knives new life

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: previously purchased and from a withdrawn private collection
* Condition: Perfect, like new
* Available on the market: Knife from the late 1980s/early 1990s, out of production and difficult to find
* Sharpness: Factory sharp, perfect
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: Present and perfect
* Sheath: Present, with some minor signs of wear on the back 
* Manuals, Certificates, and Warranties: -
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

Created in the early 1980s from the vision of legendary designer Al Mar, the 3004 “De Oppresso Liber” is much more than a knife: it is a symbol of tactical excellence and special forces spirit.

Produced in a very limited series in Seki, Japan, this fixed blade knife was designed to meet the extreme standards of the U.S. Army's SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) units.

The engraved motto — “De Oppresso Liber,” “liberate the oppressed” — directly echoes the ethos of the American Green Berets.

Refined, robust, and now highly sought after by collectors, the 3004 represents one of the most iconic chapters in the history of modern military knives.

Intended use: tactical/collection

Country of manufacture: Japan
Type of production: industrial
Blade: AUS-8 stainless steel
Blade finish: satin
Handle: brown micarta
Blade length: 155mm. 
Blade thickness: 4mm.
Total length: 267mm.
Balance: on the guard
Weight: 245g.
Sheath: leather
Notes: previously purchased item, withdrawn from private collection - like new, perfect in every detail - supplied with original unopened packaging

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Iconic knife handmade in 2021, withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased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 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
* Origin: Knife from the 1980s withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased
* Condition: Overall in good condition, mechanically perfect, shows some signs of wear and age on the wooden handle with a deep notch on the tang with material missing a couple of mm thick near the lanyard hole and some signs of age and wear on the steel heads and steel blade. The sheath is in good condition, never used on a belt, also with signs of age on the outer surfaces and on the automatic button
* Available on the market: Out of production since the 1990s
* Sharpness: Factory sharpness, could be improved
* Marks on blade: Small scratches visible against the light due to age
* Marks on the handle: Small scratches on the steel heads and wood, part of the wood missing near the hole for the lanyard
* Box: Missing
* Sheath: Present and in good condition, with some signs of wear due to the passage of time
* Manuals, Certificates, and Warranties: Missing
* Checked and certified by our in-house laboratory

Intended use: Sports

Type of production: Industrial
Country of production: Japan
Blade: AUS-6 stainless steel with concave sharpening
Blade treatment: Satin finish
Handle: Cocobolo wood, steel heads, and brass internal plates
Blade length: 75mm.
Blade thickness: 3mm.
Closed length: 100mm
Total length: 172mm.
Weight: 100g.
Closure: Back Lock
Sheath: sturdy brown leather with white stitching, belt loop, and snap button for fastening
Packaging: -
Notes: rare sports knife, practical and sturdy, produced between the 1980s and 1990s, previously purchased, withdrawn from private collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Origin: Withdrawn from a private collection, previously purchased.
* Condition: Overall in very good condition
* Commercially available: Discontinued
* Sharpening: Factory sharpened
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: A few small marks on steel heads.
* Box: Present
* Scabbard: Present
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: /
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory

Intended Use: Collection / Gentleman

Type of Production: Semi-Industrial
Country of Production: Japan
Blade: Stainless steel AUS6
Blade treatment: Satin finish
Handle: Mother of pearl and stainless steel heads
Blade length: 40mm.
Blade thickness: 2mm.
Length closed: 55mm.
Total length: 97mm.
Weight: 14g.
Closure: Back Lock
Sheath: small blue velvet case with Al-Mar Knives logos
Packaging: cardboard box with Al-Mar Knives logos.
Notes: very rare knife produced in the 1980s withdrawn from private collection

KNIFE WITHDRAWN FROM PRIVATE COLLECTION
* Type: Previously Purchased
* Condition: Perfect, like new
* Commercially available: Discontinued
* Sharpening: Factory sharpened, perfect
* Marks on blade: None
* Marks on handle: None
* Box: Present and perfect
* Scabbard: Present and perfect
* Manuals, Certificates and Warranties: - -
* Checked and Certified by our in-house laboratory


Intended Use: tactical / collection

Country of Production: Japan
Production type: industrial
Blade: stainless steel AUS-8
Blade Finish: Satin finish
Handle: brown micarta
Blade length: 148mm. 
Blade thickness: 4mm.
Total length: 265mm.
Balance: on the guard branch
Weight: 238g.
Sheath: leather
Notes: previously purchased item, withdrawn from private collection - like new, perfect in every detail - comes with original unopened box

Al-Mar M50 Immigration Border Patrol knife - knife

Intended Use: sport / collection
Type of production: Industrial
Blade: AUS 8 stainless steel
Blade treatment: -
Production Lama: Japan
Handle: Pakkawood
Blade length: 165mm.
Blade Thickness: 4.5mm.
Closed Length: -
Overall length: 295mm.
Balance: on guard branch
Weight: 220g.
Closed: -
Clip: -
Sheath: Leather
Notes: serrated section on the back, brass guard, the US agency logo Immigration Border Patrol on the blade