vintage knives

PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED AND USED KNIFE, FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Acquired from a private individual, previously purchased and used
* Condition: Good overall condition, with evident signs of age and use
* Commercial availability: Discontinued
* Sharpening: Resharpened
* Marks on blade: Present, with scratches, abrasions and surface dulling consistent with age and use
* Marks on handle: Present, with natural patina and signs of use on the stacked leather washers
* Box: -
* Sheath: Present, original leather sheath, heavily used and showing signs of age
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: -
* Inspected and Certified by our in-house laboratory

The SOG S1 Bowie Vietnam 5th Special Forces Group is one of the most representative knives in the history of SOG Specialty Knives and the model with which the American brand began its production during the second half of the 1980s. Made in Seki, Japan, the S1 was created as a tribute to the famous knives used by members of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) during the Vietnam War.

It is important to distinguish the S1 from the original “sterile” military knives actually used operationally during the conflict: the commercial SOG model instead reproduces the commemorative configuration of the famous MACV-SOG Bowie, featuring the U.S. Army Special Forces crest on the blade together with the marking “VIETNAM 5th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP”. This strong historical identity, combined with the quality of Japanese manufacturing, has made it one of the most recognizable and sought-after vintage SOG knives among collectors.

Production was entrusted to Ichiro Hattori in Seki, one of the most important names in Japanese knifemaking. The substantial Bowie blade is made from SK-5 carbon steel, hardened to approximately 57-58 HRC, with the characteristic dark gun-blue finish combined with polished surfaces. The handle uses traditional stacked leather washers stabilized with epoxy resin, completed by a sturdy metal guard and pommel.

This example features the classic SOG Specialty Knives logo on one side of the ricasso and, on the opposite side, the markings “SEKI-JAPAN”, the Special Forces crest and the inscription “VIETNAM 5th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP”. It is also accompanied by its original black leather sheath, complete with sharpening stone pocket and a large Special Forces crest embossed on the lower section. The original period identification label is still present on the back of the sheath.

The example offered here comes from a private collection and has actually been used. The blade shows scratches, abrasions and surface marks, both on the blued and polished areas; the leather handle has developed a noticeable patina and shows wear consistent with its age. The original sheath is also heavily used, with leather wear, marks and widespread abrasions. Its condition should therefore be considered good in relation to its age and nature, but it should not be compared with a display-grade or NOS example.

These very characteristics tell the story of an authentic SOG S1 made in Seki: a knife that, regardless of its cosmetic condition, retains all the appeal of one of the founding models of the brand and today represents a particularly significant piece for a collection dedicated to American military knives and Japanese SOG production from the 1980s and 1990s.

Intended use: Military / Collection
Production type: Industrial
Model: S1 Bowie - Vietnam 5th Special Forces Group
Country of manufacture: Seki - Japan
Model production period: 1986 - 2005
Blade: SK-5 carbon steel
Hardness: 57-58 HRC
Blade finish: Gun-blue / polished
Blade profile: Bowie
Edge: Plain
Handle: Stacked leather washers stabilized with epoxy resin
Guard and pommel: Metal
Blade length: Approx. 159mm
Blade thickness: Approx. 7.1mm
Overall length: Approx. 273mm
Weight: Approx. 349g
Sheath: Original black leather sheath with sharpening stone pocket and Special Forces crest
Notes: Previously purchased and used knife, from a private collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased
* Condition: Like new, NOS (new old stock), never used or removed from its original box
* Available on the market: Out of production
* Sharpness: Factory sharp
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: Present
* Sheath: Present and perfect
* Manuals, Certificates, and Warranties: -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

Created in 1986 as the second official model of the newly formed SOG Specialty Knives, the S2 Trident is not just a knife, but a bridge between the past and the present. Designed in honor of the Navy SEALs and special units that operated in Vietnam, it draws direct inspiration from the legendary MACV-SOG knives of the 1960s, “sterilized” and lethal tools used in the most secret missions of the conflict.

