$20 vs. $120 Italian Style Knife

Is something always better because it cost more money? Check out this comparison of two Italian style switchblade knives - one only $20, the other $120 - and decide for yourself! Shop the knives in this video at the links below.
0:00 Intro
0:27 8" Black Wood Leverlock Knife: www.grindworx.com/item--7-Lev...
2:11 Frank B. Olivewood Stiletto Knife: www.grindworx.com/item--Frank...
3:50 Compare/contrast
5:33 Outro

[@the404error7]

I bet you all the 1950's High School students had one of these.

[@mr.smiley1511]

Well facts I just buy this yesterday 😃

[@stageiiwappie950]

Yes my grandpa has one too as novelty

[@heehaw69]

I bet the nerd had like a ,13 inch one

[@mom_im_losing_it]

Stay gold pony boy

[@retromatt2281]

@@mom_im_losing_it ah the comment I was expecting

[@chrisschmeitz1139]

Everybody: this is art, amazing Laws in my country: the most dangerous thing ever, go get a machete those are legal

[@the404error7]

Laws in most states tbh

[@matteo4866]

the stiletto in Italy is illegal, but everyone carries it around

[@Dan-di9jd]

@@the404error7 The laws in the USA is rather interesting. You can own any of these in all 50 states, as far as I understand it, but you just can't have it on you outside of your home. In some states you can't purchase it, but nothing is barring you from owning it. In some states they find workarounds by calling it something else. Like brass knuckles they use it as a lamp so you can legally buy it but at home by using it as a brass knuckle, there's nothing illegal about it.

[@the404error7]

@@Dan-di9jd thats actually a lie look up knife laws in New York, California, etc.

[@Dan-di9jd]

​@@the404error7I read Cali laws and it simply says you cannot conceal carry certain type of knives. Nothing about ownership being prohibited. In NY, you're right there are clauses about being in possession of certain knives but keep in mind this means on your person. In Cali, for example, you can't conceal carry the knife, but nothing against open carry of the knife so long as it is visible. In NY, you can't do either open or conceal carry. Just merely "possession" of it on your person means you get a criminal charge. Nothing prohibits you from having these knives in your home such as a letter opener that you keep in your pen box. Keep in mind no one here is a lawyer, so perhaps it is best to consult one. It sounds like overall having a switchblade in NY is a bad idea but it is perfectly fine if you keep it in your home and not on your body while out and about.

[@454pakr]

They're BOTH collection worthy! The $20 knife is a real BARGAIN.

[@chriswang7927]

I do own the black one. And I love it! Except that the spring broke after 1 month of using. It’s a casting part and that is not supposed to be a spring material. I made a spring myself from some better steel and now it’s perfect again.

[@SLAMAHOLIC]

i have it too and i love it its a great knife

[@cartonofmilk5923]

can one of you link it maybe?

[@SLAMAHOLIC]

Кіслыя Вінаград www.grindworx.com/item--AKC-Bill-DeShivs-7-Leverletto-Ebony--26642

[@takeriskandprosper6766]

@@SLAMAHOLIC Do you have to be a certain age to purchase?

[@SLAMAHOLIC]

i dont think theres any way to verify age so no

[@cynthiaclarke3979]

I keep a old $15.00 Italian made stiletto (3 -1/4" blade) with redwood scales for the last 9 years and the 440 stainless has been good to me.Would I want a $120.00 dollar knife and trade in my present knife..?? - "No". My daddy won it in a poker game in the 1980's,I know it's not old old..but it is to me for being over 30 some years old and is a keepsake to be passed down from mother to son from his grandfather.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Bro your $15 knife is worth three times the $120 just for the reason you gave alone!! Generation to generation? Damn. 👍

[@briancrowley6413]

I am not a knife collector but always had a desire of an italian stiletto knife from an artistic viewpoint. Thank you for breaking down the fine points of shopping for a knife

[@tony66088]

italian stilettos are illegal

[@JD-tl7ld]

I've had a 20 dollar switchblade, and it was 100% garbage. I have a Frank Beltram. It's awesome.

