Raimondo Stiletto

[SpacedOut]

Good evening all. Been a knife collector for some time now, but new to Italian stilettos. Came across this Raimondo 11 inch a few weeks ago at a local flea market. Everything works as it should, very strong spring too! Any input, opinions or advise would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I did ok on the deal, but not sure…it was under $100.

[wiseguy]

Not sure what you want to know…50s Italian with ties to Frosolone, most are seen with black plastic scales so horns an upgrade. Usually the firing button is plated , the knife will usually have a smooth lock tab without any lines, some are “ fiddle” shaped . Desirable knife to Italian collectors…. You did good !

[SpacedOut]

Thanks Wiseguy. Not much info on Raimondo that I could find. $100 was the asking price, when I came back a second time he dropped it to $80.

[Madmarco]

Hi S.O., and to AAPK! You have a nice desirable older Italian picklock that appears to be in excellent condition save for the bug bites on the front cover but those can be repaired. Although I've heard the brand mentioned many times during discussions I'm not familiar with it personally. I'm a big fan of automatic knives so that fact should speak as to the rarer availability of the knife. It's a beautiful knife well worth repairing, IMHO! EDIT: You did very well on the price!

[SpacedOut]

Thanks madmarco, I’ve been collecting for 30 plus years, mostly military and theatre made knives, but just recently started paying attention to Italian stilettos. I’m trying not to buy everything I see. I’ve learned over the years to try to be a little more selective or you can run out of space real quick! I picked up this button release up a while ago to throw in the knife case, was just old, cool and the price was right.

[Madmarco]

Thanks madmarco, I’ve been collecting for 30 plus years, mostly military and theatre made knives, but just recently started paying attention to Italian stilettos. I’m trying not to buy everything I see. I’ve learned over the years to try to be a little more selective or you can run out of space real quick! I picked up this button release up a while ago to throw in the knife case, was just old, cool and the price was right.


CBDB7459-BAA7-498B-8B8E-AA59BC997D5A.jpeg
7EEEFA2C-2033-4108-B894-E6D242D15DEC.jpeg
AB8E15F0-A6A5-46F6-9EC0-98622DBE5CE4.jpeg

You're most welcome bud, glad to help although the info I supplied wasn't terribly useful. I'm 68 and have loved autos ever since I first saw one when I was 6, but living in Canada where they are still strictly prohibited it's been quite the adventure acquiring them. I've only been collecting for about 3 years but have so far been able to get my hands on 45 different models. I was like you up until recently where I thought I could buy every knife I liked, but as you said space and funds have changed my thinking and I'm doing my best to remain selective. I already own around 180 usual and unusual manuals and fixed blades from various countries around the world and I'm trying really hard to keep the purchase of any more down to the very unusual models. That's a beautiful model in your pictures, old and cool for sure and when you can find them at good prices they become possible re-sales with a decent profit involved. If you'd like to view my other knives my autos can be seen in this forum in the "Some of my autos" thread, my manuals in the "European and other foreign knives" forum in the "My manual folders" thread, and my fixies in the "Show your fixed blades" thread in the "Some of mine" thread. Another option is in the "General knife discussion" thread in the "Comfort knives" thread but in this thread they are all mixed up together. The knife in my avatar and the pictures attached is the crown jewel of my collection and still my favorite knife!

It's an 11 1/4" oal "Sons of Italy/Omerta" humpback Icepick with a 5mm SS bayonet blade riding on roller-bearing washers, solid brass hardware, 5mm 1-piece back spring, and jet-black ABS covers. Handmade by Ruben "Chad" Blades when he was with Roadsideimports. There is so much brass on this knife that it weighs close to a pound, but since I like my knives as heavy as possible that suits me just fine. It displays wrist-twisting action and locks up solid every time! It's a beast!

[SpacedOut]

Really nice knife you have there! I see that you mentioned manual open knives, I recently picked one up at a local flea market. It is a G.C. CO. Italy horn handle, not perfect by any means, but not abused either. I’m still learning. I figure if I don’t get into them too deep ($$$) I’ll be ok and have some fun.

[Madmarco]

Thanks for the compliment! Anytime you get a new knife or just want to show off some of what you already own please post pictures, cuz we love pictures! And you are 100% spot-on that you're gonna have some fun here!