I commissioned a pair of handmade Frank Beltrane Stilettos for my brother and me for Christmas one year that were made from the same Buffalo horns for the handle. They feel completely different from one of the cheapies we had as kids. It feels more like a quality made tool or handgun compared to a carnival one we had as kids. Ended up being a good purchase for the both of us.
The Beltrane family is a noble GUILD of brothers and cousins who are the bulk of SKM Brand (Switchblade Knife Makers). I had their Armando Beltrane Birdshead Lever Lock in REAL DAMASCUS steel (folded once more from what is usually called good "Damascus Steel.) A magnifying glass revealed the incredible fine grain of the metal. It was absurdly sharp, and STAYED SHARP, the perfect handling pocket knife! The Beltranes are the pinnacle of the art, and worth the price...........................elsullo
@@elsullo2 Damascus is a term that can apply to any folded steel. The "real" vs "good" qualifications are marketing hype. The number of folds used in modern Damascus is usually a matter of aesthetics rather than quality.
@@osbaldohernandez9174 I don't remember exactly. I think I paid something like $20 for it. I was in the Navy at the time and we were there for a port visit. I picked it up after a night out partying. I actually used it just today.
It started with Japan, then Korea, Taiwan, and now china. Btw we had switchblades here in the US before the Italian switchblade made it over here after WW2. Have you ever heard of the press button knife company? There was a Schrade connection that I can't quite remember correctly, but the press button knife company in New York was making automatic 2 bladed equal end pen knives starting around the turn of the century. There were also hammer brand switchblade toothpick patterns in the 20's. And don't forget that the American paratroopers carried a switchblade emergency knife during ww2, made by Schrade and Camillus if I remember correctly. Also ad far as Italian switchblades being the 1st one handed knives, I do believe the balisong type knife predates it. We also can't forget the 1 armed Jack knife that came after the civil war, made for amputated veterans. They're like a single blade Barlow with sort of a straight razor looking blade. A notch of sorts in the end of the blade so a one handed man could use the edge of his pocket to pull his pocket knife open. If I'm not mistaken the automatic knife was actually invented by some guy in Sheffield England and the technology spread throughout Europe eventually finding it's way to Italy, but Italy may be one of the last places to adopt this technology in the early 1890's.
I am off subject here but I had to input this. I still have a Hammer brand slip joint knife that my Grandma bought me 70yrs ago. I have never seen a reference to the Hammer brand before your mention and this is what prompted my response. P.S. it takes an unbelievably sharp edge.
@@patrickgriffitt6551 hammer brand was 1st used by the New York knife company, then later by Imperial who used it for inexpensive shell construction slipjoints. If you're not familiar, they look like a regular knife with a bolster on each end and handle scales between them but that's just a stamped sheet metal side panel attached with tabs folded over at each end. The handle scale will just be a sheet of thin plastic heat formed over it.
George Schrade patented most familiar switchblade features, and founded the Press Button Knife Company in NY in the 1890s. He also founded two other knife companies with the name Schrade, one of Walden, NY (that merged with Imperial) and one in Bridgeport, CT. Anyway, there were a bunch of American companies mass manufacturing switchblades from the 1890s to 1958. Check out the book "Antique American Switchblades" by Mark Erickson.
I am 70 and have loved these knives since I was a Kid! Now then, I am pleased to own several F. Beltrame made Picklocks that were made by him! Red Dot knives with the finest handles ! Italian craftmanship of the highest quality! One thing about Italy, is that there are so many family firms that do not skip on Quality! Shall I also tell you my favorite pasta maker or San Marzano Tomatoes? Great Video!
Who cares? I own 2 switchblades and they are weak and poorly made compared to a similar length pocket knife! They just look scary when you open them suddenly
As a young kid I always loved the Italian switch blade. They were hard to get for a while in the 50s. I was told they were illegal. Once in a great while a flee market seller would have one or two. Later on in the years I heard they were no longer illegal and they started to come out of the wood work. Their' was a time when someone was making a switch blade that resembled the old "Boy Scout pocket knife" but not as popular. Later on I ended up making both hunting and lock back knives by hand. Showing my knives to a vendor in a knife and gun show we talked about the Stilettos'. He said he often had requests for repairs. Mostly broken springs. I gave him my information and he sent me a lot of customers for making new springs. By this time the knife was cheaper costing and so I could not charge what the job was really worth. I mostly enjoyed bringing an old Stiletto back to life. The old Italian ones were cheaply made. I eventually made one in the 90s and just sold it a couple of years ago. To a very persistent buyer. Somewhere in my shop I have an exact replica/copy of the stiletto that is twice the size but not a push button,
@corbinace I got one of these in a random box at an auction. I gave it to my man (who has a bit of a knife obsession😅). However, it isn't in working/carry condition. Trying to find someone, locally, is impossible. If you've done some like this before, would you be interested in connecting to see if it might be something you'd like to restore and for what price?
I have an AGA Campolin I bought many years ago that has always been flawless in their function, and their construction. The difference between an Italian stiletto and all the others is just night and day.
Another great video! I love the look of stilettos, and while they're not the most practical knives, I can definitely appreciate their craftsmanship and history!
One should consider the locale, lifestyle, and era in which it is being used when judging the practicality of a knife. Remember kids, a stilleto is a cutting weapon, you slash with it... never stab.
