The Burn Knives Vengance DA OTF Automatic is a preowned custom out-the-front automatic knife from Paul Panak of Burn Knives. This example is offered in excellent condition and features a 416 stainless steel satin-finished chassis, a brass button, and a hollow-ground tanto blade in 154CM steel. It is bold, mechanical, and unmistakably built for collectors who appreciate custom automatic knife work.
This Vengance also carries one of the details that makes the piece stand out immediately: a tear-out skull engraving on the button side of the chassis. The engraving gives the knife a harder custom identity without overwhelming the clean satin stainless construction. In addition, the brass button adds a warm contrast against the silver-toned chassis.
Burn Knives Vengance DA OTF Automatic With Six Compound Grinds
The Burn Knives Vengance DA OTF Automatic is not a standard production OTF. The blade has two hollow grinds and one flat grind on each side, creating a total of six compound grinds. That kind of blade work gives the knife a serious custom presence, especially when paired with the long tanto profile.
The 154CM blade steel is a proven stainless option with good edge performance, practical toughness, and a strong history in custom and high-end production knives. Here, the steel works well with the Vengance platform. The hollow-ground tanto blade feels aggressive, but the satin chassis keeps the knife refined enough for a serious collection.
Because this is a double-action OTF automatic, the knife deploys and retracts through the frontz of the handle with the button mechanism. The long stainless chassis gives it a substantial feel, while the brass button provides a defined contact point. Together, those details create a custom automatic with both visual impact and mechanical personality.
Paul Panak, Burn Knives, and Custom Automatic Knife Heritage
Paul Panak’s background helps explain why Burn Knives has such a focused identity. His early fascination with switchblades and butterfly knives eventually grew into professional restoration work on antique stilettos. Over time, that mechanical curiosity became custom knifemaking.
That influence shows in this Vengance. It has the feel of a maker who understands the appeal of classic automatic knives, yet it does not look like a copy of an old pattern. Instead, the design feels modern, angular, and purpose-built. The skeleton-hand style engraving, brass button, satin chassis, and compound-ground tanto blade all push the knife toward a more individual custom presentation.
Panak has also credited makers such as Don Hall, Reese Weiland, Jerry Rados, George Cameron, Arlin Walker, and Bill McHenry for knowledge, influence, and friendship. That context matters because custom automatic knives often exist within a close maker community. As a result, this Burn Knives piece carries both the maker’s personal style and the broader influence of American automatic knife craftsmanship.
Excellent Preowned Condition With Maker Documentation
This Burn Knives Vengance DA OTF is preowned and remains in excellent condition. The only condition note provided is a faint micro-scratch approximately 1/16 inch long that can only be seen in bright lighting. That disclosure is important for buyer confidence, especially on a satin-finished stainless chassis where light can reveal very small surface marks.
The knife includes its case and handwritten custom product description card. The card lists the 416 stainless satin-finished chassis, tear-out skull engraving, brass button, 154CM tanto blade, six compound grinds, and a born-on date of January 26, 2025. That documentation strengthens the listing and helps preserve the knife’s maker-specific details for the next collector.
Specifications
- Maker: Burn Knives by Paul Panak
- Model: Vengance DA OTF
- Condition: Preowned, Excellent Condition
- Born-On Date: January 26, 2025
- Knife Type: Double-Action OTF Automatic
- Chassis Material: 416 Stainless Steel
- Chassis Finish: Satin Finished
- Button Material: Brass
- Blade Steel: 154CM
- Blade Style: Tanto
- Blade Grind: Hollow-Ground Tanto
- Grind Detail: Two Hollow Grinds And One Flat Grind On Each Side
- Total Grind Count: Six Compound Grinds
- Engraving: Tear-Out Skull Engraving On Button Side
- Condition Note: Faint Micro-Scratch Approximately 1/16″ Long, Visible Only In Bright Lighting, Price reflects this
- Includes: Case And Handwritten Burn Knives Custom Product Description Card
Video Introduction: Vengance DA OFT
This Burn Knives Vengance DA OTF Automatic by Paul Panak is a preowned custom out-the-front knife in excellent condition. It features a 416 stainless steel satin-finished chassis, tear-out skull engraving on the button side, brass button, hollow-ground 154CM tanto blade, and six total compound grinds. It also includes the case and handwritten Burn Knives custom product description card.
Collectors interested in this Burn Knives custom automatic may also want to browse the Burn Knives and Paul Panak brand page to see the other Burn creations we have in stock. Or, check out our Automatic Knives, New Arrivals, Preowned Knives, and Custom Folding Knives at We Buy Knife Collections. For added buying context, relevant Knife Knowledge articles about custom knife condition, blade steel, and how documentation affects collector value can help explain why complete custom pieces stand apart. If you are considering selling custom automatic knives or a larger collection, Sell Your Knife Collection and What We Buy explain how We Buy Knife Collections evaluates maker demand, condition, originality, materials, documentation, and collector appeal.
We Buy Knife Collections is proud to support the American Knife & Tool Institute and its work for knife owners, knife makers, and the future of the knife industry through AKTI Premier Membership: https://www.akti.org/news/premium-knife-dealer-boosts-support-of-akti/
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