Maniago switchblade info?

[Cain82]

I was left this by my grandfather. I know nothing apart from what can be found on google.

1920s - 1930s (?) Italian Maniago Switchblade Stiletto https://imgur.com/gallery/XBKh05u

It appears to be bone or plastic handled, with Maniago etched in the blade.
It fires hard and has very little blade play.
The very tip is broken.

From my beginner experience the only strange aspect is you need to unpick the locking catch using your fingernail to close the blade; instead of tipping the front bolster.

Does anyone know much about these i.e. are they rare / decent quality / worth cleaning up to sell, etc? Does anyone have an identical one?

Thanks

[wiseguy]

Old Flat guard Maniago … id say 40s but no expert. Id leave it alone.

[Bill DeShivs]

You have a very valuable knife.
It is a pre-WW2 stiletto. The handles are plastic.
There are dealers who scan these forums trying to buy knives for pennies on the dollar. I'm sure you will be hearing from them.
Be very careful.

[wiseguy]

You have a very valuable knife.
It is a pre-WW2 stiletto. The handles are plastic.
There are dealers who scan these forums trying to buy knives for pennies on the dollar. I'm sure you will be hearing from them.
Be very careful.

When you say “very valuable “ How much are you talking ? The knife is in “ less than great “ condition. Although I do think its cool piece!

[Cain82]

Thanks both. Appreciate the advice Bill - I've read many of your comments over the years.
I will look into the membership types on here for value requests. Not necessarily looking to sell it, however it would be nice to know more.

[Cain82]

Also now that I know what a picklock switchblade is... I can stop hunting for hidden lock releases lol.

[Madmarco]

to AAPK Cain! The "unpicking" feature you describe is the correct manner of closing the blade on a "picklock" knife, which your knife is commonly referred to as. The "tipping the front bolster" is the correct manner of closing a "swivel bolster" model, which began to be made around 1962 and are far more common nowadays than the picklock models, thus making picklocks more valuable since they're not made nearly as often anymore as swivel bolster models. Your knife also features the highly sought after "wasp" body shape. If the knife was mine, I would replace the cracked plastic covers with something new, as well as give it a good cleaning and oiling with out changing the older rustic appearance too much, but others will disagree with this. If Bill says you have a valuable knife, you can take that to the bank. Enjoy your beautiful knife bud!

[millern]

Beautiful picklock! (Personally, I would only lightly clean your grandfather’s knife and enjoy it “as is”! The crack in the handle only adds to the “story”! Some things done, can’t be easily undone!)
I agree with Madmarco’s assessment of Bill De Shiv’s reputation!

[ScoutKnives]

It can only be original once !
To me a light cleaning is ok but extreme cleaning and rehandling would devalue the knife and it’s honestly .

Mike

[RoyS]

I totally agree with Mike's comments above.

Only the lightest of cleans for such a vintage knife should be done. I recommend Renaissance Wax, just a gentle application to remove surface grime and help in the preservation.

A really lovely example of a rare knife. Lovely to see, so thanks for sharing.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Folgore1]

wow man what a find that is a awesome piece my friend , you have a flatguard wasp body picklock , nickel/silver bolsters button and safety, brass liners , the blades on these knives are made of carbon steel , hard to put a date on it but i will see what kinda info i can find on it. this is your grandfathers knife i would never sell it and pass it along to members of the familia (family) , it is a highly sought after knife worth a few bucks so im sure you will get some pretty nice offers but man dont sellit it was your grandfathers
as far as cleaning thats a no no just like guns you have to be very careful or you could mess it up and kill its value, i would clean blade very lightly and leave rest of the knife alone , as long as everything works ok why mess with it . do not have it re-handled it will only decrease the value hell them handles are close to 100 years old .

[Folgore1]

I totally agree with Mike's comments above.

Only the lightest of cleans for such a vintage knife should be done. I recommend Renaissance Wax, just a gentle application to remove surface grime and help in the preservation.

A really lovely example of a rare knife. Lovely to see, so thanks for sharing.

Cheerio,
Roy


i dont think you should use any type wax on the knife at all it will make it look polished and new looking, clean blade with steel wool like (0000 wool) and dont touch any other part of the knife , remember it took 100 years to look like that but you do want to get the rust off of blade.

[RoyS]

Just to clarify,

Renaissance Wax is inert and was developed by the British Museum to use on all surfaces. It simply helps protect and when used as a gentle cleaner it just helps remove surface grime and leaves an invisible amount to help protect. I've used it from over two decades on all knives, leather, wood, bone, horn, brass, steel etc. It doesn't alter how it looks or indeed anything at all, it's just a safe, inert and gentle product with no downside.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Folgore1]

i have a big tub of the Renaissance wax and it kinda will work like a polish on the bolsters , you could hit the handles with it but i would not do any metal parts especially the bolsters button and safety or blade it will make them look new/ polished

[Folgore1]

since no one here knows the value im gonna go out on a limb here and say $2000 or more and that is just the way it is now totally unrestored or touched by any knife restore guys. be careful ther are knife restore guys who cruise forums trying to trump up business telling you you need to do this or that but honestly it dont need much but a lite cleaning

[Cain82]

Wow thank you for all the informative replies. I greatly appreciate all the information. I've learned more than I expected to.
Will a steel wool (000 grit) help slow the blade corrosion? I'm not opposed to a light clean but I wouldn't want to replace any parts on something this old.
The knife still kicks like a mule, which really impresses me because it has been played with by kids for the last 40 years at least lol.
The old guy was an interesting person and a few of his knives made their way to me. According to family legend, the switch was a bring back from his service in europe. He never discussed such things so it is hard to know.
If anyone is interested, here are the other blades of his that I ended up with: Couple of chunky knives my grandad left me https://imgur.com/gallery/KmvqZb9

[wiseguy]

Everyone here will have their opinions on what you should do with your knife,,,, do what makes you happy i say. As for slowing the corrosion maybe just clean it up with a pencil wipe & rub some oil on it... you'd have to sand the life off it to get that pitting gone, the knife has character and family history so again IMO( and my opinion only) leave it alone.

[Cain82]

Yeah I've decided, as it seems to be a special knife that he would have really loved, to keep it for my daughter. She unfortunately caught the knife obsession gene too

[Pile Driver]

I'd say 0000 steel wool if anything, 000 is too coarse. lovely knife, something we all wish we inherited or was able to find through search.

[zed6309]

Welcome to the forum that’s a beautiful picklock , and even more special that it was your grandfathers

[SwedgeHead]

...again... varying opinions and choices, but (note) if it we were mine... I'd want to arrest the rust.
I find extra fine 0000 steel wool pretty safe, heck you polish glass with it, and you can control and finesse the pressure as needed for a light clean.
I'd be interested in opinions for an automatic (especially vintage) but I might even use some vinegar and baking soda to dissolve rather than polish off the rust.

Very kool piece !

[Bill DeShivs]

Keep vinegar away from the knife!
Polish off the blade with 0000 steel wool, or brass wool- used dry.
Then, spray the knife down inside and out with WD 40. Dry it with paper towels until no more rust and WD 40 comes out/off.