I found a burlap sack filled with real high quality Italian stilletos. They were decades old, AND COMPLETELY CRUSHED, only the blades survived. There were different sizes and different handle materials. We think my elderly relative (who was very paranoid/ PTSD from Vietnam War) collected them years ago, and destroyed them when they became illegal. He had an irrational fear of cops, feds, and all authorities. We were going thru his garage, because he died recently. There were also pistols, bullets, and small shotguns and rifles in many hidden areas of the house, garage and property....long story tho
We used to go hunting with a guy who had guns hidden in the walls of his cabin and he kept his wheeler under the back porch with a door in the floor to get to it. We had to be careful what we said because he had voice activated recorders hidden there too He ended up selling the cabin with all the guns still in the walls when he became disabled.
Having worked in Italy I can say there are a lot of cheap mass produced Italian switchblades available, the cheap ones are not all Chinese! I personally like some of the high quality German made ones that are available in Europe. Interestingly the first known patent for an automatic knife was granted to Samuel Leatherman in England in 1790.
That's the one that started it all for me. I've been an automatic knife nerd for about 40 yrs. I still have my first one that I carried with me everyday starting in JR. high....Looks just like the black beauty in the video. Then I saw the OX Forge black Knife and I was hooked for life......
Just got an old B.V.&F. Stamped picklock at a fleamarket. From what I found out it was made in the time between 1958 and 1961 by Vittario Beltrame and is kind of rare nowadays.
I had one of these cheap replica stiletto as a kid. A great knife design. It got destroyed because i miss used it as a throwing knife to many times against a tree. 😅
I bought my first one over 35 years ago mail order as a kit (they didn't ship them assembled back then). I think it was around $35. Still works perfectly today.
Several decades ago I acquired three Italian stiletto switchblades probably at a gun and knife show. One is 13 inches and the other two are 15 inch knives in two different colors. I keep them open in mailer tubes and well covered in Vaseline to prevent rust. I also keep them wrapped in Saran wrap for protection. I keep them open so as not to wear out the leaf springs from constantly being compressed should those knives be closed for long periods of time. While they are nice to look at but I am not sure that they have any practical use except for stabbing an intended target.
I have been collecting Italian Stiletto switchblades for years as well as some of the current ones like Macrotech's. The Italian ones are made by makers like Frank B., Ab, etc. My favorite though is my Walts Latama pickguard which is expensive but worth every penny. The Italians from the 1950s like in Rebel Without A Cause were picklocks, the bolster locks came along later. Great presentation..
I have two that I bought at a truck stop in the 90s. They're pearloid handled, decently constructed with a really strong spring that you can feel when you release them. They have been in my closet for nearly 30 years, coming out occasionally to play with for a minute. They are stamped Italy or maybe Milano, not sure which.
My Great Grandfather had a 1950s Japanese automatic knife with the flip lever on the side. He disabled the spring mechanism so it wouldn’t close anymore. My Great Grandma carried it in her fishing tackle box.
Great video! I've been collecting knives for 40 years, and like you, I dismissed Italian stillettos a long time ago as cheapy novelty knives. It's great to see quality stilettos now available.
I got an antique tortoise shell handle stiletto Italian from between the wars , I thought someone stole it a few weeks ago I reported it to cops because I didn’t want it on streets , don’t think cops were happy with me . I showed them how I could drop them dead in an instant with one through their armour . I think I got marked up from psyco level 4 to five 😢
Thanks for the video. I have a friend going to Italy in a few days. I asked him to pick me up one from there. He told me he had mailed some kitchen knives to himself back here in the states. Hoping he remembers and mails one back here for me.
Nice someone shows how it's done. I get bored of explaining it to people. I was taught how to make Stilettos . There is a lot that goes into making the various designs. Also most people don't know how to open and close one of properly. Good video.
I have a latama with Brazilian horn scales that's the pick lock style. Got it from my great uncle. The lock is sheared off so it won't stay closed. I'm just now learning the history of it after almost 25 years that I've had it!!!
Zac this hit my current itch on every level! Been on a hunt for a decent Italian side opener and love the Redemption just need the budget version 😢😢. Love your channel man!
I live near Solingen/Germany and there is a tradition of this knife design, too. I really like the Huberts version that’s actually manufactured by Otter. Thanks a lot for the cool content.
I believe Germany actually adopted the automatic knife technology before Italy, and the German lever locks are generally known to be better knives than the push button Italian automatics. A lot lot of the Italian switchblades were inexpensive novelties.
I had a collection of Gustav Emil Ern knives made in Solingen when I was a chef. They came with a lifetime guarantee but somebody stole them from me some years ago.
They were sooooo cool! 😍 Portugal was awash with them until some twenty years ago, when their sale was forbidden together with many other folding knifes. Nowadays they are classified as "Forbidden Weapon", like Butterflies and Brass Knuckles. I bought several; their sale was free, but you couldn't carry them on the street. Go figure. As of today I use one to open the Mail and they work flawlessly. The smaller button in the slot is a sliding safety catch that must be pulled away from the push button to open the blade. These knives are riveted and I see no way of disassembling them, but on the other hand they're inherently simple and reliable. Those I have were all manufactured in Portugal and have a black plastic handle. Some have their blade beautifully decorated. In the eighties I had a charming blond girlfriend who permanently carried a Spanish made Stiletto, whose blade was some six inches long! Before I knew her, she had endured not less than two rape attempts between age 15 and 18 and fought back both. In the second case she was well aware that some sexual agressor had been active in the area and was carrying his Father's .22 LR Walther PPK hidden inside a cap that she carried on her hand. And she was indeed followed and jumped by a little guy in swimming trunks that had been following her. (that was on the seaside) She pulled out the loaded PPK, aimed at the guy and shouted "Do you want to get shot? No? So get outta here!" The guy stepped back, stumbled, fell, stood up again and run away like hell. She ran in the opposite direction, totally terrified! And so she never left that long Mother of Pearl Stiletto. Personally, I do believe she would have used it if forced to... 😬
Thank you for the content, this answers some questions I've had for a while about these knives and starts me down a new research rabbit hole. Another one handed opening/closing knife from the WWII time period is the gravity knife, these were used by the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers).
