Latama
LATAMA stands for Latin America Import Export Company and was founded by Jacob (Jack) Polinkovsky in the postwar years. Originally, the company dealt in silk exports to South America but eventually ventured into knife trading after Jack purchased British folding knives used in World War II and sold them in Venezuela for a profit. This led to the revival of the knife industry in Maniago, Italy, where Jack established LATAMA as one of the leading automatic knife manufacturers. The company started operations by exporting British "paratrooper" knives.
LATAMA faced the problem of sourcing high-quality steel in Northern Italy after World War II. Jack solved this issue by securing a supply agreement with Austrian company Boehler. LATAMA contracted with knife companies Coricama and Teja & Rosa Knifeworks in Maniago, and Romano Matsolli's Due Cigni brand, to produce scissors, small folding knives, and stilettos. Jack saw the popularity of automatic stilettos among American soldiers and teenagers and hired Patrizio Pasquale as supervisor in Maniago to manufacture different types of knives under the LATAMA brand. Abraham Abramovits was appointed as LATAMA's representative in Maniago to handle exports. Jack owned the brand stamps during the "golden age" of automatic stilettos in Italy.
LATAMA stilettos are known for their thick ejector and locking springs, attractive horn handle material, and high-quality blade materials and finishes. While the brand name itself contributes to its popularity, LATAMA also introduced various innovations and improvements to its knives during its 9 years of switchblade production. Despite the challenges in dating specific changes and determining the production timelines of certain models, it's clear that LATAMA was a leader in developing new technologies and products.
brand new unused condition, unsharpened 9" size, buffalo horn handles locks up tight with a loud click snaps open strong and satisfying because of the 5mm spring which is the...
Item # 110532
$420.00
First things first, the tang stamp looks like "Latana" to me, not Latama, but also says Made in Italy. Not having much experience with this knife type I have no idea if that's the way it's...
Item # 107002
$400.00
Walt’s 28cm PICKLOCK “Ram” Traditional Bayonet Grind 2013 Edition automatic knives deploy faster than ever with a solid lock-up you can hear and feel, thanks to the...
Item # 103621
$555.00
MINT CONDITION 11INCH LATAMA SWIVEL BOLSTER IN BEAUTIFUL FRENCH TIP HORN AND NEW DAGGER BLADE. 5MM RUST RESISTANT AND A REALLY PRETTY HORN COLOR. SOLID NICKEL SILVER BOLSTERS, THIS IS THE...
Item # 103106
$420.00
2013 -11inch 5mm LATAMA with new Dagger Blade and Choice Cocobolo wood and nickelsilverbolsters. Mint condition. The Lamborghini of classic Italian Switchblades. Free Mint...
Item # 103072
$400.00
Mint 11INCH raven horn (water Buffalo horn)LATAMA PICKLOCK. Perfect made art Walt’s 28cm PICKLOCK “Dark Horn” Traditional Bayonet Grind 2023...
Item # 97670
$600.00
LATAMA CUSTOM PICKLOCK ABALONE WITH GENUINE LAPIS BUTTON AND FILE WORK, NEW 5MM, NEW DAGGER BLADE. MINT CONDITION, ONE OF A...
Item # 84859
$800.00
WALT'S CUSTOM CLASSIC LATAMA WITH BEAUTIFUL BLUE COLORS AND REAL CITRINE INLAY BUTTON. 5MM, BLUE LINERS OVER EXTRA THICK BRASS LINERS AND BEAUTIFUL FILE WORK, DAGGER BLADE....
Item # 84762
$600.00
WALT'S CUSTOM CLASSIC. 5mm 11INCH REDISH BROWN ACORN WITH BLUE LINERS over extra thick brass liners, REAL EMERALD INSERT BUTTON AND FILE WORK. New Dagger Blade, Mint condition....
Item # 84758
$600.00
MINT LATAMA SWINGUARD BACKLOCK WITH BEAUTIFUL RAVEN HORN. 5mm, Bayonet...
Item # 84757
$400.00
