1993 :: CORD-WRAPPED HANDLES American GIs have been wrapping knife handles with parachute/survival cord since it was first issued. I wrapped my first blade handle with parachute cord and sold it in 1987. I didn't invent that trick nor did any other knife maker working today.
1993 :: RECURVED BLADES ON ART AND TACTICAL FOLDERS I ground a recurved blade for a folder for the first time in 1993 and the application received wide acclaim with my JACKYL™ GOLDFINGER™ OSPREY™ KRAIT™ and APOGEE™ folders.
1994 :: DAGGER BLADES WITH DEEP GROOVES AND HOLES ON THE CENTERLINE This customization has been very popular with my collectors since my S1™ Stiletto in 1994.
1994 ::15N20 DAMASCUS BLADES I introduced 15N20 cutlery steel from Uddeholm to the forged Damascus community in 1994. It had many desirable forge-welding properties and could be purchased in thin strip form, a major advantage in convenience over L-6. 15N20 is very popular to this day for high-contrast Damascus blades, especially swords.
1994 :: STEEL BLADES HAND-GROUND LIKE CHIPPED OBSIDIAN I did this for the first time in 1994. It was very novel at the time and well-documented in the 1994 and 1995 issues of KNIVES ILLUSTRATED magazine. Many newer knife-makers like this style on there handles.
1995 :: DOUBLE DETENT-BALL LOCKING LINER CLOSURES In 1995 I developed twin detent-ball settings to further secure the closure of locking liner folders while still allowing smooth opening action. I don't know where it came from and do not claim it. I just know I use it on my knives.
1995 :: S1™ STEALTH DOUBLE ACTION SYSTEM My first S1™ Stiletto built in 1995 had an automatic action mechanism with its opening button concealed under a screw head in the handle. It could open automatically or manually, but its stealth design looked like a manual-opener unless you knew the secret. The S2™, developed in 1999, concealed its opening action under a forward sliding bolster. Look for the S3™ soon.
1998 :: FLIPPER IMPROVEMENTS The integral-flipper folder was a neglected design that I knew held the potential for high performance. In 1998 I moved the flipper/guard forward relative to the handle providing greater leverage for the index finger. The naturally longer throw enabled the user to flip the knife open, not just nudge it open. Many makers now use this improvement to unlock the potential of the flipper, making it is a very popular modern high-performance folder.
1998 :: THE FIRST PRECISION LOCKING LINER FOLDER KIT The 605™ from KOVAL KNIVES (aka the DDR-1™) was the first folder kit with a genuinely high-quality state of manufacture. Assembling some older folder kits was as tricky as herding cats. The 605™ kit enabled the kit-builder to learn how to make a modern folder like the pros and the impressive customizations people do to it still give the old-guard makers fits. As of 2005 I have more than 20 kit designs in production at http://www.knifekits.com Thanks to Judy and Mick Koval for their faith in my idea.
1999 :: SUREGRIP II I developed a series of machined relief areas located inside the frames on all my folders for improved grips under extreme conditions. SUREGRIP II™ extends the base engineering of my 1998 SUREGRIP I™ system.
1999 :: 3-D CARVED FLAMES The 1999 introductions of my STATIC™ and AFTERMATH™ folders displayed the first modern folder designs with 3-D carved flames on their frames. The carved titanium designs added grip and two-tone finishes gave them style. I am now putting them on my blades and all over my knives.
2000:: 3-D CARVED TITANIUM HANDLES FOR GRIP-ENHANCEMENT I added 3-D machining to most of my signature line in 2000. I'd done curvy, sexy carving on art folders before then along with other makers. But I added 3-D machining and carving to tactical folder frames specifically to enhance grip.
2000::THE RE-BIRTH OF THE CUSTOM BALISONG At this time I developed the Gemini Balisong Project with Chuck Gollnick of Bladeforums.
This knife was the invitation for many custom knife makers to start making Custom Balis. Thanks to everyone who was involved.
