Best V-42 Force Knife/Stiletto (1st SSF) Replica?

[tj214]

What's the best overall quality V-42 replica or more modern "official" manufacture? Lots of copies have and are being produced, but at least visually most are pretty abysmal.

Supposedly original V-42s issued to the 1st Special Service Force occasionally come up for sale, but are FAR outside my budget. A handful were issued to the US Navy, but are extremely rare and appear to have been exactly the same as the 1 SSF version except for, possibly, ownership markings or stampings.

Case (the original manufacturer) manufactured a version from 1989-1993, and I assume it matched their original in every respect; also very hard to find. Rumors other official or semi-official manufacturers produced it in the last few decades, but clearly the Chinese are in the mix as well with their $30 copies.

Ton of comments, "feedback," and opinions around the web, but don't seem to come from subject matter experts. SMEs certainly exist, but I've yet to find them after a LOT of searching.

Thoughts on which are the best quality and most accurate non-original knives?

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[Aragorn243]

Interesting knife. I did some checking around and it seems like all that are available now are from China which would make me question all of them. One thing I did notice was some have the leather guard above the crosspiece and some don't. That would be one thing to check for.

The choices I saw were around $100 for a Chinese knife or $29 for the same that also looked the same so I have no idea. One of the cheap ones looked cheap, one looked pretty good but that one was $33 I think. Another problem is the sheath. Some had what looks to be similar to the original and others a crappy black one that just looks like crap.

If you find one, let us know. Might be something I'd be interested in. I didn't see any that had that oval groove in the blade.

Actually I just did find one with the thumb groove, but it has the crappy scabbard: BudK BK2140 V-42 STILETTO Dagger fixed blade knife 12 1/4 overall China NEW! 760729214057 | eBay

[browningautorifle]

This one has a decent repro scabbard and has some reviews... WWII V-42 Elite Special Forces Knife | Atlanta Cutlery

[tj214]

Thanks, guys. It does look like the Atlanta Cutlery version may be the best available replica.

Unfortunately for me (the same Dummkopf who fabricated the very expensive ratchet assembly for my SOE/CISA Sten project (https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=70707)), a couple of NOS V-42s produced by Case in the 1970s or 1990s came available on eBay at less than Case was charging for them on their own website, so I picked one up. Still paid an arm and a leg, but at lot less than the $8k going rate for originals.

The postwar Case-produced versions appear to be exact copies of the WW II originals, but made from somewhat higher quality steel, which is not a huge surprise given the wartime shortages and the fact knives were considered consumables (or at least not expected to last forever).

There are rumors Case will make another run of these knives this fall, although I didn't see such an announcement on the Case website (https://caseknives.com/products/v-42-military-knife). They will be a LOT more expensive than the Chinese knockoffs, but usually you get what you pay for.

[browningautorifle]

There are rumors Case will make another run of these knives this fall

I didn't bother sending you that link, it includes many reviews that will bear on your decision... https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CA2...leather-sheath

[Aragorn243]

I ordered one of the Atlanta Cutlery ones this morning. Not sure if I should thank you or curse you for starting this thread. I'm usually not much into replicas but this just looks too good to not have one and I'm not paying $500 for a repro.

[browningautorifle]

I ordered one of the Atlanta Cutlery ones

So we'll be able to have a look soon then...

[Aragorn243]

So we'll be able to have a look soon then...

I don't think so, four week backorder.

[tj214]

Received my 1995 Case manufacture V-42 today. Agreed I'm not much into repros, although not sure what new production by the original manufacturer is termed.

Paid quite a bit but a LOT less than the going rate for WW II originals (Case also manufactured the originals). As noted, Case has periodically made new runs of the knife (late '80s, 1990, 1995, and 1998 as far as I know), and may be planning yet another run.

Lucked off and got one in literally new/pristine condition; the sheath was still in the unopened sealed original bag and the knife has no scrape or scuff marks. This one came with Case's wooden display box.

The instructions state the knife is factory sharpened to a razor edge. It's sharp, but not paper slicing sharp. I'm not gonna add a better edge because this is a display piece.

The Case display box included in this set is beautifully made, although the laser etching on the glass is not A+ quality. If I knew before this purchase what I now know, I'd skip the display box--although this merely personal taste. Love the Case knife though.

The problem is the visual "balance" of the display, which is thrown off by the necessary inclusion of the long leather scabbard. The knife center is positioned well above the box centerline, which to my eye unbalances the display. Good news is that the knife is securely held in place by strong magnets and the sheath snap, so it won't fall off the mounting plinth. The box mounting hardware is so strong the box WILL NOT fall off the wall, nor easily knocked off.

One note about displaying the knife in this box: the knife will lay against the sheath at exactly point where its metal staples protrude. This will mar the knife's surface, so I cut a small rectangle of black felt to put between the blade and staples. Problem solved.

In sum, pleased with the experience.