Sport, Military and Collectible Knives | Coltelleria Collini

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

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.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: previously purchased
* Condition: overall in very good condition
* Commercially available handcrafted version no longer commercially available.
* Sharpening: factory sharpened, never resharpened
* Marks on blade: none
* Marks on handle: a few tiny little marks on carbon
* Box: present
* Scabbard: -
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

Intended Use: Utility / Collection

Production type: MidTech
Country of Manufacture: USA (Wampum, Pennsylvania)
Blade: CPM-CruWear 63/64HRC steel
Blade treatment: Stonewashed
Handle: 5mm thick Carbon Fiber with stainless steel top folder
Blade length: 95mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 220mm.
Weight: 174g.
Closure: Shark-Lock
Clip: stainless steel
Packaging: cardboard box with Demko logos
Notes: previously purchased knife from private collection - rare semi-crafted version (MidTech) personally made by the knife maker in his own workshops in Wampum, discontinued and no longer commercially available

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously purchased, presumably from the late 1970s/early 1980s.
* Condition: In very good condition
* Commercially available: Rudy Ruana passed away in 1986, Ruana knives are still in production and orderable on their site with waiting lists, but in different configurations from this one.
* Sharpening: Factory original, improvable, with some cosmetic abrasion.
* Marks on blade: Small horizontal marks due to insertion and removal from scabbard.
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on the aluminum handle.
* Packaging: -
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original, with a few small marks given by age.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory



Intended use: hunting / light hiking

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: USA
Blade: made of undeclared high carbon steel (presumably 1095 or 5160), hammer-forged, ground, individually oil-hardened and heat-treated using a zone tempering method that makes the back and tang of the blade softer than the cutting edge
Blade finish: satin-finished
Handle: cast aluminum directly on tang with beveled and riveted elk horn inserts. The tang runs inside the full length of the handle, and the cast aluminum produces a strong handle that is impossible to break.
Blade length: 125mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5mm.
Total length: 235mm.
Weight: 190g.
Sheath: handcrafted, leather, for vertical carrying on the belt
Packaging: -
Notes: Specimen presumably late 1970s/early 1980s in excellent condition - previously purchased knife from a private collection

Company History.
In 1938, Rudy Ruana began making knives in a small store in Montana. Members of his family continue to this day to handcraft Ruana knives in the same store. In 1964 Ruana's son-in-law, Vic Hangas, left a job with a telephone company and put his artistic talents to good use, joining Ruana in the business. Hangas' son Mark began working in the business in 1976. In 1983, Ruana retired at the age of 80 and sold the business to the Hangas family. In 1984 Mike Hangas joined his brother and father and the company was incorporated. Rudy Ruana died in April 1986. He was honored with posthumous induction into the American Bladesmith Society's Hall of Fame in 1997 and Blade magazine's Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2002.

Ruana knives are still handmade in the small Montana store where Rudy Ruana began forging blades more than 80 years ago. In an era of outsourcing and diminishing Made in America products, Ruana knives are still handmade in the United States, with a focus on quality rather than quantity. Although some things have changed over the years, still using the same methods and much of the same equipment used by Rudy Ruana.

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously purchased, presumably from the late 1970s/early 1980s.
* Condition: In very good condition
* Commercially available On order, with waiting list.
* Sharpening: Factory original, can be improved.
* Marks on blade: Small horizontal marks due to insertion and removal from scabbard.
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on aluminum tang.
* Packaging: -
* Scabbard: Leather, handcrafted, original.
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory



Intended use: hunting / fishing / light hiking

Type of production: handcrafted
Country of production: USA
Blade: O1 steel
Blade finish: satin finish
Handle: leather rings, brass guard, duralumin pommel
Blade length: 115mm.
Blade thickness: 3.8mm.
Total length: 230mm.
Weight: 130g.
Scabbard: handmade, leather, for vertical carrying on belt
Packaging: -
Notes: Specimen presumably late 1970s/early 1980s in excellent condition - previously purchased knife from a private collection

History of the Model
The Model 7 was designed as a scaled-down version of the Model 3 Hunter.

Almost immediately, the idea of a scaled-down version of the new Hunter dawned on Bo Randall as an ideal knife for his fellow anglers. An avid fisherman since his youth, Bo regarded this new knife as a labor of love and immediately set to work on the project. At first he tried 4- and 4.5-inch blades, but then opted for the 4 1/2-inch one. Bo wanted the right handle for cleaning brook trout and similar sized fish, so he reduced the size of the handle of the new Hunter and changed its shape. Naturally, he called this model the "Fisherman," and some early prototypes with 4-inch blades were delivered to some dealers during the latter part of September 1945.

This special edition in 250 pieces, proposed on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the brand, maintains the shape of the original, but with materials and finishes corresponding to the current production.

The K1 is equipped with a modified spear point profile blade, characterized by a tip that combines the 40° "tanto" profile with the more traditional European one, creating a sharp but very solid hybrid which, with the false false edge, makes it particularly effective in jab. The bevel is high, allowing for a very effective cutting angle.

The blade is immediately recognizable by the fenestration at the heel, which allows for considerable lightening without compromising its strength. It is made of Böhler N690 steel, with heat treatments that bring its hardness to 58 HRC for the best combination of edge hold and resistance. The finish is satin with flat grinding.

The handle, in anodized Anticorodal alloy, compared to the original presents the lightening on the sides that make the Extrema Ratio knives immediately distinguishable, but maintains the arched shape and the lateral "bellies" of the K1, offering an excellent grip both in the "saber" than in the "reverse" grip.

The terminal part of the handle curves to form a sort of hook which allows particularly easy and rapid extraction from the scabbard, while the tang protrudes from it with a triangular cusp which acts as a glass breaker with a slot which allows the knife to be equipped of lasso.

The leather scabbard faithfully reproduces the original while maintaining both the qualities of ease and speed of extraction. The carry can take place in an upside-down axillary position, horizontally on the belt or tactically on the thigh.

The K1 equipment is completed with a polypropylene case ‌, complete leather sheath and underarm shoulder strap.

WEIGHT g.: 493
WEIGHT OZ.: 17.39
BLADE LENGTH (MM): 210
BLADE LENGTH (IN): 8.26
TOTAL LENGTH (MM): 351
TOTAL LENGTH (IN): 13.81
BLADE THICKNESS (MM): 6.3
BLADE THICKNESS (IN): 0.25
BLADE MATERIAL: BÖHLER N690 STEEL (58HRC)
BLADE FINISH: SATIN
BLADE GRINDING: FLAT EDGE
HANDLE MATERIAL: ANODIZED ANTICORODAL ALUMINUM

Knife withdrawn from private collection - Overall in excellent condition, still with factory sharpening, a few small signs of oxidation - Distinguished by Copper Brush finish, not usual to find on Wander models and very rare ivory white G-10 handle - Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory.

Type of Production: Handcrafted
Country of Production: Italy
Blade: D2 steel at 59/60HRC
Blade Finish: Copper Brush
Handle: G-10
Blade Length: 180mm.
Blade thickness: 6.5mm.
Total length: 340mm.
Balance: backward
Weight: 605g.
Sheath: made of Kydex, thermoformed, with Tek-Lok type attachment
Packaging: -
Notes: supplied with certificate of authenticity and warranty dated 12/20/2020 - knife withdrawn from private collection, overall in excellent condition