Which is better and what's the difference? Frank B. or AKC?

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daggerman99

Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
56
Ok, so I'm looking to buy a high quality stiletto, my favorite kind of knife. By the way I'm new to blade forums :). I was looking at a blue 11 inch Frank Beltrame stiletto with a blue pearlex handle. I think it costs around $80, my budget is around $100. Then I was wondering, maybe I should get an AKC. What's the difference between these two knives, which is of better quality? Has anybody had a similar experience? I'm most likely going to order from bladeplay, because I know they ship to my state, which I can't say about other sites and I'd rather not take the chance. After looking at the laws, I don't think I'll be getting one. Thanks guys
 
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Frank B is the highest quality in modern stilettos. You should post this in the auto knife section. Cam ( the owner of Bladeplay) is a member here, and a great guy to deal with. AKC has many good knives ( including the Leverletto), but for a standard 11" stiletto Frank had the most consistant good quality knives.....
 
Some pics for your amusement dag & those watching @ home, stag AKC (Leverletto) + 11" swingguard FB x 3 (stag, honey horn & micarta):

05-28-2010stilettos003.jpg


05-28-2010stilettos008.jpg


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I am satisfied with the product of both manufacturers.
 
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I saw some really nice stilettos at the Blade Show last year. I asked what kind of steel the blades were made of. The guy says it doesn't matter. We don't use them for cutting. He was a hard case.
 
@oregon, thanks for the photos. I like the leverletto a lot, I'm gonna look into seeing if bladeplay has one.
@tom19176, thanks for the videos. Now I see that both are made by hand, which is good to know. The "cottage industry" factor is a good thing, most knives aren't made like this anymore. And by any chance do you happen to know the bladeplay owners name on blade forums?
 
tiguy7 said:
I saw some really nice stilettos at the Blade Show last year. I asked what kind of steel the blades were made of. The guy says it doesn't matter. We don't use them for cutting. He was a hard case.
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I'm not concerned about the type of steel the blades are, I'm more concerned about if they were made in Italy, and if they were made by hand or factory made. I need to go to a blade show one of these days, they barely have any by me because of all these retarded laws.
 
tiguy7 said:
The guy says it doesn't matter. We don't use them for cutting. He was a hard case.
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You don't. That's what the majority of the folders on the market are for. Stilettos are designed for doing dirty.

And playing with;)
 
Of the two, Frank Bs are a bit better. Also check out Due Buoi. They make fully forged classic and thorne stilettos and a couple differen't lever locks. They're awsome! I heard that they went out of business though but I'm not sure. BTW all three companies plus Fox are within about a mile of each other. Maniago's a cool town.
 
The AKC swing guards are know to have quality issues, so i would go for the Frank B ......look at this forum for info about switchbaldes:

talkblade.info
 
tom19176 said:
The AKC swing guards are know to have quality issues, so i would go for the Frank B ......look at this forum for info about switchbaldes:

talkblade.info
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Thanks man, I searched up swinguard on talkblade and looked at some comments. Many people said they weren't sure if they were genuine, and how they aren't of the best quality. Looks like I'm going with the blue Frank B
 
I have a couple of FB's not swing guards, 9" picklocks with real stag scales. I have pretty big hands and the 9's feel small. The 11" was going to be my next (if ever) purchase. Why do you want that pearlex stuff? I'd consider horn or at the least a nice hardwood IMHO.

I also have 2 AKC leverlocks, a hair under 9" OAL and I really dig them - I love the gadgetry of a leverlock.

Whoever posted about swing guard issues is apparently right from the gazillion posts I've seen at auctions where they all mention "a bit of play which is normal."

My wife will snap "will you please put those darn things away" occasionally after sitting in my chair and OCD'ing snap snap snap snap............ :D

I like both brands. Enjoy your new stiletto and post a pic when you get it.
 
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