I have an A.G.A. Campolin and it's very well built. I do believe though that carrying one is somewhat of an acquired skill, as most flippers are more practical.
In New York in the 70s you could go into very questionable shops around Times Square and by them to this day they are still illegal in NYC and I bought a few my cousin was working on a low budget movie which became a hit at local theaters I truly forgot the name of it and while filming they needed a switchblade and of course my cousin asked me which I gave him. I was walking by the Waverly theater years ago and there was a movie poster with a close up of my Italian switchblade!! Later on he gave it back to me with 25 dollars as rent for my knife. The knife felt like it was opened 100,000 times. Don’t know what ever happened to it but I’ve never stopped collecting I’m now 64 and my collection is bigger than ever and I’m waiting at this minute on a custom switcblade Italian “style” from an American knife maker. Thanks for this podcast and all the comments!
1902 Sears Roebuck catalog lists 3 different button-opening "spring knives", one of which is a pen knife style where both blades are automatic, a button on each end in the bolsters.
To begin with stelleto have always been illegal in my State. The best one of these knives I ever saw was being carried by a sheriff's deputy. It was German made, had stag scales, and a Damascus blade. He took it from a suspect but just could not turn it in because it was so beautiful.
Hey Zac! Great location for a video. You are talking about stilleto knives and I am staring at the Joy shuttle car in the background and the loving the sight of a (It looks like a Fairchild) longwall miner/weapon of mass destruction. Was this a knife video or a trip of my days working as an accountant/controller of a coal coampany many years ago. Great video and thanks for making an old fart (not quite that old yet) think about getting out of college in the mid-90's and working their first years at coal companies in Appalachia.
While I live in Florida and attend gun and knife shows regularly , a few decades ago I stumbled on a couple of higher end Italian stiletto switchblades that open up to 15 inches each. I have been keeping them open and in mailer tubes , covered in Vaseline, and wrapped in Saran wrap. I have no idea as to why I bought them but they are interesting to fondle and keep on hand. Just to let you know, these things are way too big to carry and more than anything they are conversation pieces. I am not sure that I have seen switchblades made from high quality steel but if so then companies like Benchmade probably would make them at high end prices and I doubt that they are catalog items. Switchblades are novelty knives and are interesting to open and close but I believe that other fixed bladed knives are more suited to actual fighting weapons.
I felt the SAME way when I got my cheap $25 Chinese stiletto. I gave up. I thought that stilettos were just an underwhelming quality knife. I’ve never seen a quality one until your video. I’ve been fascinated with automatic knives since I watched movies like Greece and Breakfast club. I’m definitely tempted to order one of these.
I’ve been wanting to get a traditional stiletto for awhile now, but was hesitant because I haven’t done any research on them. After watching this video, I ordered myself a Frank B. Italian stiletto with a stag bone handle. Thanks for the cool information Zach.
I've got 3 stiletto knives from China. They are illegal to own here in the UK, which is dumb because they are just knives. I have one large stiletto and two smaller ones. One of the smaller ones has some issue where it often doesn't open when you press the button, so I got another one and it works perfectly. The workmanship on them is great (apart from the one that has the button problem, which is probably easy enough to sort out).
Nice primer on Italian stilettos. However, there are a couple of mistakes-while the stiletto was originally made in the middle 1800s in Italy, switchblades were mass produced in the US starting around 1900, with literally many millions made until 1958. Also the bolster unlocking mechanism was not used on the vintage 1950s stilettos. This mechanism became common in the mid 1960s.
Schrade Cutlery Company made push button knives back in the 1920's 30's and 40's. They are very collectible now. Also, the paratrooper model with the hook blade parachute cord cutting blade, also highly collectible now. (also made by Camillus)
I just received a couple of autos, one of which is a Stiletto. I'm looking to scoop up another official Stiletto, but can't make up my mind on which one yet. They're great knives, but quite intimidating when it comes to non-knife people. I just love the action, but that's just my take on them.
I love the look and feel of Rizzutos! I wish a prominent knife maker would clone the design into higher quality materials and build for today’s market.
Yeah I have 3 or 4 cheap stilettos no joke from 7-12 dollars very cheap I love them but feeling a proper one would be cool, there all the way from 4” to 8.5” overall length
Okay, nobody doubts the quality of a good Italian Stiletto. BUT, the can sometimes sell for north of $1,000 (just ask S Stallone). The Italian ones I have are AKC and A G Campolin. IF, you can find anyone who has them in stock then you can purchase for $150 to $300. NOW, if you don’t want to spend that kind of coin, it is very, very possible to get an excellent stiletto for as little as $50 to $80. Many new stilettos now use a coil spring instead of a leaf spring. Several dealers make a double action OTF stilettos that customers rave about. Shop around and find a dealer you can trust. Also, know your states laws.
If your old slip joint is heavy enough, something like a Schrade Walden 250T, you can grab the large blade and open it with one hand. Probably not safe, but it can be done.
for playing around on your sofa stick to 20ny and for real enjoying and part time "few clicks" on day take a 120ny . that leaf spring do not last long if constantly clicking doesent matter if is 20ny , 120ty or 1000 "burn" custom one .
I have a couple of Italian switchblade knives, one stag handle and one black wood, both 8". I've been lookin for a stag handled switchblade knife with a 5mm thick blade spine but the prices are way too high. BTW, the knives in the original West Side Story movie were lever lock switchblades, not push button.
