Knife collecting is an extremely rewarding experience for knife enthusiasts. There truly is a knife for everyone. Many increase or hold their value throughout the years, making collecting knives something to pass on to the next generation of knife collectors.
The “Plaza Cutlery Custom Knife Show” will be held on Saturday October 2nd and Sunday the 3rd, 2010
This show will be a return of the old “California Custom Knife Show” format and will be held at the Costa Mesa Hilton which hosted our show 2 years ago and also held the last “California Custom Knife Show”. We can get 75 tables in the show so that will be the maximum.
When it comes to collecting Rambo movie knives and movie props, Randy Rousseau takes a back seat to no one. A personal acquaintance of Sylvester Stallone’s, Mr. Rousseau has a collection of all things Rambo unlike any other anywhere.
On the 35th anniversary of First Blood, Rambo and Rambo knives in general, he was gracious enough to grant a special BLADE® interview about his collection, Rambo movie knife values, some little known facts about Rambo knives and much more.
BLADE: What are the values of the original versions of each Rambo knife?
RANDY ROUSSEAU: The original First Blood knives serial numbered one through six are “priceless.” They are screen used and iconic, are owned by Stallone and are in his personal collection.
Numbers seven through 13 are worth anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000 each, and numbers 14 to 100 are worth anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 each, depending on the number.
Give values for each knife in mint condition.
The first numbers from the Rambo II: The Mission knife sent to Stallone are iconic and from his personal collection. They are also screen used and are “priceless.” Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 was the highest grossing film in the series, which adds to the value from a film-prop collector’s point of view. The rest of the numbers up to 100 sold to collectors for between $25,000 to $50,000 each, depending on the serial number.
How many of each original version of each custom Rambo knife were made?
The Jimmy Lile Raven 1 of 1 Mission knife and the headband Stallone wore in the second Rambo movie. In the fi lm, Rambo removes a piece of the dress of the female character of Kos to make the headband. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)
How many of the original First Blood knives were damaged during the making of the movie?
Only one was damaged in filming and the others did survive. For more information see the video below. The knife in that video sold for $90,000.
How much is one of the first seven First Blood knives worth if in mint condition?
$75,000.
Do all of the original First Blood knives still exist or do you know?
Yes. They are in private collections.
Are the First Blood knives with the Jim Buff aloe sheaths more valuable and if so, how much more?
Yes. Five thousand dollars more each.
How much are the unnumbered First Blood custom knives worth in mint condition?
Five thousand to $7,000 each.
What is one of the first 100 Rambo II: The Mission custom knives worth in mint condition?
$25,000 to $50,000, depending on the serial number.
How much is one of the 25 Mission custom knives with black blades worth, in mint condition?
Anywhere from $7,500 to $10,000.
How much are each of the unnumbered Mission custom knives worth in mint condition?
Three thousand to $5,000 each.
How many of the custom Gil Hibben knives actually used in Rambo III were made, and how much is each worth in mint condition?
Six. All are “priceless,” screen used and owned by Stallone, and iconic.
The Gil Hibben Rambo III Raven 1 of 1 (top) with Stallone’s prop custom-made-for-production, screen-used aluminum prop knife (bottom) from Rambo III. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)
You mentioned something about there being two serial number 19 Rambo knives. Were those Liles and if so, please explain why there are two.
Yes, the Mission knife. The original serial number 19 had some issues and was sent back to Jimmy. Rather than repairing it right away, he made another serial number 19 and sent it to the collector. Years later after Jimmy passed away the original 19 had been repaired and sold. The 19 is rare because it’s the only duplicate number in all of the Rambo saga of knives.
Who has them and what are they worth?
I own one of them. The second/replacement number 19 is the rarest of the set of 100 because it’s the only duplicate of the series. It’s worth $50,000. The other number 19 sold on the Internet a few years back for $38,000.