[@Marko-bh3pl]

Can the 20$ still kill someone?

[@midgy3484]

I want to get one so I can put Ellie’s design in the wood and have I on display Update: I got one, I wanna try to burn/brand the firefly logo in the handle

[@dream_er4138]

Coltonboss Ellie made me want a switchblade 😅

[@idek2957]

@@dream_er4138 same, I got a 13 inch stilleto a month ago because of ellie. I'm eventually gonna get a smaller one tho.

[@dream_er4138]

Shadow Stalker I admire Ellie’s switchblade bit personally 13 inches is a gigantic knife to me 😂 I’m more of a 9 inch guy. (For the dirty minded we are talking bladed here. Nothing more)

[@dream_er4138]

Shadow Stalker I wouldn’t mind an 11 inch stiletto but it it would be as big as I go.

[@idek2957]

@@dream_er4138 yea, I'm thinking of dialing down to an 11 or a 9 inch.

[@elsullo2]

These knives are: "Jewelry that you can USE." You may use my words freely...……………………………..elsullo

[@nottocleverxx614]

Bruh I love this 🤣

[@LowenKM]

Never thought about it that way, but once we start 'collecting', yep that's a pretty good way to _'look'_ at it!

[@mike80449]

Italian style knives have been great to me I use my akc swingguard as my edc pretty much everyday

[@avocado9763]

Great appraisal. The smell of Honesty. Thank you.

[@frankyfingersAC]

Was wondering where you where!!!! Happy to see a video

[@GaudialisCorvus]

Having both would be nice! I appreciate knives of all price ranges, so long as they're of good construction and quality; ideally, though, I'd own them all! 😁 Great video

[@Grindworx]

Right on

[@imateckid]

I have one that only cost me $40 but should cost probably around $200, I'm absolutely loving it and thanks to a new law here in Texas all switchblades are legal to carry now, so it's my new EDC

[@90sr27]

lucky as hell wishing that can be california too

[@felip1real]

@90sr27 Like my brother says "Dream on carnal."

[@jessebuckbee9501]

I literally have that exact same level lock $20 switchblade first out of the box it was really stiff and hard to get the blade to cannot correctly but once we used gun oil on it it's worked like a champ ever since no malfunctions had it for about 2 years now not one complaint

[@chuckthesham5195]

In a way, it depends. What do you want, a collectible or a knife you will use in your work and probably wear significantly? Collectible = expensive, workaday = less so. If I can buy 6 knives for heavy dirty work instead of one that it would hurt me to abuse, I'm gonna take the six.

[@ccjmusic]

I have that leverlock, much better quality than you would expect for the money. I also have the honey horn version of the Frank B. I love them both. The one thing I wish the Italians would do, is have less of a step from the scales to the metalwork.

[@chiefslief1886]

👍🏻Exactly!.. Them scales to the bolsters...

[@Inv1cto]

Yeah that'd make it loads more comfortable to hold

[@aleks8790]

Expensive one should be the collection knife and the cheap one should be the carry around knife. That's usually what I do.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Me too but I get 2 of the budgets since it's not as strong as the expensive one.

[@jasonwood3496]

Beautiful knife I love you guys!!!! Just curious do you guys have shell pullers blades around?

[@LowenKM]

You're right, there doesn't seem to be a 'yuge' difference in stilettos until you get well _over_ the hundred dollar range. Though even my cheap 'Milano' clone for $15 off Amazon, has held up surprisingly well over the past few months, easily takes a good edge, and I don't need to worry if it gets lost or 'dirty' (unlike the 'collectable$'...lol)!

[@Sheep-Shagger]

I Advise you to buy them from sicily in place like Palermo as they sell them everywhere there and are at a low price compared to north italy one

[@VNVNation2013]

I'm looking to buy my first stiletto automatic knife. But you guys and BladeHQ are out of most of the ones that I am looking for. I am looking in the range of $60-$120. I have put several on my wishlist, so hopefully I will get emails once they're back in stock.

