All About Pocket Knives

Posted: **Wed Aug 19, 2026 9:34 am**

Hello everyone,

I am a Spanish knife collector and I need help identifying a vintage Italian automatic stiletto.

The knife has the following characteristics:

Automatic opening with swivel bolster closing system
Very strong spring, still working perfectly
Imitation stag horn scales (acetate/celluloid), dark brown color
Metal bolsters, nickel or alpaca
On the ricasso there is a marking that reads "PAI." or "PAL." (the bottom of the last letter is worn) followed by a number: 22-574
Construction with thick steel liners
Likely made in Maniago, Italy, between 1950s and 1970s

I cannot find any reference to "PAI" or "PAL" as a Maniago maker. Does anyone recognize this mark?

I can provide photos if needed.

Thank you very much.

Posted: **Wed Aug 19, 2026 2:32 pm**

Pictures would definitely help.

There was a PAL Cutlery Co in the US. If the knife is indeed Italian, it could have been an import.

The swivel bolster would put it after the 1950's.

Steel liners are very unusual on genuine Italian stilettos. Not unheard of, but unusual. Are they stainless steel, plain carbon steel, or plated carbon steel? Again, pictures would help.

Nickel silver (no actual silver content) was commonly used for bolsters on Italian stilettos, and still is.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2026 3:35 pm**

JavierMolina wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2026 9:34 am Hello everyone,

I am a Spanish knife collector and I need help identifying a vintage Italian automatic stiletto.

The knife has the following characteristics:

Automatic opening with swivel bolster closing system
Very strong spring, still working perfectly
Imitation stag horn scales (acetate/celluloid), dark brown color
Metal bolsters, nickel or alpaca
On the ricasso there is a marking that reads "PAI." or "PAL." (the bottom of the last letter is worn) followed by a number: 22-574
Construction with thick steel liners
Likely made in Maniago, Italy, between 1950s and 1970s

I cannot find any reference to "PAI" or "PAL" as a Maniago maker. Does anyone recognize this mark?

I can provide photos if needed.

Thank you very much.

Always provide photos with questions like this. Helps in determining what you have.

All About Pocket Knives

Help identifying vintage Italian stiletto - marking "PAI." or "PAL." on ricasso

Help identifying vintage Italian stiletto - marking "PAI." or "PAL." on ricasso

Re: Help identifying vintage Italian stiletto - marking "PAI." or "PAL." on ricasso

Re: Help identifying vintage Italian stiletto - marking "PAI." or "PAL." on ricasso