"Jimmy Lile Custom Collaboration"?

B

burtzolotar

Joined
Oct 15, 2001
Messages
125
The description below is the entry for an item on EBay. Does anyone know the details of where this knife comes from and what kind of product it is (e.g kit)?
=================================================

JIMMY LILE CUSTOM COLLABORATION KNIFE KNIVES

THIS ITEM:
This is a handmade licensed reproduction of Jimmy Lile's famed "Regular 7" hunting knife that Jimmy originally designed around 1970. Even though our version was made to the highest standards available by our factory and looks identical to the "Regular 7" hunting knife that is still manufactured today by Lile Handmade Knives, we want to make sure that the buyer understands that the Lile factory in Arkansas did not make this knife. However, our version is an excellent alternative and truly an excellent buy for the money. It comes with a Lifetime Guarantee,
genuine leather sheath, and an autobiography on Jimmy Lile. Jimmy Lile did many great things for the knife industry during his career, but he was probably best known for being commissioned by Sylvester Stallone to make the Rambo First Blood and First Blood Part 2 combat knives that were used in the movies. We would also like to
thank the wonderful people at Lile Handmade Knives for all their support.
BLADE MATERIAL: POLISHED 420J2 STAINLESS STEEL
HANDLE MATERIAL: RICH BLACK PAKKAWOOD HARDWOOD
BLADE LENGTH: 3.5" actual edge
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.75"
SHEATH MATERIAL & COLOR: Light brown cow leather.
 
I've got a closet full of baseballs signed by Babe Ruth. All original of course.
Greg
 
Says me :)

Yes this is a collaboration with the Lile family. The knife is as described and they are a great buy.

It is a great reproduction of the regular #7 which is Liles best selling fixed blade.
 
I guess it is all depends on your view of things. Personally I can not say great, and 420J2 with Pakkawood and keep a straight face.
 
These are made by hand in China to our specs. Each is hand finished and hell if I know the guys name :D

Don't judge these till you hold and use one. I know 420J2, quality and China are all oxymorons when used in the same sentence but these are really sweet and at $29.99 they really are a great buy.

Order one and if you are not satisfied I will refend your money plus return shipping. Now how is that for a guarantee?
 
Handmade by schoolchildren in a Chinese sweatshop? Yep, that's what I think of when I look for a "quality hand-made knife." Thanks for the clarification.

If I sound a bit cynical it's because this is one of my biggest peeves in the knife industry.

Oh, and does "handmade" mean shaped, cut, ground, fitted, and finished by hand? Or is it just some kid in a factory removing burrs with a fine stone?
 
I understand your concern and your perception. I too have a HUGE problem with the Chineese government. I do however find the people who live their a wonderful group and very hardworking. They only make about $60 a month, if that. Sure we can just ignore them, but then what have we gained? I think that by introducing mroe trade with China we will win the battle in the end and completely change how they treat their people as we have done so many times before with other nations. I am doing my small part, what are you doing?

The above is not meant to be a flame or start a flame. It is just my opinion and point of view from actually dealing with the Chineese. Unless you know from first hand knowledge you may want to reserve your judgement if it is only based on what you see and hear on TV.
 
Mike,
If any comments in this thread may have sounded inflammatory, they certainly weren't yours. I, on the other hand, may have overreacted a bit, and for that I offer my humble apologies.

However, there are two points I here that I feel are worth addressing:
1) Whether free trade with an "unfree" people is morally acceptable conduct (that is, does one thereby educate and enable the people through 'cultural osmosis' or does one merely encourage their oppressors to continue on with their authoritarian ways), and
2) Whether the use of the term "handmade" might be appropriate in this context.

Now, the first point is probably inappropriate for discussion in the custom knife forum, (quite frankly, I don't have the time nor the inclination to get into it right now) but the second, I feel, is worthy of being addressed here.

In my opinion, the liberal use of the words "handmade" and "custom" do a disservice to the dedicated craftsmen in the industry. For example, I don't think it's exactly fair to put these liscensed reproductions in the same "handmade" category as an Ed Fowler Pronghorn.

When I do a search on eBay for "handmade knife," I'm looking for the sort of thing we talk about in this forum. If a member of these forums came in here showing pictures of his recently acquired liscensed reproduction of a Lile Regular 7, the post would probably be moved to another forum by one of the moderators here.

So, is it appropriate to call this a handmade knife? Is it not just a little bit disrespectful to the lifelong craftsmen we collectors so admire for their work? Sure, you may get a few extra hits on your eBay auction due to searches for "handmade" knives, and one or more parts of the process of the knife's fabrication could technically be described as handmade, but does that justify the use of the term?
 
Your point is both well put and taken. I will reword that in the future. I did not stat that it was handmade to get more hits. That was not even a thought. I was told and shown how the knife is actually made and there is so little production on this particular piece done on machine that I felt it warrants being called "handmade". I can not change the several that are on auction right now but will in the future.

As for the other issue, I agree this is not the place to discuss it. It has been beaten to death about the forums and with me being the the particular situation I am right now it would be a conflict of interests for me to address it anyway. Let's just say I have met some wonderful people all over the world.
 
Having spent some time in China and touring some similar factories it would astonish you how much of what seems to be "machine made" really is hand made. This particular Lile knife is a classic-- I have seen some crappy knockoffs including a Pakistani version that no one could sharpen. I guess if this one is done well it serves a purpose. I am more concerned about unauthorized knockoffs than authorized knockoffs.

But then again I have my eye set on a different wowinc auction.... :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top