[@Shaun-wb7uw]

@Whereabouts Unknown, have you ever got an email that one of the out of stock knives are back in stock? Just wondering if it ever paid off? Thank you for your time my friend

[@VNVNation2013]

@@Shaun-wb7uw Yes, I have. They might be sold out again, IDK. But I ended up buying the knives I wanted a year ago from myswitchblade.com

[@Shaun-wb7uw]

@@VNVNation2013 nice brother 🤙🏽

[@danielglaive1234]

the $120 one I got (or at least something extremely similar) for $25 except it had a black pearl kind of handle. I got it from an Army Barracks store.

[@aedenserano3439]

I carry a Frank B. with a 4 inch blade. Pops open smooth every time

[@dbell2224]

I like the $20 myself! The $120 is the one that looks thrown together! The way the wood sticks out like it wasn't shaped to fit.It looks like it was made with 30min left on a Friday before a long weekend! I don't care what parts you put it together with.If it looks cheap then it is!!

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

"if it looks cheap then it is!!" But you just said you like the $20 (cheap) one. 😅 But I do agree with you on the wood sticking out. Very tacky. For $120 it better be perfectly even & shaped well for me to buy it. It better have looked like it took a month to make it.

[@mandomusic1292]

I hope you guys are going to stay open. I might have to put in an order soon.

[@nathanaelmcglynn5691]

Can someone tell me where to get a $50 stiletto that can hold up

[@theghostofsmokeyjoe8792]

An skm is your best choice in my opinion

[@marsoblivi0n945]

AKC F-16 modernized stiletto. Great quality made in Italy.

[@tiderbean]

@@marsoblivi0n945 I got the big boy on mid-tech right at $50. easily the coolest knife I've ever owned.

[@tiderbean]

well we might have a tie..got the 8" swing guard and it is sweeeeeet....but then you got the AKC Extreme...this might be my favorite. That AKC cuts everything like its hot butter.

[@italian.patriot9274]

Military World SRL

[@raymondwilliams2609]

It's worth the extra money Holly because of the name, it would be something special and something you can rely on. But I do see your point about dropping it and damaging it, but I think it could take the knocks better than the less expensive one. It's all choice and affordability at the end of the day. 🤗❤️👍✌️🤘👋

[@that50skid67]

I bought a 80 dollar one from you guys the automatic and honestly it's a good ass knife I've had it now over a year or so dropped it a few times used it for roof work n too open bottles and it's never failed me you guys make good ass knifes 🤟

[@moafu]

I dont think that victim would argue about getting stabbed in the liver with cheap one.

[@elijaht3174]

me: *gets stabbed* “oh yeah i can definitely feel the difference of blade quality, while the cheap one cut open my spleen fairly well, the $120 knife did it with such grace and superiority that i definitely recommend getting stabbed by the expensive one”

[@moafu]

@@elijaht3174 🤣

[@antonioortiz4111]

@@elijaht3174 xD

[@Cityboy.84____________________]

I carry one everyday at 37 years old in 2022 brother. I also drive a 72 Oldsmobile 442 Cutlass while wearing my white tshirt with my lucky strikes rolled up in my left sleeve, motor oil stains on my Rustler jeans my sister stole frm ⁵Walmart and holes in my black Chuck Taylor lo tops since I was born and raised in Nashville Tn.....

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

😁

[@BillyBob_McSanchez]

Ellie's switchblade

[@andrewth5276]

Literally. I WANT IT.

[@albaniemalone8525]

@@andrewth5276 they might sell it for outbreak day

[@Hazzzyyyyyy]

Where would you recommend to buy one of these knifes for roughly $100 dollars?

[@rhaegostheskydragon1760]

How good quality are your Italian stiletto knives? Spring mechanism, bolsters, connections?

