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Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 5:23 am
by rugmar
I’ve found that I am particularly drawn to knives from Gerber that were designed by the late Blackie Collins. What a talent he possessed. Sad that he died.
I think two of my favorites, both are fixed blades, are the clip lock river knife and the Frisco Shiv. There are at least two iterations of the Frisco Shiv and five or six iterations of the river knives. Both of these have unique sheathing systems to securely lock the knives into their respective sheaths.
Anyone else drawn to Blackie Collins designs? Which ones do you like?
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 3:05 pm
by Mumbleypeg
He made a LOT of different designs, and for several different companies. Some great, some just “different”. Keyword search here for ”Blackie” found 263 posts
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... mit=Search. Many showing the favorites of the member who posted.
Hope that helps.
Ken
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 4:31 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
I had a Frisco Shiv back in the day, but traded it for who knows what????? Kick, kick, kick myself, wish I still had it. I carried it on a neck cord upside down under my shirt.
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 10:41 pm
by Case V42
In my opinion, I think Blackie Collins' most remarkable design for Gerber was the line of folder models with no liners. Not only did Gerber sell an untold number of those knives, but innumerable other companies have sold what must be millions of derivatives. I still own, and occasionally use, the Bolt Action I bought new.
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:01 pm
by Sharpnshinyknives
I’m very partial to the knives he designed for Paragon. They are truly beautiful knives. I will try to take some pictures of them and post them here.
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 2:24 pm
by rugmar
Thanks for the replies and info fellows. And yes SSK, I would love to see the pictures.
I worked with a guy in Charlotte NC back in the late 80’s named Jack McKnight that claimed to have worked at Benchmark knives at one time. Benchmark was one of,if not the first, company to introduce the Rolox knife. He brought in and showed to me some early prototypes of these extremely cool knives and even said that Blackie Collins contributed to that design. He also said he knew Blackie personally. This guy was from somewhere in SC and I think Blackie was from SC as well. It appears CRKT also made a version called Rollock II.
Here is a link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnpQMtMtwww
Rugmar
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:37 pm
by Sharpnshinyknives
rugmar wrote: ↑Mon Nov 10, 2025 2:24 pm
Thanks for the replies and info fellows. And yes SSK, I would love to see the pictures.
I worked with a guy in Charlotte NC back in the late 80’s named Jack McKnight that claimed to have worked at Benchmark knives at one time. Benchmark was one of,if not the first, company to introduce the Rolox knife. He brought in and showed to me some early prototypes of these extremely cool knives and even said that Blackie Collins contributed to that design. He also said he knew Blackie personally. This guy was from somewhere in SC and I think Blackie was from SC as well. It appears CRKT also made a version called Rollock II.
Here is a link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnpQMtMtwww
Rugmar
There you go Rugmar. I just copied these from my store. All great knives, looks and feels great in hand and sharp as any knife I’ve ever handled.
Re: Knife designs by Blackie Collins
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 5:23 am
by rugmar
Wow! Those are some beauties . I’ll need to do a little research on Paragon as I have never heard of them. Thanks for posting those pictures! I like the one in the middle picture the best.
Take care!
Rugmar