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Collecting Rambo Knives: Values, History and Tips

BLADE Staff
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Collecting Rambo Knives: Values, History and Tips

Editor’s Note: This article is part of Rambo Week here on blademag.com. Download the Rambo-themed issue of BLADE magazine here.

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?

According to Jack Lucarelli’s book, James B. Lile: The Arkansas Knifesmith, Knifemaker to the World, 13 were made. That’s correct and matches the correct version used by Stallone in the movie, plus the model marked “1 of 1 RAVEN.”

Jimmy Like Rambo movie knife
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.

Knife from Rambo III
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.

Sylvester Stallone First Blood dog tags
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.

Knife used in Rambo IV movie
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)

Can’t Get Enough Rambo?

knives used in the rambo movies

Download this special issue of BLADE that’s all about these iconic movies. 

The Knives of the Rambo Movies: Behind the Scenes with Sylvester Stallone

Randy Rousseau
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The Knives of the Rambo Movies: Behind the Scenes with Sylvester Stallone

Editor’s Note: This article is part of Rambo Week here on blademag.com. Download the Rambo-themed issue of BLADE magazine here.

The impact of the Rambo movies and Rambo knives on both modern culture and the knife industry has been monumental over the past three-and-a-half decades.

In this, the 35th anniversary year of the original Rambo movie, First Blood, BLADE® asked me to do a story on Sylvester Stallone and what has become the worldwide phenomenon of Rambo.

“Make the Knife Into a Character Itself”

There is no knife in David Morrell’s novel, First Blood. It was Stallone’s idea to give Rambo one.

“I love knives and I wanted the character to have one,” Stallone wrote, “almost to make the knife into a character itself.”

A knife collector in his own right, Stallone wanted Rambo to have a great survival knife that looked good on film.

The Making of the First Knife

Most influential applies to Jimmy Lile's Rambo in spades. (Jack Lucarelli photo)
Jimmy Lile’s Rambo knife is one of the most influential knives of the past half century. (Jack Lucarelli photo)

The selection of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Jimmy Lile as the maker of the knife came about when Stallone was shopping and ran across Pony Express, a sports/hunting store in Los Angeles. While there he discussed the Rambo project with storeowner Joe Ellithorpe, telling Ellithorpehe wanted Rambo to have a survival knife, “something unique that had never been seen before.”

Ellithorpe recommended Lile and Stallone contacted the Arkansas maker.

“[Lile] understood the vision,” Stallone observed. “He was the real deal and I wanted a real knife for the film, not just another prop.”

The Knives of First Blood and Rambo: First Blood, Part Two

Knife used in Rambo First Blood Part II
The Lile Mission Raven 1 of 1 (left) and a custom-made-for-production resin-molded version of it (right) screen used in the second Rambo movie. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)

Stallone stated he told Lile what was in the script rewrites for what would be required of the knife, and Jimmy took care of the rest. Lile gave the first six First Blood knives he made to Stallone, all of which survived the standard amount of wear and tear from the movie’s many takes.

Lile made the first two knives for the Rambo movie franchise, including Rambo 2: The Mission, which Stallone called “the fans’ favorite” and which is why he used it in a boat scene in Rambo IV (DVD extra deleted).

The Knife of Rambo III

Knife used in Rambo III 3 movie
A display (above) from Stallone’s office of the original Rambo III Hibben movie knife shows the progression of the forging process. (from the Randy Rousseau collection)

For Rambo III, though, Stallone wanted to go in a different direction, that is, more of a fantasy look.

Enter Cutlery Hall-Of-Famer Gil Hibben. “I had collected some of his fantasy blades,” Stallone noted, “and then I met him at [the California Custom Knife Show] in Anaheim.”

Unlike with the Lile knives, Stallone had a lot of input on the Rambo III model.

“I drew several versions out on paper and cardboard cutouts,” Stallone wrote. “Once I decided on a design, I told Gil my plan was to make this knife the most famous knife in the world! I believe it’s still selling very well today, along with the other film versions.”

In fact, according to Mrs. Linda Hibben, the Rambo III knife is the most popular knife Gil has ever made.

The Knife of Rambo IV

Knife used in Rambo IV movie
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)

Stallone also had input on the Rambo IV Hibben knife, stating, “More than the previous films I wanted something that looked like Rambo could have made in one evening, something crude.”

To prepare for the role of Rambo, Stallone received some training in knife use, “a little from ex-military folks,” he noted. He also studied real stories of those with experience in using the type of survival knives in the movie.

Prop Knives vs. the Real Thing

If the knives look real in First Blood, that’s because they are. However, in the second film molded resin versions of Lile’s handmade knives were made to help protect the actors during live takes. In Rambo III, unsharpened aluminum prop knives were used along with the real Hibben knives. Rubber stunt, aluminum and steel versions of the knives all were used in the fourth film.

