But the real point of this post is to see if I can post pics
Yep, it works. Many more pics to come
.This is a 9" Frank Beltrame Classic stiletto that I rebuilt. Stainless steel liners, solid stainless steel bolsters, aluminum button, thumb-press lock-release, black micarta handles, all screw construction. Zero blade play or lock play.
A little about myself, and my love of switchblades.
I'm 51 years old, lived in California all my life.
My first exposure to switchblades was with my "cool" uncle. He was a hardcore biker deep in the California outlaw biker scene. During my childhood I saw him carry two different 11" stiletto switchblades. I was absolutely fascinated by those knives, and the idea of folding knives specifically designed as weapons. To me they were "dark" and taboo. And I would always ask my uncle to let me handle them, and being the "cool" uncle, he let me, but only if my mother wasn't around, he was scared of her, and rightly so.
Both of my parents allowed me to have knives at a young age, but my mother drew the line at any knives that she considered "weapons". So knives like switchblades and folding stilettos were forbidden. And naturally that made me want them even more.
I was around 10 when I obtained my first switchblade, a Schrade 155. It was in bad shape, but it was a SWITCHBLADE. My uncle gave it to me, after I promised not to let my mother catch me with it. And she never did. It was a prized possession. Years later the spring broke, and I sold it.
Growing up in California it was rare that I would cross paths with a switchblade. I can think of only a few that I had even seen in person. And it wouldn't be until I was in my 40's that I would again own one.
As an adult living in California I just assumed that no one would ship a switchblade here due to illegalities, so even with the internet I didn't bother trying to order any. Then in 2015 I saw some Ganzo switchblades on Amazon, and decided to take a chance and order some. When they arrived, I decided to keep going and pursue my lifelong dream of owning a stiletto switchblade. So I started by ordering a Frank Beltrame 9" Classic stiletto switchblade. But I was very disappointed with what I received, the fit and finish was crap. I had many years of experience working on knives, including manual folding stilettos, so I decided to re-build the Beltrame and turn it into the type of quality knife that I considered worth owning.
I have since built, and re-built, several switchblades. I imagine I'll be sharing them here over time.
So, that's me. Glad to be here among likeminded people.