Ok.... Knife guy, i admit it... I have a , well several knives that were more expensive than a brand new Taurus g3c.... Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, maxace ( midnight cat studios)...Most of my collectable knives are balisongs. For a while i was almost embarrassed to admit how much i had spent on just one of my 51s, now that they're discontinued, I'm glad I have them.... Im almost as fascinated with the balisong as maybe you are with the stiletto. I do EDC a rotation of folding knives, mostly my pm2. Anyway, so yeah 120 bucks is reasonable for something that WORKS. Example, I have one AKC OTF that is 3,4 years old, still works fine, I want to say it was 50, 60 bucks. The question, finally, willl ALLof these side firing autos, eventually, inevitably, with time.... Not close all the way? Is it an inherit design flaw, or have i just never gotten a quality stiletto? I had a really nice (i think German) lever lock, eventually it failed....that blade being under constant tension, is..... sketchy.
The mustache really threw me through the loop 😂 But I’ve had an Italian style stiletto for almost a year now, and I didn’t even realize before this video that the bolster moves for a reason!!! I feel so dumb, but that’s why I love your videos Zac, I always learn something so Thank You!!!
I honestly always thought theese looked horrible with the thin handles, but i can see how they're a practical tool to have afterall they're fairly compact and easy to operate. The only thing i'd be worried about is storing it closed and the spring setteling and loosing it's strenght
So do you have to go to Italy? I got a couple in Germany back in the 80's. Agree that what we have to choose from now in the US isn't the same quality.
Personally, I am not a fan of automatic knives in general and even less so the stiletto style (the aesthetic just doesn't do it for me), but even so, you got me wanting one just from the story behind them.
Because in reality they are crap, its only the nostalgic'ness that gets people buying, weak lock, weak open, poor ergo's..... they are....crap..... but are......cool.
@@happyknife8785 Crap is a strong word. Impractical, yes. Good for poking, not for slicing, yes. But you got to admit, cool opening and sexy shape are for sure.
@@happyknife8785I have a lock back Franke Beltrame 'letto that is excellent on its lock and release. 9" with snakewood scales. #3 of this model for 2013. 350 made....ever. zero blade movement when fully opened.
I have a cheap one, and its served me well for about 4 years now.
11 месяцев назад
Type of knife is not my taste (better not to carry in public) at the beginning but I think I can be happy to have and play with a beautiful hand made one :) Thx for these video
I commissioned a pair of handmade Frank Beltrane Stilettos for my brother and me for Christmas one year that were made from the same Buffalo horns for the handle. They feel completely different from one of the cheapies we had as kids. It feels more like a quality made tool or handgun compared to a carnival one we had as kids. Ended up being a good purchase for the both of us.
How did you manage that transaction and how much were they?
The Beltrane family is a noble GUILD of brothers and cousins who are the bulk of SKM Brand (Switchblade Knife Makers). I had their Armando Beltrane Birdshead Lever Lock in REAL DAMASCUS steel (folded once more from what is usually called good "Damascus Steel.) A magnifying glass revealed the incredible fine grain of the metal. It was absurdly sharp, and STAYED SHARP, the perfect handling pocket knife! The Beltranes are the pinnacle of the art, and worth the price...........................elsullo
So where do I buy one made by that 82 year old Italian craftsman ?
You’re a good brother.
@@elsullo2 Damascus is a term that can apply to any folded steel. The "real" vs "good" qualifications are marketing hype. The number of folds used in modern Damascus is usually a matter of aesthetics rather than quality.
Bought one 35 years in Naples, Italy, and still have it to this day. And it still works as well as ever, and gets used as much as ever.
How much was it back then
@@osbaldohernandez9174
I don't remember exactly. I think I paid something like $20 for it. I was in the Navy at the time and we were there for a port visit. I picked it up after a night out partying. I actually used it just today.
Gets used for what? They're for killing people.
Does airport customs give you any trouble bringing these back home ?
@@libramoon9968 it was different then but I think now you gotta get them shipped to your address
It started with Japan, then Korea, Taiwan, and now china.
Btw we had switchblades here in the US before the Italian switchblade made it over here after WW2.
Have you ever heard of the press button knife company?
There was a Schrade connection that I can't quite remember correctly, but the press button knife company in New York was making automatic 2 bladed equal end pen knives starting around the turn of the century.
There were also hammer brand switchblade toothpick patterns in the 20's.
And don't forget that the American paratroopers carried a switchblade emergency knife during ww2, made by Schrade and Camillus if I remember correctly.
Also ad far as Italian switchblades being the 1st one handed knives, I do believe the balisong type knife predates it.
We also can't forget the 1 armed Jack knife that came after the civil war, made for amputated veterans.
They're like a single blade Barlow with sort of a straight razor looking blade.
A notch of sorts in the end of the blade so a one handed man could use the edge of his pocket to pull his pocket knife open.
If I'm not mistaken the automatic knife was actually invented by some guy in Sheffield England and the technology spread throughout Europe eventually finding it's way to Italy, but Italy may be one of the last places to adopt this technology in the early 1890's.
I am off subject here but I had to input this. I still have a Hammer brand slip joint knife that my Grandma bought me 70yrs ago. I have never seen a reference to the Hammer brand before your mention and this is what prompted my response. P.S. it takes an unbelievably sharp edge.
@@patrickgriffitt6551 hammer brand was 1st used by the New York knife company, then later by Imperial who used it for inexpensive shell construction slipjoints.
If you're not familiar, they look like a regular knife with a bolster on each end and handle scales between them but that's just a stamped sheet metal side panel attached with tabs folded over at each end. The handle scale will just be a sheet of thin plastic heat formed over it.
