Knife Comparison

[johns7076]

Over the last 6 months I have purchased an Antonio Contini, Lelle Floris and a Samir Ahmad. Pictures attached. I have asked opinions on here of these makers recently and I appreciate everyone's comments. Here are the three I purchased. All are heavy, tight and are well made. I know nothing about metals, so what they are made of is unknown to me. I find them all to look a bit medieval in my opinion, not good or bad, just that's the way I think they look. I have a large collection of Italian (Maniago) and American and I much prefer the traditional Italian over the Sardinian or Pakistani.

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[JulesVane]

Very nice! You say you bought these in/over the last 6 months. Do you know when they were made? I presume they weren't produced in the last 6 months(?).

[Fishtail Picklock]

Cool picklocks!

[sammy the blade]

Like them all!!!

[johns7076]

Very nice! You say you bought these in/over the last 6 months. Do you know when they were made? I presume they weren't produced in the last 6 months(?).

No, I am not sure when they' were made. Found them all on AAPK.

[JulesVane]

All very nice! Just interesting, that I didn't realize these makers had been around all that long, but the knives have an "old" appearance to them. The carbon steel blade with patina and the brass bolsters tarnish. I've got brass bolster knives sitting still for many years with far less tarnish. So, either these are artificially aged in appearance somehow by the makers, or much older than I had thought. They certainly have a vintage look. Very nice!

[jim d,]

I remember a few years ago when I bought my Lelle, I was told that there were requests from his customers to make new knives that look old.

Jim

[Squire80]

It seems a little hard to try and guess how old these might be because no way of knowing how long the original buyer has had them. They may have been in a previous collection for years. You all know how thus is, one day you look at one and decide you can part with it. Or there is a need for cash.

The ones I have had a chance to look at seem pretty well made. I tend to favor the Cortini's because he uses the inset lock tab, similar to what is on most current switchblades, rather than locking on just the pin -Just my opinion -- John
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[JulesVane]

I guess I was referring to telling the age by how long the makers have been making switchblades. If the makers only been making them for 5 to 10 years, they can only be 5 to 10 years old. But, they "look like" they are VERY old. Almost medieval, like johns7076 mentioned. I've certainly heard the 3 makers names before, just not sure when they came onto the scene. For all I know, they could be 50+ years old, as they appear. I was just curious.

[johns7076]

I guess I was referring to telling the age by how long the makers have been making switchblades. If the makers only been making them for 5 to 10 years, they can only be 5 to 10 years old. But, they "look like" they are VERY old. Almost medieval, like johns7076 mentioned. I've certainly heard the 3 makers names before, just not sure when they came onto the scene. For all I know, they could be 50+ years old, as they appear. I was just curious.

Not that old. Likely within the last 10 years. perhaps Bill DeShivs can comment on the age, I have absolutely no idea.

[johns7076]

I guess I was referring to telling the age by how long the makers have been making switchblades. If the makers only been making them for 5 to 10 years, they can only be 5 to 10 years old. But, they "look like" they are VERY old. Almost medieval, like johns7076 mentioned. I've certainly heard the 3 makers names before, just not sure when they came onto the scene. For all I know, they could be 50+ years old, as they appear. I was just curious.

Not that old. Likely within the last 10 years. perhaps Bill DeShivs can comment on the age, I have absolutely no idea.

Regarding my medieval description, that's just the way they look.