The knife used by Jim Bowie in the Sandbar Fight inspired scores of emulators in both Sheffield, England, and the USA in the 19th century, and the Rambo knife did the same by knifemakers and knife companies worldwide. Is the Rambo knife the modern-day equivalent of Jim Bowie’s knife in terms of popularity?
Yes, 100 percent, due in large part to its being used as a reference in popular culture.
The dog tags worn by Stallone in First Blood next to the Jimmy Lile First Blood 1 of 1 Raven. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)
In your opinion, is the Rambo knife less popular than Bowie’s knife, about the same or more so, and why?
More so. The Rambo knife has worldwide appeal. Nothing will ever come close. It was a moment in time, like lightning in a bottle. It made such an impression on the generation and inspired so many to go into the prop business for films and/or the knife-collecting world. I know folks who have a likeness of the Mission knife tattooed on their body.
It really inspired a generation that put serious interest into the knife industry. Never had we seen a character on film use such an elegant knife in this manner. And after all these years, nothing on film comes close to the Rambo knives seen in the four movies.
What do Jim Bowie’s knife and the Rambo knife have in common?
Their impact on culture. Each is famous for its influence on the knife industry and the public.
How are they different?
They are from different times but defined a generation, like Elvis and Michael Jackson did their generations.
How did the Rambo knife change the custom and factory knife industries?
It brought major interest back to the knife-collector side and created an entire industry of replicas for the common fan. I have been told that the Rambo movies saved the knife business, and with the movies still getting major viewers on cable and downloadable services, the interest is still very strong.
Are there any issues or stories concerning the Rambo knives that you know of that have never been addressed or that are rarely addressed that you think need addressing?
Yes, the Rambo III “Rescue” knife that was used on screen in the minefield. It’s a beautiful version that really doesn’t get a lot of interest but is a very cool Rambo knife. It sort of ties the gap between the first two films to the Rambo III main version from a design point of view.
Also, Jimmy Lile made a 1 of 1 for Stallone with his code name RAVEN on a First Blood version and a Rambo II Mission version. Extremely rare, they are the only 1 of 1 Lile Ravens in existence. In keeping with the Raven theme, Gil Hibben was asked to produce the same for the Rambo III knife. It is marked Raven 1 of 1.
And again for the fourth film, the Rambo IV knife was made and marked Raven 1 of 1, making this the only complete 1-of-1 set in the world from all four films.
Rambo IV Gil Hibben movie knife (left) with Stallone’s custom-made rubber prop knife (center) and custom-made aluminum prop knife (right)—the latter two both screen used in the fourth movie. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)
How did you use your knife over the weekend? The Fallkniven PXLim gets a workout here. (Mary Lou Ayres photo)
How did you use your knife this weekend? Did you cut open a box or two, prepare meals, cut loose thread from an item of clothing, peel an apple or just whittle to pass the time? Maybe you performed some survival or bushcraft tasks, such as carving a drinking cup, practice building a makeshift shelter or some baton work to split small kindling. Whatever it was, tell us about it—the circumstances, what job you put the knife to, what knife you used, and how the operation came out. Did the knife do the job or did you have to go to your knife array for a smaller/bigger/different type of knife to complete the task?
I had the opportunity to use my carry knife of the day, a Spyderco Native5 in a G-10 handle and 3-inch blade of CPM S35VN stainless steel, yesterday while with my great nephew Carter at the annual Cherokee Pow-Wow at Red Clay State Park just south of here on the Tennessee side of the Georgia border. Carter and I were watching the American Indians perform a traditional dance when Carter spied a young girl holding a toy bow with rubber-tipped arrows. We asked where she got it, made a beeline for the exhibitor tent that sold them and bought one.
Carter wanted to test the bow, of course, so we proceeded to an open field in the scenic park, where we inspected the bow and arrows. The arrows were taped tightly to the bow with masking tape, so I pulled out the Native5, cut the multiple winds of tape and Carter proceeded to launch arrow after arrow into the cool October sky. “It’s a good thing you brought that knife,” Carter said.
How about you? How did you use your knife?