George Schrade patented most familiar switchblade features, and founded the Press Button Knife Company in NY in the 1890s. He also founded two other knife companies with the name Schrade, one of Walden, NY (that merged with Imperial) and one in Bridgeport, CT. Anyway, there were a bunch of American companies mass manufacturing switchblades from the 1890s to 1958. Check out the book "Antique American Switchblades" by Mark Erickson.
Thanks for that information I truly enjoyed it.
Does anyone make a flat blade screwdriver that "deploys" or "fires" as a switch blade?
I am 70 and have loved these knives since I was a Kid! Now then, I am pleased to own several F. Beltrame made Picklocks that were made by him! Red Dot knives with the finest handles ! Italian craftmanship of the highest quality! One thing about Italy, is that there are so many family firms that do not skip on Quality! Shall I also tell you my favorite pasta maker or San Marzano Tomatoes?
Great Video!
Ah, the traditional knife that’s now illegal in most of europe
No. 8,5 cm legal in germany
@@Jason-Voorhees541switchblade makes it illegal in germany
@@remdy3839 No. Switchblade 8,5 cm Blade legal to own in Germany. You can legal own but carry is ilegal
Who cares? I own 2 switchblades and they are weak and poorly made compared to a similar length pocket knife! They just look scary when you open them suddenly
Illegal here😒🇨🇦
As a young kid I always loved the Italian switch blade. They were hard to get for a while in the 50s. I was told they were illegal.
Once in a great while a flee market seller would have one or two.
Later on in the years I heard they were no longer illegal and they started to come out of the wood work. Their' was a time when someone was making a switch blade that resembled the old "Boy Scout pocket knife" but not as popular.
Later on I ended up making both hunting and lock back knives by hand.
Showing my knives to a vendor in a knife and gun show we talked about the Stilettos'. He said he often had requests for repairs.
Mostly broken springs. I gave him my information and he sent me a lot of customers for making new springs. By this time the knife was cheaper costing and so I could not charge what the job was really worth. I mostly enjoyed bringing an old Stiletto
back to life. The old Italian ones were cheaply made. I eventually made one in the 90s and just sold it a couple of years ago.
To a very persistent buyer. Somewhere in my shop I have an exact replica/copy of the stiletto that is twice the size but not a push button,
@corbinace
I got one of these in a random box at an auction. I gave it to my man (who has a bit of a knife obsession😅). However, it isn't in working/carry condition. Trying to find someone, locally, is impossible. If you've done some like this before, would you be interested in connecting to see if it might be something you'd like to restore and for what price?
I have an AGA Campolin I bought many years ago that has always been flawless in their function, and their construction. The difference between an Italian stiletto and all the others is just night and day.
Another great video! I love the look of stilettos, and while they're not the most practical knives, I can definitely appreciate their craftsmanship and history!
One should consider the locale, lifestyle, and era in which it is being used when judging the practicality of a knife.
Remember kids, a stilleto is a cutting weapon, you slash with it... never stab.
@@stinkyfungus stiletto is a stabbing knife, what are you talking about
I found a burlap sack filled with real high quality Italian stilletos. They were decades old, AND COMPLETELY CRUSHED, only the blades survived. There were different sizes and different handle materials. We think my elderly relative (who was very paranoid/ PTSD from Vietnam War) collected them years ago, and destroyed them when they became illegal. He had an irrational fear of cops, feds, and all authorities. We were going thru his garage, because he died recently. There were also pistols, bullets, and small shotguns and rifles in many hidden areas of the house, garage and property....long story tho
Shit!
We used to go hunting with a guy who had guns hidden in the walls of his cabin and he kept his wheeler under the back porch with a door in the floor to get to it.
We had to be careful what we said because he had voice activated recorders hidden there too
He ended up selling the cabin with all the guns still in the walls when he became disabled.
They could have been rebuilt
Shur 😏
@madtownangler - after what I seen...I believe you , some people live that way
Having worked in Italy I can say there are a lot of cheap mass produced Italian switchblades available, the cheap ones are not all Chinese!
I personally like some of the high quality German made ones that are available in Europe. Interestingly the first known patent for an automatic knife was granted to Samuel Leatherman in England in 1790.
That's the one that started it all for me. I've been an automatic knife nerd for about 40 yrs. I still have my first one that I carried with me everyday starting in JR. high....Looks just like the black beauty in the video. Then I saw the OX Forge black Knife and I was hooked for life......
Cool! Have you ever had to use your knife in combat? What did you learn and change because of it?
Just got an old B.V.&F. Stamped picklock at a fleamarket. From what I found out it was made in the time between 1958 and 1961 by Vittario Beltrame and is kind of rare nowadays.
Hang on to that one.
I had one of these cheap replica stiletto as a kid. A great knife design. It got destroyed because i miss used it as a throwing knife to many times against a tree. 😅
I bought my first one over 35 years ago mail order as a kit (they didn't ship them assembled back then). I think it was around $35. Still works perfectly today.
Inflation yk?
@@monkegaming6416 yep, just sayin it doesn’t have to be Italian to be good. 😎
Several decades ago I acquired three Italian stiletto switchblades probably at a gun and knife show. One is 13 inches and the other two are 15 inch knives in two different colors. I keep them open in mailer tubes and well covered in Vaseline to prevent rust. I also keep them wrapped in Saran wrap for protection. I keep them open so as not to wear out the leaf springs from constantly being compressed should those knives be closed for long periods of time. While they are nice to look at but I am not sure that they have any practical use except for stabbing an intended target.
I have been collecting Italian Stiletto switchblades for years as well as some of the current ones like Macrotech's. The Italian ones are made by makers like Frank B., Ab, etc. My favorite though is my Walts Latama pickguard which is expensive but worth every penny. The Italians from the 1950s like in Rebel Without A Cause were picklocks, the bolster locks came along later. Great presentation..
