Can anyone identify this Lever Lock Switchblade?

[WindyCity4Life]

Hey guys, so yesterday I bought this lever lock auto at a flea market for $20. It’s in great condition and snaps like a champ, but it’s not manufacture/country of origin stamped anywhere. Even if it is just a cheap Chinese knife, the craftsmanship of it is almost flawless. Anyways, I hope that everyone is doing well today, thanks!

[Bill DeShivs]

It's a cheap Chinese Leverletto clone.

[Madmarco]

Hey Chicago!
Good to see you posting your knives.
Your knife is a blatantly counterfeited Bill De Shivs "Leverletto" leverlock automatic.
I know this due to the screw in the metal strip running down the front, if it was genuine it would be a fixed rivet, and, because I bought one from the villainous Chinese counterfeiter DHGate.com 3 years ago for US$29.99.
When I posted pictures and a description of mine, I got scolded by Bill for buying it in the first place, and told that although I paid only about 1/4 of the retail price for a legitimate copy I got a knife that's only worth about 1/4 of the real-deal. He wasn't a happy camper, and I don't blame him, he put the work into designing the knife only to have some huge Chinese conglomerate come along and steal the idea along with any monies generated from sales.
Unfortunately, as much as that situation sucks, it's still a well made knife. In my pictures I tried to capture the counterfeit etchings of "AKC" and "Leverletto", but I don't know how well you can see them. My copy never had the "Designed by Bill De Shivs" etch, and I assume on your copy they have simply worn off.
Your copy that's missing the etches is actually more acceptable to anyone who cares than mine, since to copy a design is one thing, almost a compliment actually, to take the credit with counterfeit etches is another.

[WindyCity4Life]

Hey guys, how is everyone today? I’ve heard about this being a huge problem specifically with AGA C., AKC and SKM; I’ve never owned any of those brands before, so I really didn’t know how to compare. Yeah there’s no trace of any lettering on the blade at all actually, I’m actually quite surprised at the good quality of the knife though; the Chinese seem to be upping their game. It has a nice snap and put together flawlessly, so I’m not too burnt over it though, I got it at a flea market for next to nothing. A few weeks ago I was at one of Central Florida’s most prominent local knife shops the other day, the old man that owns it lives for knives and stays up to date with every knife type and make; his knowledge is quite impressive. Anyways, he told me that actual authentic “Italian Stilettos” are on the verge of extinction, and that’s why there’s such an increase in their price. He was saying that Frank B is really aging, causing the quality of his knives to decline and there have even been Latama’s made in the U.S already, even though they’re still the best stilettos out there, some are not even from Maniago, Italy. He was saying that there’s a misconception in regards to the return of the classic Stiletto popularity in the knife community. It’s really because there’s not as many stiletto knife makers left in Italy. When AKC Italy became AKC World, meaning AKC China or AKC Taiwan, which I think SKM did the same, that was a sign that it won’t be long before the remaining Italian Stiletto companies do the same unfortunately. I guess the same has been happening to the authentic Filipino Balisongs as well; it’s just so much more profitable to mass produce in countries like China.
Not to mention that many states have repealed their automatic knife bans, creating a huge market for every knife manufacturer to start more practical, reliable and tactical/futuristic automatic knives, that appeal much more to the young-ins today. He even said that not even 15 years ago, young boys were still more in to the more classic pocket knives, especially Case. Nowadays, the kids are obsessed with the OTF tactical type of knives more than anything.I don’t discriminate against any of my fellow knife peeps, but I’ve noticed that stiletto collectors get a bad rep in the knife community, because of they’re seen as outdated, cheaply made toys; something I feel 50/50 on, but I still love Italian switchblades regardless, yet I’m inclined to agree that their function and reliability have always been more or less been cheap; especially with the current prices of the authentic ones. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very satisfied with my Latama, but they’re just so overpriced. I guess one could say the same for many other types of knives as well, so I can’t hate on good ole Walt for charging for his artistic talent, as his knives really are great! I don’t know how accurate this knife dealer’s information is, as for the foreseeable future, I’m sure that many Italian Stiletto makers will remain in Italy. Though I have heard about some Latama’s being manufactured in the U.S. before, with their Latama Maniago stamp and everything. Didn’t AKC or one of those companies get in trouble for stamping Italy on their blades, or was it one of the websites?

