Information About NATO Military OTF

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robcelani
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Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Does anyone have any information about this knife?

The information I have is that it’s German made from the 70’s. I only have this borrowed picture at the moment. After browsing some other threads I understand some of these were made in Germany and Italy. That surprised me because I thought they were all made in Asian countries.

Any help is appreciated!
5BDDA190-B4AD-4DC3-8EEB-76C1CC0DB6F7.jpeg
5BDDA190-B4AD-4DC3-8EEB-76C1CC0DB6F7.jpeg (95.91 KiB) Viewed 4745 times
Though you hold your blade over my heart, through endurance... I will Prevail!
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Bill DeShivs »

That knife has never seen:
Germany
Italy
The 1970s.
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robcelani
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Bill DeShivs wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:33 am That knife has never seen:
Germany
Italy
The 1970s.
Thanks Bill. The only feature I’m aware of that signifies an older model is the pinned bolsters. Is that right? What date range would the pinned bolsters be from?

What on this one tells you it’s not from Germany or Italy and not a 70’s knife?
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Bill DeShivs »

I don't know about the history of those, as I have never had an interest in them.
I do just happen to know they were not made on Italy or Germany. They have always been Asian.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
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Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
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robcelani
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Ok, that makes sense. I didn’t really think they were made in Europe but there’s a thread I saw on the forum where someone mentioned they were made there. One of those myths that gets repeated and then gets believed I guess.

Thank you!

Anyone else have information on this knife?
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Panzerfaust
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Panzerfaust »

I had one just like it that I bought new at a gun show in about 1990. The mechanism wore out quickly.
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robcelani
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Panzerfaust wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:14 am I had one just like it that I bought new at a gun show in about 1990. The mechanism wore out quickly.
That’s cool. I guess yours is probably long gone by now. Back then I didn’t have a clue about most switchblades. I was vaguely aware of Italian switchblades from movies but not any others.

So it’s 90’s range then. Am I correct about the pinned bolsters being older or is that not always accurate?
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Dave. B
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Dave. B »

Bill DeShivs wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:33 am That knife has never seen:
Germany
Italy
The 1970s.
Yup. I bought two of these in kit form, for $20 shipped, from an ad in Guns and Ammo magazine. It must have been around 1988 as I was still in high school. I still have one of them. It's beat to shit, but it still works
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robcelani
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Dave. B wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:13 am Yup. I bought two of these in kit form, for $20 shipped, from an ad in Guns and Ammo magazine. It must have been around 1988 as I was still in high school. I still have one of them. It's beat to shit, but it still works
Wow, that’s awesome! I guess selling them in kits was the way companies got around the switchblade laws back then.
Last edited by robcelani on Sun Jan 31, 2021 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Panzerfaust
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Panzerfaust »

robcelani wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:47 am
Panzerfaust wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:14 am I had one just like it that I bought new at a gun show in about 1990. The mechanism wore out quickly.
That’s cool. I guess yours is probably long gone by now. Back then I didn’t have a clue about most switchblades. I was vaguely aware of Italian switchblades from movies but not any others.

So it’s 90’s range then. Am I correct about the pinned bolsters being older or is that not always accurate?
I don't know what happened to mine. Pinned bolsters are a little older, but that model does not have pinned bolsters.
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robcelani
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by robcelani »

Panzerfaust wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:59 pm Pinned bolsters are a little older, but that model does not have pinned bolsters.
Well that’s interesting. I’m just now getting into these Asian otf’s. I know there’s several variations but I always thought the basic design was the same. Since I’ve seen other variations with pinned bolsters I assumed the NATO Military would have a pinned version. Great information, thank you!
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JPD1998
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by JPD1998 »

I’ve got one. But the bolsters are black, pinned and it was sold in kit form. The frame is pot metal.
I ordered it from The Edge Co. back in the early 80’s.
It’s nothing more than a toy, but it still works.
If you like the retro look , AKC still makes the 077 and 007.
I’m not good remembering numbers, but I think the 077 resembles those knives.
monstro
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by monstro »

Korean, made by Bell. IIRC.

Has not been unusual for Knives made in Asia to be marked as
mads in Germany

Sae one claim the German government actually encouraged this. Take that with at much salt as you like.

The pinned version has been claimed to be better made than non pinned. I only ever owned the non-pinned. So can't comment.
Hombre
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by Hombre »

I have two Nato Military OTF... They come up here in Sweden now and then...
Sorry for the bad picture but mine look something like this... :D
25 - kopia.jpg
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TMD
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Re: Information About NATO Military OTF

Post by TMD »

Here is a picture of the ones I have, The oldest from left to right. I acually believe the one to the right of the Trapdoor Otf might be Italian, It have a thicker blade and different button than the pinned Nato military next to it. The blade on that one is marked "Patent Rostfrei" Sorry for the bad picture.

Image
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