Lone Wolf Knives
Lone Wolf Knives
As the saying goes, Lone Wolf Knives isn't quite what it used to be. After a change in ownership, the company lost much of its distinctive character, evolving into a maker of very good — but no longer particularly unique — knives. Here at Maria Stalina Knives, however, we offer the original gentleman's folders that made Lone Wolf Knives famous and earned the brand awards at international knife shows. We searched for these remarkable collector's pieces around the world and are now delighted to present them to you.
The story of Lone Wolf Knives began with several craftsmen from Gerber Legendary Blades, a veteran of the American knife industry whose knives had already been on the market since the 1970s. These talented makers joined forces to establish an independent company where they could pursue their own creative ambitions, with a particular focus on design and quality. Lone Wolf Knives was founded in November 2001, with Jim Wehrs as its official founder and owner.
The company is focused on limited runs of high-quality knives. Production of a single model typically did not exceed 200 pieces. Lone Wolf's manufacturing facility was located in Wilsonville, Oregon. The company selected premium steels for its blades and high-end materials for its handle scales.
Jim Wehrs had been passionate about knives from an early age. As a boy, he collected folding knives; as an adult, he became known as the president of Gerber Legendary Blades. After spending 13 years in that position, Jim decided to move into manufacturing himself and began creating custom knives to order. His ambition was to combine the traditions of old-school knifemaking with modern technology, creating knives that balanced beauty and functionality. Realizing that he needed more knifemaking expertise to bring this vision to life, Wehrs began working with two prominent knife designers, Paul W. Poehlmann and William W. Harsey.
It proved to be an inspired decision. Paul W. Poehlmann gave Lone Wolf Knives the mechanism that would set the brand apart: the patented Paul Axial locking mechanism. A knife equipped with this lock opens in a remarkably distinctive way. The release button is positioned where the pivot would normally be. Hold the folder between two fingers with the handle pointing upward, press the button, and the handle drops under its own weight, deploying the blade. The Paul Axial system locks the knife securely in both the open and closed positions.
Poehlmann was responsible not only for the mechanism but also for the design of Lone Wolf's gentleman's folders. His Paul Perfecto, Presto, Prankster, Executive, and, of course, Defender became signature models of the brand.
William W. Harsey has collaborated with such renowned companies as Spartan Blades, Ruger/CRKT, Fantoni, and Chris Reeve Knives. He is best known for his tactical designs, with his most famous project being the Yarborough — a fixed-blade tactical knife named after William P. Yarborough, widely regarded as the father of the U.S. Army Special Forces. The Yarborough is issued to every graduate of the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course. For Lone Wolf Knives, Harsey designed the T1 and T2 tactical folders.
In October 2010, the independent company with its distinctive identity was acquired by knife-industry giant Benchmade. Benchmade founder Les de Asis described the acquisition as an excellent addition to the Benchmade family of brands and promised new Lone Wolf models in the near future.
In practice, however, the merger brought an end to Lone Wolf's gentleman's folders with the Paul Axial locking mechanism. They were gradually replaced by more mainstream EDC designs such as the Swale folder and Tailout pocket knife. The original Lone Wolf models were discontinued and became highly sought-after pieces among collectors.
If you're interested in Lone Wolf Knives or looking to buy an American EDC knife, contact our manager and we'll help you find the right model. Tel.: +7 (812) 676-33-47.