I have two that I bought at a truck stop in the 90s. They're pearloid handled, decently constructed with a really strong spring that you can feel when you release them. They have been in my closet for nearly 30 years, coming out occasionally to play with for a minute. They are stamped Italy or maybe Milano, not sure which.
My Great Grandfather had a 1950s Japanese automatic knife with the flip lever on the side. He disabled the spring mechanism so it wouldn’t close anymore. My Great Grandma carried it in her fishing tackle box.
I love the old stilettos. That Redemption is on my saved to get asap list. I fell in love immediately.
It’s really cool! I’ve been carrying it a lot.
I thought this one was going to bore me to tears. Nope! Fascinating history and display of old world craftsmanship. Great video as usual.
He only left out the most important part of any knife. What type of steel is the blade?
Great video! I've been collecting knives for 40 years, and like you, I dismissed Italian stillettos a long time ago as cheapy novelty knives. It's great to see quality stilettos now available.
Even before you mentioned West Side Story, it was the first thing I thought of after seeing Stiletto Switchblade. Another great video, thanks!
A traditional Italian stiletto is a must have❤
Where can you order one?
Very expensive. When I sold knives in 2010 they could cost 800 bucks and take 6 months to get if you ordered it custom.
@@That-guy916Stiletto. Look the company up.
@@That-guy916try Blade HQ
I got an antique tortoise shell handle stiletto Italian from between the wars , I thought someone stole it a few weeks ago I reported it to cops because I didn’t want it on streets , don’t think cops were happy with me . I showed them how I could drop them dead in an instant with one through their armour . I think I got marked up from psyco level 4 to five 😢
this solidifies my decision !! i’m purchasing a stiletto and cherishing it till i die !!
thank you for the information 💕
There’s a big lack of knowledge among the knife community when it comes to stilettos. Thank you for the information zac
Hi Zac, thanks stopping by and saying hi in maniago, was really surprised to see you there, can’t wait to watch the documentary! Cheers!
Thanks for the video. I have a friend going to Italy in a few days. I asked him to pick me up one from there. He told me he had mailed some kitchen knives to himself back here in the states. Hoping he remembers and mails one back here for me.
Nice someone shows how it's done. I get bored of explaining it to people. I was taught how to make Stilettos . There is a lot that goes into making the various designs. Also most people don't know how to open and close one of properly. Good video.
I have a latama with Brazilian horn scales that's the pick lock style. Got it from my great uncle. The lock is sheared off so it won't stay closed. I'm just now learning the history of it after almost 25 years that I've had it!!!
Zac this hit my current itch on every level! Been on a hunt for a decent Italian side opener and love the Redemption just need the budget version 😢😢. Love your channel man!
Glad it lined up with some stuff you’ve been thinking too! 👊
Cool! CRKT is selling a high end knife with a very nice steel. Thanks CRKT for going to Hogue to make a top quality knife for you.
My favorite thing about your channel is that I feel like I get value from each vid! Thank you for the effort
For anyone interested in that big ass knife, it's a Frank Belltrame 5" stag horn handle, bayonet blade. About $150 most places
I was lucky to order an FB 10 years ago for $30, with many choices now they are mostly sold out, an around $100 somthing dollers.
I live near Solingen/Germany and there is a tradition of this knife design, too. I really like the Huberts version that’s actually manufactured by Otter. Thanks a lot for the cool content.
I believe Germany actually adopted the automatic knife technology before Italy, and the German lever locks are generally known to be better knives than the push button Italian automatics.
A lot lot of the Italian switchblades were inexpensive novelties.
I had a collection of Gustav Emil Ern knives made in Solingen when I was a chef. They came with a lifetime guarantee but somebody stole them from me some years ago.
They were sooooo cool! 😍 Portugal was awash with them until some twenty years ago, when their sale was forbidden together with many other folding knifes. Nowadays they are classified as "Forbidden Weapon", like Butterflies and Brass Knuckles. I bought several; their sale was free, but you couldn't carry them on the street. Go figure. As of today I use one to open the Mail and they work flawlessly. The smaller button in the slot is a sliding safety catch that must be pulled away from the push button to open the blade. These knives are riveted and I see no way of disassembling them, but on the other hand they're inherently simple and reliable. Those I have were all manufactured in Portugal and have a black plastic handle. Some have their blade beautifully decorated.
In the eighties I had a charming blond girlfriend who permanently carried a Spanish made Stiletto, whose blade was some six inches long! Before I knew her, she had endured not less than two rape attempts between age 15 and 18 and fought back both. In the second case she was well aware that some sexual agressor had been active in the area and was carrying his Father's .22 LR Walther PPK hidden inside a cap that she carried on her hand. And she was indeed followed and jumped by a little guy in swimming trunks that had been following her. (that was on the seaside)
She pulled out the loaded PPK, aimed at the guy and shouted "Do you want to get shot? No? So get outta here!"
The guy stepped back, stumbled, fell, stood up again and run away like hell. She ran in the opposite direction, totally terrified!
And so she never left that long Mother of Pearl Stiletto. Personally, I do believe she would have used it if forced to... 😬
I got a stiletto from a shopping center and it's very good quality. I've had it for 2 years and it's incredibly strong, almost as good as new.
Thank you for the content, this answers some questions I've had for a while about these knives and starts me down a new research rabbit hole. Another one handed opening/closing knife from the WWII time period is the gravity knife, these were used by the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers).
i used this knive 1997, it was to heavy and not a good knive. now it is forbidden - and the question is why ?
Used to see those in junk shops when I was a kid
I have an A.G.A. Campolin and it's very well built. I do believe though that carrying one is somewhat of an acquired skill, as most flippers are more practical.
