Michael Leon Walker is an American custom knifemaker and sculptor based in Taos, New Mexico.

Walker noted similarities between his jewelry and custom art knives and decided he would try his hand at knifemaking.

As a result, he decided from then on to make folding knives which would not require a sheath, which led to his development of the Walker Linerlock.

[4][6] Some of the production companies he has partnered with include Spyderco, Columbia River Knife and Tool, Schrade, Böker, and Klotzli.

[7] Walker's knives and designs have inspired many other custom knifemakers, notably Bob Terzuola and Ernest Emerson.