This page requires that you have JavaScript enabled and the most current version of the Adobe Flash Player.
Please refer to your browser's documentation for assistance with enabling JavaScript and click here to go to Adobe's website to install/upgrade your flash player plug-in.

The legend began... when, LATAMA, the shortened term for the Latin America Import Export Company, was founded by Jacob (Jack) Polincovsky shortly after the end of WWII. At that time Jack Polincovsky had connections in the garment business and went to Milan Italy to purchase silk and other material. French and the British buyers purchased all the material available. As a result, Jack Polincovsky attended another auction and purchased British surplus knives, English single carbon blade locking knives with plastic checkered handles. (see photo below) During his trip, Jack Polincovsky learned that the cutlery industry was re-emerging in Maniago, Italy and explored the idea of manufacturing cutlery. Unknowingly, Mr. Polincovsky was unconsciously establishing the foundation of what was to become the greatest of all switchblade-manufacturing consortiums. While there was never really a LATAMA "factory," the home of Patriizio Pasquale (Master Craftsman) who was known for his Golden Hands, served as home base. There, Sam worked with Abraham Abramovits who played a key role in overseeing the production of LATAMA cutlery in Maniago. In 1947, Sam (Polincovsky) Polk, was given the responsibility of running the company as CEO and traveling salesman for LATAMA. Beginning on Broadway in New York, Sam Polk sold his knives from coast to coast creating the legend that we know today. While LATAMA is primarily known for its switchblades, by 1950 the company had expanded into the promotional products business that included what is reverently and fondly referred to today as Gentlemen Knives. This site is dedicated to two things and to two of the most important people in the history of automatic knives... On the one hand, as the title suggests, this is the site of the most storied of Italian switchblades and the men who made it so: Jack Polincovsky, Patrizio Pasquale , and, most of all, the legendary Sam Polk; on the other is Sheldon Levy, creator, editor, and publisher of The Newsletter, the single most important publication in the entire history of automatic knives. What Walter Halucha has wrought both at this site and in his knife production is truly impressive. Not only has he resurrected the legendary Latama and provided a source for Italian knives, both original and reproduction, he has given Sam Polk the limelight he so richly deserves. Sam may not have invented the Italian switchblade, but he did more than any other person to bring it to America and create its cachet as one of the icons of our cultural history. Sam’s life story - and that of his father - is among the most entertaining and uplifting you’re likely to encounter." Dan Fuller It is my honor, privilege, and pleasure to welcome you to The Newsletter Archives. The Newsletter is a unique compilation for the Switchblade/automatic knife fan. Sheldon Levy’s Newsletter was first published in 1992 was a labor of love from its inception and has remained an informative and insightful for each and every issue of its 11 year run. The Newsletter became the central meeting place for collectors and the ONLY source of information for automatics. Sheldon offered a forum and a clubhouse for collectors, devotees, and aficionados the world of spring steel, as we know it today. Each of the 45 issues contained terrific photographs, informative articles, maintenance and repair tips, the latest trends, and resources of all kinds of automatic knives. Switchblades or stilettos evoke a remarkable image in our culture. They represent design, power, and a sense of danger and romance. My passion for switchblades, especially the Italian Stiletto began many years ago when I was a kid growing up in Queens, New York. As a boy I would take the train from Flushing to Times Square without telling my mother and window shopped for stilettos. Back in the early 1950’s LATAMA switchblades were prominently displayed in souvenir shops and cutlery store windows in the heart of Times Square. Hundreds of every size and scale variation astounded and enthralled me. I was a kid in a candy store. Even then, I knew that there was something very special about these quality knives. I had the opportunity to fire one of the LATAMA’S and I was hooked for life on the sound and authority when I pressed that magic button and first heard that unforgettable and enticing sound of the blade snapping open and locking into place. It was initially an unrequited love affair because I wasn’t old enough and couldn’t afford a switchblade. Plus, if my mother had found it she may have done me in with my own knife (just kidding). Before Sheldon and The Newsletter my passion was a solitary one; there was no one that I could talk to or share with. I grew up, married, had three kids, and had a career in advertising. My passion for switchblades subsided but was never extinguished. Then The Newsletter came along. Sheldon was the Godfather of collecting Italian switchblades. He made me realize that there were lots of people who shared my passion, which was rekindled and blossomed. As Sheldon used to say “Gad zooks!” I became a collector and I’ve never stopped. We’re taking advantage of the Internet to reunite the older collectors and to gather those that were not around when The Newsletter was being published. We’re bringing back those memorable articles with original photographs in place. You will get an idea of things to come with this first selection of articles. In addition to offering rare vintage knives and new knives for sale, we will be adding interesting, rare, historical and priceless information and photos from the archives of the Newsletter frequently, so check back often. The Newsletter Archives is sponsored by the revolutionary Quick Release lubricant, the only lubricant developed exclusively for knives. Welcome to a very special place, The Newsletter Archives! Walt Halucha, founder, latama.net Volume 10, No. 3: Black Beauty Volume 10 No. 1: KitPop, Vol.10 #1 Volume 7, No. 3 Graefenberg Display Knife Volume 7, No. 3 Gebruder Krusius Knife Volume 8, No.3: How to tweek a 33cm Latama Volume 6, No.3 Esser Pistol Switchblade c. 1895 Volume 6, No.1 MicroTech Masterpiece Volume 11, No.4 Mikov Knives Neal Punchard: Every collection starts and continues because of two factors: Interest and Inspiration.... "My own interest in automatic knives was born in Mexico in the early 1970s with the purchase of a “Rizzuto Estileto” switchblade. While a little sub par by today’s standards, it was the genuine article at that time. An assortment of common American and European automatics followed for a decade until 1982 when “An Introduction To Switchblade Knives” was published by Ben and Lowell Myers. With many beautiful and exotic knives shown from all corners of the world, it was my first real inspiration. Although “An Introduction To Switchblades” was a great milestone, it lacked in hard research and history. What the mostly underground society of switchblade collectors really needed was some form of publication devoted to spring steel. This void was filled in 1992 with the debut of “The Newsletter”. Sheldon Levy was the sole creator, publisher, editor, and art director of this fledgling information source which focused on all forms of automatic knives. As with most publications it started small and humble, but soon grew into a great publication. With the likes of Brad West and Mario as contributors, wonderful examples were shown and described in accurate detail. The Newsletter upped the ante with the addition of Dan Fuller as a contributing author. Dan wrote wonderful articles on the social aspects of this odd hobby which provided great depth beyond the knives themselves. My interest grew dramatically when Professor Pete McMickle came on board. Pete wrote outstanding articles on the oldest and rarest switchblades that were known to exist. Sheldon was not just the guy in charge, but also a researcher and author himself. He wrote on a variety of different types of automatic knives and made great advances in the overall knowledge of Italian cutlery in particular. My hats off to Sheldon for putting this ten year run of invaluable work together. Thanks for the information and inspiration".