Maniac Machining Stinger Classic: Old-World Craft, Built One at a Time
The Maniac Machining Stinger Classic custom is a hand-built American automatic knife made entirely on manual machines. There is no CNC equipment in Troy DuPont’s shop. Instead, every frame is machined, fitted, and finished by hand. Consequently, no two pieces come out perfectly identical.
This particular knife is No. 5, per its signed certificate. It arrives here as a direct from maker piece, never carried and never sold at retail. We Buy Knife Collections is currently the only external authorized dealer for Maniac Machining.
Machined 360 Brass Frame With Milled Spine Work
The frame starts as solid 360 billet brass. DuPont machines it down, then polishes it to a deep mirror shine. Brass bolsters cap both ends of the handle. Moreover, the butt bolster is rounded into a soft coffin shape that fills the palm.
Look at the spine and you will see the detail work that sets this model apart. A row of scalloped mill cuts runs down the back of the frame. Each scallop is cut individually. Furthermore, the cuts catch light from every angle, which is exactly the point. This is the kind of finishing detail covered in our guide on how to choose a custom knife.
All hardware is brass. Six screws hold each scale, and the pivot collar is polished to match. As a result, the whole knife reads as one warm, unified piece of metal.
440-C Blade, Hand Ground and Hand Finished
The Maniac Machining Stinger Classic carries a 440-C stainless blade ground from 0.156-inch stock. That is thick for a knife this size. Therefore, the blade feels far more substantial than the 2.75-inch length suggests.
DuPont grinds every blade by hand. You can read the grind lines running clean from plunge to tip. In addition, the spear-point profile carries a long swedge along the spine, which lightens the tip without weakening it. The maker’s mark sits on the show side.
440-C remains a favorite among traditional makers for good reason. It takes a keen edge, resists corrosion well, and finishes beautifully by hand. Our knife knowledge library covers how classic stainless steels compare to modern powder metals.
Blonde Yak Horn Scales
The scales are blonde yak horn, inlaid flush between the brass bolsters. The color runs cream to honey. Meanwhile, faint rose and amber streaks move through the grain on both sides.
Horn is a traditional handle material with real character. Each slab is unique, so this pairing of pale horn against polished brass exists exactly once. Similarly, natural materials like this are what separate a true custom from a production folding knife.
Inside the Maniac Machining Stinger Classic Coil-Fired Action
Press the brass button and the blade snaps open hard. DuPont builds his own coil-spring mechanism rather than buying parts off a shelf. A 0.437 mega-torque coil drives this one.
The result is a firm, loud, positive lockup with no lazy travel. Collectors of automatic knives know that button feel separates a serious build from a cheap one. This one fires with authority every time.
Troy DuPont: The Maniac Behind the Bench
Troy DuPont was born in 1967 and grew up in Chaska, Minnesota. He has worked as a machinist for more than 35 years. The nickname came from an early boss who watched him cut complex prototype parts at speed without a blueprint.
His father introduced him to knifemaking at nine years old. He started by regrinding butcher knives into daggers and rehandling old folders in stag and micarta. Then, in 1998, he founded Maniac Machining in his basement and spent five years converting Buck folders into coil-spring automatics.
He stepped away for a stretch. However, he reopened the shop in 2021 to build original designs from the ground up, and the Stinger is the result. His work sits comfortably alongside the master custom knifemakers we follow closely.
Direct From Maker Condition and What’s Included
This knife is new and unused. It came to us directly from Troy DuPont’s bench, so it has no dealer history and no prior owner.
It ships complete with its leather storage tube, black velvet drawstring pouch, and the typed certificate of authenticity signed in ink by the maker. The certificate records the model, materials, build date, and piece number. Learn more about why collectors trust us with pieces like this.
Maniac Machining Stinger Classic Product Specifications
- Maker: Troy DuPont, Maniac Machining, USA
- Model: Stinger Classic Full Custom
- Piece Number: No. 5
- Overall Length: 6.16 inches
- Blade Length: 2.75 inches
- Closed Length: 3 1/2 inches
- Weight: 7.2 oz.
- Blade Steel: 440-C stainless, 0.156-inch stock, hand ground and hand finished
- Blade Style: Spear point with swedge
- Frame Material: Machined 360 billet brass, hand finished
- Scale Material: Blonde yak horn
- Spine: Hand-milled scalloped detail work
- Hardware: Brass
- Deployment: Push-button automatic, 0.437 mega-torque coil spring
- Country of Origin: United States
- Included: Knife, leather storage tube, velvet pouch, signed C.O.A.
- Condition: New, direct from maker
- SKU: 00165-MM-STINGER-CLASSIC-YAKHORN-20240630
Video Description: Maniac Machining Custom Stinger Classic
This Maniac Machining Stinger Classic is a new, direct-from-maker custom automatic knife with a 2.75-inch hand-ground 440-C stainless spear-point blade, machined 360 billet brass frame, blonde yak horn scales, hand-milled scalloped spine work, brass hardware, push-button coil-fired action driven by a 0.437 mega-torque coil spring, piece No. 5 dated June 30, 2024, leather storage tube, velvet pouch, and signed certificate of authenticity. It measures 6.16 inches overall, 3 1/2 inches closed, and weighs 7.2 ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Maniac Machining Stinger Classic new?
Yes. It came to us directly from Troy DuPont with no prior owner. Accordingly, it is new and unused.
Who builds these knives?
Troy DuPont builds every one himself in the United States. He uses manual machine tools only, with no CNC equipment in the shop.
How does the coil-fired action work?
A compressed coil spring drives the blade when you press the button. DuPont builds these mechanisms in house rather than sourcing production parts.
What is yak horn?
Yak horn is a natural handle material prized for its warm color and depth. Blonde examples are lighter and show fine amber streaking. Because it is natural, every set of scales differs.
Can I carry the Maniac Machining Stinger Classic every day?
You can. Still, most buyers keep a numbered, signed piece like this one in the collection. Carry will affect future collector value. Review our shipping and return policy before ordering.
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.
Buy This Maniac Machining Stinger Classic
Every knife we list is inspected, photographed, and described honestly. Browse the full lineup on the Maniac Machining Brand Page. Meanwhile, if you own custom automatics yourself, sell your collection and get a same-day offer.
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