[@aidenmarcum4817]

Have the I20 one but got it for 20 dollars so 🤣🤣🤣

[@anarchy0m824]

Where at

[@Shushed]

@@anarchy0m824 blade city is good for getting knives cheap

[@anarchy0m824]

Austin Hovis yeah I bought a couple

[@cameronmann8712]

@@Shushed and megaknife.com

[@nottocleverxx614]

@@cameronmann8712 so glad I found your comment! Thanks for the link!

[@lukedryland8779]

I think it's better to buy the wood one and where did you get the flick knife from 😀

[@sqhatr]

What are the blade steels made of?

[@jamesluther3506]

The Frank Beltrame will probably last longer 😊

[@brobrobrobot7520]

So I just got my knife it's the 20 dollar one, and the spring is loose and jiggles around. Is there a fix to this?

[@tylerchresos4812]

What are some other ways u can tell the 20$ an 120$ apart I have a black AKC Italy stilleto it's black with some white streaks kinda looks like granite or marble it's got the brass pins it's hot the safety feature as well nice clean blade with the I guess bayonet style blade have pics but cannot upload them on here

[@Kdog-jc3el]

Any idea when the 20 dollar one will be back in stock? Edit: geese it’s been 2 years and they’re still out

[@harimau1115]

Question: How do i fix a swivel bolster that's loose on my switchblade?? Is there a special glue used for that??

[@kenweiss8565]

I like the budget option, I really like lever locks. Unfortunately, as of Oct 2022 Grindworx does not offer the $20 leverlock. Lowest price on the web, $89.99 for ABS green satin plain. Post COVID availability sucks.

[@JoeyH547]

The thing about the budget knives is that the blade fires well about 3 times before it starts to get stuck. So you gotta lube it up to give it another 3 fires

[@vapromma]

I just bought a 40 dollar stiletto my first one and I agree with the random misfires what and how should i lube it with?

[@mobbdeep615]

@@vapromma i use bicycle chain lube for my kershaw lucha, so i bet u can use it too

[@slobo5568]

why don't you guys offer the button assisted switchblade anymore?? where can i get one? i use to get them offline a few years back no problem

[@b3rtne]

I have a Frank B. It’s worth it.

[@p996ii_lazer_ii4]

Do u know whats wrong i cant close that knife anymore its the same as the 12dollar one

[@p996ii_lazer_ii4]

120 dollar

[@tonegrail650]

I prefer the bolster lock over the lever lock. On a bolster lock you just push the button and bam! You're ready to rock! It takes some very deliberate action to slide the bolster out of the way to unlock the blade. With the lever lock you need to pull the lever, depress it then flip it back up to prevent it from accidentally closing on your fingers. Any auto with a release mechanism that protrudes like a lever lock or a non recessed button lock is a potential guillotine for your fingers in my opinion.

[@jamesstrahan8235]

Im more of a fixed blade guy. Even at wrk. But they realy do look cool. I do love my Kabar tactical folder though. I may have to get one and put it through the ringer

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Technically these can be used as fixed blade too I would think. Just keep it open & get a sheath that'll fit it. That way you'll have a choice! Open for self defense & walking around, closed for work (especially for jobs where you're bending & on your knees a lot).

[@cassidyrapley]

hii do you guys ship to the uk and if so how much is shipping?

[@jonathandawson8620]

Ok I've never owned one ofthes and I've been wondering for a while now how are thes like compared to a regular stileto switchblade knife that opens from the side and a swing gard stileto switchblade knife and or a otf stileto switchblade knife??? To be honest I've only had mostly the first kind that I mentiond in this comment never had a swing gard and I've had a shity otf switchblade knife before that broke down after just 2 days of use and am currently waiting on the classic gentleman taktical stileto switchblade knife wish me luck on a good one pleas and I Wana get one like this a lever lock and also a swing gard dam it,

[@jgrilla6084]

The cheap 1 looks like johnnys from the outsiders

[@Tsumi_420]

I just got a Marble handled italian style knife with almost the exact build as the 120$ one with the same action only for 21.95

[@BocarandaElShow]

*Do you have the two links for both? I want to buy the wood one*

[@JessieorQuinn]

Its grindworx

[@Soxfan8549]

I love the baja jacket.