Very true. I wouldn’t say this would be a main all the time carry but dang is it fun to carry around every once and a while
Zach you gotta dive into Great Eastern Cutlery, and the huge influence they have making the best traditional slipjoints in the world.
Oh man, I stopped watching knife content for a few months and when I come back Zac has a mustache..... digging it! Very Magnum PI of you!
Wich exact models are the knifes in the video
I have the kerchaw launch 8 i love it its an awesome modern stiletto and pretty cheap for what it is.
Have a couple of Frank Beltrame collectors. Work of art. Gotta have a Frankie blade if you truly are a stiletto lover.
In New York in the 70s you could go into very questionable shops around Times Square and by them to this day they are still illegal in NYC and I bought a few my cousin was working on a low budget movie which became a hit at local theaters I truly forgot the name of it and while filming they needed a switchblade and of course my cousin asked me which I gave him. I was walking by the Waverly theater years ago and there was a movie poster with a close up of my Italian switchblade!! Later on he gave it back to me with 25 dollars as rent for my knife. The knife felt like it was opened 100,000 times. Don’t know what ever happened to it but I’ve never stopped collecting I’m now 64 and my collection is bigger than ever and I’m waiting at this minute on a custom switcblade Italian “style” from an American knife maker.
Thanks for this podcast and all the comments!
1902 Sears Roebuck catalog lists 3 different button-opening "spring knives", one of which is a pen knife style where both blades are automatic, a button on each end in the bolsters.
Great video Zac, thanks for sharing the greatness of these knives with a huge audience!
I bought my first Piranha from you guys!
One of my favorite knives along with the buck 119,the Kabar, and the Kukri
To begin with stelleto have always been illegal in my State.
The best one of these knives I ever saw was being carried by a sheriff's deputy. It was German made, had stag scales, and a Damascus blade.
He took it from a suspect but just could not turn it in because it was so beautiful.
A very good deal, at that price, especially if you want an example of a marlin knife in the collection, thanks for showing it.
This channel keeps getting better. Do kinda miss Ben and Zac together though.
I pick one up while stationed in Siginela,Siccily back in 1981 for NATO excersises it’s the medium size with a greenish bone colored handel 😎🇺🇸🤙🏼
Zero mention of the picklock being the precursor to the pivoting guard.. for shame! Lol
I was caught waaaaay off guard with that moustache.
Same
Decided to change it up a bit🤣
Hey Zac! Great location for a video. You are talking about stilleto knives and I am staring at the Joy shuttle car in the background and the loving the sight of a (It looks like a Fairchild) longwall miner/weapon of mass destruction. Was this a knife video or a trip of my days working as an accountant/controller of a coal coampany many years ago. Great video and thanks for making an old fart (not quite that old yet) think about getting out of college in the mid-90's and working their first years at coal companies in Appalachia.
Your small documentary style videos are amazing
👊
While I live in Florida and attend gun and knife shows regularly , a few decades ago I stumbled on a couple of higher end Italian stiletto switchblades that open up to 15 inches each. I have been keeping them open and in mailer tubes , covered in Vaseline, and wrapped in Saran wrap. I have no idea as to why I bought them but they are interesting to fondle and keep on hand. Just to let you know, these things are way too big to carry and more than anything they are conversation pieces. I am not sure that I have seen switchblades made from high quality steel but if so then companies like Benchmade probably would make them at high end prices and I doubt that they are catalog items. Switchblades are novelty knives and are interesting to open and close but I believe that other fixed bladed knives are more suited to actual fighting weapons.
I have a couple Frank B and aga campolin. Great knives. The swinguard and sicilian are my favorites
I felt the SAME way when I got my cheap $25 Chinese stiletto. I gave up. I thought that stilettos were just an underwhelming quality knife. I’ve never seen a quality one until your video. I’ve been fascinated with automatic knives since I watched movies like Greece and Breakfast club. I’m definitely tempted to order one of these.
current chinese made akc's are generally higher quality than real ital. ones.
Hey, you look like Mario Stiletto with the
mustache😁👊🏻
I love my protech malibu because of the stiletto. I will definitely be checking out the Knifes mentioned! Thanks 🙏🏼
I am glad I watched this. Thanks for giving me another knife to look into. Lol.
I’ve been wanting to get a traditional stiletto for awhile now, but was hesitant because I haven’t done any research on them. After watching this video, I ordered myself a Frank B. Italian stiletto with a stag bone handle.
Thanks for the cool information Zach.
I've got one of his as well. Classic black 9".
Where you order it from
@@2Scandalous Arizona Custom Knives have several in stock. All the major online players carry his work.
Beautiful knives. A piece of Italian history. 🇮🇹👍☺️
I've got 3 stiletto knives from China. They are illegal to own here in the UK, which is dumb because they are just knives. I have one large stiletto and two smaller ones. One of the smaller ones has some issue where it often doesn't open when you press the button, so I got another one and it works perfectly. The workmanship on them is great (apart from the one that has the button problem, which is probably easy enough to sort out).
Who makes the Italian made knife featured in the video and where can you get one in the states?
Zac be lookin fresh with a fresh new video as always
Nice primer on Italian stilettos. However, there are a couple of mistakes-while the stiletto was originally made in the middle 1800s in Italy, switchblades were mass produced in the US starting around 1900, with literally many millions made until 1958. Also the bolster unlocking mechanism was not used on the vintage 1950s stilettos. This mechanism became common in the mid 1960s.
A familiar name Mr. Bill DeShivs!
I've been collecting these for over 40 years. I own some latamas, coricamas. All nail pick and slab sides Largest one has 8" blade lol
Bought my first "flip knife" in Italy in 1982. Super cool knife.
