Abstract: A locking mechanism for a tool or knife blade based on the locking liner lock. A hinge replaces the typical flex point at the base of the lockbar which allows the lockbar to be made of materials other than those required to be resilient. This allows materials that are lightweight, non metallic, and many other possibilities. As well very strong non resilient materials can be used which would avoid some of the mechanical failures that resilient materials have shown by bending due to downward force on the top of the tool or knife. This mechanical failure will not only destroy the ability of a knife to lock in the open position but the event will cause the blade to rotate toward the closed position and can cut the operators hand. That is a safety issue.

Abstract: This is a system to customize an implement handle's size and outer contour to the specific requirements of an individual user and thus improve the handle ergonomics. Disk shaped handle segments, with a central aperture, are stacked onto the tang of the implement and firmly held in place with a butt cap. The handle segments have various sizes of width, height, and thickness which may be mixed and matched to create a multitude to handle sizes and shapes. The segments can be disassembled and reconfigured since they are not permanently fastened to the implement.