Produced during the company's golden age in Seki, Japan, the Trident combines elegant lines and combat functionality: a thick, balanced AUS-8 steel Bowie blade with impeccable satin finish; ergonomic and durable black micarta stacked washer handle; and the engraved Navy SEAL symbol, a seal of belonging to an elite group. The leather sheath with sharpening stone completes a package designed for operators and collectors.

The S2 Trident is the most refined tribute to SOG's operational past: a homage to the military tradition of Vietnam reinterpreted with Japanese craftsmanship. Today, with a very high rarity index, it is considered one of the most sought-after pieces by military knife collectors, not only for its build quality, but for the history embodied in its blade.

Intended use: Military / Collection

Type of production: industrial
Country of production: Seki - Japan
Blade: AUS-8 stainless steel
Blade finish: Satin
Handle: Stacked micarta rings
Blade length: 160mm.
Blade thickness: 6 mm.
Total length: 278 mm.
Balance: rearward, 1 cm from the guard
Weight: 312 g.
Sheath: leather with pocket for sharpening stone (included)
Notes: previously purchased knife from a private collection

The Buck 124 was originally designed in 1966 as a dive combat knife called the Nemo. The model then went into production in 1967 and was offered with either a dive sheath (NEMO) or a leather sheath (FRONTIERSMAN). The knife was the same and has remained so to this day.

In the 1960s about 300 examples were produced and they had black phenolic handles with white Teflon spacers. Then in the 1970s it had a fluctuating production, with very poor sales numbers, until in '73 it was offered with a "Buckarta" (Micarta) handle and began to find favor with the public, with over 10000 examples sold until the early 1980s. Until 1983 model production remained high, and in 1984 a version of the FRONTIERSMAN with a Pakkawood handle was introduced; the 1984 version did not have the patent logos engraved, the 1985 version had the patent engravings, and from 1986 the knife began to have the production date engraved on the blade.

Therefore, our proposed model is from 1984.

Knife withdrawn from private collection - Classic Buck model dating from 1984, first series with wooden handle - Overall in very good condition, with no particular noticeable marks, with a few small scratches on aluminum guard and pommel - Scabbard in excellent condition - Original factory sharpening, but underperforming - Lacking box and certificates - Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory.

Intended Use: Hunting / Utility / Multirole / Collection

Type of production: Industrial
Country of manufacture: USA
Blade: full tang, 425M stainless steel
Blade finish: satin-finished
Handle: Pakkawood
Blade length: 159mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 300mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 377g.
Sheath: black leather
Packaging: absent
Notes: knife withdrawn from private collection, 1984 specimen, overall in very good condition

Iconic knife produced by Puma and dating back to the late 1980s, characterized by a then very modern line and a very advanced steel for the time (154CM).  Knife withdrawn from private collection - Overall in very good condition - Never used, never sharpened, still with factory sharpening - A few small marks on the right side handle, in concomitance with the sheath that goes to hook the knife through a pin that tends to irreparably rub the handle itself - Supplied with original wooden case and leather sheath - Checked and certified by our internal laboratory Coltelleria Collini

Intended use: Collection / Vintage / Tactical

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of manufacture: Germany
Blade: stainless steel 154CM
Blade finish: satin-finished
Handle: Integral, stainless steel and Micarta
Blade length: 160mm.
Blade thickness: 5.5mm.
Total length: 290mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 285g.
Sheath: leather
Packaging: wooden case
Notes: 1980s Vintage knife - Limited edition of only 500 pieces, numbered on the blade, specimen 170 of 550 - Knife withdrawn from private collection globally in excellent condition

Othello Solingen Germany by Anton Wingen - Bowie Knives - Knife

Othello Solingen Germany by Anton Wingen JR - brand famous in the 80s and 90s

Intended Use: Hunting

Type of production: craft
Blade: stainless steel 440
Production Blade: Germany
Handle: deer
Blade length: 160mm.
Blade Thickness: 6mm.
Length closed: -
Overall length: 295mm.
Balancing: -
Weight: 374g.
Closure: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Leather
Notes: vintage knives