Please try not to laugh too hard...

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skeeter1

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I just ordered another Italian Stelleto. I've already got one, but I made three mistakes:

First, I got a 7"er, and it's just too small. It's not even all that good as a letter-opener.

Second, I used it as a guinea pig for trying out my Chef's Choice diamond sharpener. I didn't know what I was doing, and ended up touching it up with the Dremel (carefully, and that worked better).

Finally, I didn't know how to properly close a Stilleto, so I used the Dremel to grind off a chunk of the nub meant to keep the blade locked.

All I use the stilleto for is opening up mail and packages, but I wanted one that worked properly.

That said, I ordered a new one today, but this time a 11"-er, not a 7"-er. The little one is just too small.

Secondly, I've had some practice with the Chef's Choice diamond sharpener, and I'm unlikely to ruin a blade with it again.

Finally, I'm going to try and not ruin something with the Dremel before I know what I'm doing.

The new Stilleto was the better part of $100, and I know the quality isn't all that great (these are the same people that make Beretta and Benelli???). Still, I think the stilleto is the best letter opener I've ever had, impresses whomever comes into my house, and will never leave the house. I know trouble when I smell it, and I have tactical folders when I need them.

Do you have, or would you buy an italian stilleto? I just like them, even if they are junk compared to a Benchmade folder.
 
just to keep around the house? No.. I can't say I'm that stricken by their allure.

I did buy myself a measly 6-inch Ti-Lite from cold steel a little while ago, but it's too big to carry in a pocket. Besides, I have the gun for when I need to boogie out of a hot spot..

As a collector's item, maybe, if I was into collecting :p
 
:what::what::what::what::what::what::what:
You didn't know how to close the knife so you cut parts off until you could?

Do me a huge favor, if you have any problems with any of your firearms, call someone.

Finally, I didn't know how to properly close a Stilleto, so I used the Dremel to grind off a chunk of the nub meant to keep the blade locked.
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Incidentally, on most Italian stilletos you turn the bolster (that wavy looking part near the blade.)
 
You've made two of the classic mistakes that most folks make with knives and power tools. For the most part power tools should be kept well away from knives.

For a knife collector a standard 30cm bayonet blade Italian switchblade is a must in the collection. Other than that they're just a novelty.
 
You've made two of the classic mistakes that most folks make with knives and power tools. For the most part power tools should be kept well away from knives.
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Yes, I did. Expensive lesson learned, and I appreciate that you didn't laugh at me, and I can assure you I won't be doing that again.

As for the diamond sharpener, I'll keep that one for the kitchen knives, but the serious knives will only be done by hand with the ceramic stone.

BTW, the Dremel is a great tool, but like everything else, it has a learning curve, as I've well discovered.
 
The Chef's Choice sharperners are said to take a lot of metal off. Other than that, should work. I have a chef's choice that I use on kitchen knives sometimes if I'm feeling lazy. I have several switch blades and never sharpened them. Those things running $100 these days?
 
22-rimfire,

The Chief's Choice sharpeners are great for knives with the bevel angle that matches the angle of the sharpening wheels (as long as they are sparingly used). It does not work well for blades that do not match that angle.

Italian switchblades have very very steep bevels and would be ruined in the Chief's Choice.

As to switchblade prices, junk Italians are available for $20-$30, better quality ones are twice that, good ones are over a $100 and real antique knives predating the switchblade ban are a minimum of $150 and go up from there rapidly.

If anyone has any switchblades from before 1960 they should never sharpen then and keep them well oiled. These are highly collectible and auto collectors will pay dearly for older autos.
 
Yes, sorry to say, but there's no such thing as a half-ways decent Italian Stillto for under $100. If I could afford it (I can't) I'd get one with a Damascus blade. That would be sweet! It's just that ~$200 is too much for a fancy toy right now. Maybe someday.
 
A well-known TN knife source carries both a 12" and a 14" Bear Damascus Bowie knife, made in northern Alabama, for $100 and $130. Now, there is a letter opener - with absolutely no 'closing' or 'locking' problems. I use mine for opening those pesky bills. Sadly, my utilities were cut-off yesterday - except for the electricity. Hmmm, is that a power company truck in front of my hou
 
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