German Leverlocks

[Good Old Luke]

Truly astounding knives there!
That Diskin in particular is quite stylish, and I’m sure the mechanical action is the business!
I’m fairly new to autos-my focus being on my outdoor activities. Which usually requires a stout fixed blade, like my Peltonen Ranger, or Flexcut Hunter…
Can’t seem to attach my photos here—maybe cause I’m a new sign-up?
I also monkey around with making handles for these type blades—and am starting to take some of the skills I learned as a polisher at Flex-Cut—and grind some of my own blades.
My recent foray into autos got jump started by my love for the lever lock designs, and my recent health battle. A one handed knife is almost a necessity for me now.
So I’m starting to move from my traditional slip joint, “one armed bandits”, and Kershaw Flippers to straight, spring fired, autos.
I’ve been a reader of this site for years—decided to join the fray!
Right now, I’m on the hunt for a simple, buffalo horn, 7.75” AKC Leverletto, that’s NOT a counterfeit, and doesn’t cost me an arm and leg… It doesn’t need to be show piece—cause I intend to daily it. But man, the cost on the secondary market is just outrageous…
But I’ll keep on hunting, Lol. (Just no way, in my current condition, I could afford to have Mr. DeShivs make me a custom—though I did email him to inquire. I’m such an admirer of his design and craftsmanship, but that’s one “grail” that might be unreachable for me…)
Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome to the forum and sharing your lovely knives with me! Hope you don’t mind if I hit you up with a question now and again?

[ScottShiraki]

I too have yet to handle or fire a Burn knife, Luke, but you don't need to look much farther than his site to see he makes gorgeous knives, as I'm sure you know. Paul has a reputation in the knife community as a maker who "over builds" his knives, so they're solid.

Regarding the cost, if you read through the information you'll find that he will accept post-dated checks as payment. I tried to order the "Triangle" a couple of yrs. ago using P/D checks, cuz to layout a smaller amount over a few months was doable for me, but his bank wouldn't accept a Canadian check, so the deal died for the time being. I intend to try again once I can figure out a payment method that works for both of us, and I have the funds.
I am retired and by myself, hence my money is my money, so to drop that much on a knife I love is not such a big deal, plus, I am totally irresponsible when it comes to money, so.....!

More on a German Leverlocks line, I've had this Hubertus 7 3/4" "Slimline" for awhile, but always wanted a copy of their "For Export Only", due to blade length in Germany, 10" "Slimline" model, and was recently fortunate to find one at a reasonable cost, because most listings are waaay over priced due to their rarity. Mine has black micarta covers making it particularly rare, and the price was irresistible!
I also threw in some pics of my treasured Matt Diskin 10" dual-action linerlock for you to drool over! lol! Enjoy!
8)WIN_20241102_16_21_51_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_22_21_Pro.jpgHubertus 7 3/4" Slimline/Rosewood covers.WIN_20241102_16_22_44_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_24_15_Pro.jpgHubertus 10" Slimline/Black micarta covers.WIN_20241102_16_26_00_Pro.jpgFor comparison.WIN_20241102_16_27_35_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_28_25_Pro.jpgMatt Diskin 10" dual-action linerlock/Titanium hardware and Abalone button.
Sorry bout' the sub-par photos!

Thanks for sharing!

[Madmarco]

Truly astounding knives there!
That Diskin in particular is quite stylish, and I’m sure the mechanical action is the business!
I’m fairly new to autos-my focus being on my outdoor activities. Which usually requires a stout fixed blade, like my Peltonen Ranger, or Flexcut Hunter…
Can’t seem to attach my photos here—maybe cause I’m a new sign-up?
I also monkey around with making handles for these type blades—and am starting to take some of the skills I learned as a polisher at Flex-Cut—and grind some of my own blades.
My recent foray into autos got jump started by my love for the lever lock designs, and my recent health battle. A one handed knife is almost a necessity for me now.
So I’m starting to move from my traditional slip joint, “one armed bandits”, and Kershaw Flippers to straight, spring fired, autos.
I’ve been a reader of this site for years—decided to join the fray!
Right now, I’m on the hunt for a simple, buffalo horn, 7.75” AKC Leverletto, that’s NOT a counterfeit, and doesn’t cost me an arm and leg… It doesn’t need to be show piece—cause I intend to daily it. But man, the cost on the secondary market is just outrageous…
But I’ll keep on hunting, Lol. (Just no way, in my current condition, I could afford to have Mr. DeShivs make me a custom—though I did email him to inquire. I’m such an admirer of his design and craftsmanship, but that’s one “grail” that might be unreachable for me…)
Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome to the forum and sharing your lovely knives with me! Hope you don’t mind if I hit you up with a question now and again?

