Switchblades!

[kennyb]

Thanks all. The above, for the most part, were made by a guy in Italy named Frank Beltrame. He is an old world craftsman, all are hand made and hand fitted, his son Renzo is currently taking his place, but there is a difference between the two generations. You can google Frank Beltrame and watch a good video of his work.
A couple of stories:
When I was in 7th grade I had an old Camillus paratrooper auto, the kind with the bright orange handles. It wasn't well made when new and use and age hadn't made it any better. One day on the way home from school, on the school bus, I ran my hand into my pocket and that thing had opened up. I cut the far side of my hand wide open and bled all over the bus. The driver, an old country boy named Neil Ferbee, kept asking "how'd you cut yerself that bad?", I told him I caught it on a rivet in the back of the bus. The next morning he had put duct tape over all the rivets, must have taken him half the night! Years later I told him and we both had a good laugh over it.
Back in '80 my girlfriend and I (now the wife) used to go the Mexico, we were in the AF and stationed on a MAC base. We'd buy el cheapo autos down there for $2 or $3 apiece and bring them back to sell to the Army guys and Marines going thru for $15 or $20 bucks.
One night we got stopped and the customs people found 38 switchblades on us. After a bit of hassle we were let go, the knives confiscated of course, with a warning. As we were driving away from the border my girlfriend reached into her bra and pulled out 4 she had hidden there! Not a total loss, but we stopped after that episode.
The toughest knife out there right now, in my opinion, is the Microtech Halo, it isn't cheap either in price nor function. I've got one and when the Wife saw it the first time her response was "now THAT is a dangerous weapon!" I could not disagree.

THE Ultimate Auto Knife: MicroTech HALO:

Here in Tennessee the law is vague, it is illegal to carry them, but apparently legal to own them. Odd that I can buy, and have, an AR15 but not an automatic knife. Hmm...
Take care, and Merry Christmas to all!
RD

just curious...i have two halo's new in the box from i think 96/97....what are they bringing these days?
thanks!!

 

[rusty37874]

Some problems. The Switchblade knife act is still on the books. I guess its never prosecuted, and pretty stupid on its face. A closed switchblade isn't nearly as much a threat as an open fixed blade! Regardless, all the gun shows have "automatics" on display and for sale. Some junk, some worse than junk. Then others that clearly are well made. The Boker Top Lock seems to be great.

About 20 or so years ago, a buddy and I went to every knife show. At one I saw a Case Grizzley for about $1200. I thought it was the coolest knife I'd ever seen. So I put together the bucks and went to the next one. And the price had jumped to about $1500, so I declined. That little song and dance repeated itself until the price was up over $3000. Should have bought it early.

I'm just happy to have a Randall folder. I have no idea what its worth, but I'm not selling.

Dick;
Please post a photo of your Randall folder, I have seen a lot of Randall's, but never a folder. You may have a one of, or proto item.

 

[Catshooter]

When I was last there, it was certainly legal to carry one with a concealed weapon permit. Is it legal to carry one without the permit?

I'm a little unsure as I was reading from the veiw point of someone with a permit. I kinda don't thinks so though.


Cat

 

[Capt Steve]

My two favorite knives:

The Buck is a folder but the Benchmade is full auto. I've carried one or the other on a regular basis for 20 years.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

This one is an Italian horn scaled one by Frank Beltrane.

A couple of little Schrade Scalb automatics.

I have several more switchblades but no pics.

Add me in with the folks that would like to see a pic of rburg's Randall folder or at least some more info about it. Those are rare knives indeed

 

[kennyb]

My two favorite knives:

The Buck is a folder but the Benchmade is full auto. I've carried one or the other on a regular basis for 20 years.

steve...i'm with you...that bottom benchmade has been my carry knife for many years as well

 

[Capt Steve]

"steve...i'm with you...that bottom benchmade has been my carry knife for many years as well"

Kenny, that Benchmade has the tightest, quickest, most positive action of any knife I've ever encountered and after 20 years it still takes and edge you can shave with....well almost. (o;

 

[kennyb]

"steve...i'm with you...that bottom benchmade has been my carry knife for many years as well"

Kenny, that Benchmade has the tightest, quickest, most positive action of any knife I've ever encountered and after 20 years it still takes and edge you can shave with....well almost. (o;

there was a time i had all of the benchmade auto's steve...i still have a lot of them but not all...that particular benchmade due to its weight is not my quickest but...it's a darn good one and the one i carry

 

[kraigwy]

I've had this one for way more years then I'd like to remember. Use to be issued to paratroopers.

 

[E Z MUNNY]

I have a few but don't use them for anything other than the personal enjoyment of just knowing I have them (and hearing people saying 'Isn't that illegal?')
The best one was made by a now-retired custom knife maker from Illinois named Bob White. It is the fastest-opening one I have ever seen and probably the best pocket knife I own. Paid $230 for it at a knife show about 3 years ago.

 

[Retired W4]

Smithhound, being from the great state of TN you couldn't be too far from Atlanta. If you have not already you should make a trip to Atlanta for the next Blade Show to see an incredible display of custom switch blade knives. I think it would be worth the trip for you. Seeing them first hand is incredible. Meeting the people who make and modify these blades really adds to the experiance.

 

[Smithhound]

RetiredW4 - I'd love to do that, sounds like a good getaway weekend.
KraigWY - the knife you picture is exactly like the one I told about, the one that cut my hand open on the school bus!
Many years ago I owned a paratroop switchblade with box and instuctions written on 'onion paper' that was issued during WWII, it was a Schrade but it had a Hawkbill blade. Foolishly I let it slip away. I keep meaning to build that arse kicking machine, could probably sell a few to members here, we've all let things go that we regret.
RD

 

[Armyphotog]

Hadn't carried one since high school. (Had to keep up with James Dean, in Rebel Without A Cause)

 

[boykinlp]

Do you have to store these knives in the "open" position to keep the spring mechanisim strong or does it not make any difference?

 

[gunlovingirl]

Do you have to store these knives in the "open" position to keep the spring mechanisim strong or does it not make any difference?

The maker of mine claims it doesn't make any difference. I've had mine for 9 or 10 years, and have kept them closed. It hasn't made any noticeable difference. Maybe it would with the cheaper knives, but mine still work like new, both the ones I don't use and the one I do.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

I have a few...

autos; Italians and Germans. I buy, sell, and collect custom made knives; I have a few custom handmade autos that are very nice. Here are a few photos of them:

Philip Booth Black Mammoth Ivory double action

White Mammoth Ivory bolster release Philip Booth Minnow with the other two Booth autos

Philip Booth Twisted Nickel Minnow

"Dragon" auto by Norm Levine - one of the original founders of the Knifemaker's Guild.

Ox Enterprise, Charlie Ochs commercial copy of the original UDT/Black Knife as developed in part by Charlie

I also have two Buck Folding Hunter conversions; one with a round button release, the other with with an oval release button. The round brass release button Buck Knife has a Buck Custom Shop tang stamp on the blade.

 

[geoff40]

Here in NH all automatics were legalized a couple of years ago. No restrictions. Stabbings haven't increased as a result of the new law.

 

[dld]

What does the term "single action" or "double action" mean in relation to automatic knives?

means you can open it like a regular knife or push the button

 

[dirty gary]

I've always liked the look of the older stilletto, now I'll have to pick up 1 or 2 or 37 if and when my wallet will allow. I carry a Paragon X-O-Lite that is very well made, tough as nails. Made a replacement spring that sends the blade out with real authority.

 

[W.E.G.]