For the latest knives and knife news, stay tuned to www.blademag.com (www.blademag.com)
Our knife—make that knives—of the day for Dec. 16 are Jeff Hall’s stylish framelock folders in a choice of blade finishes and plain and partially serrated edges, the serrations being especially dramatic as far as serrations go. The frames feature carbon fiber inlay and skeletonized pocket clips.
Bladeart.com’s Larry Brahms includes Todd Rexford among the makers who employ exceptional design, materials, and fit and finish, and yet never deviate from the knife’s ultimate purpose—to cut. “Injection” features Chad Nichols’ Fade stainless damascus and Mokuti accents throughout. (SharpByCoop.com photo)
Here are a few to add to your list of those “moving on up”
By Stephen Garger
Technological and design advances in the knifemaking arena seem to have come quicker over the past couple of years. This may be due, at least in part, to the increasing number of makers—including those outside U.S. borders—exploding on the scene. In addition, steels, patterns and handle materials are evolving within a context of quickened networks of communication that allows information to be shared instantly.
Taken as a whole, this may make it difficult for the average knife enthusiast to keep up—not only with advances in knifemaking, but with the makers who bear watching in the coming year. Such a group includes not only new makers but also experienced ones who may just be coming into their own, or have developed a new style or technique.
Bladeart.com’s Larry Brahms lists knifemakers Brad Southard, Jeremy Marsh, Todd Rexford, Michael Burch, Sal Manaro and Aaron Fredrick among those to watch, noting that over the past year all six have grown dramatically in the craft. “Each utilizes exceptional design, materials, and fit and finish, and yet they never deviate from the piece’s ultimate purpose, which is to cut,” Brahms noted.
Frederick also is one BladeGallery.com President Dan O’Malley tabbed to watch in 2012. “Aaron was one of the first tactical makers to really hit the market and was becoming very well known when, in 2004, he went into the military to serve his country,” O’Malley said. “When Aaron returned to the U.S. and knifemaking toward the end of 2010, his designs were highly influenced by his overseas experiences, and his melding of tactical styles with gent’s folders is spectacular—combining an exceptional fit and finish with brawn.”
Frederick’s 3PS model is a good example and combines materials such as lightning-strike carbon fiber with damascus bolsters and a stainless blade for a BladeGallery.com price of $525. “Aaron’s work was on the forefront of the movement toward using the flipper mechanism,” O’Malley stated, “and his smooth action makes this opener a fantastic choice for quick tactical deployment.”
Price Competitive
Two other makers O’Malley said to study are Andre DeVilliers and Michael Quesenberry. DeVilliers is a self-taught member of the South African Knifemakers Guild O’Malley described as “a maker who is going places. His distinctive knives are innovative, dependable and beautiful.” The relatively lower cost of living in South Africa allows DeVilliers to be price competitive in the U.S. market while keeping pace with the coolest and hottest materials.
“Most of his knives are designed for hard use but also have a refinement that is rarely found in knives of that type, which creates a category I like to call ‘dress tactical,’” O’Malley said. “Andre is using hi-tech steels like 19c27 and Damasteel stainless damascus, and is a big fan of ‘nightmare grinds,’ and does some of the best of those grinds in the business.” O’Malley indicated DeVilliers’ “Pathfinder” is a well-thought-through folder featuring strong construction, with aggressive geometric lines and a BladeGallery.com price of around $550, depending on materials.
“Michael Quesenberry is a part-time knifemaker, a self-confessed hobbyist, but an extraordinarily talented one,” O’Malley began. Most of Quesenberry’s knives are forged, though he will grind stainless steel on customer request. “Michael considers it a point of pride that he does all his own leatherwork and damascus, as well as heat treating and cryogenic treatment,” O’Malley reported. “He does everything from field-use hunters to dramatic art knives, and his control over damascus is particularly exceptional—even creating mosaic damascus knives with integral bolsters, which is a particularly difficult technique.”