Thanks, Luke, glad you enjoyed my knives. It's interesting that you figured the mechanics for the Diskin knife would be excellent, cuz they are. To get that knife to me safely, the blade had to be removed and sent separately for Customs reasons, so when I received both packages and saw the internals I was absolutely amazed. The rocker system is totally unfamiliar to me, and I thought I'd seen them all. The only way I could have put it back together was by viewing pictures of the blade being removed by the guy that removed it, and he said to me that I would likely need the pictures in order to get the steps correct, and man, was he right. It's a totally unique firing system and way cool, but not one I'd want to make adjustments or repairs to for fear of messing it up.
I have accumulated about 350 manual folders as well, and about 25 fixed blades and bowies, but my passion lies with autos. There aren't any brands that I feel compelled to collect, so I accumulate knives that I find unusual and/or interesting and go beyond the normal features.
FYI, you can post pictures anytime you like, new old it doesn't matter, you just need to figure out how your camera system works, so post away.
There are many members who also build handles and some other knife parts, and it won't be long before you're discussing interesting build topics with them, should you choose.
Keep up the hunt for a genuine Leverletto, sooner or later the right one will "speak" to you as you're walking by, and you'll know that's the one! I'm a bit surprised Bill De couldn't help you with where you can get the one you're looking for, perhaps they've become rare knives.
I'm sorry to hear you're having health problems, but the good news is, you're not alone cuz so am I. My problems have slowed me down somewhat, but I do the best I can with what I have to work with!
I'm far from being an expert, but if I can help or answer any questions you have, please feel free to contact me and Ill do my best, in the mean time, do some browsing to get to know your way around the forum!
Welcome, man!

[Madmarco]

I too have yet to handle or fire a Burn knife, Luke, but you don't need to look much farther than his site to see he makes gorgeous knives, as I'm sure you know. Paul has a reputation in the knife community as a maker who "over builds" his knives, so they're solid.

Regarding the cost, if you read through the information you'll find that he will accept post-dated checks as payment. I tried to order the "Triangle" a couple of yrs. ago using P/D checks, cuz to layout a smaller amount over a few months was doable for me, but his bank wouldn't accept a Canadian check, so the deal died for the time being. I intend to try again once I can figure out a payment method that works for both of us, and I have the funds.
I am retired and by myself, hence my money is my money, so to drop that much on a knife I love is not such a big deal, plus, I am totally irresponsible when it comes to money, so.....!

More on a German Leverlocks line, I've had this Hubertus 7 3/4" "Slimline" for awhile, but always wanted a copy of their "For Export Only", due to blade length in Germany, 10" "Slimline" model, and was recently fortunate to find one at a reasonable cost, because most listings are waaay over priced due to their rarity. Mine has black micarta covers making it particularly rare, and the price was irresistible!
I also threw in some pics of my treasured Matt Diskin 10" dual-action linerlock for you to drool over! lol! Enjoy!
8)WIN_20241102_16_21_51_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_22_21_Pro.jpgHubertus 7 3/4" Slimline/Rosewood covers.WIN_20241102_16_22_44_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_24_15_Pro.jpgHubertus 10" Slimline/Black micarta covers.WIN_20241102_16_26_00_Pro.jpgFor comparison.WIN_20241102_16_27_35_Pro.jpgWIN_20241102_16_28_25_Pro.jpgMatt Diskin 10" dual-action linerlock/Titanium hardware and Abalone button.
Sorry bout' the sub-par photos!

Thanks for sharing!

Much thanks, Scott, and please accept my apologies for hi-jacking your "German Leverlocks" topic with my Diskin knife, it's just so nice I can't resist showing it off whenever I get the opening!

