San Michele Italian Knife Fighting

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The Frosolone Knife

 The Frosolone knife dates to the ancient Samnite city of Fresilia, which was conquered by the Roman dictator Marcus Valerius Maximus. This is confirmed by valuable remains such as the cyclopean walls found in Castellane and Civitella. The first official records of Frosolone date back to the 11th century, when the village was part of the County of Isernia, before it came under Lombard and Norman rule, later becoming part of the County of Molise. Listed among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, Frosolone is a small paradise surrounded by nature, perched among the central Apennines in the heart of Molise. About 900 meters above sea level, it is enveloped and embraced by vibrant greenery: a pristine, untouched environment home to ancient trees, ponds and lakes, white rocks and shelters. With regards to the antique models of Frosolone production, what is most recalled is the SWITCHBLADE. It seems that the SWITCHBLADE was invented at the end of the eighteenth century by the artisans of FROSOLONE, in fact the oldest specimens that reached us bring the name of the families of the artisans of Frosolone. Usually, they were larger dimensions with the handles in buffalo horn, a spring fixed with one scrounge, used for regulation of family or personal disputes, fights and duels. They were produced, with alternating events, until the end of the 50’s of the 20th century and often were not marked.

Most Importantly the Frosolone automatic knife carried a very special feature, possibly not immediately realized. The larger than normal fire button was positioned well towards the end of the handle and not, as all the rest from other regions in the forward section of the handle as you can see in the old example pictured in the above writings. This was by design and enables it to be able to be deployed held upside down in the hand, using the second or third finger to activate the opening, at which time the blade springs open IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE ARM, which makes it stealthy and difficult to see that it was deployed if the palms were held with the arm down facing to the rear. The entire opening is concealed.

This fits right into the hidden hand method used in San Michele! The second advantage is never mentioned in common articles and all but now unknown. If you know the San Michele art, you know the old posting grip is sometimes used to gain more distance with the same size knife as its positioned more forward in the hand than one normally holds a knife if untrained in this technique. Held in the normal forward grip so the knife deploys forward, with the curved end placed forward in the hand against the meaty part of the hand under the thumb which then positions the knife more forward than usual, the fire button can still be deployed with the thumb in a Frosolone auto knife and the knife opens ready to be used in the posting grip. This was an auto knife design truly originally made for the old duels and self-defense needs and not just for shows or the movies.

With all the auto knife models being made I know today, I know of no maker regularly producing the Frosolone and when a few did, some years back they did not have the heft or width of the old ones. Even so when one maker did a run on them, they were quickly snapped up. None are made by the cheap China knock off off junk as well as the construction is different.

I finally was able to find a master maker who would produce one as I desired when ordered, with the old heft custom made one at a time and a very special one as you can see. Note in the old info the original models were more robust than the average Auto and this one is TRUE to that code. It’s built like a tank; it has heft and width and feels great in the hand while not being too long. Closed its approximately 5 3/4 inches long and the beautiful bayonet style original shape blade is 5 inches long. It’s made from 440 stainless steel that is highly polished and perfectly sharpened. Along the rear top edge there is a length of engravings that make a non-slip surface to ensure no slipping on the closing of the blade, it’s also attractive and looks like serrations. The Blade is hand engraved NEAR THE BASE, S.M. for our art of San Michele.

Look at the guards. At one point in history according to the collectors I spoke with, the guards were all solid made for real use, mass production of Auto knives has resulted in half guards with a hollow center that both feel sharp against the thumb. Look cheap by comparison and are much weaker if needed to protect the hand. These are the original old heavy thick solid brass guards, the larger brass fire button near the end of the handle and Brass sliding safety are as the originals.

The handles are made of the original style highly polished Buffalo Horn that extends to the end of the handle as the originals did. The handle is ¾ wide and thick and the blade weighs appx 8 5/8 oz. Compare this to a regular Italian made Auto knife of the same length and you will at once see and feel the difference in the heft of this Frosolone. The action is positive and swift. The price of the knife alone, minus the postage from me to you, is only $275.00

Misuse of this product for any illicit activities is strictly forbidden. Please comply with all the applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction on owning and carrying an automatic knife and with the blade length regulations.

If you desire the custom wood casket case with padded foam and cloth interior with special brass clasps that you can store your knife in, as show, in the open position as it should be stored. The cost of the plain case is $50, add $10 if you want the gold foil ancient depiction of Saint Michael on the cover as shown on mine.

You will be amazed at the quality and heft once it’s in your hands! These are one-of-a-kind collectors’ items and as usual I’m not sure how long they will be able to be made. Sooner or later makers move on to other things and special items to order are no longer offered as you know if you looked at this page over the years. Get yours before this happens!

Allow approximately 5 weeks for construction. Once I receive it I will examine it, test it and then wrap and obtain the exact postage from me to you. I will then bill you for that postage and when it is sent, I will ship you your knife with tracking.

I may also produce a special DVD for sale to buyers only on the proper use of the hidden hand techniques using this knife. Info will be given to buyers.