[@mschrage618]

Is Frank B no longer making knives? I haven’t seen them available anywhere since the pandemic

[@landon7192]

Where the hell can I get one of these

[@markg4561]

I purchased a Frank B 9 inch dark horn. I got it today and it has “made in Italy “ engraved on the tang and frankly I’m not impressed. I wonder if it is a fake since it does not even say Frank B on the tang

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Amazing. Is this different from the spring loaded, switchblade? Thank you. God bless you.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Yes, switchblades are much stronger, thicker & bigger but not surprisingly much more expensive. I personally would rather carry a couple cheap one's or one cheap one & a mace but the expensive one's are great for collector's item\showing off to friends.

[@daviddavid391]

Intha kneife engu kitaikkum therinthal sollunga please

[@infinitellamas3471]

can yall restock

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

"dropping it & cracking the wood" 😰 That ALONE got me to choose the cheap one instead! 😓

[@GodseyKnives]

I need to repair one were can i find repair parts ?

[@JG-br2st]

It would be nice if you guys would restock the knifes on the site!!!!!!!

[@andyokus5735]

Do you have left-handed models?

[@raphlvlogs271]

an interesting influential design

[@josephnaguski1009]

(Is there any place to send switchblade Knifes to be repaired ❓

[@sammysmith8394]

I have a few stilettos and couple I had custom made I carry in rotation with my other knives but I don't use them for anything crazy I always have a beater knife with me

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

My stiletto knife is kinda heavy, I could easily beat someone with it. 🙂 (hopefully I'm not taking it literally, I don't know what a beater knife is 😅)

[@tommyg7668]

I ordered a knife that has the same look to the Italian stilettos. However it does not have three button to push down on it so would it still classify as an Italian stiletto?

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Not technically but the quality is about the same. Like if you want to sell it to an collector, definitely get the original old fashioned type but for everything else, the newer cheap one's are fine (just make sure you carry mace as a backup).

[@michaeldavila2325]

I bought an AKC automatic knife from Grindworks, and apparently, someone forgot to remove the made in China sticker on the blue box it came in. It's definitely not a real AKC made in Italy. I paid a little over $73.00 for it, as it was on sale. So my question is, what gives?

[@davidh5681]

Just got an otf stiletto from vipertec for $90.... It came broken.....

[@geronimo67]

I had a twenty dollar knife many years ago. I was happy with it until it got confiscated. Recently I bought another twenty dollar knife and soon I will certainly purchase one of those hundred dollar Italian knives. Just to have them.

[@markwebb9063]

Where oh where… Can I get one of those frank b Switch blade knives please death of that please tell me?

[@TasmanianTigerGrrr]

Do you ship internationally ?

[@t4rbrah899]

Where can I buy one in 2020?

[@mattconklin4026]

I wish a swing guard had a pocket clip on it so I could EDC it

[@carlwest5936]

Idk I don’t “get” italian knives. I had one once and the blade snapped when i tried to make kindling with wood. I carry a cold steel 6” Ti-Lite and it’s strong as hell but no spring or button just flick open. I would want my life depending on the cold steel x100. Plus I can wave it out before you even press the button and theres like 2x more blade steel aus8a and a better locking system.

[@PISCESBEATS]

I would have liked to a $20 vs $120 knife with the same style and mechanism to see the difference. I have a cheaper $20 dollar stiletto that looks like the $120 one.

[@stageiiwappie950]

I love pisces they make my scorpio heart raging

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

My cheap one looks better than both! 😅 Would've easily paid twice as much if I would've known how great it was. I wonder if they priced it wrong. 🤷‍♂️ Or the makers have no idea on how to price awesome quality knives. 🤷‍♀️ Walmart price but scheels quality.

