![]() ![]() Why Switchblades are Illegal: The Toy that Kills This is the hyperbolic article that started it all.įast-forward to November, 1950. It may have been the sabre-ground bayonet blade, the highspeed look, the undeniably foreign influence or a combination of all three, but it did not take long for the stiletto and, by association, all automatic knives to get noticed by up and coming politicians trying to make a name for themselves as peacemakers and protectors. soldiers carried and used Schrade’s automatic knife, but they found something even more attractive while deployed in Europe: the Italian stiletto.ĭemand stateside grew as American GIs returned home with these exotic knives, and that led to large imports from Italy. (Blade HQ image)ĭuring the war, many U.S. This SKM is an example of a modern, Italian-made switchblade knife. Business was good, and people liked their snappy, modern Presto pocketknives. ![]() Schrade produced and advertised automatic knives mostly to and for ranchers, outdoorsman, hunters, and farmers as quick, one-handed utility tools. Schrade set up shops all over the country as well as abroad. The United States led production and distribution of automatic knives for most of the early 20 th century, boosted by George Schrade and the onset of mass production. The defining features are always the same: the blade, biased to open and kept under tension in the handle, deploys at the press of a button or lever on the handle. While the word “switchblade” might conjure up imagery of tough guys in the 1950s with leather jackets and stiletto knives, it’s just another term for “automatic knife.” Automatic knives range from the iconic Italian stiletto to the modern OTF (out the front). They’re commonly called “automatic knives” as well. History of Switchblades in the United States The Italian stiletto (middle) is the most iconic subset of switchblades, but the other styles on the left and right are also switchblades. To understand why, we need to look at history, society in the 1950’s and a popular magazine from that time period. A politician in support of the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act said those words more than 50 years ago. The quote above is not from a Hollywood movie or dime novel. Minus switchblade knives and distorted feeling of power they beget – power that is swaggering, reckless, and itching to express itself in violence – our delinquent adolescents would be shorn of one of their most potent means of incitement to crime.” – Representative Sidney R. “Vicious fantasies of omnipotence, idolatry… barbaric and sadistic atrocities, and monstrous violations of the accepted values spring from the cult of the weapon, and the switchblade knife is included in this. ![]() Rivets made of brass.Switchblades: A “Barbaric and Sadistic” Knife? Safety of use is enhanced by the ergonomic shape of the handle that prevents the hand from slipping while working. The inner part of the handle is finished with brass liners, increasing aesthetic value. Handle - covered with facings made of hard polymer in the color of black, finished with bolsters made of polished nickel, provides a comfortable and secure grip. Plain blade type Plain, were brought out with a flat grind ( Flat grind) for good cutting and penetration properties. Head - extremely sharp, precise blade with a profile of Dagger (dagger), thickness 3.5 mm, made of stainless steel AISI 420 MA5M, easy to sharpen, characterized by high resistance to corrosion. Opening of the automatic knife is done with a solid button located on the handle. Lock - protects against accidental folding or opening of the blade. In this copy, the moment of force during opening pleasantly jerks the hand, which shows the strength that lies in Beltrame brand springs. Folder Beltrame i make a distinctive sound when opening the wedge (click) distinguishing it from other spring knives. Spring - special attention is paid by the manufacturer to the design of the springs (stainless steel): the opening of the blade must take place within a few hundredths of a second (a feature of knives Stiletto). Robust, sturdy construction, strong opening head spring, a feature of classic Italian spring knives Frank Beltrame. Thanks to its characteristics, the Italian dagger is suitable for use in any environment, from hunting to camping. Completely handmade according to the principles of Italian craftsmanship, the knives Frank Beltrame Stiletto have become world-famous for their extreme lightness and durability. ![]() Classic Italian Stiletto Black Dagger 28 cm traditional italian spring knife. ![]()
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