All About Pocket Knives

Colleagues, please advise the manufacturer and whether the wedge is shortened or standard length.

Cool knife. Looks like a 1990s Frank B.

Thank you!
What is an adequate price for such a knife?

to AAPK! Great looking switch, the price depends on condition and length. Yours looks to be in great condition.

Thanks for the identification!
It's hard for me to decide on price, I'm only pretty good at classic Russian knives and dirks. Knives of this type are not a frequent guest here, mostly homemade prison studs.

It was likely made by Armando Beltrame, and sold by either Frank Beltrame or Renzo Beltrame.

Frank, Armando, and Renzo Beltrame all produced stiletto switchblades in Italy (Frank still does), but they sold each others work, and put their own markings on each others work. Armando is known for making the smaller ones (8", 9").

According to a reliable source over at Talkblade, Frank Beltrame has stated that prior to 1996 Renzo Beltrame marked the knives he sold with a capitol "B", and from 2003 to 2004 Frank used a capitol "B" on the knives he produced, and sold.

Trying to nail down with certainty exactly who sold what among the Beltrames can be difficult.

Your knife has a short blade, shorter than is normal for a 5" handle. This indicates that it was made for the German market. The shorter blade conforming with German knife laws (at least the laws at the time the knife was made).


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Thanks for the detailed reply, I am impressed, hats off to you.
Yes, the knife was brought from Germany and two more varieties different in execution, later I will post a photo, maybe I will recognise what it is.
Regards,
Sergey.

in furtherance of the conversation

You could search knife shops, but here's a link to the AAPK store for Beltrame knives and it could offer you a value range. $150 ish is about where my mind lands.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... ame-knives

In regards to the last two knives pictured, "Rostfrei Import" (fixed guards), and "Made In Italy Inoxid., Patent" (swing guards), I've seen several of both, all dated during the 1960's to early 1970's.

My sources are Apple Valley Knives, and Lathams Vintage Knives. I've also seen Bill DeShivs date a "Rostfrei Import" knife with a 1 on the back as being 1960's.

I've never seen any reference to who made the knives with those markings.

I would want to hear from the authority on vintage Italian switchblades- Bill DeShivs, to hear what he thinks about both, he knows more than I. But many Italian knives defy identification and precise dating, so it's quite possible you'll never know who made them.

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Killgar wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 3:47 pm In regards to the last two knives pictured, "Rostfrei Import" (fixed guards), and "Made In Italy Inoxid., Patent" (swing guards), I've seen several of both, all dated during the 1960's to early 1970's.

My sources are Apple Valley Knives, and Lathams Vintage Knives. I've also seen Bill DeShivs date a "Rostfrei Import" knife with a 1 on the back as being 1960's.

I've never seen any reference to who made the knives with those markings.

I would want to hear from the authority on vintage Italian switchblades- Bill DeShivs, to hear what he thinks about both, he knows more than I. But many Italian knives defy identification and precise dating, so it's quite possible you'll never know who made them.

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Is it me or are we looking at two different knives, not including the swinguard ?
the Original knife in question is below, a Beltrame.
The new pics seem to show two new knives.

naos wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 7:01 am in furtherance of the conversation1000046501.jpg1000046513.jpg1000046512.jpg1000046510.jpg1000046506.jpg1000046511.jpg1000046514.jpg1000046515.jpg

We seemed to have shifted the discussion mid-stream to a new set.

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 4:06 pm

naos wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 7:01 am in furtherance of the conversation1000046501.jpg1000046513.jpg1000046512.jpg1000046510.jpg1000046506.jpg1000046511.jpg1000046514.jpg1000046515.jpg

We seemed to have shifted the discussion mid-stream to a new set.

Yeah, the first knife naos posted is a Beltrame. The other two are different knives.

I don't know much about who made which knives in Maniago. If I do, I'll tell you about it.

I generally judge the knife for what it is. Materials, workmanship, and construction.
At one point, there were so many makers in Maniago there would be no way to catalog them all. Later, in the 1960s & forward, fewer shops were making switchblades-but I have never been particularly interested in figuring out who made what.

There is an engraving on one of the knives, but it is most likely the owner's name?

Owner's name.