Tom,<br><br>Yes, the CS is a lockback.<br><br>The Gerber axe I have is the "Back Paxe." Stupid name, nice little axe. I do mean little. Not even ten inches long, total. The handle is plastic (polymer?), which worried me at first, but aside from a little dinging, no problem. Takes a licking and keeps on...you know.<br><br>A Granfors Bruks is a hand forged axe, made in Sweden or Norway or ....well, it's made in one of those Scandanavian countries. A friend of mine has one, the "Wilderness Axe," I beleive, and it is marvelous. Expensive, though. <br><br>Both the Gerber axe and the Granfors can be viewed (and ordered) online.<br><br>Andy