Billao – Fixed blade

Fox Billao dagger with N690Co blade and buffalo horn handle.

Properties:
• Blade material: N690Co stainless steel, HRC 58–60, satin finish
• Blade length: 19 cm
• Blade thickness: 5 mm
• Handle material: buffalo horn
• Handle length: 12 cm
• Overall length: 31 cm
• Weight: 355 g
• Stainless steel screws
• Leather sheath

Further manufacturer information:
A reinterpretation of the famous Billao knife, created by Fox Knives in tribute to the renowned Billao knife, the traditional knife of the official equipment of the Italian Africa Police (PAI). Fox Knives wanted to preserve the historical consistency and authentic aesthetics of the original knife while implementing improvements with new manufacturing technology to pass on its robustness.
The PAI (Italian Africa Police) was founded in 1936 as a colonial police corps. It was responsible for security and public order in Libya, in the Italian governorate of Ethiopia and in the Italian colonies of AOI (Italian East Africa). It was the first armed force in Italy that depended on a civilian ministry, initially the Ministry of the Colonies, later the Ministry of Italian Africa.
The PAI corps consisted of Italian officers, non-commissioned officers and agents, as well as locally recruited policemen. It was organised into seven battalions, each named after one of Italy's great explorers of Africa: "Cecchi", "Duca degli Abruzzi", "Giulietti", "Ruspoli", "Casati", "Bottego" and "Gessi". The organisation had two chief inspectorates, one in Tripoli and one in Addis Ababa. In African territory the PAI had questure in the larger cities such as Tripoli, Benghazi, Asmara, Addis Ababa, Mogadishu and Gondar, as well as numerous commissariats and stations.
The uniform of the Italian PAI personnel changed with the seasons: khaki in winter, white in summer. The fascetti littori on the jacket lapel, the beret or the colonial helmet bore the unit's badge, a stylised eagle with outstretched wings, with the Savoy shield on its chest and the Savoy knot in its talons. Police askari had a distinctive uniform, with a tachia belt and bow, and a Savoy blue sash. The collar of the askari uniform was embroidered with a gold Savoy knot in place of the lictor ribbons of the Italian personnel. Ranks and specialist insignia (such as the viceregal squadron, police bands, the port police, the traffic police and the musical unit) were marked with Savoy blue triangles.
The commanders of the PAI included General Riccardo Maraffa (1937–1943), General Quirino Armellini (1943) and Major General Umberto Presti (1943–1944).
The "blue lancers" of the viceregal squadron wore a distinctive uniform with a Savoy blue sash and black plume, wrapped in a blue silk turban. The cuffs and the farmula were also blue.
The PAI played a significant role during the Italian colonial period in Africa, both in maintaining public order and in handling administrative and judicial affairs.
The traditional Billao knife, like Fox's, has a leaf-shaped blade and a three-pronged handle end, whose central point is formed by the protruding part of the blade's tang. The handle is made of buffalo horn, a traditional material that makes the design more authentic. The sheath is made of leather, with a loop and cord that allow it to be attached to the hip. It was specifically designed to hold the handle, preserving the practicality and originality of the Billao knife.
Alongside caring for the aesthetics, Fox Knives also worked to ensure the strength of the reinterpreted knife: the satin-finished N690Co blade and handle are of excellent quality and withstand everyday wear. This combination of historical authenticity and modern durability makes the Fox Knives Billao an object prized by knife enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
A tribute to the past of Italian arms, to preserve traditions and heritage.