Had an idea(turning a lockback into a slipit)

[cosmo7809]

Hey guys, I had an idea to turn a lockback knife into a slipit.
I was thinking of rounding the "nub" or portion of lockbar that actually "locks" into the blade. It seems like it might work and I am willing to experiment with my 4.99 waved delica trainer. I have looked at some pictures of disassembled UKPK's and it looks like the lockbar's "nub" is infact rounded off a hair just enough to make the blade "slip" with some pressure.
One last thing, safety and I am sure someone will bring it up. I understand alot of lockbacks do not have a choil to ask as the safety....


For some asking "why?"..... I live in NYC(locking knives are a no go) and would like to be able to carry some of my favorite knives without the fear of it being confiscated. Also, for our UK friends this might be helpful as well. Plus, who doesn't like a challenge?


Please post thoughts, concerns, comments, etc.


Thanks, Chris

[araneae]

I am not certain that the lock bar will provide the tension required to serve as a backspring. But if you have a cheap sacrifice it might be worth finding out.

[Orion's Belt]

The main difference would be the stronger back-spring on slip joints. I would think it would be inherently more unsafe than using a knife designed to be a slippy in the first place.

[cosmo7809]

I am not certain that the lock bar will provide the tension required to serve as a backspring. But if you have a cheap sacrifice it might be worth finding out.

I did think of that as well... As mentioned I would sacrifice something that I have a double of. Also, I would anticipate alot of tinkering going back and forth on adjustments.

The main difference would be the stronger back-spring on slip joints. I would think it would be inherently more unsafe than using a knife designed to be a slippy in the first place.

I would agree with you on the safety part as there will be no choil to act as a safety.

[wsdavies]

It's really just sad that there are places in America.. Land of the free..where they have these draconian weapons laws in regard to law abiding citizens. It's just not right :mad:

Hey guys, I had an idea to turn a lockback knife into a slipit.
I was thinking of rounding the "nub" or portion of lockbar that actually "locks" into the blade. It seems like it might work and I am willing to experiment with my 4.99 waved delica trainer. I have looked at some pictures of disassembled UKPK's and it looks like the lockbar's "nub" is infact rounded off a hair just enough to make the blade "slip" with some pressure.
One last thing, safety and I am sure someone will bring it up. I understand alot of lockbacks do not have a choil to ask as the safety....


For some asking "why?"..... I live in NYC(locking knives are a no go) and would like to be able to carry some of my favorite knives without the fear of it being confiscated. Also, for our UK friends this might be helpful as well. Plus, who doesn't like a challenge?


Please post thoughts, concerns, comments, etc.


Thanks, Chris

[cosmo7809]

It's really just sad that there are places in America.. Land of the free..where they have these draconian weapons laws in regard to law abiding citizens. It's just not right :mad:

Ah, I hear ya. It really stinks but I wish to keep this thread about the topic.


Dont get me wrong... I do carry just about every locking blade I own (some like the police, millie are just too big for out and about EDC though). I have that personality where I am always looking to change something... Sometimes that can get me in trouble :rolleyes:

[feed_the_animals]

IIRC there are some successful LBK to SlipIt Spyders on a bladforums thread. Sorry, couldn't find the link. Maybe check there.

[ChrisR]

There have been many successful conversions of lock-backs to slip-joints, using just a Dremmel and a few screwdrivers - you'll find some examples on BritishBlades too - especially the Fallkniven U2. Pick one of the Byrd range if you want to practice your technique before moving on to more expensive knives. :)

Also, double-check with the NYC police that a converted knife won't still be treated as 'designed' to lock. Some areas might take a view that the law applies to knives that were designed to lock and they might still be illegal even though you have modified/broken the locking system to make it slip.

[xavierdoc]

As per ChrisR, there is a thread on Britishblades covering such mods. I converted a benchmade minigrip axis lock to non-locking. This has maintained a reasonable level of back pressure required to close the blade. Forward pressure on the lock effectively prevents the knife closing if using the tip, but I wouldn't trust it, would you?!

I would be wary of assuming a modded lock knife will be within the law just because the lock "fails". Afterall, most locks can be caused to fail but wouldn't be accepted as non-locking.

[cosmo7809]

There have been many successful conversions of lock-backs to slip-joints, using just a Dremmel and a few screwdrivers - you'll find some examples on BritishBlades too - especially the Fallkniven U2. Pick one of the Byrd range if you want to practice your technique before moving on to more expensive knives. :)

Also, double-check with the NYC police that a converted knife won't still be treated as 'designed' to lock. Some areas might take a view that the law applies to knives that were designed to lock and they might still be illegal even though you have modified/broken the locking system to make it slip.

As per ChrisR, there is a thread on Britishblades covering such mods. I converted a benchmade minigrip axis lock to non-locking. This has maintained a reasonable level of back pressure required to close the blade. Forward pressure on the lock effectively prevents the knife closing if using the tip, but I wouldn't trust it, would you?!

I would be wary of assuming a modded lock knife will be within the law just because the lock "fails". Afterall, most locks can be caused to fail but wouldn't be accepted as non-locking.

I looked around some but could not find anything.


If you guys happen to have a link, please post it here!

Thanks, Chris

[wsdavies]

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48439 Looking at the innards of this stretch II that like you said would need to round off the 2 parts where the lock bar meets the back of the blade. Seems like you'd want to do a little and then test until you have it the way you like it. Maybe buy a UKPK and take it apart and see how it mates up.

[ChrisR]

I looked around some but could not find anything.

If you guys happen to have a link, please post it here!

I don't have any specific examples for NYC so it is best to check how your police are interpreting the legislation on the ground. But I remember here in the UK there was a case not long ago where a broken knife (without a working blade) was still classed as a knife. It's a bit like a firearm is still a firearm, even if it isn't loaded and it has had its firing pin removed ... the object is still the object even when it can't effectively hurt anyone. I know it sounds a bit paranoid, and maybe I am :D but it's better to be safe than sorry and you might be fine to modify a lock-back :)

[cosmo7809]

Chris, I meant if you had any links to people doing the slipit conversions.


Thanks again

[phillipsted]

You definitely want to convert a knife that has a choil. The Endura/Delica might be dangerous if you can't "choke up" on the blade to keep it from closing...

TedP

[ChrisR]

Chris, I meant if you had any links to people doing the slipit conversions.

Ahh, sorry - here is a nice Byrd one - http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... -legal-edc

... Spyderco Dragonfly - http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... -legal-EDC

... Tasman Salt - http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... and-review

... and a Fallkniven U2 - http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... gal-slippy

Hope that helps :)

[cosmo7809]

Chris, thank you very much!

That byrd thread really helped a bunch.


Now, when I have some free time off to the garage and get out the dremel :D

[Darkstar]

These might help too:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... -mechanism
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... -mechanism