ELIO Italy Picklock Stiletto Info. Request...

[Clivio]

Hi All,

I recently brought an interesting lot of pocket knives at an auction for a couple of hundred bucks. Upon doing my research on this 1950’s Italian picklock stiletto, it would seem to be rare in tang stamp and size. As such, I think it should belong with a collector of this breed of knife. Hence, I stumbled upon the interesting website that is AAPK…very impressive it is indeed.

I’d be grateful for any feedback you experts/collectors might be able to give me on said knife. My due diligence on the knife tells me: It’s from the 1950’s because of the picklock mechanism, is brass lined with brass pins, nickel silver bolsters and genuine horn scales.

The knife is 5 ½” in full length. A question I have: Why make a miniature version of the bigger stilettos (8-13”) which I’ve mainly been viewing in my research? It must have been harder to make the mechanics at this size than the larger footprint. Is this size less common or not so? With that said, everything works great, the sliding lock, the fire button mechanism and the picklock close.

I managed to find this out re: ‘ELIO Italy’ tang stamp (there is no other stamp on the other side) in the link below. Elio DiBin is the manufacturer, but I would say this knife is older than the one in the link. Just to clarify, my knowledge is dangerously little so maybe it’s not and the knife in the link is a beauty: https://www.talkblade.info/viewtopic.php?t=26625

Anyhow, I appreciate any feedback you guys/gals may give.

Cheers!
Clive

[Killgar]

The bolsters are nickel silver, which is basically "white brass". There is no silver content in them.

As far as the size, originally the smaller ones were less expensive than the larger ones. Like anything else a lower price meant a larger range of customers.

These days some smaller sizes can be more valuable than larger sizes from the same brands due to rarity. It all depends on what a collector wants and is willing to pay.

[Madmarco]

Cool older knife, Clive, and I understand that ELIO is a well known maker so your knife likely holds some value. When others eventually read this thread, them should have more info for you. to AAPK!

[Clivio]

Thanks for the feedback my friends...I've revised description to nickel silver...

That makes sense, money didn't grow on trees back then either

Nice to start learning a new segment of collectables...he's done a great job with this website...

Enjoy your weekend!

[Clivio]