Building the Hill Lock

Tobin Hill is a full-time custom knifemaker from Pleasanton, Texas, specializing in traditional folding knives. He learned knifemaking under well-known folder maker Bill Ruple. Tobin builds a variety of traditional slipjoint and lockback patterns and is also the designer of the Hill Lock, a locking mechanism that allows a knife to retain the appearance of a traditional slipjoint while operating as a lockback.

The Hill Lock uses a rear bolster release along with a scissor-type spring that is incorporated into the lock bar. Pressing down on the rear bolster releases the lock with very little movement, leaving no obvious button or lock release visible from the outside. The mechanism is based on the older tail-lock concept and can be adapted to a number of traditional knife patterns and blade styles.

In this full-length instructional video, Tobin builds a Hill Lock from start to finish and explains the design and fitting of the mechanism along the way. More than simply assembling a folding knife, the video focuses on understanding how the Hill Lock works and how each adjustment affects the finished mechanism.

Total Runtime: 2 hours, 22 minutes

©2026 Chris Crawford Knives