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Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 12:13 am
by boykinlp
I have a small collection of switchblades. It includes mostly Frank Beltrame, but I also have a Bill Deshivs Leverletto, a Hubertus/Otter Springer Leverlock Shellpuller, and a AGA Campolin Sicilian Ring Pull Fighting Knife. I recently acquired a couple more. They are both 11” “Latama Italy” stilettos. One has blonde honey horn and the other dark Brazilian cow horn handles. They have nickel silver bolsters and brass liners and 5mm blades and back springs. I believe they are in really nice condition. They fire hard, the blade tips seat deep and are centered when closed. I had heard of Latama knives over the years, and thought they were very collectible so I picked them up. Please school me on these knives. Approximately when were they made, their quality, collectibility, etc. Also, please show me what you have as far as Latama goes.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:08 am
by C-WADE7
That honey horn and red dot safety look great!!
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:49 am
by Bill DeShivs
Those are new production Latama knives.
The Latama line was resurrected about 20 years ago by the current owner of the Latama name.
The knives are produced for Latama by Frank Beltrame under exclusive contract.
The Latama knives made in the 1950s are also very collectible knives.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2026 5:39 pm
by boykinlp
Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:49 am
Those are new production Latama knives.
The Latama line was resurrected about 20 years ago by the current owner of the Latama name.
The knives are produced for Latama by Frank Beltrame under exclusive contract.
The Latama knives made in the 1950s are also very collectible knives.
So basically, I just enlarged my Frank Beltrame collection.
Besides the 5mm blade and back spring, is there any other differences between the regular Frank B. knives and these?
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 5:16 am
by boykinlp
I’m curious about something else. I see “Walt” Latama on some postings describing knives. Is Walt the owner or what?
BTW, These knives are much nicer than my other Frank Beltrame knives.
Larry
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 7:39 am
by Bill DeShivs
Walt is the owner of Latama.
I don't keep up with modern Beltrame knives, so I don't know all the differences.
But, as you say-Walt's Latamas are nicer than the standard Frank Beltrame knives.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 7:40 am
by Bill DeShivs
Walt is the owner of Latama. He purchased the company from the original owner's son, Samuel Polk.
I don't keep up with modern Beltrame knives, so I don't know all the differences.
But, as you say-Walt's Latamas are nicer than the standard Frank Beltrame knives. Walt also stands behind his product. I do all of his repairs.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 11:21 am
by BestVintageKnives
boykinlp wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 5:16 am
I’m curious about something else. I see “Walt” Latama on some postings describing knives. Is Walt the owner or what?
BTW, These knives are much nicer than my other Frank Beltrame knives.
Larry
Jack Polincovsky deserves 100% credit for everything involving Latama switchblades. The original Latama switchblades produced by Latama with Italian Craftsmen were made from 1947-1952.
Latama was a company run by Jack Polincovsky. It was 100% Jack’s company. His son Sam had very little to nothing to do with switchblades. Everyone heard the name Sam back in the 1990s and assumed Sam ran the company. Everyone is wrong.
The modern knives made by Frank Beltrame have zero connection to the vintage Latamas: none of the same tooling or makers or anything used to make the originals are used in Modem production of Frank B knives. I don’t even think Frank makes them anymore.
The only connection is simply the name “Latama.” They should be referred to as “modern Latamas” or “Frank B Latamas” but everyone likes to clout chase the original Latamas. Nothing wrong at all with the new knives they just arent the same as the originals.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Sun May 03, 2026 11:58 pm
by boots2112
BestVintageKnives wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 11:21 am
boykinlp wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 5:16 am
I’m curious about something else. I see “Walt” Latama on some postings describing knives. Is Walt the owner or what?
BTW, These knives are much nicer than my other Frank Beltrame knives.
Larry
Jack Polincovsky deserves 100% credit for everything involving Latama switchblades. The original Latama switchblades produced by Latama with Italian Craftsmen were made from 1947-1952.
Latama was a company run by Jack Polincovsky. It was 100% Jack’s company. His son Sam had very little to nothing to do with switchblades. Everyone heard the name Sam back in the 1990s and assumed Sam ran the company. Everyone is wrong.
The modern knives made by Frank Beltrame have zero connection to the vintage Latamas: none of the same tooling or makers or anything used to make the originals are used in Modem production of Frank B knives. I don’t even think Frank makes them anymore.
The only connection is simply the name “Latama.” They should be referred to as “modern Latamas” or “Frank B Latamas” but everyone likes to clout chase the original Latamas. Nothing wrong at all with the new knives they just arent the same as the originals.
I got into collecting Latama's late in the game (around 2020). I've collected some very beautiful knives; at the same time, I've heard a lot of bad reviews for Frank B's and from what I researched this was the time Frank B retired.
Fast forward to 2023, some of my best knives were from Frank B due to his son and daughter taking over, I have a few 2023 and 2025 special edition lock blades that I consider premium.
Today, Latama has gone the route of $1600.00 customs which I refuse to pay, and Frank B has gone the route of overpriced basic models (swivel bolsters). I guess this is the time to pursue the vintage market.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 2:29 am
by Bill DeShivs
After Jacob Polincovsky died, the Latama knives and name became 100% Sam Polincovsky's property.
Sam ran Latama Eleganza until he sold the company to Walter Halucha.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 2:52 am
by boots2112
Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Mon May 04, 2026 2:29 am
After Sam Polincovsky died, the Latama knives and name became 100% Sam Polincovsky's property.
Sam ran Latama Eleganza until he sold the company to Walter Halucha.
Walt had a good run until now.
Re: Latama Swivel Bolster Stiletto
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 3:09 am
by boots2112
Walt has put out some astounding knives, but these customs are out of reach of the loyal collectors.