Need Help Identifying Vintage Stiletto Switchblades

I

Island.girl.collector

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Jun 7, 2022
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Hi… I’ve got 3 piece in my collection and I’m trying to value them. I know they are pre 1970s because of who I originally purchased them from. That person is no longer around for me to ask. I’ve been looking for a month & can find close matches but I need expert eyes to help.
The 1st one is a swinguard stiletto. It looks t.like the others that are automatic but this one does not automatically open. The button does push in and is needed to close it. There is another spot on the bottom that releases the blade after being opened and locked.
the only 2 words on the blade are “inbox” in script and the stamped “patent”

HOW DO I ADD PICTURES???
 
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Welcome to Bladeforums Island.girl.collector.

I don't claim to be a stiletto expert, but I know a bit. For example, I don't think it says "inbox", I think maybe it says "inox", which is short for "inoxidable", and that basically means "stainless steel". "Inox" is a common stamp on older Italian stilettos.

To post pictures here you need to use a photo hosting site. Many here, like myself, use Imgur.com, it's free.

I hope you are able to post pics, I would very much like to see your knives. The folding stiletto has always been my absolute favorite style of knife.

If I can't help to identify your knives, there are others here who likely can.
 
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Very interesting knives.

Before I continue I should have mentioned in my earlier post that you need to be a paying member (Gold or higher) of this forum in order to ask for a monetary valuation on your knives. To learn more about this click on "Paid Subscriptions" in the blue banner at the top of the screen.

Here's what I can tell you about those two knives-

They were made in Maniago, Italy. Maniago has been a knife-industry town in Italy going back hundreds of years. They are basically the world capital of Italian switchblades, with several different makers/brands producing knives, both under their own names, and for a variety of foreign importers.

Like you mentioned the first knife pictured is called a "swing guard". The type of blade is called a "swedge". The handles are cow horn. I believe the knife may have been made in the early 1960's. As far as who specifically in Maniago made the knife, if there are no other markings (name/logo) on the blade, it might be difficult if not impossible to know who made it, because like I said, there were many makers producing knives in Maniago.

The second knife is called a "transitional". "Transitional" refers to a period of time in Italy when stiletto switchblade makers transitioned from one type of stiletto switchblade to another. I'll try and explain-

Really old Italian stiletto switchblades had what is known as a "pick lock". The pick lock was a type of blade locking mechanism very similar to the one on your second knife (round-ish head, hole in the middle), except with a pick lock a person had to grab the edges of the lock head with their fingers or fingernails and manually pull it back to release the blade. Basically they had to "pick" at the lock with their fingernails. Pick lock heads were sometimes oversized, and had beveled edges making them easier to grab.

But pick locks could be difficult to unlock, so the Italians came up with a different type of unlocking mechanism that was easier to operate, this is called a "swivel bolster" (your second knife is a swivel bolster). The metal parts above the handles, the parts that the blade pivot pin passes through are the guard bolsters. With a swivel bolster knife, the front/button-side guard bolster can be rotated (swivel) by pulling down on the rear guard point, and this causes the rear of the bolster to push the lock out and away from the blade.

So, your second knife is known as a "transitional swivel bolster". It also has a swedge blade and horn handles (either cow or buffalo). I would also estimate that the knife was made in the early 1960's. But again, without any other blade markings it may be difficult to identify the specific maker.

There may be other members here who are more knowledgeable and who might know better than I when the knives were made and who specifically made them. But this post represents the limit of my knowledge regarding your knives.

I can also tell you that the knives are somewhat rare, specifically the swing guard. And that both knives are sought after by collectors of vintage Italian switchblades.

If any of the knives you've mentioned don't work, and if you are interested in having them fixed and restored as good as new, you should contact Bill DeShivs. Mr. DeShivs is a member here, and he is a leading authority on the repair and restoration of vintage Italian switchblades in the US, perhaps THE leading authority. He has a website- billdeshivs.com

Although I can't talk dollar value, having any non-functional knives repaired/restored by Mr. DeShivs would definitely and significantly increase their value and desirability among collectors.

Thanks for sharing them :) .
 
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killgar said:
Very interesting knives.

Before I continue I should have mentioned in my earlier post that you need to be a paying member (Gold or higher) of this forum in order to ask for a monetary valuation on your knives. To learn more about this click on "Paid Subscriptions" in the blue banner at the top of the screen.

Here's what I can tell you about those two knives-

They were made in Maniago, Italy. Maniago has been a knife-industry town in Italy going back hundreds of years. They are basically the world capital of Italian switchblades, with several different makers/brands producing knives, both under their own names, and for a variety of foreign importers.

Like you mentioned the first knife pictured is called a "swing guard". The type of blade is called a "swedge". The handles are cow horn. I believe the knife may have been made in the early 1960's. As far as who specifically in Maniago made the knife, if there are no other markings (name/logo) on the blade, it might be difficult if not impossible to know who made it, because like I said, there were many makers producing knives in Maniago.