Ever since I found my childhood Rizzuto from the early 70s and my dad’s rusty/dilapidated 11 in picklock from his 1950s Greaser days this past spring, I’ve bought a Latama picklock and a Frank B; both of which I’m pretty satisfied with. I think once I man up to spend the big money on a mint-pre 1957 11-13inch Stiletto, I’ll probably move on to vintage Balisongs for a while. At 61 years old, I’m trying to grow the most diverse knife collection as possible. I just ordered a Western W 75 boot knife on EBay today, I had one back in the late 70s and misplaced it over the years.

Anyways, what’s your guys take on all of this? I don’t want to believe my favorite knife dealer in town, but have you guys noticed a massive decline in quality and overall availability of authentic Italian Stiletto brands since 2020? Not to mention the crazy increase in price too. Other than on these knife community forums, I really don’t meet a lot of people that are interested in the old school stiletto styles anymore. One could probably even say that assisted folder/flick knives may even replace the classic Boy Scout youth knife. Times change, what can ya do? Anyways thanks for the reply guys, hope everyone is having a good evening!

[WindyCity4Life]

Also quick question, does the knife shop.com aka 3Knives, right over the Italian border in Austria get the Frank B knives with defects or issues, then sell them at discounted prices? I ordered one from there and showed a few professionals , whom confirmed that it’s an authentic Frank B. Then I ordered another and it was a complete piece of crap, with the imitation ivory skins too large for the knife revealing a huge gap and it would misfire often, so I returned it. Whatever though, it happens. It seems like they buy all of Beltrame’s defectives just 60 miles over the border, then sell them discounted. Am I correct on this?

[WindyCity4Life]

Also quick question, does the knife shop.com aka 3Knives, right over the Italian border in Austria get the Frank B knives with defects or issues, then sell them at discounted prices? I ordered one from there and showed a few professionals , whom confirmed that it’s an authentic Frank B. Then I ordered another and it was a complete piece of crap, with the imitation ivory skins too large for the knife revealing a huge gap and it would misfire often, so I returned it. Whatever though, it happens. It seems like they buy all of Beltrame’s defectives just 60 miles over the border, then sell them discounted. Am I correct on this?

[Mario]

Hey guys, how is everyone today? I’ve heard about this being a huge problem specifically with AGA C., AKC and SKM; I’ve never owned any of those brands before, so I really didn’t know how to compare. Yeah there’s no trace of any lettering on the blade at all actually, I’m actually quite surprised at the good quality of the knife though; the Chinese seem to be upping their game. It has a nice snap and put together flawlessly, so I’m not too burnt over it though, I got it at a flea market for next to nothing. A few weeks ago I was at one of Central Florida’s most prominent local knife shops the other day, the old man that owns it lives for knives and stays up to date with every knife type and make; his knowledge is quite impressive. Anyways, he told me that actual authentic “Italian Stilettos” are on the verge of extinction, and that’s why there’s such an increase in their price. He was saying that Frank B is really aging, causing the quality of his knives to decline and there have even been Latama’s made in the U.S already, even though they’re still the best stilettos out there, some are not even from Maniago, Italy. He was saying that there’s a misconception in regards to the return of the classic Stiletto popularity in the knife community. It’s really because there’s not as many stiletto knife makers left in Italy. When AKC Italy became AKC World, meaning AKC China or AKC Taiwan, which I think SKM did the same, that was a sign that it won’t be long before the remaining Italian Stiletto companies do the same unfortunately. I guess the same has been happening to the authentic Filipino Balisongs as well; it’s just so much more profitable to mass produce in countries like China.
Not to mention that many states have repealed their automatic knife bans, creating a huge market for every knife manufacturer to start more practical, reliable and tactical/futuristic automatic knives, that appeal much more to the young-ins today. He even said that not even 15 years ago, young boys were still more in to the more classic pocket knives, especially Case. Nowadays, the kids are obsessed with the OTF tactical type of knives more than anything.I don’t discriminate against any of my fellow knife peeps, but I’ve noticed that stiletto collectors get a bad rep in the knife community, because of they’re seen as outdated, cheaply made toys; something I feel 50/50 on, but I still love Italian switchblades regardless, yet I’m inclined to agree that their function and reliability have always been more or less been cheap; especially with the current prices of the authentic ones. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very satisfied with my Latama, but they’re just so overpriced. I guess one could say the same for many other types of knives as well, so I can’t hate on good ole Walt for charging for his artistic talent, as his knives really are great! I don’t know how accurate this knife dealer’s information is, as for the foreseeable future, I’m sure that many Italian Stiletto makers will remain in Italy. Though I have heard about some Latama’s being manufactured in the U.S. before, with their Latama Maniago stamp and everything. Didn’t AKC or one of those companies get in trouble for stamping Italy on their blades, or was it one of the websites?