[@jamiemccort8388]

I paid $20 for a replica of the one on the right. Instead of wood it’s kinda stained hard plastic that looks like wood. It looks exactly like the one in the video and it operates very good. Has a good kick to it. I know it probably won’t last as long as an original but for the money I think it’s a great little knife. 👌🏻😊

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

I have a replica one also! 😀 (paid twice as much but it was still worth it) I also carry mace though since the replica knife doesn't last as long as the really expensive one's but I'm fine with that. ☺️ You could carry 1 of each or carry 2 replicas if you want. Always have a backup or double with inexpensive stuff though.

[@deemilton5003]

Only one way to tell which is better use it

[@Squee2101]

Links? I can't find them on the site?

[@JessieorQuinn]

Ya grindworx

[@killercloud345]

I am thirsting for a quality one for under 150 for edc. Mostly just want a sturdy one but it seems all of them are fairly flimsy from what i hear?

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Kinda but their so sharp that it wouldn't take much effort to stab someone (for self defense) anyway. Get at least 2 of the cheap plus mace or 1 of the expensive.

[@mikemckague9506]

What about a 75$ stiletto switchblade?

[@chase_the_ace7961]

I’m from Canada so I can only get spring assisted stilettos😔

[@game-play1455]

2:31 ellie knife

[@sinkmc3682]

Not even close but ok

[@erickort1987]

whats the purpose of having a stilletto or switch blade knife?why do ppl buy them?

[@darrenhughes7721]

$20, $120 , $220 I wouldnt want to be stabbed by any of them. I just bought a “cheap” one online Ive ALWAYS wanted a switchblabe but living in Australia could never find one and illegal. Feels heavy and very sharp Im happy with it. Like a zippo lighter when u flick the top I just like the sound it makes when the blade flicks out.

[@toddcolclough3177]

its the 'click' that makes a would be attacker think twice, it could save your life (or theirs i suppose)

[@surfside-hj2ue]

Do you sell these knives?

[@docholiday6766]

Why is your whole site out of stock tho

[@MattyIcecubes]

The good old OJ special

[@bruchett4799]

Im conflicted because I bought an italian style knife for $30 but it looks similar to the $120 range. it dosent have brass, thats the difference. 4 inch blade. It has a white marble like plastic for the handle but by no means does it look cheap. not flimsy at all.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

Mine has some plastic which worried me at first but I had no idea just how hard & strong it was. The blade itself is also WAY stronger & sharper than I thought!! Pretty good for $27. Easily worth at least twice as much.

[@coreyhundleyy]

The $20 opens with less authority bc of the type of lock it has on it

[@Manu-ji9bo]

Lo stiletto italiano ha sempre il suo fascino. 🇮🇹

[@user-sb6bg7vu7r]

mechanic 0f first knife is g00d.

[@isabellam1936]

Why are all your Frank B’s out of stock?

[@omegamanrad]

Are they legal in CA? Since they’re single action 🤔

[@johnisapplejuice4875]

No

[@marlenecarrillo7575]

Wow I can’t find a lever lock only stiletto wtf where can I find a lever lock

[@Momo_Kawashima]

Honestly I prefer to spend more, with stiletto switchblades you get what you pay for. Since back in the 1930s and 40s these knives weren't intended as knives you took out to cut stuff with in the wild or even around town. They were kinda like pieces of jewelry, the more it was well crafted the more you showed it off to guests, nothing more and nothing less

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

"it definitely comes out with more authority" But the cheap blade came out just as fast! It's the speed I'm looking for, not authority. Plus too much authority can be heavy & strong & flip out of your hand.

[@burpostockings]

Can you guys carry stilettos around? I've gotten in legal trouble for having one of these in my pocket.

[@Grindworx]

Depends on local laws, always check before you purchase/carry. - Holly

[@tommo101able]

i think that i would pay the extra as it looks a whole lot better