"One of the most enticing knives to me when talking about Automatic Knives,
is the "Out the Front" or "OTF" style Automatic.
And when it comes down to sorting out the best from the best concerning
OTF knives, Microtech and Robbie Dalton Knives are the topics of discussion.
My choice - the Robbie Dalton "Asp" - Border Patrol Edition.
The Asp, an OTF style knife, smaller than the Border Patrol Knife, was put into production around 2001. From it was born its bigger brother,
The Dalton Border Patrol limited edition OTF.
At the time (and probabally still as of now) the Border Patrol was the biggest
OTF available on the market - just one reason I prefer it to other OTF's.
With an all alluminum construction frame, a double edged, cryogenically
treated and hardened blade and spring-loaded action that makes your wrist
snap back, the Dalton Border Patrol is bigger yet lighter, stonger and faster
than any other of the dozens of OTF's I've handled.
There were a very limited number of these made, which makes it very
collectable as well. "
*****
After being listed in the gallery for 5 years and marked as "sold / N/A" I have decided to finally make this mint Dalton Border Patrol OTF available for purchase from my personal collection. This knife has drawn an unimaginable ammount of attention to the site as well as my inbox! The hard cold fact is is that this knife is not available ANYWHERE anymore - it hasn't been since practically right after it was introduced in 2001. Almost 10 years later, this knife is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most collectible, dificult to find, modern-day custom/production pieces ever issued. Here are a few things to remember while considering what adds to the value of this piece.
- First off - True, weapon's grade OTF's are hard to find in general. Custom makers don't make them in general. The only two companies that do make quality OTF knives in my opinion are Dalton Knives and Microtech.
- Only 500 of these were ever made for worldwide distribution - a very low number even for Dalton Knives. Of those, many were used and / or abused, lost, destroyed somehow or rendered useless / uncollectible due to improper care / mistreatment.
- This is number BP065 - low numbers and numbers ending in 5 or 0 are always more sought after / collectible. The lower numbers are considered the best of the batch. 5 and 0 has to do with aesthetic value.
- This knife, after nerly 10 years, is in mint, unused, factory condition. Never sharpened or carried and cared for as to prevent any tarnishing whatsoever.
- Many times, a knife will be missing its original sheath and cord. Both are present and in mint condition.
- This knife is unavailable anywhere else. It would take a team of professionals to even begin tracking one down and even then... You get the point - On a rarity scale of 1 - 10, this ones a definite 9 as far as production models are concerned.
Dalton knives are collectible. Period. Among these, the OTF Border Patrol is hands down the most highly sought after model ever made. I only have one. The price is set at what I determine to be a very fair figure considering the overall desirability, collectibility and condition of this piece.