Ever since I found my childhood Rizzuto from the early 70s and my dad’s rusty/dilapidated 11 in picklock from his 1950s Greaser days this past spring, I’ve bought a Latama picklock and a Frank B; both of which I’m pretty satisfied with. I think once I man up to spend the big money on a mint-pre 1957 11-13inch Stiletto, I’ll probably move on to vintage Balisongs for a while. At 61 years old, I’m trying to grow the most diverse knife collection as possible. I just ordered a Western W 75 boot knife on EBay today, I had one back in the late 70s and misplaced it over the years.

Anyways, what’s your guys take on all of this? I don’t want to believe my favorite knife dealer in town, but have you guys noticed a massive decline in quality and overall availability of authentic Italian Stiletto brands since 2020? Not to mention the crazy increase in price too. Other than on these knife community forums, I really don’t meet a lot of people that are interested in the old school stiletto styles anymore. One could probably even say that assisted folder/flick knives may even replace the classic Boy Scout youth knife. Times change, what can ya do? Anyways thanks for the reply guys, hope everyone is having a good evening!

I personally think the Italian stiletto makers will still be with us for a good while. Frank B has family that will likely continue his tradition after he’s gone. Granted, I get that genuine Italian stiletto knives are becoming more of a “niche” type of thing in the knife market. The market is definitely changing with the more “tactical” style folders, assisted openers, axis locks, Spydie holes, OTFs and coil spring automatics dominating on a large scale.

[jw517]

I don’t see the beauty in modern tactical knives. Sorry. Early Italian stilettos on the other hand are works of art.( in my book) . Every piece of horn,antler is different. The price one pays for these labors of love is justified or nearly so. The price you pay for a BenchMade or Spyderco is robbery. Ya, that’s my opinion.

[QGofLake]

I don’t see the beauty in modern tactical knives. Sorry. Early Italian stilettos on the other hand are works of art.( in my book) . Every piece of horn,antler is different. The price one pays for these labors of love is justified or nearly so. The price you pay for a BenchMade or Spyderco is robbery. Ya, that’s my opinion.

Hello JW. I sure do share your thoughts about the Italian stilettos, particularly when it comes to vintage ones. I enjoy a lot of the modern ones too. While I appreciate the OTFs, the artistry is not quite the same. No doubt so many of the Benchmade, Microtech, etc. models are BIG BIG money which is hard to justify. I'd hate to have a Glykon seized by the cops.

[jw517]

Yes! You might as well buy a clone from China for 30.00 . It’s a to each his own but the price of that stuff is crazy.

[Madmarco]

Nice colors on your knife, Smitty, it's a manual, right?

[jw517]

Yes it is a manual and it’s beautiful isn’t it.

[Madmarco]

Yeppers, it sure is!