Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

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easy_rider
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Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

I’m curious about a pair of switchblades I picked up many moons ago locally. I know China is known for its copycats but the pair I have seem to have real wood handles and the only stamp on the tang is a very deep 440 stainless on them

They close crazy tight and spring out like a very quality knife.
Just wondering if anyone knows more about older switch’s with just that 440 stainless stamp.
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by sammy the blade »

Pictures would help. Is there a pin just above the bottom bolster in the middle of the scale? If there is it's probably Chinese.
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easy_rider
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

Here are pics
I guess they are both stamped
440 stainless
Italy

They are pretty great firing knives
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Sorry, they have never been near italy. They are Chinese. The handles are laminated wood.
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easy_rider
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

Maybe they been near an Italian sub? Does that count ?? Tears

Oh well they sure are nice knives, China must be doing something right lol. It’s crazy they have the same response as a really nice knife and I’ve had them for several years. Poor things
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by kugr »

Brass liners... I was really hoping that was the "newbie" way of telling fakes vs real. I know that the 440 is a small giveaway. When can we compile the "idiots guide to telling the difference between fakes and real". I would be the first to purchase a copy...
Looking for those un-repairable, lost cause stilettos.
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easy_rider
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

I figured there was something to be said of these. Never gave it too much thought figured someone here would know. It’s interesting though how so many can be real duds then a couple come out with tight lockup and fire fast. I remember being in a Florida swap meet about ten years ago and the person had a ton of newer stilletos and I distinctly remember trying a handful of them and something being wrong with each one until I got to the one I kept and to this day it still works flawlessly and fast.
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by sammy the blade »

I bought one of those from Stu when they first came out and they were a lot nicer than the Milano stamped knives. I'm sure there were a lot of people got the shaft on them thinking they were Italian but Stu sold them as being made in Taiwan. I got it for like 17 or 18 dollars.
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by john »

I bought a few from Stu. He was selling them AS IS for, I think, $5.00 each. Twice I bought several for parts safeties and button assemblies. And twice I got most working knives. I’ve have at least one with the same wood scale.
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JimBrown257
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by JimBrown257 »

john wrote:Twice I bought several for parts safeties and button assemblies.
That's a pretty good idea. How are the button on those, do they look like the ones on modern Italians?
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easy_rider
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

Jim Brown you interested in them??? Maybe we can work out a trade hehe let me know
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Jim Brown- do you need buttons?
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by john »

JimBrown257 wrote:
john wrote:Twice I bought several for parts safeties and button assemblies.
That's a pretty good idea. How are the button on those, do they look like the ones on modern Italians?
Hi Jerry,
The buttons look and work as well as the Italian’s. The Italian’s probably get them from China.
John
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easy_rider
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by easy_rider »

I too am shocked at how well these babies function
They may not be as purdy as a trophy queen but they are lightning fast and lockup with a crack
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Re: Question about vintage switchblade wood handle stamped 440 stainless deep

Post by JimBrown257 »

Bill DeShivs wrote:Jim Brown- do you need buttons?
I don't need any at this moment but I surely will at some future point. If you have any that you are worried will go to waste, I will be able to find a home for them.
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