Rambo Part II Knife — 17-Inch Hand-Forged Mission Bowie

Rambo Part II Knife — 17-Inch Hand-Forged Mission Bowie with Full-Tang 5160 Spring Steel and Leather-Wrapped Handle

The Rambo Part II knife (also called the First Blood Part II knife or "Mission" knife) hand-forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from truck leaf springs. 17 inches overall — 11.5-inch clip-point Bowie blade with a 6.5-inch leather-wrapped metal handle. The most cinematic Rambo blade of the 1980s — Jimmy Lile's larger, refined sequel to his original First Blood survival knife, rebuilt as a modern full-tang working knife. Matched scabbard and handle wrap colours, free engraving up to 30 characters. Worldwide shipping via DHL Express & FedEx International. 30-day satisfaction guarantee. 6-month warranty.

The Rambo Part II knife is the second blade in the Rambo film series — the iconic survival Bowie John Rambo carried in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). Designed by Arkansas master knifemaker Jimmy Lile as a refinement of his original 1982 First Blood knife, the Part II is bigger, heavier, and more visually commanding — the blade that filled cinema posters and defined what an action-movie survival knife could look like. Lile called this design "The Mission" knife, and it is widely considered by collectors to be his finest film blade.

This Everest Forge Part II knife is a hand-forged tribute to that 1985 design, built in our Kathmandu workshop from 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from real truck leaf springs — the same battle-grade material we use for our combat Roman gladii and Viking swords. Water-tempered for the right balance of edge retention and impact strength. Leather-wrapped metal handle for the classic First Blood-era survival-knife grip. Hand-stitched leather scabbard. The blade measures 11.5 inches with the knife totalling 17 inches overall — a substantial, commanding presence in the hand and a true heirloom-grade blade for collection or working use.

This is also one of two Part II handle variants in our collection. This listing is the leather-wrapped metal handle version — faithful to the cinematic First Blood-era aesthetic. The Rambo Part II Bowie with wood handle is the alternative for buyers who prefer the warmth and traditional look of a hardwood grip. Same blade, same forging process, different handle.

Unofficial hand-forged Rambo Part II tribute knife. Not affiliated with Lions Gate Entertainment, MGM, StudioCanal, Sylvester Stallone, the Jimmy Lile estate, Hibben Knives, Gil Hibben, Master Cutlery, United Cutlery, or any film studio or licensed knifemaker. Inspired by the design language of the 1985 Rambo: First Blood Part II survival knife for collectors and survival enthusiasts seeking a real hand-forged version.

The Most Cinematic Rambo Blade — Why Part II Stands Out

If you ask collectors which Rambo knife best captures the spirit of the franchise, the answer is almost always the Part II. The 1982 First Blood knife was an excellent survival tool, but it stayed visually subtle on screen — a 9-inch blade is a small thing in a wide cinema shot. The Part II changed that. Lile delivered a 14-inch blade (overall length close to 17 inches) with a more aggressive Bowie geometry, a darkened blade finish, and a leather-wrapped handle that looked at home in Rambo's hands during the film's most iconic scenes.

The Part II is also the knife most photographed and reproduced in the Rambo collector market. It's the design Master Cutlery licensed for their flagship First Blood Part II reproduction, and it's the design most casual fans picture when they think "Rambo's Bowie." The 17-inch overall length puts it in true short-sword territory — commanding for display, substantial in the hand, and unmistakably cinematic.

Our hand-forged Part II is sized to the film's proportions. The 11.5-inch blade and 17-inch overall length match the cinematic scale that gave the Part II knife its reputation. Whether you're a serious Rambo collector, a survivalist who wants the most imposing version of the First Blood-era survival knife in real working steel, or a Vietnam-era veteran who associates this blade with that period — the Part II is the right choice.

Hand-Forged vs Original Lile Mission II — What's the Same, What's Different

Honest comparison matters. Lile's 1985 Mission II knife was a specific design with specific construction choices. Our hand-forged tribute keeps the iconic Part II silhouette while making targeted improvements based on 40+ years of survival-knife evolution.

What's the same: The clip-point Bowie blade profile. The 17-inch overall length and substantial scale. The leather-wrapped handle aesthetic. The hand-stitched leather scabbard. The cinematic Part II silhouette anyone who has seen First Blood Part II recognises instantly.

What's different (and why):

• Full tang construction instead of hollow handle. Lile's original used a hollow aluminium tube with survival kit and a compass mounted in the butt cap. Brilliant for 1985, but the hollow handle is structurally weaker than full tang under heavy chopping or batoning. Our Part II is full tang — the 5160 steel runs from blade tip to handle butt as a single unbroken piece, with the leather wrap covering a steel core. You lose the survival kit storage and butt-cap compass; you gain a knife that won't break under hard use.
• 5160 high carbon spring steel instead of 440C stainless. Lile chose 440C for rust resistance in jungle conditions. We chose 5160 because it's tougher under chopping and batoning loads — the same steel used in our combat swords. Trade-off: 5160 surface-rusts if neglected; 440C does not. Anyone who actually uses a survival knife oils it as a matter of habit.
• 11.5-inch blade. The hand-forged blade is sized to the film's proportions and consistent with the most-reproduced specifications of the Mission II knife. The full 17-inch overall length matches the cinematic scale of the on-screen blade.
• No sawback spine. Lile's original Part II had serrated sawback teeth, like the First Blood knife. Ours has a smooth strong spine. The sawback was always more useful for the survival aesthetic than for actually sawing wood — we optimised for blade strength. A sawback version is available through Custom Forge.
• No compass. Lile mounted a compass in the hollow aluminium butt cap. Our full-tang construction doesn't have a hollow butt to mount a compass. If a built-in compass is essential, the licensed Master Cutlery / United Cutlery First Blood Part II reproductions retain this feature.

