Switchblades!

[Smithhound]

One of my other hobbies is collecting quality Italian switchblades. It probably started as a kid, I had an Uncle, old WWII vet, a shady type character that everyone in the family was a bit wary off, but to me he was an interesting person to talk to. Always free with a dirty joke, a good story and every now and then he'd slip me a glass of beer.
One of those relics of a by-gone era. He also carried a pearl handled Italian stilleto and at times I got to play with it. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Evil, yet beautiful.
Over the years I've acquired several dozen. After being dissapointed with the gun show cheaply made numbers I started searching out high quality Italian stilleto's and swing gaurds. I've managed to get my hands on some very nice pieces and thought I'd post a couple of pictures in case anyone else is interested in these.
I admit that for practical use, they aren't very good, but for a classy looking knife they are hard to beat.

This is a group of Italian Swing Gaurds, the finger gaurds fold up when the knife opens. Various scale materials, horn, stag, MOP etc. These are not cheap knives.

Here are a group of even better quality Stilleto's, these are a heavier built knife, the blades and backsprings measure 5mm, while the ones above run around 3mm or a bit larger. All these are hand made in Italy.

This last one is a one of a kind example from Germany. Hubertus made 5 of these knives in 1985 for an exhibition. Ranging in length from 11" down to about 5" open, all in the candy stripe celluloid material. In the mid '90's their government outlawed these and the dies and presses were destroyed.
This one is the largest of the set of 5, it measures over 11" open, has an extremely strong spring and features a 'Kriss' style blade. I tried to get the whole set of 5 but did not have the funds.

These are just a few of the ones I have stuck back (pun intended), I need to figure out a display for them one of these days.
Anyone else collect these?
RD

 

[Thuer]

Never seen such nice collection of this kind of knifes.

Very beautifull. Comming may 2012 they are due a brand new $%^# law they are all banned in Holland.

 

[moosedog]

That is a beautiful collection Smith hound. I have a few, mostly Bokers and modern stuff.
I had an Italian Switchblade like yours when I was a teenager. It had bone handles and a bit more wear but was nice. I traded it for a chicken dinner one night while intoxicated and broke.
You have sparked an old fire. The wife is going to be mad at me........again.

I see your taste in cigars is on par with your knife collecting.

 

[NE450No2]

M y dad used to bring back switchblade knives from Mexico.

I started carrying them when I was in the 7 grade.

My favorite was the one that had the same opening "flapper" as that last German knife in your photos.

 

[Murphy2000]

Great collection of switchblades you have there. The Stag handle ones sure made me drools.

I currently own 1 switchblade. A converted Buck 110 with the lever type activator button. I do get a giggle out of taking it out of the safe and showing to friends. They've never seen anything like it and no, I don't tell them BUCK didn't make it at the factory because they never ask..laugh.

Murphy2000

 

[Bob Smalser]

As an old paratrooper, I keep a few around. Always thought the laws against these were stupid. When you really, really need to cut your way out of something in a hurry, the chances of you having both hands free to open one are slim to none.

But I've had some of these for over 30 years. Where do you find them these days?

 

[Raider]

I have 2 Hubertus switchblades and one Italian stilletto of fair quality. Switchblades are interesting knives but I don't really collect them because I can't carry them in Texas.

Here are a couple of websites that sell automatic knives

Automatic Knife Conversions at 888 Knives R Us Discount Prices!

Automatic Knives, Pro-Tech, Microtech, and More | BladeOps.com

There are probably a bunch more.

Charlie

 

[Texas Star]

I think they're called "flick knives" in the UK and other English-speaking countries. Just in case you see the term in a British book... I think it better describes them than, "switchblade."

I liked the one in the episode, "Trophies" on the "Lost World" TV series made in Australia from 1999-2002. Heroine Marguerite Krux (Rachel Blakely) stole it from the villain. There are some good closeups of it. I think it had a black buffalo horn handle. I mentioned it in some fan fiction , as she was obviously pretty fond of it.

Because of the laws in this country, one can't carry the knives, so I never owned more than one, an old Imperial of average quality, with white fake pearl scales. I'm always afraid that a knife like that might open in my pocket. Some have safeties, but they might not work. I prefer the knives with a thumb stud to allow pivoting the blade open.

