Burn Knives Stiletto OTF: The Italian Classic, Rebuilt to Fire Forward
This Burn Knives Stiletto OTF is a handmade American automatic built in the classic Italian pattern. Paul Panak makes every knife himself in Ohio. Moreover, he is best known for custom Italian stiletto switchblades and gothic-styled work. This example arrives in excellent pre-owned condition.
Panak took the traditional Italian stiletto and changed how it fires. Instead of swinging open from the side, this blade launches straight out the front. Because of that, the knife keeps the classic silhouette while gaining a modern double action. Collectors who follow automatic knives know how few makers execute this pattern well.
154CM Dagger Blade With Mirror Hollow Grinds
The Burn Knives Stiletto OTF carries a double-edge dagger blade in 154CM stainless steel. Panak hollow ground it by hand. Then he mirror polished the bevels and left the center flats satin. As a result, the blade shows two finishes at once.
That contrast is deliberate. Furthermore, it makes the grind lines pop under almost any light. The blade runs 4.5 inches to a fine needle point. You can read more about blade steels and grind types in our knife knowledge library.
Buffalo Horn Scales and a Satin 416 Stainless Chassis
The scales are brown buffalo horn with heavy natural grain. Light amber streaks run through darker chocolate bands. Because horn is a natural material, no two sets ever match. Consequently, this handle belongs to this knife alone.
Underneath sits a satin-finished 416 stainless steel chassis. Panak uses 416 across his out-the-front line. In addition, polished stainless bolsters cap both the front guard and the rounded pommel. Knives like this usually reach us as preowned knives from private collections.
Double Action Deployment and the Milled Thumbslide
A double action OTF fires and retracts from one control. Push the slide forward and the blade locks out. Then pull it back and the blade returns. This one deploys with real authority.
Panak milled the thumbslide from stainless and set it into a recessed track in the horn. Beside it, he stamped the Burn skull-and-crossbones mark. Also worth noting, at 10.9 ounces this is a genuinely heavy automatic. See what else just landed in new arrivals.
Paul Panak and the Burn Knives Story
Panak’s interest started young. His father handed him a six-inch Italian stiletto with a broken spring. He never did get it working. However, the fascination stuck for good.
Before he built knives, he restored antique stilettos professionally for antique dealers. That work taught him the mechanisms from the inside out. He also learned alongside makers including Don Hall, Arlin Walker, Bill McHenry, Reese Weiland, Jerry Rados, and George Cameron.
Today he works full time from a modest Ohio machine shop. Because he builds alone, his output stays small. Therefore his automatics sit near the top of the custom market. He ranks among the master custom knifemakers serious collectors follow closely.
Burn Knives Stiletto OTF Condition and What’s Included
This knife is in excellent pre-owned condition. The action remains strong and the lockup stays solid. The blade shows no chips, no rolls, and no sharpening.
Under direct light you will find light handling marks on the polished bolsters. Otherwise the horn is sound and the chassis is clean. Every knife we list follows a published grading standard, so you know exactly what our grades mean before you buy. Here is more on why collectors trust us.
Burn Knives Stiletto OTF Product Specifications
- Maker: Burn Knives (Paul Panak), Ohio, USA
- Model: Italian Stiletto Double Action OTF
- SKU: 00160-BURN-STILETTO-DAOTF-BUFFHORN-154CM
- Condition: Excellent pre-owned
- Blade Steel: 154CM stainless
- Blade Style: Double-edge dagger, spear point
- Blade Grind: Hand hollow ground, mirror-polished bevels with satin flats
- Blade Length: 4.5 inches
- Overall Length: 11 inches
- Closed Length: 6.375 inches
- Weight: 10.9 ounces
- Handle Scales: Brown buffalo horn
- Chassis: Satin-finished 416 stainless steel
- Bolsters: Polished stainless steel, front guard and rounded pommel
- Deployment: Double action out-the-front automatic
- Actuator: Milled stainless thumbslide in a recessed track
- Maker’s Mark: Burn skull-and-crossbones stamp on the slide plate
- Country of Origin: United States
- Included: Knife, Case, & Burn Knives Contact Card/No COA
Video Description
This Burn Knives Italian Stiletto Double Action OTF is an excellent pre-owned automatic knife with a 4.5-inch hand hollow-ground 154CM double-edge dagger blade with mirror-polished bevels and satin flats, brown buffalo horn handle scales, a satin-finished 416 stainless steel chassis, a milled stainless thumbslide, polished stainless front guard and pommel bolsters, and the Burn skull-and-crossbones maker’s mark. It measures 11 inches overall, 6.375 inches closed, and weighs 10.9 ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this knife new or used?
It is excellent pre-owned. The blade is unsharpened and undamaged. However, the polished bolsters show light handling marks under direct light.
What does double action OTF mean?
Out-the-front means the blade fires straight forward from the handle. Double action means the same slide both fires and retracts it. Therefore you never manually reset the blade.
Is this knife made in Italy?
No. Paul Panak builds every Burn knife by hand in Ohio. “Italian stiletto” describes the pattern and silhouette, not the country of origin.
Can you ship an automatic knife to my address?
Automatic knife laws vary by state and by city. Because of that, we confirm shipping eligibility for your destination before an order ships. Our FAQs cover the process in more detail.
How should I care for buffalo horn scales?
Keep the knife away from direct heat and sharp humidity swings. Also, wipe the horn with a soft dry cloth after handling. A light coat of mineral oil once or twice a year keeps it from drying out.
Buy This Burn Knives Stiletto OTF From We Buy Knife Collections
Panak works alone, so every Burn automatic is effectively a limited piece. Consequently, clean examples move quickly on the secondary market. Browse more Burn Knives in stock before this one is gone. Meanwhile, if you hold customs at this level, we would like to buy your collection.
Important Notice on Automatic Knife Laws
Automatic knife laws vary widely across the United States. Moreover, they differ by state, and sometimes by county or city. Therefore, every buyer is responsible for knowing the rules where they live before ordering. We do not knowingly ship automatic knives into restricted destinations. However, confirming your own local law remains your responsibility. If you are unsure, check with your state or local authorities first. This notice is general information, not legal advice. To learn your State’s laws on automatic knives visit the American Knife and Tool Institute for more information.
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