Makers Mark on a Frank B

[Brien]

Can anyone tell me if this makers mark is significant in some way. It a Frank B. I have other frank B's but only one other with this mark.

[Bill DeShivs]

These were made for a crook named Brad W. Skipper. He fancied himself taking over the switchblade market in the US. I believe he screwed some Italian makers out of money.
He ended up in jail for attempted murder.

[Samb]

Believe he's dead too and I remember those days, didn't turn out the way he planned.

[1967redrider]

Interesting story. What time period are we talking about? Thanks.

[SwedgeHead]

Got my curiosity going, here is a link, if it's not breaking ettiquette:
https://www.talkblade.info/viewtopic.php?t=24442

Or just google "Brad W. Skipper switchblade"

Seems like there might be an apropos etching for this blade somewhere in the story.

[1967redrider]

Interesting read.

[Folgore1]

the knife you have was made by Frank Beltrame around 2004-2005, it was made for Brad skipper who was in business with frank at that time , he is not the only person to try and take over the italian switchblade market in usa there are others as we speak who are doing this same thing now they didnt rip anyone off but has personally blocked others from creating knives with Frank Beltrame he also has blocked anyone from buying brazilian horn from Lucio Dibon , both of these guys have put profit and greed over italian tradition of making knives like customers and collectors want , talk about someone fancie themselves in taking over the italian/usa switchblade market latama is trying to do that right now
you see back in the day any company could order stiletto knives with their personal stamp (import stamp) walt made it to where he is only guy who has control of the thickness of the knives frank makes see you can only buy 5mm stilettos or 5mm thick swinguards from walter/latama no other person on this planet can buy 5mm knives from frank except walt so if thats not greedy and blocking what others would like to do with these makers i dont know then .
years ago i tried to make 3/16" picklocks 9" that i owned with Frank but walt would not agree with me making them for some greedy reason so in that collectors were denied access to some really cool knives i was going to make , its really sad with all the greed going on yesterday and today as well but someday we us collectors will get back to way it was before without all the greed .

[SwedgeHead]

Clint Eastwood said it best, there is "the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" ... in almost any good story.
I like listening in on the years of experiences so many of you have.

[No youre wrong]

Good info. Thx