888 SPECIAL!! CRKT 7263 LAKE BANDERA G10 HANDLE PLAIN EDGE Regular Price $29.99

Cutlery Hall of Fame member and master lockback folder designer Ron Lake showed us a prototype of this very tasty concept. It had a clean shape, choiled grip and a flat profile with G10 scales. In other words, it was a knife that just about every knife fancier would want. Our job was to make it a knife that anyone could afford. Because it’s a rugged no-nonsense design with Western flair, we decided to call it the Bandera.

First, we looked at the modified drop point blade with its high hollow grind. We specified premium 8Cr14MoV high-chromium stainless steel with a high satin brush finish to aid in corrosion resistance. The result is a strong blade with great slicing and penetrating ability that will hold an edge well.

For the frame, we specified brass liners and scales CNC machined from black G10, just what you find in the finest custom knives. The grip is excellent, thanks to the G10 texture, three finger choils and thumb friction grooves at the spine.

In the process, we built in Ron’s patented* Lock Back Safety (L.B.S.™) which allows the user to slide the small L.B.S. button forward to lock the blade both in the open and closed positions. When locked open, it is virtually impossible to accidentally release the blade even during vigorous cutting tasks. For those who are concerned about accidental opening, in-pocket or on-belt, simply slide the button forward to lock the knife closed until its next use.

We’ve learned from experience that many of our customers want a smaller-sized pocket carry, so from the get-go, we’re making the Bandera in two sizes, both available with Razor-Sharp or Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point™ Serrated edges. The larger Bandera models 7265 and 7266 have 3.25” blades and measure 7.375” overall when opened. The smaller Bandera 2 models 7263 and 7264 feature 2.75” blades and are 6.25” long when opened.

All Bandera models are equipped with a removable custom stainless steel clip. If you prefer to use a fob or lanyard, there’s a handy lanyard opening in the brass liners at the butt.

But Whoa Nellie! That’s a lot of needless yakkin’ about an honest lockback that will sell itself once you pick it up, turn it over in your hand a few times, and see the price.