This Innovative New Knife Lock Is Poised to Be the Next Big Thing in EDC Folders

Invented by the founder of N.U.M.B. Knifeworks, the mechanism is featured on the brand’s flagship folder, the N1.

Close-up of a hand holding a silver folding knife with a textured handle and a blue circular emblem.

Published 4 hours ago

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Life rarely follows a straight path. Nick Palizzi’s story demonstrates this. He grew up in rural Michigan, graduated with honors from the University of Detroit’s School of Architecture and started his own firm by age 30.

Then, he and his soulmate, Lindsay, opened a restaurant, which led him down the path of graphic design. Later, he returned to architecture, designing and building competition pools and aquatic facilities.

Now, he’s embarked on a new path: knifemaking (and design.) And boy, has he started off with a banger in the N.U.M.B. Knifeworks N1 Cornerstone, a gorgeous folder with a novel, innovative, proprietary locking mechanism.

Three folding knives with textured black handles and different blade finishes displayed on a piece of dark wood. — Groundbreaking lock aside, there’s no denying the presence and gravitas of the N1’s outstanding design.

Architectural EDC

Through N.U.M.B. (short for Nick’s Unhinged Mechanical Brain), Nick has already proven that his design prowess extends to the world of EDC knives. While the N1 may be his first production design, his aptitude is highly apparent.

The knife features a 3.05-inch modified Sheepsfoot blade made from beloved S90V steel. It also boasts both a large thumb hole and front flipper deployment.

Closed folding knife with textured silver handle and blue screws resting on fabric and wood. — The N1 is available in all gray, gray with blue accents and all-black colorways.

That blade is beautifully mated to a 4.28-inch all-titanium handle, resulting in a grand total of 7.2 inches. The diagonal texture of the machining on the scales is as pleasing to the eyes as it is grippy in the hand.

It also boasts solid ergonomics, an elegant reversible pocket clip and a caged ball-bearing pivot. Furthermore, the knife is available in three colorway finishes: all-black, all-gray and gray with blue accents.

The N1 features both a front flipper and a thumb hole for deployment.

N.U.M.B. Knifeworks

Cutting edge

I could probably go on for hours about how much I love the way this knife looks, but then I’d never get to tell you about the best part: the locking mechanism. New locks don’t come around often, so when one does — and this is an exceptionally unique one — I tend to get excited.

At first glance, you might think that’s a simple button lock — like a reverse liner lock, but with a push-button actuator. Well, you’d be wrong … sort of.

It does have a button … on both sides. Called the PinchLOK, this unique mechanism has dual detents, one on each side of the blade. When deployed, both lock the knife blade in place, making for an ultra-secure lockup with no play in the blade whatsoever.

Close-up of a black textured metal object with a screw and circular emblem held in a hand. — This is not a button lock, which has a button on a single side. It has dual buttons on either side, both of which must be depressed to release the blade.

To close the knife once more, both buttons must be pressed at the same time, and the blade will swing free. Along with being incredibly strong, secure and reliable, it’s also crazy fidget-friendly and ambidextrous (due to its symmetry.)

I could see this mechanism being a big deal in the future of knifemaking, especially if N.U.M.B. Knifeworks decides to license it. If not, you’ll just have to get an N1 for yourself to check this thing out.

Hand holding a closed silver folding knife with blue screws and clip near a dark pocket. — The N1 is a pretty magnificent achievement, especially for a first release.

Coming soon

The N.U.M.B. Knifeworks N1 Cornerstone is coming soon, starting at $350 and going up to $365, depending on the version. You can also find all three versions at Blade HQ for the same price.

Three folding knives with textured handles, one open with a silver blade, displayed on rustic wood with dried grasses nearby.

N.U.M.B. Knifeworks N1 Cornerstone

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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