The second knife is called a "transitional". "Transitional" refers to a period of time in Italy when stiletto switchblade makers transitioned from one type of stiletto switchblade to another. I'll try and explain-

Really old Italian stiletto switchblades had what is known as a "pick lock". The pick lock was a type of blade locking mechanism very similar to the one on your second knife (round-ish head, hole in the middle), except with a pick lock a person had to grab the edges of the lock head with their fingers or fingernails and manually pull it back to release the blade. Basically they had to "pick" at the lock with their fingernails. Pick lock heads were sometimes oversized, and had beveled edges making them easier to grab.

But pick locks could be difficult to unlock, so the Italians came up with a different type of unlocking mechanism that was easier to operate, this is called a "swivel bolster" (your second knife is a swivel bolster). The metal parts above the handles, the parts that the blade pivot pin passes through are the guard bolsters. With a swivel bolster knife, the front/button-side guard bolster can be rotated (swivel) by pulling down on the rear guard point, and this causes the rear of the bolster to push the lock out and away from the blade.

So, your second knife is known as a "transitional swivel bolster". It also has a swedge blade and horn handles (either cow or buffalo). I would also estimate that the knife was made in the early 1960's. But again, without any other blade markings it may be difficult to identify the specific maker.

There may be other members here who are more knowledgeable and who might know better than I when the knives were made and who specifically made them. But this post represents the limit of my knowledge regarding your knives.

I can also tell you that the knives are somewhat rare, specifically the swing guard. And that both knives are sought after by collectors of vintage Italian switchblades.

If any of the knives you've mentioned don't work, and if you are interested in having them fixed and restored as good as new, you should contact Bill DeShivs. Mr. DeShivs is a member here, and he is a leading authority on the repair and restoration of vintage Italian switchblades in the US, perhaps THE leading authority. He has a website- billdeshivs.com

Although I can't talk dollar value, having any non-functional knives repaired/restored by Mr. DeShivs would definitely and significantly increase their value and desirability among collectors.

Thanks for sharing them :) .
Click to expand...


killgar said:
Thank you so much for all of that information. I’ve hit hard times and am considering selling them. But I really don’t want to. I love these knifes and I love them more now that I know all this cool info on them. There is a 3rd knife in my collection and I’m going to pose pics. It’s interesting what you were explaining about my 2nd knife shown. Because I thought the 3rd one was broke because the side doesn’t move and the round button plate has to be used to open it. But now I understand so much more. Thank you for sharing all that information. ❤️
Click to expand...
 
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I have a knife that was my dads. He died back in 02. There are no markings on it but I’m curious on what it’s story I’d. it’s a reg stationary knife. Do I add it to this thread or do I start a new one?
 
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You're quite welcome Island.girl.collector. I'm always happy to talk about folding stilettos (and look at them, and read about them, etc, etc 😁 ).

That last one is a pick lock. You can see how the inner edges of the lock head are ground at an inward angle (for picking with ones fingernails). That, and the top of the button side handle being flush with the flat bottom of the bolster are telltale signs of a pick lock. That knife is the oldest of the three. I don't know how old, but if the blade is carbon steel instead of stainless, and the rust leads me to believe it might be, that also indicates a very old knife.

You should get some WD40, soak it into some rags or paper towels, and rub the blade to try and remove as much rust as possible, and stop the rust from continuing. Rust is the enemy of vintage knives, and the damage it causes will reduce the knifes value. I strongly advise against using any kind of abrasive to remove the rust like sand paper, steel wool, or a rust eraser. Such actions can also negatively affect value.

Although the broken handle (horn) can reduce value a little, I don't think it's a major problem. Collectors of vintage switchblades know that such breaks can happen with old knives. Function, overall condition, age, and brand are what collectors tend to care about most.

I see that with the last knife the point of the blade sits below the edges of the liners/handles when closed. That is also a very good thing. It's not uncommon for old stiletto switchblades to develop wear on internal parts resulting in the blade not seating properly in the handle and causing the tip of the blade to be exposed when the knife is closed. A blade tip showing when closed is commonly called "blade peek", the tip of the blade "peeking" out from the handles. If all three knives have deep seated blades, that's very good for their value. If any do have blade peek, that can be fixed, but it costs. Again, Bill DeShivs is the guy for that job.

If you want a glimpse into the vintage Italian stiletto collectors market, Google "Latham's vintage knives" and look around at the Italian stiletto category.

As for the other knife you mentioned, the "stationary knife", if it's a knife that doesn't fold, then that type of knife is commonly referred to as a "fixed-blade". My recommendation is that you start a new thread because more people who know about fixed-blades will see it who otherwise might not read this thread because they aren't into stilettos. If I'm right, and the knife is a fixed-blade, my suggestion is to title your thread something like "Help identify my dads fixed-blade", and I'm sure lots of people will look at it and be eager to help identify it if they can.

From what I see so far your dad had some very cool knives. He must have been an interesting guy. :)
 
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