 1/2 the weight. This was due to the use of titanium for the handles and frame(one piece).They made a couple versions of this knife;one of which was a take down model to facilitate cleaning.It also had an optional titanium pocket clip and a tool that mounted on the side to dis-assemble it.
I wonder how it would be to convert one of these to automatic or if it is even feasible? Here is a picture of it next to a standard 110.

I have always wanted a Buck 110 Auto. Buck is now offering them again. Now IF I only had some $$$!!....!