Vintage Bianchi 855 Survival Knife #925

Description

1970’s Bianchi Nighthawk 855 -Hammer Forged
Bianchi Nighthawk were manufactured by Carl Schlieper a German hardware manufacturing business established in Remscheid, Germany in the 18th century.1793. Carl Schlieper also produced Eye Brand knives, sometimes called German Eye and were Hammer forged in Solingen Germany for over 100 years. Hammer forging compresses and realigns the blade steel's grain structure, thereby increasing the toughness and edge holding characteristics of the knife blade. Hammer forging is more costly and time-consuming process, but worth the effort.
Carl Schlieper bypassed the importer of Eye Brand in the late 1970's and sold the knife to Bianchi Leathers before the design was introduced under the Eye Brand banner. Those knives were marked "Bianchi" and naturally Bianchi made the high quality leather sheaths. After the Bianchi manufacturing run was completed Schlieper introduced the knife with a different sheath under their name marked "Survival Knife".
The Nighthawk fixed blade from Bianchi features a spear point mirror polished blade with serrated and sharpened top edge. 3/16" blade stock of 440C High Carbon Stainless Steel. The handle has a brass S-Guard, black composite handle that is hollow, and a removable brass butt cap. Comes with brown leather sheath.
This knife measures 10 1/2" with a 5 7/8" blade and in the sheath the weight is 1 lb. 3 oz.
The knife and sheath are both excellent showing minor marks from being handled. The blade shows no signs of being used and is an exceptionally low serial number 0925. Of course, Bianchi made a high-quality leather sheath with leg ties and a pouch with a sharpening stone. The only marks are small scratches on the pommel from the knife being tossed into a pack or duffel. Judge for yourself from the photos.