Knife - Essential Tool for Camping, Outdoor Adventure and collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Iconic knife from 1981, withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased
* Condition: Overall in good condition, mechanically perfect, shows some signs of wear on the nickel silver handle and micarta inserts; the blade shows signs of mechanical friction on the back due to opening and closing in the handle
* Available on the market: Not available, craftsman no longer in business
* Sharpness: Factory sharp
* Marks on blade: Small marks due to age and friction when opening and closing the blade
* Marks on handle: Several signs of wear visible on the nickel silver handle and micarta inserts
* Box: -
* Sheath: -
* Manuals, Certificates, and Warranties: 1981 warranty certificate from Coltelleria G. Lorenzi in Via Montenapoleone, Milan
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

In the 1980s, Jimmy Lile developed an elegant folding knife with a button lock mechanism, known as the “Lile Lock.” This patented system consists of a front button on the handle that unlocks the blade when opening and locks it in the cutting position, ensuring safety and ease of use. The monolithic nickel-silver guides support the D2 steel blade, while the micarta inserts on the scales give the knife a refined look.

This is a generously sized knife, produced in limited quantities between the 1970s and 1980s. The numbered examples bearing engravings such as the patent number 4148140 are now highly sought-after collector's items of great economic value.

This folding model represents a perfect balance between functionality and collectible design: compact and easy to handle, with a reliable lock, high-quality materials, and meticulous details, embodying Lile's attention to craftsmanship even in a context other than the famous survival knife.

Intended use: Collectible / Sports

Type of production: Entirely handmade
Country of production: Arkansas / USA
Blade: D2 steel
Blade treatment: Satin finish
Handle: Nickel Silver handle with Red Micarta inserts and stainless steel rear spacer
Blade length: 90mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5 mm.
Closed length: 124 mm
Total length: 212 mm.
Weight: 198 g.
Closure: Lile Lock (Button Lock)
Packaging: supplied with a 1981 warranty certificate from the historic “Coltelleria G. Lorenzi” in Via Montenapoleone, Milan
Notes: extremely rare knife from 1981, previously purchased, withdrawn from a private collection, serial number 447 engraved on the blade and patent number “U.S. Patent No. 4148140” engraved on the back of the button lock.

Takeshi Saji è nato nel 1948 a Takefu (prefettura di Fukui), una città situata all'incirca nel centro del Giappone e nel cuore di una zona da secoli votata alla produzione di lame. Il suo laboratorio è ancora lì, costruito intorno al forno grazie al quale, ormai da parecchi anni, Takeshi Saji forgia l'acciaio (soprattutto damasco) con cui realizza vari modelli di coltelli tradizionali giapponesi. La scelta dei materiali per le finiture (prevalentemente naturali), le linee essenziali - evocatrici dell'utilizzo - e gli accostamenti cromatici di raro impatto rendono le sue realizzazioni uniche e inconfondibili nel panorama della coltelleria mondiale e, in patria, gli sono valse il prestigioso titolo di Maestro.

Destinazione d'uso: Collezione/Sportivo

Tipo di produzione: Artigianale
Produzione Lama: Giappone
Lama: Forgiata a mano, in damasco laminato con tagliente in Hitachi Shirogami a 64HRC
Trattamento Lama: -
Manicatura: Tou-Maki (Rattan arrotolato) e Pitone (pelle di serpente)
Lunghezza lama: 147mm.
Spessore lama: 4.5mm.
Lunghezza chiuso: -
Lunghezza totale: 268mm.
Spessore da chiuso: -
Bilanciatura: -
Peso: 190g.
Chiusura: -
Clip: -
Fodero: Pelle di Pitone
Confezione: Scatola di cartone
Note: interamente realizzati a mano da Takeshi Saji

Purpose: Collection / Sportsman

Type of production: Artisan
Blade Production: Japan
Blade: Hand forged, rolled damper with Hitachi Shirogami cutting edge at 64HRC
Blade Treatment: -
Manicure: Tou-Maki (Rolled Rattan) and leather
Blade Length: 134mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed length: -
Total length: 250mm.
Closure thickness: -
Balance: -
Weight: 162g.
Closure: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Leather and Rattan
Packing: Carton box
Notes: Hand made entirely by Takeshi Saji

Takeshi Saji - Cha Hebi Hanta Crocodile Skin - Damascus blade

Intended Use: Collection / Sports

Type of production: Artisan
Production Lama: Japan
Blade: Hand Forged, laminated damask with sharp steel Hitachi Shirogami to 64HRC
Blade treatment: -
Handle: Tou-maki (rolled Rattan) and crocodile skin
Blade length: 139mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Overall length: 252mm.
Thick when closed: -
Balancing: -
Weight: 180g.
Closed: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Crocodile Skin
Packaging: Cardboard Box
Notes: entirely handmade by Takeshi Saji

Takeshi Saji was born in 1948 in Takefu (Fukui prefecture), a city located roughly in the center of Japan and in the heart of an area for centuries devoted to the production of blades. His workshop is still there, built around the oven thanks to which, for several years now, Takeshi Saji has been forging steel (especially damascus) with which he makes various models of traditional Japanese knives. The choice of materials for the finishes (mainly natural), the essential lines - evocative of use - and the chromatic combinations of rare impact make his creations unique and unmistakable in the panorama of world cutlery and, at home, they have earned him the prestigious title of Master.

Intended use: Collection / Sports

Type of production: Artisan
Production Lama: Japan
Blade: Hand forged, laminated damask with 64HRC Hitachi Shirogami cutting edge
Blade treatment: -
Handle: Tou-Maki (Rolled Rattan) and snakeskin
Blade length: 150mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Total length: 272mm.
Thick when closed: -
Balancing: -
Weight: 192g.
Closing: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Snake Skin
Packaging: Cardboard box
Notes: entirely handmade by Takeshi Saji