Help identify/more info please

[mikeynj]

I've had this Asian leverlock for at least 20 years, never seen it's like. Cast zinc chrome plated frame and typeset on the generic "stainless steel" suggest Korea; it sure looks like the old Super Stilettos, also lever knives. Any thoughts folks?

[Killgar]

Welcome to the forum. I'm really just posting this because I didn't want you to feel ignored or unwelcome . Nothing about this post will offer anything definitive about your knife.

But, for whatever it's worth, the owner of the knife below is a serious collector, and he has identified it as Spanish. I have no way to confirm this, no other information was provided, and I don't know how to contact him. Like I said, nothing definitive.

Unfortunately the histories and origins of many vintage switchblades will forever remain a mystery. In particular, the people who produced and sold the cheaper knives, and even many of the more expensive knives, never could have imagined that their knives would become collector items, and in some cases sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars. So no effort was made to identify the origin country, maker, or seller on the knives, much less preserve manufacturing records.

1616496354642-vi.jpg (63.8 KiB) Viewed 2328 times

[C-WADE7]

Like Killgar, I don’t have much info, just wanted to say it’s a good looking knife.

[Bill DeShivs]

My bet is Asia.

[mikeynj]

Thanks for the input gents. I'm still leaning towards Korea, although I have a couple of zinc frame lockblades, one nearly identical to the leverlock but a manual knife that are marked Japan. Maybe these photos will jog some memories, who knows? Thanks again! Mike

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

The handle shape looks alot like a Valor Roots, though that is a slipjoint. Valors were mostly imported from Japan.

(Not my knife or picture)

[mikeynj]

Yup, That "ROOTS" lock blade is exactly the same as the non-auto I have as well, minus the blade etch. decent enough steel, terrible handle choice. Zinc, zamak, etc. just doesn't endure for long. Anyplace the chrome flashing wears off, it begins to go corroded like old aluminum.