LIle-Question

[J Koch]

What kind of steel does Jimmy Lile generally use and what should I expect to pay for a used stag handled drop point with app. 3 1\2 inch blade. Knife and sheath are mint condition.


J.Koch

 

[RMLamey]

Jimmy Lile passed away some time ago.

The steel he primarliy used from what ive seen is D-2.

The knives that are being made by Lile Knives now are mostly still D-2, if i am not mistaken.

there is a way to tell if Jimmy Lile actually made that knife, but im not sure how.

Something to do with a mark by the name. Maybe someone else hear can tell ya more.

 

[Tom Carey]

The way to tell is to look for a dot above the Lile name on the knife. If you have with a dot it was made after his death. If it does not have a dot it means it was made before his death. You need to keep this in mind though. Jimmy had about three others making knives for him so. Chances are he still did not make the knife. If you have one marked James B. Lile. Unless it is a fake. He did make it himself. IMO the knives made today are higher in quality to most of the knives made in the past. I have had a few and can tell you the knives are top notch performers. In fact a friend who has recently been bitten by the bug. Uses one on a daily basis. The cost on his was around $100. I recently picked up an L3 in Micarta for $160. and I believe it is well worth the price.

Regards,

Tom Carey

------------------
IF you are a knife maker interested in free space on the web.
Check out. CGA online

www.anova.org/cga/

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi Tom,

You are correct about the dot. However, it took about a year for this change over to occur.

I personally feel this is what has hurt the collectability of Jimmy's work. He was such an important part of the custom knife world, his work should be in much more demand than it is.

The signature on the blade is "handmade by James B Lile". Jimmy told me that the reason he changed to the stamped Lile in the blade was because of counterfitting. So with the older Bowies, ask for a receipt or have Marilyn Lile authenticate. If the person refuses, there is a good chance it is a counterfit.



------------------
Les Robertson
Moderator
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

 

[J Koch]

Thanks for the info on the lile knife,Guys.Your imput is greatly appreciated. The knife I may purchase has the dot over the name.


J.Koch

 

[KnifeArt]

I could not agree more with Les about the blade marking on Lile Knives.

"I personally feel this is what has hurt the collectability of Jimmy's work. He was such an important part of the custom knife world, his work should be in much more demand than it is."

Larry

------------------
KnifeArt.com
BladeForums.com Sponsor