Schrade Cutlery Company made push button knives back in the 1920's 30's and 40's. They are very collectible now. Also, the paratrooper model with the hook blade parachute cord cutting blade, also highly collectible now. (also made by Camillus)
I just received a couple of autos, one of which is a Stiletto. I'm looking to scoop up another official Stiletto, but can't make up my mind on which one yet. They're great knives, but quite intimidating when it comes to non-knife people. I just love the action, but that's just my take on them.
Sick as hell man, now I need me a stiletto!
I love the look and feel of Rizzutos! I wish a prominent knife maker would clone the design into higher quality materials and build for today’s market.
Yeah I have 3 or 4 cheap stilettos no joke from 7-12 dollars very cheap I love them but feeling a proper one would be cool, there all the way from 4” to 8.5” overall length
AKC and Bill Dishives makes some good ones too. I been collecting Italian switchblades and leverlettos for years.
Okay, nobody doubts the quality of a good Italian Stiletto. BUT, the can sometimes sell for north of $1,000 (just ask S Stallone). The Italian ones I have are AKC and A G Campolin. IF, you can find anyone who has them in stock then you can purchase for $150 to $300.
NOW, if you don’t want to spend that kind of coin, it is very, very possible to get an excellent stiletto for as little as $50 to $80. Many new stilettos now use a coil spring instead of a leaf spring. Several dealers make a double action OTF stilettos that customers rave about. Shop around and find a dealer you can trust. Also, know your states laws.
If your old slip joint is heavy enough, something like a Schrade Walden 250T, you can grab the large blade and open it with one hand. Probably not safe, but it can be done.
for playing around on your sofa stick to 20ny and for real enjoying and part time "few clicks" on day take a 120ny . that leaf spring do not last long if constantly clicking doesent matter if is 20ny , 120ty or 1000 "burn" custom one .
Where can you get those? Do you have a link to the traditional Italian stilettos?
I have a couple of Italian switchblade knives, one stag handle and one black wood, both 8". I've been lookin for a stag handled switchblade knife with a 5mm thick blade spine but the prices are way too high. BTW, the knives in the original West Side Story movie were lever lock switchblades, not push button.
Great video. Learned a lot about stiletto knife. Thanks!
Just bought Old Bear classic L (Antonini, Maniago)
Amazing blade for the price, simply amazing
Ok.... Knife guy, i admit it... I have a , well several knives that were more expensive than a brand new Taurus g3c.... Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw, maxace ( midnight cat studios)...Most of my collectable knives are balisongs. For a while i was almost embarrassed to admit how much i had spent on just one of my 51s, now that they're discontinued, I'm glad I have them.... Im almost as fascinated with the balisong as maybe you are with the stiletto. I do EDC a rotation of folding knives, mostly my pm2. Anyway, so yeah 120 bucks is reasonable for something that WORKS. Example, I have one AKC OTF that is 3,4 years old, still works fine, I want to say it was 50, 60 bucks. The question, finally, willl ALLof these side firing autos, eventually, inevitably, with time.... Not close all the way? Is it an inherit design flaw, or have i just never gotten a quality stiletto? I had a really nice (i think German) lever lock, eventually it failed....that blade being under constant tension, is..... sketchy.
I got mine at a flea market, ive had it for years and use it often. It says Milano on it. Prob a cheap one but it still works fine.
The top button does not get buttoned without a tie.
I have a large button stiletto but the spring cracked 2 years ago, not quite sure the age but it has two different color handle peices
Frank Bertrame and Campolin Pick-Locks are the best I've seen.
A lot of great information, thanks for sharing Zach, be safe.
The mustache really threw me through the loop 😂
But I’ve had an Italian style stiletto for almost a year now, and I didn’t even realize before this video that the bolster moves for a reason!!! I feel so dumb, but that’s why I love your videos Zac, I always learn something so Thank You!!!
Also!! Jaime I loved seeing the scene from Second Hand Lions at the beginning of the video, one of my favorite movies!!!!
Glad it was helpful!
I honestly always thought theese looked horrible with the thin handles, but i can see how they're a practical tool to have afterall they're fairly compact and easy to operate. The only thing i'd be worried about is storing it closed and the spring setteling and loosing it's strenght
I had a cheap one in my early days and bought a Frank Beltrame one recently. It really is awesome, inspite of "only" 420 steel. 😅
I am committed to commenting
The stiletto I bought in Naples,Italy in 1970 had a blade that came straight out of the Handel rather that flipping out.
I have an older falcon knives one, non auto lockback. Its not my best knife but i do love it
So do you have to go to Italy? I got a couple in Germany back in the 80's. Agree that what we have to choose from now in the US isn't the same quality.
Personally, I am not a fan of automatic knives in general and even less so the stiletto style (the aesthetic just doesn't do it for me), but even so, you got me wanting one just from the story behind them.
Because in reality they are crap, its only the nostalgic'ness that gets people buying, weak lock, weak open, poor ergo's..... they are....crap..... but are......cool.
@@happyknife8785 Crap is a strong word. Impractical, yes. Good for poking, not for slicing, yes. But you got to admit, cool opening and sexy shape are for sure.
@@happyknife8785I have a lock back Franke Beltrame 'letto that is excellent on its lock and release. 9" with snakewood scales. #3 of this model for 2013. 350 made....ever. zero blade movement when fully opened.
Great content sir! 😊
I have a cheap one, and its served me well for about 4 years now.
Type of knife is not my taste (better not to carry in public) at the beginning but I think I can be happy to have and play with a beautiful hand made one :)
Thx for these video
Balisong and gravity knives predate Italian flick knives...they both open with one hand