Italian Stiletto Switchblades! Cheap VS Expensive Everything You Need To Know.

Bought one 35 years in Naples, Italy, and still have it to this day. And it still works as well as ever, and gets used as much as ever.

I commissioned a pair of handmade Frank Beltrane Stilettos for my brother and me for Christmas one year that were made from the same Buffalo horns for the handle. They feel completely different from one of the cheapies we had as kids. It feels more like a quality made tool or handgun compared to a carnival one we had as kids. Ended up being a good purchase for the both of us.

Ah, the traditional knife that’s now illegal in most of europe

It started with Japan, then Korea, Taiwan, and now china. Btw we had switchblades here in the US before the Italian switchblade made it over here after WW2. Have you ever heard of the press button knife company? There was a Schrade connection that I can't quite remember correctly, but the press button knife company in New York was making automatic 2 bladed equal end pen knives starting around the turn of the century. There were also hammer brand switchblade toothpick patterns in the 20's. And don't forget that the American paratroopers carried a switchblade emergency knife during ww2, made by Schrade and Camillus if I remember correctly. Also ad far as Italian switchblades being the 1st one handed knives, I do believe the balisong type knife predates it. We also can't forget the 1 armed Jack knife that came after the civil war, made for amputated veterans. They're like a single blade Barlow with sort of a straight razor looking blade. A notch of sorts in the end of the blade so a one handed man could use the edge of his pocket to pull his pocket knife open. If I'm not mistaken the automatic knife was actually invented by some guy in Sheffield England and the technology spread throughout Europe eventually finding it's way to Italy, but Italy may be one of the last places to adopt this technology in the early 1890's.

Another great video! I love the look of stilettos, and while they're not the most practical knives, I can definitely appreciate their craftsmanship and history!

I am 70 and have loved these knives since I was a Kid! Now then, I am pleased to own several F. Beltrame made Picklocks that were made by him! Red Dot knives with the finest handles ! Italian craftmanship of the highest quality! One thing about Italy, is that there are so many family firms that do not skip on Quality! Shall I also tell you my favorite pasta maker or San Marzano Tomatoes? Great Video!

As a young kid I always loved the Italian switch blade. They were hard to get for a while in the 50s. I was told they were illegal. Once in a great while a flee market seller would have one or two. Later on in the years I heard they were no longer illegal and they started to come out of the wood work. Their' was a time when someone was making a switch blade that resembled the old "Boy Scout pocket knife" but not as popular. Later on I ended up making both hunting and lock back knives by hand. Showing my knives to a vendor in a knife and gun show we talked about the Stilettos'. He said he often had requests for repairs. Mostly broken springs. I gave him my information and he sent me a lot of customers for making new springs. By this time the knife was cheaper costing and so I could not charge what the job was really worth. I mostly enjoyed bringing an old Stiletto back to life. The old Italian ones were cheaply made. I eventually made one in the 90s and just sold it a couple of years ago. To a very persistent buyer. Somewhere in my shop I have an exact replica/copy of the stiletto that is twice the size but not a push button,

I had one of these cheap replica stiletto as a kid. A great knife design. It got destroyed because i miss used it as a throwing knife to many times against a tree. 😅

Great video Zac, thanks for sharing the greatness of these knives with a huge audience!

1902 Sears Roebuck catalog lists 3 different button-opening "spring knives", one of which is a pen knife style where both blades are automatic, a button on each end in the bolsters.

That's the one that started it all for me. I've been an automatic knife nerd for about 40 yrs. I still have my first one that I carried with me everyday starting in JR. high....Looks just like the black beauty in the video. Then I saw the OX Forge black Knife and I was hooked for life......

My favorite thing about your channel is that I feel like I get value from each vid! Thank you for the effort

I thought this one was going to bore me to tears. Nope! Fascinating history and display of old world craftsmanship. Great video as usual.

I bought my first one over 35 years ago mail order as a kit (they didn't ship them assembled back then). I think it was around $35. Still works perfectly today.

Even before you mentioned West Side Story, it was the first thing I thought of after seeing Stiletto Switchblade. Another great video, thanks!

I love the old stilettos. That Redemption is on my saved to get asap list. I fell in love immediately.

A traditional Italian stiletto is a must have❤

Nice someone shows how it's done. I get bored of explaining it to people. I was taught how to make Stilettos . There is a lot that goes into making the various designs. Also most people don't know how to open and close one of properly. Good video.

Thank you for the content, this answers some questions I've had for a while about these knives and starts me down a new research rabbit hole. Another one handed opening/closing knife from the WWII time period is the gravity knife, these were used by the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers).

Hi Zac, thanks stopping by and saying hi in maniago, was really surprised to see you there, can’t wait to watch the documentary! Cheers!