Steel Liners

[kniferunner]

I'm looking for some history regarding steel lined switchblades versus brass liners. When did the steel liners go away and why? Are knives with steel liners more collectible? What is the added value? Thanksin advance.

[Bill DeShivs]

That's a pretty general question. Since this is sort of an Italian knife forum, I'll address your question in regard to them.

Brass does not rust and is reasonably self-lubricating. This is why it has been favored for liners for 100+ years. It's also more expensive than steel. So, generally there is no added value to steel liners.

If you are referring to the steel-lined Coricama switchblades, they are an anomaly. These are simply very heavily built knives that use steel bolsters attached to steel liners, and the assembly was chrome plated. These knives are favored by some collectors.

Steel liners are still in use all over the world on knives-usually the less expensive models. Stainless steel liners have also come into favor.

[kniferunner]

Thanks for the info. I recently picked up a steel lined 13" Coricama and wanted to learn more about steel liners in general and when Coricama went away from them on their pre-ban picklocks. I assume steel lined Coricama's are more rare and that is why they command a higher price than brass lined pieces. Appreciate your input.

[jerryk25]

When you consider American made switchblades like Schrade with steel liners.
Back in the pre-stainless days.
I suppose steel was a cheaper material than brass.

While Schrade would have had a huge material stockpile for production runs,
I would think the cottage industry in Italy was more of a "month-to-month"
The mindset would be, What can we afford smaller production runs.

I think there were too many variables to say definitively a particular reason
for Coricama to make a steel or brass choice.

Was it intentional, on 13 inch coricamas ?. . .Steel is stiffer than brass.
Was it an experiment. Material vs Time of Labor.
If it takes too long to cut steel liners and pin and rockers, and solder bolsters.
And they would rather just solder to brass instead for speed of producton.
Time is Money.

Does this mean, fewer rarer knives being more valuable. . .are failures ?
Because the shop did not want to continue producing that way.

And then later , when retooling . . .all manual lockbacks are steel liners and bolsters.
in the stainess steel era.

Too many variables to speculate in an orderly manner.

[JulesVane]

Here are a couple of 8" steel lined switchblades from the 50's. EIG Cutlery and S.M.Co.. Apparently, unlike the Coricama, seemed to still use the nickel silver hardware rather than steel. (Bolsters, button, safety)...

[john]

Great pair of vintage stiletto knives.

[Jackalope]

Here are a couple steel lined Triangolo's. As most of you know, they were made by the Craftsman of Coricama. Very well made knives.

TriangoloSteelLined.JPG (253.04 KiB) Viewed 6237 times

TriangoloSL2.JPG (249.16 KiB) Viewed 6237 times

[Jackalope]

Great knives guys

[john]

Your collection is outstanding! Those are two beautiful knives.

[Jackalope]

Thank you John. I can't thank Bill enough for the wood one.

[john]

Thank you John. I can't thank Bill enough for the wood one.

You’re very welcome.

[gravknife]

I know its been said but Chris and Jackalope ,those knives are true beauties .

Thanks for sharing the great pics .

[Jackalope]

I know its been said but Chris and Jackalope ,those knives are true beauties .

Thanks for sharing the great pics .

Thank you

[JulesVane]

Thanks, John, Ian and Jeff!

[john]

Hi Chris,
You’re very welcome.