[Good Old Luke]

Thanks, Luke, glad you enjoyed my knives. It's interesting that you figured the mechanics for the Diskin knife would be excellent, cuz they are. To get that knife to me safely, the blade had to be removed and sent separately for Customs reasons, so when I received both packages and saw the internals I was absolutely amazed. The rocker system is totally unfamiliar to me, and I thought I'd seen them all. The only way I could have put it back together was by viewing pictures of the blade being removed by the guy that removed it, and he said to me that I would likely need the pictures in order to get the steps correct, and man, was he right. It's a totally unique firing system and way cool, but not one I'd want to make adjustments or repairs to for fear of messing it up.
I have accumulated about 350 manual folders as well, and about 25 fixed blades and bowies, but my passion lies with autos. There aren't any brands that I feel compelled to collect, so I accumulate knives that I find unusual and/or interesting and go beyond the normal features.
FYI, you can post pictures anytime you like, new old it doesn't matter, you just need to figure out how your camera system works, so post away.
There are many members who also build handles and some other knife parts, and it won't be long before you're discussing interesting build topics with them, should you choose.
Keep up the hunt for a genuine Leverletto, sooner or later the right one will "speak" to you as you're walking by, and you'll know that's the one! I'm a bit surprised Bill De couldn't help you with where you can get the one you're looking for, perhaps they've become rare knives.
I'm sorry to hear you're having health problems, but the good news is, you're not alone cuz so am I. My problems have slowed me down somewhat, but I do the best I can with what I have to work with!
I'm far from being an expert, but if I can help or answer any questions you have, please feel free to contact me and Ill do my best, in the mean time, do some browsing to get to know your way around the forum!
Welcome, man!

Thanks for the reply MM.
I’m not really a collecter, by definition. I tend to only keep things around if I use them, and my finances keep me with a “one in, one out” maxim. That way, I get to use and experience a lot of useful tools and entertaining toys, before I pass them on another enthusiast, to use them or save them for posterity.
(I’m the same way with my guitars and amps—much to my chagrin! I’ve let far too many valuable instruments go…. But I was a working pro, and they were tools to me first, and hind site is 20/20. Who could have foreseen the astonishing increase in prices for my Gibson and Martin flat-tops?)
As for the Leverletto, yeah, I guess they’re getting rarer… Retail wise… they’re like hens teeth.
Mr. DeShivs was cool. He sent me a link to GunsAmerica, where they had one listed used, but I felt, if I was going to pay more than double MSRP for one from a retailer, or at auction, that I would rather buy one of his parts made knives, listed on his site—so that HE would get that money, instead of the retailer.
He replied quickly, saying that he wasn’t taking any orders til January, and he gave me a starting price, which was a great deal more than I thought it would be. NO COMPLAINT from me about that. A workman is worth his wages—and I’m a great admirer of his brilliant craftsmanship, but right now, with my medical issues, I couldn’t manage that. If, and when, I beat this, maybe that will change…
So I’ll keep looking. Guy at a local gun show tried to sell me one, but it was a fugazi, luckily, I had read a comment on this site, about how to identify one of those Chinese clones—and this was sure one them! ( Dealer even took it off display, and stashed it away, after I called him on it!)
So, hey. If you know of a reliable retailer, local shop guy, or some other source for a real AKC LLetto— maybe you can point it out to me?
And a wild story about that Diskin! I knew they had some kind of propriety mechanism- but crazy how you had to reassemble it. What about customs forced it to shipped disassembled?
Anyways, thanks for sharing it.
If I can find where the attachment button is on this interface—I’ll post some pics. I don’t use outside hosting—got to attach from my own files. I’ll have to PM the admins to find the button!
Again, thanks for the warm welcome.

[Bill DeShivs]

BTW- the price I quoted you was for a 100% hand made Leverletto.
I'm out of factory parts.

[Good Old Luke]

BTW- the price I quoted you was for a 100% hand made Leverletto.
I'm out of factory parts.

Well hello Bill!
Yessir, that was my understanding during our messages back and forth. I’ve seen your customs! Gorgeous work, no complaints from me!
Nice for you to pop into the thread! I sent you an email this am, regarding a knife I came across at a local gun show. There are pics with it. Let me know what you think.

[Madmarco]

Hey Luke!
I will certainly keep an eye out for a genuine Leverletto for you.
You should find an "Attachments" button below the message box you're replying in, and when you click-on it an "Add Files" box pops-up. When you click-on that, the pictures from your PC files pops-up, then choose what you want and click "Open". This should work.
Regarding Customs, I've had success importing autos into Canada where they are strictly prohibited, by having the seller remove the blade and send it in a separate package, because Customs considers these as "Parts" and legal to import. If the knife already has a screw pivot it's very easy, if it has a fixed rivet pivot the pin head needs to be ground off and the remaining pin punched through and out. Once I have both packages, I either screw the blade back on, or struggle with peening a new pivot pin. My peening skills are lacking! It's a bit more work and money, but to me worth it.
Hope this helps!