“Most were destroyed on set but a very few still exist today,” Stallone wrote. Those include a Rambo II resin version prop knife, a Rambo III aluminum knife that looks great and is very lightweight, and all types from Rambo IV—rubber, aluminum and steel.

“They all look good. You can’t really tell them [from the real thing] just by looking—you have to pick them up,” he stated.

Will There Be a Rambo 5 Knife?

He still has a few of the original knives from each film and keeps them “proudly on display.” He does not clean them and keeps them in the same condition as they were after each movie.

According to some reports, Stallone has indicated he will never do another Rambo movie.

When I asked him if that was his final word or could something happen to change his mind, he simply said, “Never say never.”

Can’t Get Enough Rambo?

knives used in the rambo movies

Download this special issue of BLADE that’s all about these iconic movies. 

The Knives of the Die Hard Movies

BLADE Staff
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The Knives of the Die Hard Movies
Knives used in the Die Hard movies
IMDB.com

For those ground into a nub by Frosty and Rudolph, the Die Hard movies provide a welcome respite without leaving the Christmas movie genre. And yes, they are Christmas movies. While the series’ armory mostly centers around firearms, there are a few exceptions for the knife enthusiast.

Knives of Die Hard (1988) and Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)

Jack Crain designed two fighters that make brief appearances in the first two Die Hard films.

From his website, where replicas are still for sale:

One scene in Die Hard 2: Die Harder also involves what appears to be a prop automatic, although it’s hard to tell from this short clip:

Knives of Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)

The third film contains what’s probably the most memorable knife scene in the franchise. This one involves a karambit. Despite it being a product of the prop department, it’s worth noting due to the rarity of karambits in Hollywood movies.

Here’s the scene:

Here’s a closer look, from YourProps.com:

Die Hard with a Vengeance knife
YourProps.com

No, it’s not a pretty knife. Maybe that’s why movie studios tap custom knifemakers when the blade gets more screen time. In fast-moving action scenes, it’s likely more economical to let the prop department turn out something passable.

Knives of Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

This is the one movie in the franchise with a giant question mark on the knives used. Information is either hard to come by or doesn’t exist, and there are no notable knife scenes.

Knives of A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

Busse Knives played a part in the most recent Die Hard movie in many ways. It provided knives and sponsored screenings for U.S. military members stationed overseas. From its official statement:

Nearly 50 Busse Combat knives were purchased by the production company and delivered to Russia for either inclusion in the movie or gifting.

An Arsenal RS-1, a “knifegun” that also fires .22 cartridges, makes an appearance. It’s similar to the one featured in this video:

In the end, what would’ve been a dramatic knife fight didn’t make the film’s final cut. It still managed to make its way onto YouTube, though.

Anything Missing? Leave a Note in the Comments

If something didn’t make the list, be sure to let BLADE know in the comments.

Keep Learning About Knives Used in Movies

BLADE magazine often covers the knives used in new movie releases. The best way to stay on top is with a subscription. 

Knife News Wire 12/22/17 – This Government Tracks Knife Buyers with QR Codes

BLADE Staff
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Knife News Wire 12/22/17 – This Government Tracks Knife Buyers with QR Codes

Friedly art knife

People’s Republic of China Tracks Knife Purchases with QR Codes

At least in some parts of the People’s Republic of China, authorities are matching knives to consumers with QR codes as part of an anti-terrorism initiative. What could go wrong? About everything you could expect from something as punitive as this. From Fast Company:

A knife shop owner in the midwestern city of Aksu told the Journal he had to spend thousands of dollars on a machine that turns every “customer’s ID card number, photo, ethnicity and address,” encodes the data as a QR code and lasers it into the blades of even the kitchen knives they buy. The Aksu policy, which was previously reported by Radio Free Asia, is intended to trace a knife back to its owner in the event it’s used to commit acts of violence.

And from Twitter comes this disturbing report from a Wall Street Journal reporter:

If this doesn’t sound terrifying to you, you need to sit down and think about it some more.

Nothing similar to this is on the table in the United States, but the general technique is not unfounded. California’s “bullet stamping” initiative is one example.

Bill Loosening Switchblade Restrictions Introduced in Ohio

And now for something completely different.

Ohio law allows for the carry and possession of switchblades, but not the sale or manufacture of them. This quirk could soon be corrected, per Knife Rights:

Ohio State Senator Frank LaRose today introduced, Senate Bill 242, Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Ohio’s irrational ban on the manufacture and sale of “switchblade, springblade, and gravity knives.” Ohio statutes allow for the possession and carry of these knives, but they cannot be manufactured or sold in the state. Ohio loses out on jobs and tax revenue as Ohioans spend their money outside the state’s borders. Co-sponsors include Senate President Larry Obhof and Senators Joe Uecker, John Eklund and Kris Jordan.

Read more about this proposal here from Knife Rights.

