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Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:58 pm
by RoyS
Greeting fellow knife enthusiasts,
I know we all love photos and as much as my photography skills are limited, I do enjoy attempting to get a nice knife photo. With that in mind and as I’m a novice ‘switchblade’ collector, I thought I would start a dedicated thread to share my efforts such as they are - both in photography and knives collected.
Here is my Latama Walt’s Picklock custom 28cm (11”) with stag horn scales.
Cheerio & happy collecting,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:12 pm
by Madmarco
That's a stunning knife Roy, you're a fortunate man!
I'm really liking the 5mm spring, beautiful filework, and lovely turquoise stone inlay on the button, and that's to say nothing about the stag covers! Gorgeous!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:14 pm
by RoyS
Thanks mate,
Appreciate your kind words. Yes, this one caught my eye and ticket a lot of boxes for me, so I felt it was a grand place to start.
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:52 pm
by Samb
That's a beauty!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:55 pm
by RoyS
Thanks Samb,
I was certainly one that I just couldn't resist. Mind you, stag has always been one of my favorite knife handle materials, so coupled with the other details, it was too much to resist..
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 2:50 am
by QTCut5
Madmarco wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:12 pm
I'm really liking the 5mm spring
What's a "5mm spring"? (sorry for my ignorance, but I'm not too knowledgeable about switchblade lingo)
RoyS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:58 pm
Here is my Latama Walt’s Picklock custom 28cm (11”) with stag horn scales.
Beautiful knife and photo, Roy. I, too, am a huge fan of stag scales.
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 2:53 am
by Bill DeShivs
"5 mm" is the width of the backspring and other steel parts-thicker than other modern stilettos.
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 3:51 am
by Madmarco
Thanks Bill!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 4:07 am
by Madmarco
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 2:50 am
Madmarco wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 8:12 pm
I'm really liking the 5mm spring
What's a "5mm spring"? (sorry for my ignorance, but I'm not too knowledgeable about switchblade lingo)
It's the spring that makes up the spine of the knife ~Q~, as well as it being a 1-piece affair (usually) with an extending prong branching off of the spine section, thus being the part that propels the blade out when the button is pushed. When you close the blade, the prong is pushed back toward the spine by the tang and making your knife ready to fire again. By the unsharpened tang being used to close the knife, you don't end-up with nicks in the blade. With springs that wide the blades fire very fast and hard. Hope this helps, and you're not being ignorant in the least my friend, how else do you learn unless you ask!
RoyS wrote: ↑Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:58 pm
Here is my Latama Walt’s Picklock custom 28cm (11”) with stag horn scales.
Beautiful knife and photo, Roy. I, too, am a huge fan of stag scales.
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:08 am
by QTCut5
Mahalo for the explanation, Bill & Marco.
So, Marco, could you tell that Roy's Latama had a 5mm spring just from looking at his picture? Or did you already know it had one from previous experience with that brand?
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:56 pm
by RoyS
Hi Q,
I'm no expert but I believe the larger 5mm components are somewhat of a 'trademark' of Latama reflecting their quality.
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:39 pm
by Madmarco
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 5:08 am
Mahalo for the explanation, Bill & Marco.
So, Marco, could you tell that Roy's Latama had a 5mm spring just from looking at his picture? Or did you already know it had one from previous experience with that brand?
Both, my friend! If you look at the spine on any modern inexpensive stiletto, which is usually about 3mm, then compare it to the spine on a Latama which is usually 5mm, and it's easy to see the difference. Plus, I visit the Latama site occasionally, (
https://latama.net ) (safe site!) to drool and read the descriptions, and the info is there. They are the Rolls-Royce of automatic knives! IMHO!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:42 pm
by Madmarco
RoyS wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:56 pm
Hi Q,
I'm no expert but I believe the larger 5mm components are somewhat of a 'trademark' of Latama reflecting their quality.
Cheerio,
Roy
I could be way off Roy, but I think you're right! Something is telling me Latama started the 5mm hardware and other companies copied it from them, but as I said, I might be way off! Bill will tell us for sure when he reads this!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2022 4:41 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Many 1950s stilettos used thick steel.
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:49 pm
by Madmarco
There ya go Roy, I told you I could be way off!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:44 am
by QTCut5
If anyone would know it's Mr. Switchblade DeShivs.
That's just one of the things that makes this site so great: access to experts who are willing to share their knowledge.
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2022 3:58 am
by RoyS
Thank you to all for your comments and participation,
It's very enjoyable reading everyones thoughtful and knowledgeable posts.
I'm hoping that in a day or two I will get to some more photograph to share a new addition..
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 8:03 pm
by RoyS
Hi Gents,
Here is my new addition to my modest collection.
A Latama 28cm swivel bolster, white bone with skull.
Love the way the photo came out.
Enjoy,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 8:47 pm
by QTCut5
Beautiful Latama and great photo!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 9:51 pm
by RoyS
Thanks Q,
I thought they looked like a nice pair.
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 12:50 am
by Madmarco
Beautiful Latama Roy, and your embossed six-shooter ain't too shabby either!
If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting your Latamas, cuz they sure don't sell them moded like yours on their site? I'd also like to suggest more pictures; closed, other side, different angles, etc., cuz we LOVE pictures! Thx!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:25 am
by RoyS
Thanks for those kind words.
I got this one from PVK, they have 'two' more like it but this one spoke to me.
I will sort out some more pics too.
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:17 am
by Madmarco
Thanks Roy!
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 3:33 pm
by RoyS
Here you go folks,
A few closeup pics of my first knife shown - A modern Latama 'Walt's' custom stage.
If anyone wants specific photos of any of my knives, then please ask, I'm always happy to share, it's what we are all here for..
Cheerio,
Roy
Re: Roy’s Italian Switchblades
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:46 pm
by Samb
That's a real beauty!