Reese Weiland Strike Prototype, a Manual Flipper From the Godfather of the Automatic
Reese Weiland built his name on automatic knives. This Reese Weiland Strike Prototype is a manual flipper, and that alone makes it unusual. Weiland engraved the spine RW 2014 PROTO 2. It pairs a CPM 154 Wharncliffe blade with a Titanium frame lock that he ground by hand into a rippled, rock-like texture.
A prototype is where a maker works a design out before committing to it. Weiland recently serviced this one himself, and it is in new condition. Collectors who follow his prototypes may know the Wasp 2nd Gen Copper-Top Toxic Prototype #1, another of his one-off development pieces.
Reese Weiland, the Godfather of the Automatic
Weiland works out of Riverview, Florida, and the knife community calls him the Godfather of the Automatic. He has made knives for more than 44 years and has built automatics for 42 of them. In 1987 he helped solve the plunge lock problem that stood between the original Florida Black Knife and production.
His influence reaches into production knives too. Designer Joel Pirela commissioned Weiland to build the first prototypes of what became the Microtech Kestrel. Still, manual folders have always been part of his work. The 1989 Wasp manual hawkbill comes from his first shop in Tampa.
Most collectors meet his automatics first. The Large Rastor dual-action automatic shows the mechanical side of his work, so it makes a useful contrast with this flipper.
The Hand-Ground Titanium Frame on the Reese Weiland Strike Prototype
The frame is what sets the Reese Weiland Strike Prototype apart in hand. Weiland ground the Titanium by hand into rippled ridges that run across the handle, so no two areas look the same. The texture also adds grip. It covers both sides, including the lock bar.
The lock side is a Titanium frame lock. A section of the frame springs in behind the tang when the blade opens and holds it there. The back of the handle stays open on standoffs, which keeps it easy to clean. A Stainless Steel pocket clip mounts with three screws beside a lanyard hole at the butt.
Weiland’s other Titanium work runs from simple to elaborate. The Hawkbill 2nd Gen with a full Timascus frame sits at the decorative end of that range.
The CPM 154 Wharncliffe Blade
The blade is CPM 154 with a satin finish, 4.583 inches long and 0.184 inches thick. CPM 154 is the powder metallurgy version of 154CM, a Stainless Steel that holds an edge well and resists corrosion. The cutting edge runs straight for 4.3395 inches, and the spine sweeps down to meet it at the point.
That Wharncliffe geometry keeps the point in line with the edge, so it gives precise control for cutting. A tall flipper tab sits below the pivot. The Fatty Slasher Wharncliffe flipper shows the same blade shape on another of his manual folders.
Condition and What Is Included With This Reese Weiland Strike Prototype
We acquired this Reese Weiland Strike Prototype from a private collection. Weiland then serviced it himself, and it is in new condition, with no blemishes or wear. See how we grade every knife before listing it.
- Reese Weiland Strike Prototype 2
- Reese Weiland box, signed by the maker, serving as the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
- Zippered knife pouch
Reese Weiland Strike Prototype Specifications
The model, prototype number and year come from the maker’s engraving on the blade spine. It sits among our other custom folding knives.
- Maker: Reese Weiland Custom Knives, Riverview, Florida
- Model: Strike Prototype 2
- Markings: RW 2014 PROTO 2, engraved on the blade spine
- Date made: 2014
- Country of origin: USA
- Overall length: 10.436 in
- Blade length: 4.583 in
- Cutting edge: 4.3395 in
- Closed length: 5.893 in
- Blade thickness: 0.184 in
- Weight: 9 oz
- Blade steel: CPM 154
- Blade finish: Satin
- Blade profile: Wharncliffe
- Edge: Plain, single edge
- Lock: Frame lock
- Deployment: Flipper tab
- Handle: Hand-ground Titanium frame
- Back: Open, on standoffs
- Hardware and pocket clip: Stainless Steel
- Lanyard: Lanyard hole at the butt
- Authorship: Full custom prototype by Reese Weiland
- Condition: New, serviced by the maker
- SKU: 00227-RW-STRIKE-PROTO2-TITANIUM-20140101
- Included: Reese Weiland box signed by the maker, serving as the COA; zippered knife pouch
Video Description: The Strike Manual
This is the Reese Weiland Strike Prototype 2 from 2014, a custom manual flipper in new condition after service by the maker. The 4.583 inch Wharncliffe blade is CPM 154 with a satin finish and a straight 4.3395 inch edge. The Titanium frame is ground by hand into a rippled, rock-like texture on both sides.
A Titanium frame lock holds the blade open, and a flipper tab opens it. The back is open on standoffs, and the hardware and pocket clip are Stainless Steel. The spine reads RW 2014 PROTO 2. Overall length is 10.436 inches, closed length is 5.893 inches, and it weighs 9 ounces. It ships with a signed box and pouch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Reese Weiland Strike Prototype a true custom?
A true custom comes from one maker’s own shop rather than a factory line. Weiland built this Strike himself as a prototype, the stage where a maker settles the design. His engraving on the spine records his initials, the year and the prototype number, so the piece documents itself.
Why is a manual flipper from Reese Weiland notable?
Weiland is best known for automatics, and collectors call him the Godfather of the Automatic. Most of his work fires from a button. A manual flipper shows his design and fit without a spring mechanism, so the frame, the lock and the action carry the whole knife.
How does the frame lock work?
On a frame lock, a thick section of the handle frame acts as the lock. When the blade opens, that section springs inward behind the tang and holds it in place. To close the knife, press the lock bar aside with your thumb and fold the blade home.
What is CPM 154?
CPM 154 is the powder metallurgy version of 154CM, made by Crucible. The process gives the steel a finer, more even structure than the conventional version. It is a Stainless Steel known for good edge retention and corrosion resistance, and it takes a clean satin finish.
Has this knife been serviced?
Yes. Reese Weiland serviced this Strike Prototype himself after it left a private collection. It is in new condition, with no blemishes or wear. It ships with a box signed by the maker, which serves as the Certificate of Authenticity, and a zippered pouch.
Does We Buy Knife Collections actively support the broader knife enthusiast community?
Yes. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, We Buy Knife Collections is a curator and purveyor of fine custom made folding and fixed-blade knives. We are dedicated to the high-end custom knife community and we support knife rights advocacy.
Following our commitment upgrade in April 2026, we are proud to hold an AKTI Premier Membership, supporting the American Knife & Tool Institute’s vital advocacy and lobbying for knife owners, makers, and the future of the industry.
Buy This Reese Weiland Strike Prototype
We inspected this Reese Weiland Strike Prototype and described it as it is: a serviced, new condition custom prototype. See what else is ready to ship on our Reese Weiland Custom Knives page. If you are refining a collection of your own, we also buy knife collections.
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