No, Jelly Roll Morton didn't own a Gallagher Glide Lock™ folder at the turn of the last century. But if he had carried one into an ornately decorated saloon, it would have looked right at home. Barry Gallagher designed the Glide Lock folder series in the great tradition of the personal folder from times gone by, with a nod to the classic style of the era.
The sleek look of Barry's Glide Lock depends on two modern technologies.
The first is the patented Glide Lock mechanism invented by knifemaker Charles Kain of Indianapolis, Indiana. It relies on a sliding stainless steel mechanism hidden within one bolster. Slide the bolster out, and it creates a tang to rotate the blade open. Slide the bolster back and the blade is locked open. To close, slide the bolster out and rotate the blade closed with your index finger. Slide the bolster back to lock the Glide Lock closed. It's fast, lightweight, compact, and secure.
The second new technology is the development of CPL composite materials. The swirls that result from injection molding resemble those found in natural materials such as amber, jade and mother-of-pearl. However, the CPL material is tougher, stronger, and lighter than those natural materials, and can be used both on the Glide Lock scales and back spacer. The variegated swirls make each knife unique.
Barry Gallagher combined all this into two slender gentleman's folders that fit comfortably in the hand and securely in any pocket.
The Glide Lock features a high-carbon AUS 4 stainless steel spear point 2.875" blade in a brushed finish. The stainless steel liners and bolster receive a vibratory finish. Scales are a soft coral swirl. The Glide Lock was named Most Innovative Imported Design of the Year at the 2008 Blade Show.
The premium Glide Lock Ltd. model features non-reflective titanium nitride coating on the blade and liners for ultimate corrosion resistance. Scales are a dramatic gray/blue swirled pattern.
We call these stylish and functional new designs "gentleman's knives," but of course, you don't have to be a gentleman to own one.
Interesting deployment folder pocket knife. Only drawback not made in US.
Spencer
2011-03-03 DURHAM, NC
I love this knife I got it at the Dixie gun knife show new and had it for about a year. The mechanism is so much fun to learn and teach On a scale from 1-10 I'd give it 20
Timothy
2010-10-01 Moorestown, NJ
The glide-lock by Barry Gallagher is a very fine and sleek looking knife. The locking system is innovative, and adds to the mystique of the knife. Overall, the knife has a very classy design and appearance. After reading other reviews, I checked the handle scale screws, and indeed all three on the operating side were a bit loose, so I tightened them. In the open position, the lock does not seat to the position that it does in the closed position, leaving a little more gap between bolster and handle. Finally, I think that a little more care could have been made in matching the scales to each other.
Mark
2010-08-02 Colorado Springs, CO
Love the look of the knife. The heft is light and the blade came to me fairly sharp. I enjoyed the innovative opening and locking function. However, one of the screwa holding the handle material did come off, was lost somewhere and now the handle is a little shaky.
Charles
2010-05-31 Siasconset, MA
Great Gentleman's Knife, slim and sleek. I love the glide lock opening system, and enjoy watching people try to figure out how to open the knife.
Jacob
2010-01-30 Portland, OR
Overall a 7-10 rating.
This is indeed a contemporary version of a traditional gentleman's knife intended for lighter cutting chores (sorry, no tactical or outdoor rec. value here). But very classy for EDC carry. It also makes a great unobtrusive "suit knife" for a more formal outing.
here are some things I would watch out for/remember when buying this knife :
-It is harder to clean than a "standard bolster" folder, so I wouldn't recommend this for food prep or any other dirty job.
-The fit and finish around the bolster is a little rough(but not completely noticeable), and the scales could(but definitely not always) be cracked when you receive the knife via the web. This could be due to over-tightening the scale screws in the factory or accidently dropping the knife onto a concrete
Willie
2010-01-01 Pocatello, ID
A beautiful and elegant little knife... I love the 'old school' look and feel of this pocket knife. The opening mechanism is easy to use and a great conversation point for fellow blade enthusiasts. Blade came sharp, as promised. Custom quality at an affordable price
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