Italian-style stiletto

[Doc1911]

Okay, I admit to an asthetic fondness for the Italian-style stiletto (manual opening, not the switchblade). Are there any around that are not pieces of junk? Most of them I've seen would be hard pressed to serve as letter openers. I don't plan on carrying one as a utility knife or a weapon, but I would still like decent quality of workmanship and blade steel. Am I hopelessly optimisitc?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Dragon_Man]

There is a manual opening swingguard from Queen in D2 steel that is a first rate knife. Also Kissing Krane has been selling a line of manual opening stilettos for some time now. I haven't owned one, but I don't think that they are junk. From what I have heard they are made in Italy. Hope this helps.

 

[bladefixation2]

How about a cold steel ti-lite? (as long as you dont want to split logs with it.... )

Or is that too futuristic?

I dont own one so cant comment on the actual quality however.

 

[Will P.]

The zytel ti-lite is actually pretty damn good. Very solid lock up, and a sharp blade.

 

[jackknife]

I've seen the ones that Smoky Mountain Knifeworks sell under the Kissing Krane name and they seem half decent. Even available with stag handles.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I've got one of the Delta Z stilettos that were made for them in Italy. I bet the manufacturer still puts them out but we don't see them in the US anymore. I really like that knife.

 

[Dragon_Man]

Esav could you post a picture of it?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I found the manufacturer, Maserin: http://www.maserin.it/en/high_stiletto.htm but the picture is terrible.

Slightly better pic

 

[Dragon_Man]

It looks a lot like this http://www.frankbeltrame.com/bguard.html.
They are also sold under the Hen and Rooster name.
While I was there I remembered this http://www.frankbeltrame.com/bnaked.html.
Hard to tell who manufactures what in Italy.

 

[mafiamouse]

if you go to ebay they have some nice switch blade stiettos for about 70 dollars that are very good quality uniqueblade is selling them

 

[Phil Elmore]

I own a Kissing Crane stiletto and it's of good quality. There's also Hen and Rooster, though I couldn't say if these are still readily available.

 

[SIFU1A]

look at a BM spike if ya can find one,

 

[brownshoe]

I have a kissing crane and it's OK for the money. Blade steel is slightly soft. Becareful with the tip it will bend readily. The carbon steel backspring will rust if not oiled. I believe the monster version of the kissing crane stilleto was OJ's weapon.

Puma has the Medici. Seen and handled them and they look good.

The cold steels look nice in the pictures, but every one I've handled was usatisfying. I was ready to buy on more than one occasion, but the knife quality vs. price kept me from closing the deal.

The best "modern stilleto" that I've seen is the Benchmade Spike. That knife came in the auto and manual versions. It was copied by boatloads of people in Asia. It's out of production now, but can still be found if you look. There is a long (4") and short (3") version plain edge or partially serrated. They had aluminum handles, stud for opening on manual with liner lock, button for auto, ats-34 blades and pocket clips.

K-Bar's dozier thorn looks good. Every one I've seen has been well made. D2, aluminum handles, modified liner lock runs about $100. If it was $75 I'd own it in a heartbeat.

 

[swingshot]

The zytel ti-lite is actually pretty damn good. Very solid lock up, and a sharp blade.

Im assuming the zytel 'ti'-lite uses the same 420 as the Oyabun in which case the blade is absolute JUNK.

Quality on the Kissing Cranes is reasonable... for their price.

 

[Will P.]

Im assuming the zytel 'ti'-lite uses the same 420 as the Oyabun in which case the blade is absolute JUNK.

Quality on the Kissing Cranes is reasonable... for their price.

It's 440A, I believe. Yeah, not as good a steel as I like, but the blade is very thin so it cuts pretty well anyways.