american pride

The knife from Rambo: First Blood, the first installment in the series, is one of the most famous examples of a modern survival knife. Designed by master knife maker Jimmy Lile at the specific request of Sylvester Stallone, it was not intended as a simple prop, but as a real, functional and useful tool in an extreme survival context.

In the film, John Rambo is a former Green Beret veteran of Vietnam, an expert in guerrilla warfare and environmental adaptation. The knife becomes a symbol of his self-sufficiency: a sturdy blade, a serrated back for cutting wood and thin metal, a hollow handle with a waterproof seal to hold a small emergency kit (matches, string, hooks), and a flat pommel that can be used as a hammer or mallet. A sharpening stone was also integrated into the sheath, highlighting the philosophy of “don't depend on anything other than what you carry with you.”

The design of the Rambo 1 knife anticipates the myth of the lone hero capable of surviving against nature and man, and defines an aesthetic that would influence the production of survival knives for the entire following decade. Even today, the original Lile models are considered highly collectible items, testimony to the union between cinema and true knife-making artistry.

Intended use: Collection 
Blade: 420J2 stainless steel
Blade finish: Satin finish and gray coating
Handle: Hollow, made of die-cast aluminum, with the exterior wrapped in paracord; the rear has a screw cap with a bushing that allows access to the compartment containing all the survival accessories (windproof matches, needles, fish hooks, etc.).
Blade length: 225mm.
Blade thickness: 5mm.
Handle length: 105 mm.
Total length: 349 mm.
Balance: Forward, 21 mm from the lower guard branch.
Weight: 418 g.
Sheath: Leather, with sharpening stone.
Notes: Limited and numbered edition with John Rambo's signature on the blade and sheath.

The knife from Rambo: First Blood Part II — often called the “Mission” or “Rambo II knife” — is the work of master American knife maker Jimmy Lile.

Created at the request of Sylvester Stallone, the model was designed not as a simple movie prop but as a real survival knife: a long, sturdy blade, partially serrated back, and handle designed for prolonged use and to hold small emergency accessories. 

Lile's design, much more aggressive than the knife in the first film, emphasizes the character's transformation into an even more operational and autonomous figure in the field.

The film, released in 1985 and directed by George P. Cosmatos, helped transform this knife into a popular icon: from a functional tool to a symbol of adventure and resilience.

Intended use: Collection 
Blade: 420J2 stainless steel
Blade finish: Satin finish and black coating
Handle: Hollow, made of die-cast aluminum, with the exterior wrapped in paracord; the rear has a screw cap with a bushing that allows access to the compartment containing all the survival accessories (windproof matches, needles, fish hooks, etc.)
Blade length: 10.5 inches.
Blade thickness: 0.2 inches.
Handle length: 100 mm.
Total length: 385 mm.
Balance: Forward, 2 cm from the lower guard branch.
Weight: 505 g.
Sheath: Leather, with diamond sharpener. 
Notes: Limited and numbered edition with John Rambo's signature on the blade and sheath.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Iconic knife handmade in 2021, withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased
* Condition: in excellent condition, unused and kept solely in a collection
* Available on the market: Currently out of catalog and cannot be ordered/obtained from the craftsman
* Sharpness: Factory sharp
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: -
* Sheath: in excellent condition, with signature and date of manufacture
* Manuals, Certificates, and Guarantees: Certificate of guarantee and authenticity with date and technical data of the model
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

THE LEGEND
Jimmy Lile (1933–1991), known as “The Arkansas Knifesmith,” was one of the most important American knife makers of the 20th century. Born in Russellville, Arkansas, he made his first knife at the age of 11 and devoted himself professionally to knife making in 1971.

He is famous for the legendary Rambo knives, designed for real use with 440C blades, hollow handles, and innovative details. He was president of the Knifemakers' Guild, and his works were commissioned by presidents and celebrities.

He died in 1991, leaving a legacy of the highest caliber in custom and collectible knives.

THE PRESENT
Today, the Lile Knives, LLC brand is owned by John Hill of McKinney, Texas. In the 1980s, John was already collaborating with Bob Rankin on the sale of original Rambo knives, and in 2003 he co-authored a book dedicated to Lile's work.

