All About Pocket Knives

Hi all,
I'm fairly new to collecting and have been focusing mostly on Italian stilettos and have seen collectors talk about older knives having a D stamp and although I now know what it is after seeing it on a few of my knives, I don't really understand what it is used for. Can anyone explain this to a newbie? Thanks in advance.

Drumheaven wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 10:02 pm Hi all,
I'm fairly new to collecting and have been focusing mostly on Italian stilettos and have seen collectors talk about older knives having a D stamp and although I now know what it is after seeing it on a few of my knives, I don't really understand what it is used for. Can anyone explain this to a newbie? Thanks in advance.

The term is used to describe two small cut outs on the front liner to hold the button rocker mechanism. The two cut outs are punched from the back to form 2 “D” shaped pieces of brass that are folded upward when they are punched out.

I looked around my knife repair shop and I have this early 7cm mini that has D cutouts. The pictures can speak more than me.

I was digging thru the ol’ shoppe and found some parts that were given to me by a famous Cutlery family, one of the most famous in all of switchblade history.

This is an alternate version with rectangle cut outs.

I learn something new every day. Thanks!

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 1:01 pm I learn something new every day. Thanks!

YW! That’s why I am here. To help make the hobby a fun place to be part of.

This is all really helpful. Thanks so much BestVintageKnives! I'm really committed to learning as much about these beautiful knives as I can.

BestVintageKnives wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 12:54 pm I was digging thru the ol’ shoppe and found some parts that were given to me by a famous Cutlery family, one of the most famous in all of switchblade history.

This is an alternate version with rectangle cut outs.

Drumheaven wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 10:20 pm This is all really helpful. Thanks so much BestVintageKnives! I'm really committed to learning as much about these beautiful knives as I can.

BestVintageKnives wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 12:54 pm I was digging thru the ol’ shoppe and found some parts that were given to me by a famous Cutlery family, one of the most famous in all of switchblade history.

This is an alternate version with rectangle cut outs.

Glad to help. Just ask away, I’ll always give a truthful answer with documentation or pictures to help explain.