2000:: BASIC FRAME LOCK OPENING IMPROVEMENTS The current theory of frame-lock folder design employs symmetrical frames. The cooperative structure of symmetrical locking and non-locking frame sides prevents accidental lock-release and injury when twisted under stress in the hand. This is a sound and secure design, but it can make a folder difficult to open with the thumb. In 2000 I developed a design to relieve the inside edges of both frame sides to allow easy opening with the thumb while maintaining the inherent safety and security in the symmetrical design. Part of my IBL™ Integrated Bar Lock technology, this engineering improvement opens easily and cannot be twisted to release the lock.
2000 :: POCKET CLIP-FRAME LOCK STOP One of the problems with early frame lock folder designs was that the lock bar lost spring tension and over extended when opened. My IBL™ Integrated Bar Lock system included a pocket clip that solved this problem by extending down over the lock bar and preventing over-extension. I developed an additional fitted lock stop to replace the clip-stop when the owner removed it or switched it to the opposite end of the knife for tip-up carry. This lock stop prevents lock bar over-extension in the same way.
2003 :: SAS™ (SUPERIOR AUTO SAFETY™) Developed in 2003, my patent-pending SAS™ technology renders an automatic knife that is safe at all times. It prevents accidental discharge and closure with automatic locking technology and a single button for safety activation and firing. This high-speed system operates with one swift movement of one button.
2004 :: TRITIUM INSERTS Tritium Inserts have been around for a long time on guns. The first time I saw them on a knife was a Microtech auto in the mid nineties. They reappeared in several places after that, and Tom Anderson of Anderson knives used them in his custom work for a while. When he stopped using them I asked if he minded if I did. He said "No problem," and I have put them in my butterfly knives and in my 3D machined folders this year.
2004 :: HIGH-PERFORMANCE MANIPULATOR BALISONG LATCHES My MANIPULATOR™ latch developed for my Venturi VII™ balisongs in 2004 was the first one built with the necessary grip and textures to enable high-speed flipping from the latch.
2005 :: BLADES OVER 5.5 INCHS WITH ASSISTED OPENERS DISCONTINUED In early 2005 I have decided to stop making assisted openers over 4" length. I have found that a bearing pivot in the knives of this size work far better that assisted opening mechanizes. I will continue to make 4 inch and smaller bladed knives.
2005 :: FLUTED DAMASCUS AND PEARL INTERFRAME INLAYS In mid-2005 I developed new 3-D carved Damascus and pearl inlays for all my folders. These sculptured, fluted and double-fluted inlays add grip and style like nothing else in custom knife design. I am also using black lip and white lip pearl in the same interframe slots and fluting them together in dramatic fashion.
2005 :: HYPERSTEP™ FILEWORK I've just begun adding intricate new 3-D file work to my folder frames that enhances grip with stunning good looks. These new designs won't be easily copied by other makers, making my original custom work more attributable to me to me alone.
2005 :: CPM154CM I have used this new blade steel from Crucible on my new AK1-SAS Auto. My thoughts are that this alloy is more user-friendly than CPMS30V. You will see me using more of this steel as time goes on. Reports from the field on my AK-1 are very positive about re-sharpening and edge-holding.
2005 :: RYAN BAILEY KNIVES My step son Ryan Bailey will be delivering his very first custom folder design in December 2005. He has worked with me for over 4 years now and he is ready. Look for it here, soon.
2005 :: TWO NEW FOLDER DESIGNS I have introduced two new folder designs in 2005, the AK1 "Camillus 14-XRAY" with the SAS opener, and the new Darrel Ralph "GH" folder.
The GH Folder is named for its Gun Hammer™ flipper. Other new technologies include the Accelerator Groove™ and my new SuperGrip III JEEP® TREAD gripper system.
The Accelerator Groove allows streamlined flipping for high speed and comfort and the JEEP® TREAD grippers add the traction for a highly responsive combat folder you can count on under stress.
2005 :: IKBS TECHNOLOGY Special thanks to Ricardo of Korth Knives for the license to use the Korth IKBS Bearing System™ (I.K.B.S. = Ikoma / Korth Bearing System) in my new blade pivots.
2005 :: VENTURI V-III BALISONGS My new Venturi VIII™ Bali will debut in the middle of December, featuring new 3-D rails with my ARMOUR™ and fluting contours developed earlier this year.