Quesenberry credits Roy Holt with getting him started on the right path to knifemaking, and also values the friendship of makers Gary Iames and Buz Johns for inspiring him to craftsmanship levels he never dreamed possible. BladeGallery.com’s price for a Quesenberry damascus integral with a stag handle is around $1,100. O’Malley also mentioned Andre Thorburn, Daniel Winkler (specifically the Winkler II line), and Sniper Bladeworks (Lance Abernathy and Jody Muller) as makers to watch.
Guild’s Field
The makers purveyor Don Guild deems those to keep an eye on in 2012 are all well known: Emmanuel Espinosa, Stephen Olszewski, Ken Steigerwalt, Juergen Steinau and Wolfgang Loerchner. An award-winning maker, Loerchner has crafted many fixed blades. According to Guild, though, Loerchner is concentrating on art folders that display exceptional fit and finish.
“An art knife of superior, velvety mechanical operation that also has the eye appeal that drives [Loerchner’s] work is not being done by another maker I know of,” Guild opined. “To combine art and mechanics [Guild’s emphasis] in the same knife is a rare talent only a few makers possess, and that combination serves to provide an understated beauty of form and function. Everything he creates is truly handmade and has been sought by top collectors for years, and now the international trade is chasing his work.”
The proliferation of makers renders the field increasingly hard to chart—a challenge that merely adds to the fun of buying and collecting knives. The makers described herein only scratch the surface of those to watch in 2012. However, they give you some to be on the lookout for while balancing the search with your own experience and subjective taste.
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Knives are a dominant force in many of our lives. There are the classic designs, the valued collectibles and, perhaps most of all, the users. Of the latter the ones I remember in a special way are those with which I accidentally cut myself. Of those cuts, three stand out.
Cut Number 1
I was 11 or so and rode a Western Auto Wildcat bicycle—the kind with the Hollywood handlebars and banana seat with sissy bar—most everywhere. At the time the oil company then known as Esso, today’s Exxon, had the promotion “put a tiger in your tank” with Esso gasoline.
To help sell it they gave away furry toy tiger tails with elastic looped straps people attached to their car gas caps so the tails would fl op in the breeze as the cars motored along.
I had the bright idea that I would cut the looped strap of one of the tails in two and tie the resulting straps around my banana seat sissy bar so the tail would fl op in the wind as I rode my bike. (To my later chagrin, I didn’t know how to do the old loop-tie trick back then.)
I pulled a large serrated knife from the kitchen drawer and proceeded to cut the strap—and also the base of my left index finger. It was one of those ragged-jagged cuts, and, when Dad walked in and saw it, I thought he was going to come un-gas-capped, so to- speak. Oddly enough, I don’t remember the cut hurting that much.
Anyhow, five stitches later I had learned just how fragile human flesh is.
Cut Number 2
Years later while fishing I caught a bream and was in the process of filleting it with a Marttiini classic fillet knife when zip, zap! the blade went right through the bream and across, over and through the tip of that same left index finger. The cut did not require stitches but the Marttiini blade was sharp as the dickens, and my finger burned like fire to the bone almost immediately after I cut it.
To this day I can recall how it felt and shudder at the memory.
I propped up a small damascus fixed blade built by since-retired custom knifemaker Robert Brothers, along with its sheath, on a shelf. As the cameras photographed away, being the colossal klutz I am I bumped the shelf. The knife came tumbling down point-first into the webbed skin between my ring finger and pinky. You guessed it—I let out with the “sh__!” word in full earshot of the show’s television viewing audience.
Bruce took my on-air epithet better than I thought he would. (Unlike today, profanity was forbidden on television back then.) Maybe the best part was the knife did not sell and Brothers, being the good Samaritan, gave it to me—but not before having it etched, “In Memory of Steve Shackleford: Finger The Stinger.”
I don’t have the old serrated knife or the Marttiini fillet but I still have The Stinger—and, somehow, all my fingers, too.
Our “Knife Of The Day” for Feb. 27 is the M16-14ZSF Carson Desert Tactical flipper folder designed by Kit Carson for Columbia River Knife & Tool.
