Most fixed blades can be rather conspicuous when carried on your person. They can be difficult to carry in a way that makes them less obvious and threatening to those persons you might encounter. There is an alternative that can give you similar dependability and strength. This alternative is the lock back folder.
Lock back folders have been around quite a while and are sometimes referred to as folding hunters. This style of pocket knife was popularized by various companies but most notably by Buck Knives and the term “Buck” knife became a popular reference for the lock back folder.
While similar in some respects to a traditional pocket knife, the lock back folder incorporates a blade locking mechanism that usually has a hook or lug on the backspring which locks the blade in place. This gives you a very stable platform when compared with a regular slipjoint style of pocket knife. There is an increased safety factor as the lock back design requires an additional action by the knife user to release the tension on the blade before it can be closed. The release mechanism is most often incorporated into the rear bolster.
Larger style lock back folders with blade lengths of 5 inches or more are generally carried in a belt sheath but there are smaller lock back folders with blade lengths of 3 inches or less that are ideal for pocket carry. This style of knife gives you a dependable alternative to a fixed blade that is ideal for urban environments where a more traditional fixed blade knife may be a little too conspicuous.
Got lock back?
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Riverwalker