Still, that's a nice collection, and well photographed.

Oh: I think some states allow one-armed men to carry a switchblade. Anyone know?

 

[oldman45]

Those are some lovely knives. I own just one switchblade knife but since they are illegal here, I will not admit to owning it.

There was a dealer over in Canton TX that has some nice looking knives but he was really proud of them.

Maybe one day I can get me some of those pretty knives.

 

[rburg]

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.

 

[Texas Star]

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.

Please post a photo of the Randall folder. I've seen pics of one that Bo Randall told me that he was having made by a man outside their shop. Not many were made. It must be a major collectible. I can't recall the name of the man who made a few, but it may be in my Randall reference book. I'll try to remember to look later.

Randall told me that he considered folders too detailed and labor-intensive to offer them.

 

[rimfired]

Thats a really nice collection! I have an assortment from over the years. Some newer tactical ones not shown.

BTW, that largest green buffhorn is 15" open.
The small black buffhorn bottom right I bought in Jr. HS in 63 or 64 for five bucks. Italian made it was the smallest of
a set somebody's relative brought back and he sold them off. Imagine I bought it IN SCHOOL and carried it IN SCHOOL.
I was making .50 an hour working a ten hour day on Saturdays then. A whole days pay bought me some really cool blade.

 

[m657]

I'm envious of the collections shown. And I've never been fortunate to have come across any "high quality Italian stilletos"...just the rburg described junk & worse models.

I've long admired the idea but never had the opportunity to acquire anything handsome & decent quality.

 

[Smithhound]

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

 

[Smithhound]

Hey RimFired, is that multi colored celluloid a Shur Snap? Those where made back in the '50's and are very collectable now. I own one, but it is terribly abused, PM me if you would be interested in trading.
RD

 

[Smithhound]

In the above post, I mentioned a knive my Uncle Paul used to carry. I neglected to mention that I still own it, it was given to my Mother (of all things) upon his death and has been passed to me. The blade looks to have been either broken and reground or just ground down about 1/2", it is still in great condition, very strong and brings back alot of memories for me.
It is tang stamped 'RIBI', I've searched for this brand, asked many old time collectors about it but have so far not found anything regarding who made it. It looks to be 1950's or '60's production.
If anyone has any info on this maker please let me know.
Here is a pic of it:

 

[H Richard]

I had one, just like the one in your 2nd picture, 2nd from the right with the black scales. I bought it from an ad on the back of a comic book when I was about 12 yrs old. I also had a German paratrooper, and a couple of others I bought across the counter in a hardware store. Still have one I picked up on France back in the 60's. But, the Kershaw Leek, assisted opening, is more practical.

 

[Beruisis]

I'm a big fan of the Hubertus!

 

[rimfired]

PM sent

Hey RimFired, is that multi colored celluloid a Shur Snap? Those where made back in the '50's and are very collectable now. I own one, but it is terribly abused, PM me if you would be interested in trading.
RD

Yes, it's a Shure Snap Colonial fishtail. I sent you a PM.

 

[Smithhound]

H. Richard, the knife you are referring to was probably advertised as 'The Black Beauty'. Those are extremely valuable and much sought after now. Ones in near pristine condition are bringing several hundred dollars.
RBurg mentioned a Case switchblade, those are pulling in $2k plus depending on condition. The '50's era blades are all very collectable, sadly most were either lost, broken or neglected. I guess that's why so few are around now.
Most people don't know that there is a proper way to close a Swithchblade, everyone just pushes the blade closed. That is the worst thing you can do to one. It wears the trip out as it was not ground at a bevel on that side.
The proper way is to close it as if it were a bear trap: release the bolster or pick, then push in the button (this withdraws the trip post) close the blade then release the button.
Don't ever trust the safety on a Stilleto, a little slide that should prevent opening, enough torque will pop the blade open. These knives were meant to be carried in a jacket pocket, not in your front or back pocket.
The Swithchblade hysteria in the late '50's due to 'teen hoodlum' movies like Rebel without a Cause (which I think is a crappy movie anyway) resulted in the outlawing of auto knives. A stupid, knee jerk law if ever there was one.
Just goes to show that Congress and the Government hasn't changed much. Stupid, meaningless laws get attention and get passed. Important things that affect all of us, never get taken care of.
RD