Jimmy Lile created the legendary First Blood Knife made for the movie Rambo. Inspired by his iconic creation, we continue to handcraft Jimmy Lile knives to the highest standards of custom knifemaking today. We are the only knives with the trademarked LILE name.
About Lile Knives, LLC.
Lile Knives, LLC. is owned by John Henry Hill Jr. who has a background of over 20 years in oil, gas and real estate. John’s hobbies include hunting and fishing, with an emphasis on knife and gun collecting. Once John started collecting knives, Jimmy, (James B Lile) became a huge part of his world. Jimmy Lile is known for creating the legendary First Blood Knives used in the movies Rambo First Blood and Rambo First Blood II – The Mission.
John’s relationship with Jimmy Lile spanned almost 20 years and ended only because of Jimmy’s death. Together, they did numerous business deals that always resulted in a favorable outcome for both.
An important part of the Lile family formula was John’s relationship with Jimmy’s longtime friend, Robert L. Rankin. Rankin did shows for the Liles, and John was almost always in attendance. Also, Bob Rankin managed and owned a store in Dallas called The Jimmy Lile Knife Store, a place which John frequented. Now, after 25 years, John calls Bob one of his dearest and most trusted friends— a testament to Jimmy and his choice of character.
In 2011, John teamed up with knifemaker Vaughn Neeley to make the “Next Generation” Jimmy Lile knives. Since that time, Vaughn has operated from a one-man shop in Colorado single-handedly producing eight Lile Knife models. We have had difficulty meeting the demand, so we are currently offering only the two movie models in two different finishes, for a total of 4 models. The highest finish level is the Cerakote™ Presentation Series, made entirely by Vaughn Neeley in both FB and FB II movie models. The Utility Series, also in both FB and FB II movie models, is made under Vaughn’s supervision and training in Vaughn’s Colorado shop.
Here’s what customers are saying…
(read all testimonials here)
LILE MODEL FB KNIVES
(Inspired by Jimmy Lile’s original knife made for Rambo First Blood.)
LILE MODEL FB II KNIVES
(Inspired by Jimmy Lile’s original knife made for Rambo First Blood II – The Mission.)
ORIGINAL LILE KNIVES FOR SALE
(Original knives made by Jimmy Lile himself for the Rambo movies.)