The following topics will be covered in this page:

1. Blade Steel

2. The Hammerhead Lock (patent pending)

3. Removing and Installing the 1911 Grips

4. Installing the Pocket Clip (new & old)

5. Trouble Shooting

 

 

1. BLADE STEEL

Ultimate Equipment has selected 2 types of premium stainless blade steel to make the M1911 Knives.  Here is a detailed comparison between the two steels:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

* Information and comparagraph from Crucibles USA.
 

 

 

B. 440C Stainless Steel

440C is a tough and relatively corrosion resistant martensitic stainless steel that maintains a good edge. For many years, 440C was the benchmark cutlery steel, and even today, represents an excellent choice for knife making that would fit most people's requirements. Its characteristics in general however do make it inferior toCPM S30V in most ways including corrosion resistance, wear resistance, hardenability and edge holding.

The microstructure of 440C is not as fine and uniform as CPM S30V, which results it the steel not taking as fine an edge, and can cause some chipping as well. It is still used by many knife makers because it is easier to work with than CPM S30V or any of the other "super steels", and as some claim, can perform even better with a Cryo or Dry Ice Quench. 440C can be hardened to about HRC 60 in use.

Some makers using 440C extensively include Swiss company Klotzli and Canadian custom knife maker George Tichbourne. 440C belongs to the family of stainless steels that include 440A and 440B, the major differences being the variance in carbon content.

 

Composition:

C	Co	Cr	Mn	Mo	Ni	P	Si	S	W	V
0.95-1.2	-	16.5-18	<1.25	<0.75	-	<0.04	<1	<0.4	-	-

Values are shown in percentages.

 

2. Hammerhead™ Lock (patent pending)

Ultimate Equipment's innovative Hammerhead Lock™ is a perfect example of the K.I.S.S. principle.

This truly ambidextrous design enables any user to open and close the knife with one hand - actually with only 2 fingers. When opening the knife, the blade snaps into locking position with authority. The fun part is when you are unlocking the knife and closing it - the only thing you need to do is to push the locking stud up with your thumb, and at the same time press the blade down with your index finger, without placing any of your fingers in the path of the closing blade.

      

Some other designs have to use omega springs to make this happen. Tiny springs will break sooner or later, and it is painful to replace them. Fortunately, the Hammerhead Lock does not use any tiny springs. Similar to a traditional lock-back, it gets the locking force from the heavy duty bar spring at the back, which will never break or wear out.

As a result, the Hammerhead is extremely durable, and also easy to clean due to its simplicity and fewer number of parts. When dirt and mud gets in the knife, just brush or blow them off, and keep on cutting.

 

3. REMOVING & INSTALLING 1911 GRIPS:

Removing the grips from the knife is as simple as removing the grips from your 1911 pistol.  Use the enclosed hex key to lift the grip screws, and then the grips can be removed.

Sometimes the grips could be pretty tight on the grip bushings, due to shrinkage of wood.  Remove the one that comes off more easily first, open the blade, and knock on the back of the difficult one.  In this way you won't hurt your finger nails.

Try not to pry the grip panel off with a blade.  If both grips are tight and you have to pry to lift one of them, use a small screw driver and pry carefully from the clip slot at the butt.  Just pry a little so the grip is lifted.

And yes, all grip panels on the M1911 knives are standard sized pistol grips, and can be installed on any standard 1911 pistols.  And any standard 1911 grips can be installed on the knife, too.  This allows you to customize your knife or gun, or even making a matching gun-and-knife set!

 

4. INSTALLING THE POCKET CLIP: 

The M1911 Folding Knife is designed to be tip-up carried. It enables a fast and natural draw and open motion.  We now have a new flat pocket clip, which is a solid improvement on the old wire pocket clips.  Here is an illustrated instruction on how to install the new flat pocket clip.

a. First, decide which side you want to have the clip installed. 

     For right-handers, it is usually on the right hand side.
 

b. Remove the grip on the OPPOSITE side of the handle.

     (If you want the clip on the right hand side, remove the grip on the left side.)
 

c. Remove the old clip screw, which is too big for the new clip.  The new clip comes with its own clip screw.
 

d. Take the clip screw off the new clip, and insert end into the slot between the grip and the butt of the knife. 

     This should be on the same side that you want the clip installed.
 

e. Put the new clip screw through the hole from the opposite side, and tighten it. 

     Make sure you align the clip correctly, and hold it firmly when you tighten.

     You may need to loosen and re-tighten it to adjust the clip's angle.
 

f. After this, the clip should stay firmly in place. Install the grip back onto the handle.

 

    

 

    

 

 

5. TROUBLESHOOTING

Here below are some possible issues some users could encounter.  Follow the tips here to try to solve the problems by yourself.  If you have other issues or something cannot be easily fixed, please contact Gunner Products by email (gene@gunnerproducts.com). 
 

The unlocking thumb stud seems to be stiff.  It is not easy to unlock the knife with one hand.

Locking mechanism of the knives were carefully precision cut to have a very tight fit, in order to ensure a rock-solid lock.  And I hardened the main spring for the same purpose.
 

Before we ship a knife out, we carefully inspect every single one, make sure the spring tension is right and one can open and close the knife easily with one hand.  So when you receive a new knife that feels stiff to you, do not throw it away.  Instead, use TWO thumbs to unlock the blade during the first 40 - 50 opening and closings.  At the same time, try placing your fingers on different spots and see which position provides the most control. 
 

Note: Give it some time.  Play with it.  It is a break-in process mainly for the user.  When you open and close the knife, you are learning how to place your fingers at the right place to control the blade close.  After you get used to closing the blade, the "stiff" lock will not feel stiff at all.