Id just lost a lovely transitional that exactly matched my bayonet bladed example but was 8" swedge bladed.This knife also showed on tracking that it was held by customs for 5 days also.I dared not ring them so waited and got this knife late Saturday .PHEW!
I hate the fact these knives get pocketed or worst destroyed after 50 + years of life and im looking for a means of fighting them ,these will eventually be antique items amd should be listed so.
Anyway rant over ,i saved this one from the fire and im over the moon with it.Let me just get out of the way the so called flimsy construction,these arent PLPs or Latama but they ooze looks and they are pretty rare because of their build,its not the scales or blade,but the powerful spring wearing the sear pin down thats the problem.I think the blade quality is good,and they are pretty well made for a tourist piece.
This one is going down that road sadly,but it fires nicely for now.The blade was a touch wobbly but the pin just needed a tap and it locks up a bit better now.Im worried about damaging the bolsters as the rim protrusion gives less room for manoeuvre.
I love the blade release ,its the first humpback ive owned and its a nice system to use.The blade itself is full with a few sharpening scars ,and this example isnt marked INOX with pat. dates .The scales are made in one piece ,folded metal with intricate cut design and filled with false antler plastic scales which have lost paint and been touched up.The safety switch has a line down the middle of it where cast but looks cool,as do the barrel front bolster and rear,very in keeping with spanish knives ive seen before.Its missing its guards a fact I believe got me this knife cheap along with poor description and photos which hid the button.Again browsing here had taught me what to look for and the hole in the blade was there ready for guards.
I quite like it without but it wouldnt be the hellraiser knife without guards so they will go on it just dont know what they are made of,stainless or nickel.
Theres some wear to the plating around the hump and release spring but I can live with it.I have some silver plate solution but dont know if it will work yet.
The knife 9" 5eighths long and I love its design ,i never hoped to own one this side of the pond ,its my favourite looking knife so far,and im learming its nice to have quality but more importantly cool knives have their place in this hobby .I dont think the Spanish had hellraiser in mind designing these but im glad they sold them to tourists back then for us to enjoy them now.
Any comments welcomed.
Ian
