All About Pocket Knives

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

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.

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!

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!

Many Italian makers specialized in making one size stiletto. The Maniago, Italy cottage industry allowed makers to sell others' knives.
You have a nice, desirable knife, but something is going on with the front handle pins. They appear to be pushed into the knife. I'm surprised that it works properly.

Thanks for the feedback on the pins.

I agree with you. Re: The pin by the 'safety slide' open side...I think i can see poking out in the blade recess. I've added pics for comment.
That being said, it doesn't in anyway impede the blade being closed and the knife opens like a snake striking...
Also, that side of the handle is still flush and firmly attached to the metalwork. I certainly wouldn't want to start tampering with it, all I've done since owning is rub it down with a soft cloth.

Interesting horn on that one

I was pondering as to whether I put one drop of WD40 in the recess of the hole the brass pin has dropped down a bit. Then try and push it back flush to the handle surface with a small electrical flat blade...
Or does the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" trump the cosmetics of a brass pin?

Don't use the WD 40 on the horn handle.
You can push the pin back in place, but make sure you hold the handle down when doing so. That way you won't displace it.
Also, be careful that the pin does not delaminate the horn as you ae pushing it. If it starts, leave the pin alone.

Thanks Bill, will take your advice and try some gentle persuasion…

Could I ask you to share a little more of your knowledge…if I did decide to cash in on this DiBin what would you say a mutual fair price to collector and myself would be? I realize pricing is ambiguous to a degree with any collectable, but hey, no harm in asking someone with your experience, if you don’t mind that is…

Cheers!
Clive

I have a lot of experience with knives, but as a rule, I don't sell them.
I'll send you a couple of dealers' emails. They can tell you.
Check your private messages.