Read the bill as written on the Ohio Legislature’s official site here. 

Why are So Many Bladesmiths from Arkansas?

It’s not your imagination. Many of the most renowned knifemakers call Arkansas home. The Magnolia Reporter went to find out why with a profile on Jerry Fisk.

According to Fisk, 10 percent of the world’s recognized master bladesmiths are Arkansans. “The first bladesmithing school (Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing) was started here in 1987,” he said. “People from all over the world would come here to learn the basics and get inspired as they do to this day.”

Good point. Read the full article here.

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    3 Memorable Times I Accidentally Cut Myself

    Steve Shackleford
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    3 Memorable Times I Accidentally Cut Myself

    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.

    Cut Number 3

    knife injuries

    The third most memorable cut happened while I was on what back then we called satellite television. In the early 1990s, BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame© member Bruce Voyles was BLADE publisher and the original host of The Knife Collector’s Show on the old Shop At Home Network. (If you Wikipedia Shop At Home Network, Bruce is glaringly omitted as one of the hosts of The Knife Collector’s Show.) I worked for Bruce back then and assisted him on a few of the satellite telecasts.
    On one of them we had a number of custom knives that Bruce wanted me to display on shelves to help viewers see what they were buying. One of us had the bright idea of “standing” the knives tip first next to their sheaths on the shelves.

    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.

    Learn Knifemaking AND Keep Your Fingers Intact

    How to make a knife guide book

    BLADE’s Guide to Making Knives, 3rd Edition might give you a paper cut, but you’ll be too busy enjoying the in-depth tutorials and rich, full-color photos to notice. Get it here from BLADE‘s online store.

    Knife News Wire 12/21/17 – Knife Used to Free “Cocaine Smuggler”

    BLADE Staff
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    Knife News Wire 12/21/17 – Knife Used to Free “Cocaine Smuggler”
    Knife handle wooly mammoth
    Santa Fe Stoneworks Damascus Woolly Mammoth Bone 3″ Button Lock Knife

    Knife Used to Free “Cocaine Smuggler”

    The United States Coast Guard is used to intercepting drug runners, but it wasn’t expecting a sea turtle shepherding cocaine bricks across the ocean.

    All joking aside, this is yet another reason to keep a knife handy. You never know what you’ll come across. Good job, Guardsmen.

    How to Bone Out Venison Shoulders

    You’ll never appreciate a sharp knife as much as when you’re butchering. This video from sister pub, Deer & Deer Hunting, shows why with a tutorial on boning out venison shoulders.

    Save the neck for me, Clark.

    Trendy Knife Blocks

    Knife blocks don’t get much attention in the world of knives, but designers are nonetheless pushing forward with new takes. Perhaps this is overdue, as this article in Business Insider points out:

    When you think of a knife block, you may envision the traditional, slanted wood block that sits on your counter. There are many excellent blocks in this style, but none of them made our list. The main problems we have with the classic block is that it is difficult to clean and you can’t readily view the type of knife you are grabbing for. There are plenty of modern styles that sufficiently address these issues.

    Check out some of the knife blocks catching eyes here.

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      Knife News Wire 12/20/17 – Running a Garage Op? Beware

      BLADE Staff
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      Knife News Wire 12/20/17 – Running a Garage Op? Beware

      City Shuts Down Knifemaking Operation in Garage

      The first phase of a knifemaking business likely starts in the garage. If that sounds familiar to you, keep in mind that fire safety isn’t the only concern, as one knifemaker in Maine found out. City ordinances can hit in a hurry once you cross the line from “it’s just a hobby” to “making several knives per week.”

      From the Sun Journal:

      …city officials shut him down. Neighbors had been complaining about the noise and smell and his Auburn neighborhood wasn’t zoned for blacksmithing.

      Read the full article here.

      Knives as Status Symbols in the UK

      Finally, a bright spot for knife enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. In a country saturated with imported knives, domestically made knives are becoming tokens of pride in certain pockets. This is especially the case with chefs and custom knives. 

      From Big Hospitality:

      Until just a few years ago, a British made knife was a rare sight in kitchens with German and Japanese-made blades favoured by most chefs.

      But a small group of artisans are starting to change that, enabled by a number of factors including an increased interest in British handmade products and the marketing power of the Internet and social media.

      See? Hipsters don’t always ruin everything. Read the full article here. 

      Flying for Christmas? Here’s How to Transport Your Knives

      Everyone’s favorite federal agency, the Transportation Security Agency, generally prohibits knives from being placed in a carry-on. Yes, there are stories of exceptions for this or that multitool, but it’s better to follow this guide from the TSA.

      Here’s the quick rundown:

      However, that chart goes only for knives you could stand losing. For transporting anything valuable (or, I suppose, invaluable), it may be better to ship it separately through a courier, such as FedEx or UPS. That way, you have a tracking code and know where your $75,000 work of art is hiding.

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