Frank Beltrame Italy 9" Stag Swivel Bolster Stiletto Bayonet Blade and Filework ~
$299.99
Current stock:
1
Frank Beltrame Italy 9" Stag Swivel Bolster Stiletto Bayonet Blade and Filework ~
Frank B. Italy 9" Stag Swivel Bolster Stiletto with Bayonet Blade and Filework is a classic, handmade automatic switchblade. It was crafted in the cutlery hub of Maniago, Italy by master knife-maker Francesco Beltrame (popularly known as Frank Beltrame or "Frank B.").
While Frank Beltrame has been building knives since the 1950s, pieces featuring this specific combination—stamped "FRANK B. ITALY," featuring decorative spine filework, and utilizing a swivel bolster mechanism—were heavily produced and popularized from the late 1990s through the 2000s and 2010s. Custom versions with specialized mechanism patterns also date back to specific distributor runs in the mid-to-late 1990s.
Detailed Description
- The Blade: Features a 4-inch bayonet grind blade made from AISI 420 or 440C stainless steel, typically polished to a mirror finish. The signature "filework" refers to the intricate, decorative patterns manually filed along the spine (back edge) of the blade.
- The Handles (Scales): Made from genuine stag horn, providing a textured, rustic grip. Because it is an organic material, every single knife has a unique color and groove pattern.
- The Mechanism: This is a firing-button automatic knife with a sliding safety lock on the handle to prevent accidental deployment.
- Swivel Bolster Release: Unlike older "picklock" models where you pull up a tab to close the knife, this design uses a swivel bolster system. To unlock and fold the blade back down, you simply press down or pivot the top metal bolster bolster to release the leaf spring mechanism.
- Internal Construction: Built using traditional Italian methodology with brass liners, brass pins, and polished nickel-silver or stainless steel bolsters.
Specifications
- Overall Length: 9 inches (23 cm)
- Blade Length: ~4 inches
- Tang Stamp: Stamped "FRANK B. ITALY"
- Origin: Handmade in Maniago, Italy
- Condition is near mint, see all photos
NKCA Grading system
MINT: A factory fresh knife, absolutely original as it came from the manufacturer, not carried or sharpened, a perfect knife.
NEAR MINT: A new knife that has seen sometimes, show some slight carry or shop wear, blades snap perfectly, handles show no cracks.
EXCELLENT: Shows no more than 10% blade wear, handles are sound, no cracks, blades snap good.
VERY GOOD: About 25% blade wear, slight cracks in handles, may have one lazy blade, stamping clearly visible to the naked eye, no blades changed or repaired.
FAIR: 50% blade wear, blades lazy, cracks and chips in handles, handles replaced with same type, blades repaired, stampings faint but readable with a glass.
POOR: Blades very worn, handles bad or missing, blades have been replaced with the same type, reading of the stamp is almost impossible, even with a glass, good mostly only for parts.
