Lile Knife Company ??

H

Hornet

Joined
Nov 18, 1999
Messages
99
I have read that the Lile Knife Company closed up shop this summer. I would appreciate any info on who now owns the designs, what are the previous makers doing, etc.

I have bought a couple of the Lile knives (with the dot) from Jackie and am very fond of them. It makes me sad to see "Lile" knives now made in China out of 420 steel.

Thanks,

Kirk
 
Times are tough for a lot of Custom knifemakers. With such high quality and affordable production knives, I'm sure a lot of knifemakers are getting squeezed by price issues and volume of sales/production.

I've always like the Grey Ghost . Please tell me I haven't waited too long to get one :(
 
Sid,

Makers and dealers being not being squeezed by factory knives.

They are being squeezed by their inability to adapt to an ever changing market.

I think what may have hurt Lile knives the most is their prices. While they were excellent knives, they were not being made by anyone named Lile. They were being billed as custom knives, but were more akin to todays Randall knives.

I feel if their pricing would have reflected that, they would still be in business.

All that being said, I sure would like to know what those Lile Knifemakers are goin g to do. They sure are a talented makers.
 
Les,

As usual, your insights have brought issue to light that most of us never consider (or at least state publicly).

In my case, you hit the nail on the head. Everytime I looked at the Grey Ghost, I walked away because of price. After using the work of people like Trace Rinaldi and Geno Denning, and knowing their cost, I just couldn't justify the premium for a Lile knife. Plus, for my uses, the Grey Ghost just did "cut" it as it was too big, thick and, heavy for my needs. It sure did have eye appeal though :D
 
Hi Sid,

My clients rely on my honest judgement of both knives and the makers that create them. As to how they will compete in the market....at the time they are contemplating the purchse.

I have always had a soft spot for Lile knives. I remember watching Rambo while attending Infantry Officer Basisc Course at Ft. Benning.

Seeing the Sly II Knife for the first time on screen was an bordered on being an epiphany for me. This movie and more importantly this knife got me started down the road to buying my first custom knife.

Two years later I attended my first Blade Show and who was there but Jimmy Lile.
Who was as nice as he could be.

In 1989 at the California Custom Knife show something happened that made me feel for the first time that I was really part of the custom knife community. Jimmy Lile walked up to me, shook my hand and said "Hi Les". It may not sound like much to you. To me it was a moment I will never forget.

Jimmy Lile does not get enough credit for what he did and how much he influnced today's custom knife market.

Greg, yes you would think Lile knives will become more collectible. One of the things that had a negative impact on this. Was the "dot" over the Lile name.

It was placed there approximately a year after Jimmy passed away. This has always caused confusion among collectors.

We are finally starting to see an increase in deamand for the "signature" Lile's. These knives are signed James B. Lile. In particular on his large bowies.

Additionally, his push button folders are starting to gain attention again.

Older Lile's at this point are still a bargain.

Good Hunting.
 
Hey Les,

Jimmy was a great guy. I remember talking to him back in the 80's too, he was always super nice. I collected his First Blood and Rambo knives too. They were very cool knives back then and still are in my opinion. Closing the Lile shop is another end of a era in my view... he will always be remembered at least by me.
 
Here in Russellville, Arkansas the doors are locked and the showroom is closed to Lile Knives. Lynn and Jackie Weir(the folks who bought Lile Knives from Marylin Lile several years back) are attending a very limited amount of shows to get rid of a few of their own personal knives. They were at the Tulsa show last weekend.

You should call Lynn or Jackie to find out what the two makers are doing that worked for them. Their number here in Russellville is 479-968-4707. You may get lucky and find a knife you want still in their personal inventory.
 
Originally posted by japansteel
I dont like bad marchants.
Click to expand...

:confused:
dunno.gif


So what exactly does that mean?
 
People who speak in English must take care of conversation content.Or you must accept such a ture thing scientifically.
US people always only think themselves.

Good.If you cant understand such a thing,We choose another way.
 
I for one do not appreciate those kind of elitist comments. Learn to speak the language or suffer the consequences!

US PEOPLE DO NOT ALWAYS THINK OF THEMSELVES!!!!!!!!
 
What I said too much of apologizes. However, I also want you to admit that USA people said too much.But i said only scientific things for steel quality.
 
Hello, Japansteel.
I find your posts interesting and informative.
Thanks for bringing your expertise to this forum, and please continue to share your knowledge with us knife enthusiasts here at Bladeforums.
Japansteel, your fractured English is sometimes confusing, but I can make out your meaning with a little effort, as I'm sure others can, and I appreciate your efforts. Don't be fazed by the angry outburts of the odd character here.
I have a few questions I'd like to ask you, Japansteel, but I'll wait for latter to do so.
Goodbye for now.
 
Japansteel, I am still confused by your comment. Do you mean that you don't like bad merchants? If so, I wonder why you would say that as pertains to Lile Knives? I still don't understand what that comment had to do with what was being discussed here. Maybe I am a little slow.
 
I believe Japansteel was making a reference to them as bad merchants.

I dont like bad marchants.
Click to expand...

Please don't make fun of his (or her) English. I doubt I could come close to writing anything in Japanese that would make sense. The opinions, experiences and, views by persons outside of the United States are valid. I personally welcome them as they provide an often valuable and unique insight into the subject that is missed by many Americans who are bombarded by hype and ad campaigns. You don't have to agree with the opinions or views of Japansteel but, please don't belittle his unique insight and views due to the language barrier he is trying to overcome.

How many of us have tried to post on a forum in a foreign language? How would you feel if they posted similar derogatory comments and avoided the subject at hand?

I am grateful for all the oppurtunities I have had to learn from and experience foreign cultures. Every country and, every person, has something unique and special to offer the rest of us.
 
Sid, I am not making fun of his English. What I am trying to understand is what his comment has to do with Lile Knives. In the context of what was being discussed, if anyone posted, "I don't like bad merchants", I would expect that they would also post what they were referring to. I don't like bad merchants either, but what the heck has that got to do with this thread?
 
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