Hi Cliff,
Great question and good points.=)
I agree that a lot of them most likely sat on shelves, however i do know that many were used by people in the service too.I have owned two real Lile Rambo "the mission" bowie's and did use them, and they held up.
I will be doing a destruction video soon. With the purpose to wreck one. I am a firm believe of the saying "if it can be made, it can be destroyed". i personally don't know of any knife that wont fail after some time,some sooner that later.
My goal is to make one that is rock solid NOT wreck proof. So with that in mind i believe i can and have.I am fans of and friends with Steve Kelly and Ed caffrey and i have talked to them both about the method of the connection of the knife.my friend don who owns a machine shop(he is a second gen machine-est) has also given me some good points.
As far as pins go.....You are able to buy s.s. or carbon, heat treated too.
As i am not willing to give the Lile method away=), i really can say that it would be impossible for it to come apart,the tang will break way before it ever comes a part.
As i have said before i don't know of any hollow handle knife made by a good maker that has come apart. Les Robertson even used a Robert Parish hollow handle in the service and he swears by it. i only say all that ..... because i do understand the questions and concerns about them.
when i do the video i will post it here for sure.......unless i have t eat my words=).....
britt