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The locking liner style of folder lock has many advantages: it is lightweight, reliable, strong and easy to open and close with one hand. However, there is the very slight possibility that twisting or torquing the knife with a firm grip may accidentally release the locking liner.

In 2000, we began to incorporate the patented* Lake And Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS®), designed by noted Knifemakers™ Guild members Ron Lake and Michael Walker, into our newer locking liner folders. When the LAWKS lever is pushed forward with a flick of the thumb, the knife becomes a virtual fixed blade, and the locking liner is virtually impossible to release by the most vigorous use until the LAWKS lever is retracted.

Even though LAWKS increased our engineering and manufacturing costs significantly, we believe that the superior security and safety it offers is worth it to our customers. Today, CRKT locking liner folders designed for heavy-duty work and tactical use come with LAWKS as standard equipment.

As good as LAWKS is, our military and law enforcement consultants pointed out that an operator may not have time to think about actuating the LAWKS lever during a sudden tactical event.

Our new patented and exclusive AutoLAWKS® answers that question: it automatically actuates when an AutoLAWKS-equipped folder is opened and locked, creating a virtual fixed blade instantly. A powerful spring inside the handle forces the AutoLAWKS cam forward, and a metal bar prevents the locking liner from releasing accidentally.

One-hand closing is still easy. Just pull the AutoLAWKS lever back with the index finger and press in the locking liner with the thumb. The blade will release and can be closed with gentle pressure of the index finger while you rotate the handle in the palm of your hand.

Overall, we believe that AutoLAWKS is the most advanced knife safety improvement of its kind, and we are proud to introduce it on many CRKT locking liner folders.