New Cold Steel Atlas lock innovation for 2022! Stronger than the Tri-Ad lock???

One thing to keep in mind, the patent for triad lock expires in 2024, so to keep the competitive edge in term of proprietary lock, now is the right time to test the market.
It takes time for the market to embrace and adopt new lock type, sometimes it works, sometimes it fails. The first triad lock model was the Lawman and the ultimate hunter back in 2009, it didn’t really pick up until late 2010-2011 when CS officially embraced it and made a whole line of triad lock knives, including the current generation of Recon 1.
There are examples of new locks falling kinda flat, for example Steel Will’s Ant lock, which i think is a very innovative take of the backlock, and CJRB’s recoil lock. It’s good to test the market a few years before the current patent expires, otherwise it might be too late by the the time you lose the one advantage for your company.
And let’s face it, at this point the only thing CS has going for their folder is the triad lock, since they’ve been going the route of plastic handles, ausX, 4116, 4034. Unless they start embracing new designs and materials, they are going to lose their differentiation as soon as the triad lock is out of patent.
 
Lots of gas station knife energy from the new models. If the price is right I think the Drifter 3.5 in S35VN might inspire me to snag one, but to be honest looking at this lineup mostly made me think that folks were pretty spot on with their predictions about where CS would end up after the GSM buyout.
 
Don't like em. The lock is cool but this is like watching a sinking ship. Just grab what you can and remember what once was.

I just heard they acquired SOG as well, Not to derail this thread but does this mean they have rights to integrate triad locks and XR locks into both companies? I was hoping to see a huge wave of innovative models with different lock types since they own both companies but that might have been wishful thinking.
 
Here is a good picture of a Shark Lock. I think Demko designed it but I cannot find confirmation yet.

ADKAD205SFn.jpg
 
AF said:
I wonder if CS is gearing up to completely revamp their line-up around this new lock. Maybe they don't like paying royalties on the Tri-Ad lock?

Saying that it's stronger than the Tri-Ad lock sort of sounds to me like he's saying don't buy the Tri-Ad lock, buy this instead.
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i doubt they are paying royalties to anyone on the tri-ad. they own the patent....it was part of the sale. as ya see gsm's name is under ownership on the patent.....
Screenshot_20220111-141723_Samsung Internet.jpg
Screenshot_20220111-141743_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
JackTheKnifeGuy said:
Don't like em. The lock is cool but this is like watching a sinking ship. Just grab what you can and remember what once was.

I just heard they acquired SOG as well, Not to derail this thread but does this mean they have rights to integrate triad locks and XR locks into both companies? I was hoping to see a huge wave of innovative models with different lock types since they own both companies but that might have been wishful thinking.
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Reviving the old Recon 1 design with the XR as the lock would be pretty darn sweet too
 
nephron said:
Here is a good picture of a Shark Lock. I think Demko designed it but I cannot find confirmation yet.

View attachment 1719040
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yes and holds the patent himself... .

Screenshot_20220111-142741_Samsung Internet.jpg
Screenshot_20220111-142753_Samsung Internet.jpg

Demko has a bunch of patents as an inventor, but many are owned now by gsm. also Mike Wallace was a co-inventor on a bunch of these patents....since they worked together at cold steel for a long time. not the shark lock though.
 
Dadpool said:
Ah, okay -- you can see the Atlas Lock a bit better in the new product list. Looks a looot like a Shark Lock with a recessed "fin."

GSM Outdoors | Specializing in Innovative Outdoor Products

GSM Outdoors is home to brands such as Stealth Cam, Wildview, Epic Action Cameras, Walker’s, Cyclops Lighting, Maestro Game Calls and American Hunter Wildlife Feeders.
www.gsmoutdoors.com www.gsmoutdoors.com
The 3" model in 4116 steel has the largest image available:
3-in-drifter-4116ss.jpg


Doesn't look like they're booting the Tri-Ad Lock from their lineup. The Verdict is a new model that uses the Tri-Ad.

verdict-aus10a.jpg
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The Drifter - orange handle, drop point blade - reminds me of the blade style on the old Gerber DMF
 

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wonder if Mike Wallace is still with cold steel and if he had any input in anything new for 2022.....
jbmonkey said:
W Wallace Edged Tools

if you're around still, Sir....are ya still there at cold steel? anything you can share with us on what you've been workin on or the new lock? thank you much.
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Hey jbmonkey,

I am no longer with Cold Steel. My position was terminated Nov 30th 2021. GSM acquired a new company with a better equipped machine shop. It was no longer cost effective to keep me on working remotely. So the old R&D facility that Andrew Demko and I worked at for the last fifteen years is no more.

As for the new lock, I made all the iterations in the evolution of it. The designs for the new folders were not mine but GSMs design team. The lock was not designed by myself or Demko.

I had zero input as far as what projects moved forward for production.

I’m certainly not done in the knife industry and am proud of the designs that are / were produced by Cold Steel. Demko and I speak often and he continues to be a great friend and mentor.
 
wallaceknives said:
wonder if Mike Wallace is still with cold steel and if he had any input in anything new for 2022.....

Hey jbmonkey,

I am no longer with Cold Steel. My position was terminated Nov 30th 2021. GSM acquired a new company with a better equipped machine shop. It was no longer cost effective to keep me on working remotely. So the old R&D facility that Andrew Demko and I worked at for the last fifteen years is no more.

As for the new lock, I made all the iterations in the evolution of it. The designs for the new folders were not mine but GSMs design team. The lock was not designed by myself or Demko.

I had zero input as far as what projects moved forward for production.

I’m certainly not done in the knife industry and am proud of the designs that are / were produced by Cold Steel. Demko and I speak often and he continues to be a great friend and mentor.
Click to expand...
thank you Sir for coming by and telling us whats going on. I am sorry to hear gsm did what they did. little do gsm realize what they lost.

I am looking forward to where you decide to go and do and hope we see some more of your designs being made. I'm sad to see everyone who was great and I admired at cold steel is gone now, but it is what it is.

I hope this next part of your knifemaking career is as good as the wonderful era of you and Demko and all the great things we got through the old cold steel from it. a BIG thank you from all of us, for all y'all did at cold steel. heres to better times going forward......
 
wallaceknives said:
wonder if Mike Wallace is still with cold steel and if he had any input in anything new for 2022.....

Hey jbmonkey,

I am no longer with Cold Steel. My position was terminated Nov 30th 2021. GSM acquired a new company with a better equipped machine shop. It was no longer cost effective to keep me on working remotely. So the old R&D facility that Andrew Demko and I worked at for the last fifteen years is no more.

As for the new lock, I made all the iterations in the evolution of it. The designs for the new folders were not mine but GSMs design team. The lock was not designed by myself or Demko.

I had zero input as far as what projects moved forward for production.

I’m certainly not done in the knife industry and am proud of the designs that are / were produced by Cold Steel. Demko and I speak often and he continues to be a great friend and mentor.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the designs over the years! We wish you success and look forward to your future work. Peace favor your blade, Sir.
 
jbmonkey said:
thank you Sir for coming by and telling us whats going on. I am sorry to hear gsm did what they did. little do gsm realize what they lost.

I am looking forward to where you decide to go and do and hope we see some more of your designs being made. I'm sad to see everyone who was great and I admired at cold steel is gone now, but it is what it is.

I hope this next part of your knifemaking career is as good as the wonderful era of you and Demko and all the great things we got through the old cold steel from it. a BIG thank you from all of us, for all y'all did at cold steel. heres to better times going forward......
Click to expand...
No Lynn, no Demko, no Wallace... Yikes.
 
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