After Jimmy's death, John maintained a strong relationship with Marilyn (Lile) Miller and purchased the Lile brand from her to continue producing high-quality replicas of the movie knives, adhering to custom knife standards and guaranteeing Marilyn royalties.

Since 2011, John Hill has been collaborating with Vaughn Neeley, former owner of Timberline Knives, to produce limited editions of Rambo knives that are prized by collectors. Today, Vaughn produces the entire new “Cerakote™ Series,” while the “Utility Series” is produced under his supervision, keeping alive the tradition and quality of Jimmy Lile's original models.

THE KNIFE
“The Mission” is one of the most iconic survival knives ever made, born from Jimmy Lile's vision to combine extreme functionality and military design.

Featuring a stainless steel blade finished entirely with bead-blasting to eliminate reflections, this model combines tactical aesthetics and real performance.

The back is equipped with aggressive serrations, while the hollow handle, wrapped in paracord, integrates a compass and allows for the transport of small tools.

The multifunction guard features screwdriver tips, making it a complete survival tool. Produced in a limited edition, “The Mission” represents the perfect synthesis between a combat knife, field tool, and collector's item.

Intended use: Collection / Survival

Type of production: entirely handmade
Country of production: USA
Blade: CPM-154CM stainless steel
Blade treatment: Titanium Grey Cerakote
Handle: 316 stainless steel, hollow, waterproof, paracord coated; 316 stainless steel through guard; screw-in aluminum tang with integrated glass breaker and Pyser Optics NATO internal compass
Blade length: 253mm.
Blade thickness: 7 mm.
Total length: 393 mm.
Weight: 573 g.
Sheath: black leather, belt-mounted, for vertical carry, with craftsman's signature and date of manufacture
Packaging: supplied with warranty certificate with date of manufacture and technical details
Notes: iconic knife used in the Rambo films, entirely handmade, with LILE logos and serial number. Previously purchased, never used, from a private collection

KNIFE FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously Purchased
* Condition: Good
* Commercially available No
* Sharpening: Original
* Marks on the blade: Some scratches on the pommel, blade and guard in very good condition
* Marks on handle: Some assembly inaccuracies near the pommel, adhesive residues
* Packaging: NO
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original with some marks due to age and storage
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: YES
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

Knife handcrafted by Master C.IC. (Corporazione Italiana Coltellinai - Italian Knife-makers Guild) Livio Montagna. Reproduction of one of the various versions of the Arkansas Toothpick, legendary frontier knife of the American 1800s. Famous, often infamous, it generally has a 30 to 50 cm blade, rather narrow and sometimes symmetrical, dagger-style. Used mainly for hunting and personal defence.

Livio Montagna's version is aesthetically very similar to the Toothpick used in Expandables 2.

The knife is distinguished by an excellent overall balance, allowing control and precision in use. The finish is of a good standard.

Intended use: hunting / collection

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: Italy
Blade: hardened 440C steel at 58/59 HRC
Blade finish: satin finish
Handle: Ebony - 416 stainless steel guard and pommel
Blade length: 305mm.
Blade thickness: 6mm.
Total length: 445mm.
Weight: 722g. (960g. including scabbard)
Sheath: Handcrafted, leather, hand-stitched
Packaging: NO
Notes: -

Collini Cutlery is the official distributor for Italy of tactical knives / collection made in the USA Chris Reeve

Made at the Blade Show in 2014 in a limited edition of only 500 pieces worldwide, the impofu (eland antelope, Lungu in Zulu) is a fixed blade knife largest and most impressive ever produced by Chris Reeve.

Use: Collection / Heavy Utility

Type of production: semi-homemade
Blade: Stainless Steel Tool CPM-3V 58 / 60HRC
Production Lama USA
Handle: Black Canvas Micarta
Blade length: 254mm.
Blade Thickness: 6.8mm.
Length closed: -
Overall length: 413mm.
Balancing: Advanced
Weight: 573g.
Closed: -
Sheath: Black Leather by Gfeller Casemakers
Notes: Production limited to 500 pieces worldwide - Certificate of Authenticity and warranty