For collectors who want the 1985 hollow-handle Mission II 100% faithful to Lile's specifications, look at the licensed Master Cutlery reproductions ($300–$700 range). For a real working hand-forged Bowie in the Part II design language built to outlast the original by decades, this is the right tier.

What Makes This Hand-Forged Part II Knife Different

The Part II knife market today is crowded. Amazon and BUDK sell licensed Master Cutlery / United Cutlery factory reproductions in the $200–$700 range — faithful to Lile's hollow-handle design with compass and sawback, but typically machine-finished display pieces. Pakistani makers flood eBay and Etsy with generic "Rambo Bowies" in unspecified Damascus-pattern steel. Cheap Chinese stainless replicas at $40–$100 are stamped, glued, and vinyl-wrapped — pure costume pieces.

This Rambo Part II knife is in a different category. Hand-forged from a single billet of 5160 high carbon spring steel reclaimed from a truck leaf spring — the same battle-grade steel we use for our combat swords. The full tang is drawn from the same billet. Water-tempered for edge hardness and impact resistance. The metal core of the handle is wrapped in real leather, hand-stitched and pinned. The scabbard is hand-stitched leather with reinforced corners and belt loops. Nothing is stamped, cast, or laser-cut.

Hand-forged 5160 spring steel knives sit in a different price bracket than factory reproductions because they're built to be used and to last decades. Buyers who want the 1985 Lile design 100% faithful with built-in compass and sawback will prefer the licensed reproductions. Buyers who want a real working hand-forged 17-inch survival Bowie will appreciate this.

Product Specifications

Customise Your Rambo Part II Knife

Every Rambo Part II knife is hand-forged to order in our Kathmandu workshop. Specify your customisations in the order notes at checkout.

Why Buyers Choose This Variant Over the Wood Handle

The blade is identical between this listing and the Rambo Part II Bowie with wood handle — same 11.5-inch 5160 spring steel Bowie, same forging process, same water-temper, same full tang. The only difference is the handle.

The leather-wrapped metal handle (this listing) is the more cinematic, First Blood Part II-faithful aesthetic. The metal core gives a substantial, weighted feel in the hand. The leather wrap can be re-applied over decades as it wears. The handle absorbs shock during heavy chopping and offers a secure grip even in wet or sweaty conditions. This is the choice for buyers who want the on-screen Mission II look or who plan to use the knife in survival/bushcraft scenarios.

The wood handle variant uses a polished hardwood grip mounted to the same full tang. Wood is warmer to the touch, develops a richer patina with use, and has a more traditional working-knife appearance. The choice for buyers who prefer organic materials, want a knife that looks more like a custom hunting knife than a film prop, or want a slightly lighter overall weight.

Both perform identically. Choose based on the look and feel you want.

The 4-Step Forging Process

What's Included

• Hand-forged Rambo Part II knife in your chosen blade finish and matched leather colour
• Hand-stitched leather scabbard with belt loops and securing strap (matched to handle wrap)
• Free engraving if requested in your order notes (up to 30 characters)
• Care and maintenance guide with oiling instructions for blade and leather
• Certificate of origin identifying the Kathmandu workshop and date of forging
• Worldwide tracked shipping via DHL Express or FedEx International
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee — not happy, return for refund or rebuild
• 6-month craftsmanship warranty covering forging or fitting defects

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

Processing. Every Rambo Part II knife is made to order. Forging and finishing takes 3–5 business days from order confirmation. Custom engraving may add 2–3 days.

Shipping. Worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx International with full tracking. Transit time 5–10 business days depending on country. Total time from order to delivery is typically 8–15 business days. Some countries restrict the import of large fixed-blade knives — check local laws before ordering.

Returns. Not satisfied? Return within 30 days for full refund or free re-build to different specifications. We cover return shipping for craftsmanship defects.

Warranty. 6-month craftsmanship warranty against forging defects, handle separation, or scabbard failure under normal use. Edge damage from misuse, rust from neglect, and damage from non-cutting impacts are not covered. Full terms in our FAQ page.

Care & Maintenance

Oil the blade regularly. 5160 carbon steel will surface-rust if neglected. Wipe with mineral oil, gun oil, or food-grade camellia oil after every use and once a month during storage. The 11.5-inch blade has more surface area than smaller knives — pay extra attention to oiling the full length.

Care for the leather. Condition both the handle wrap and scabbard with leather balm or beeswax every 3–6 months to prevent drying and cracking. The handle wrap can be re-applied over decades as it wears.

Sharpen with a whetstone. 1000/3000 grit at a 20–25 degree angle on the cutting edge.

Store properly. Sheathed in the leather scabbard or on a display stand. The 17-inch overall length means most standard knife stands won't fit — consider a wall-mounted display rack designed for short swords or large Bowies.

Frequently Asked Questions