[Good Old Luke]

I wasn’t aware of the illegality of importing autos… But, as I said, I’m coming to full autos a bit late. Firstly because they had always been illegal in my state, until relatively recently, and second, I was more of a “fixed blade-trad pocket knife guy…”
Shame you have to ship that way, but if it gets you the knives you want…. Well, then it helps you improve your peening skills at the bench! (Bright side to everything.)
Thanks for pointing out the attachment process for me. I should be able to post images now.

[Madmarco]

My pleasure, Luke, glad to help, hope you can post some pictures now.
I love your positive attitude and outlook on things, this world needs more like you.

[ScottShiraki]

That slimline micarta is super nice!

[Madmarco]

Thanks, Scott, I appreciate your comments, man!
And you're 100% dead-on, buddy, my 10"'er/micarta covers IS super nice, and with those micarta covers it makes it super rare, not so much because it's a 10"'er there seems to be plenty of those around, but because of the micarta. The only others I have seen with black micarta have a kriss blade, not a favorite of mine, and "Fish-Knockers". You have a model in the pictures you posted with red micarta covers, and it's the only copy I have seen with those, is that knife perhaps a 10"'er? Thx!

[ScottShiraki]

The one on the far right is the dark maroon micarta in a size 11cm version. One of my favorites for sure.

[OneDoxa]

Serious question - are the German leverlock autos (Hubertus for example) robust/durable enough for everyday use? Could I reasonably replace my Boker or Schrade Walden slip joint with one?

Absolutely. Camper from 2012. Rescaled in 2016 to remove really bad stag. EDC ever since. These Hubertus levers are way more beefy than the usual slip joint.

[ScottShiraki]

There are so many varieties with Hubertus over the years with different models, blade styles, scale materials etc. Which model is this camper? What are the extra tools?

[Madmarco]

Serious question - are the German leverlock autos (Hubertus for example) robust/durable enough for everyday use? Could I reasonably replace my Boker or Schrade Walden slip joint with one?

Absolutely. Camper from 2012. Rescaled in 2016 to remove really bad stag. EDC ever since. These Hubertus levers are way more beefy than the usual slip joint.

Your Camper looks great, O-D, really nice work! Also, to AAPK, your comments are appreciated!

[Madmarco]

There are so many varieties with Hubertus over the years with different models, blade styles, scale materials etc. Which model is this camper? What are the extra tools?

I believe the knife in his picture is a "Camper" model, Scott, but seeing as I'm unsure of which model it is, I'm going by his text "Camper from 2012." I'd have thought it is their, 10" for export only due to blade length rare as hen's teeth "Fish-Knocker", equipped with blade, saw, and knocker (I think that's all?) , but as I said, "I believe", so don't be taking anything to the bank just yet! The poster might have info as well.

[Bill DeShivs]

It's an 11CM model with pen blade, screwdriver/caplifter blade, and corkscrew on the rear

[OneDoxa]

Madmarco, thanks. Here is a better pic of the knife currently.

Bill is correct. Also, he has done work on this knife for me. Probably about 8 years ago.

[OneDoxa]

Here is the original knife as acquired from Martin in Austria in 2012.

It was bad and I should have returned it.

The knife looks good in this pic but it had many quality issues. The stag was horrible and was not pinned securely to the frame. It was loose all the way around. The Knife itself was not pinned together well. There were gaps between several layers of the knife that would actually move depending on whether the knife was open or closed.

The blade was crooked by 5 or more degrees when open and viewed from the back spring side. It was pointing off to the right. Also, when open, the spine of the blade protruded 2.5 mm above the back spring. I have never seen this on a knife. I used a sharpening stone to slowly grind the spine down level with the back Spring. That was before I took this pic.

I sent the knife to Muskrat Man to have the stag replaced. This squared away all of the above.

Finally, the blade was peaking by almost a mm when locked closed. This was barely noticeable amongst all the other issues and is what Bill fixed for me.

Once all that was done this knife became my daily carry and has been all these years.