Latama automatics?

J

Jaymce

Joined
Feb 25, 2020
Messages
3
Hi all.
New here.
Got a couple $ burning a hole in my pocket. Figured I would look into a traditional automatic. Only thing that seems available is the Latama. Is the quality worth 2x the Frank B's, campolin's etc? Like to be sub $200. The latama is over $300.

Looking for a good quality traditional stiletto 11" ebony or horn preferred. Dagger or bayonet blade. Button operated

As a side note has anyone felt with direct knife sales recently? Any feed back?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
I have no idea what makes them so expensive but my gosh they are good looking. The display box alone on their site is $50. What did you end up getting?
 
I really could not find an answer to the Latama question but my research led me to find they were a quality knife and had been around for some time (as stated I am new to this whole thing).

I looked at a bunch of sites and narrowed the field to a Latama ot Campolin. Based off the specs I decided the Latama was going to be the choice. Thicker blade etc. Based off Boris The Blade in Snatch "heavy is good, heavy is reliable...and if it doesn't work you can always hit them with it."

Being unsure of where to buy I sent out a few Emails and got little response. Also looking online and doing some research I could not find info about some of the vendors who had them. I finally settled on:
https://latama.net/
Walt was quick to answer emails and I talked to him on the phone. He was very accommodating. Not knowing what I wanted he held my hand a bit and told me what I should be looking for and what the price differences were and what he looks for.
I asked him to review my order and if he thought there was a better Cboice to please substitute it. I went online and chose a horn dagger based on his recommendations. It arrived a couple days later.
 
Can't seem to figure out how to upload pics.
Anyway got an 11" Brazilian horn that goes from black at the butt end to a yellowish color by the blade with a splash of white the length of the slide lock.

Not having anything to compare it to I was impressed by the overall fit and quality (my research led me to not expect machined perfection). I was a bit unsure of my purchase.

So despite convincing myself I would only get one I purchased as second.

I bought a 13" SKM from PVK Vegas for $100 ish shipped. (Was nervous at first but quick response via Email with tracking and arriving in 3 days great group)
This purchase confirmed I made the right decision. The SKM is a nice knife but nothing like the Latama.
Blades both have a nice shine / polish but the edge grind on the Latama is much nicer. The cuts on the blade are much cleaner. The SKM shows signs on the blade where the bolsters are rubbing.
The bolsters and handles are different the SHM being fake coral (not a complaint) and I would give the nod to the SKM on the peaning of the pins. The swing guard on the latama is smooth as glass though and solid. On the SKM it is stamped and rubbed the bolster so it does not return to its original placement with out s push after it is closed and occasionally on lock up. The spring on the SKM also stands proud of the scales when opened.

Lock up on the Latama is tighter if I swing the knives back and forth with the blades opened I can feel the SKM moving slightly (still tight).
Swing guard on the Latama is smooth and easy. You could open and close it all day. The SKM digs the thumb a bit so maybe 10-15 openings is about all you could do comfortably.
Both open with authority but the you can feel the difference in the button and in the action which surprised me.

Long story short I probably would have been happy with the SKM. It's a fine knife nothing wrong with it and I believe a good value. But if you are looking for 1 heirloom quality knife they are in my limited opinion worth every penny of the extra $. You can also shop around and save a couple $ but if it is your first purchase and are unsure. Give Walt Halucha a call and let him walk you through it and answer some questions again it will be $ well spent for a personal touch from a great guy.
 
Hey quick question, was there anything that moved you away from the Frank B. knives. From what I hear Frank's knives are high quality for usually less than 200 where as the Latama i'm interested in is around 400. The polish does look nicer on the Latama I will say but is there really a $200 increase in the quality?
 
Marco112 said:
Hey quick question, was there anything that moved you away from the Frank B. knives. From what I hear Frank's knives are high quality for usually less than 200 where as the Latama i'm interested in is around 400. The polish does look nicer on the Latama I will say but is there really a $200 increase in the quality?
Click to expand...

Just FYI... the guy you're asking was only around for a month in 2020 (hover the mouse over the username) with 3 posts. Don't hold your breath for a reply.
 
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