advice on Camillus pilot knife

T

TheSurvivalist

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Jun 13, 2004
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I am considering the purchase of a camillus pilot survival knife. The blade is supposedly 1095 carbon steel, which should yield a good balance between toughness and edge-holding. I like the design, but I am worried about the durability of the handle.

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My main question is: is the handle pinned through the buttcap and tang like a Ka-Bar?

How well does the handle hold together with extreme abuse?

Please give your opinions on the knife. thanks.

TheSurvivalist
 
Well, my father's knife has survived 40 years of being in the hands of an aviator and marine. It's still in excellent shape (though the leather has browned).
 
There are a lot of them around and I've never heard of a pommel coming off, but I'll move this thread to the Camillus forum for you -- I'm sure someone there can tell us whether it's pinned or what. :cool:
 
The usaf pilots survival knives (at least all the ones I've owned, I think they were 60's or 70's vintage) are not held on like a USMC "kabar". The tang goes all the way through and the end is peened (not to be confused with pinned :p ) over the slot in the buttcap, over time if the leather shrinks (I suggest using a good leather treatment when it's new, this should prevent shrinkage) then the handle will be a little loose, but functionality will not be impaired.

As far as extreme abuse, the handle I think is the last thing you need to worry about. The USAF and USMC knives share two common failure points, the tip, and the blade/tang juncture. The steel should be roughly RC 56-57 though, and the wide false edge causes the tip to be thinner than I would want for prying (ie: breaking apart pallets) but should be fine for lighter prying. The tang is very narrow and as noted the steel is rather soft, so if you have the blade buried well past the tip and pry the tang will probably end up bending if whatever you were messing with doesn't want to budge and you try to force the issue.
 
Purchased mine new in 1985(date stamped on pommel), been using it pretty hard every since. It hasn't let me down yet! Still has original point, still gets razor sharp and stays that way for a long time! bear in mind, this knife has NOT had an easy life, but it's still one of the best $25 investments I've made!! Marty :cool: :D
 
just saw these on sale on Cabela's for i think $20!
pretty good insurance in the glove compartment for all the cars at that price!
 
An uncle that worked on an airforce base gave my Dad one of these years and years ago. Dad has used it to clean deer with and no telling what all. At least it looks like the pic in the post above. Just one heck of a lot older.
I have kept it sharpened for him and it will sharpen up so it shaves. I use a Lansky. It is still a good tight knife.

Only problem I have with it is that I have to take a toothbrush or other stiff brush to the handle to get the deer stuff cleaned out of the grooves..

But I like it so much I bought one like it out of one of the catalogs 15 years or so ago..
 
I found my knife 10 years ago in the woods in the Ozarks. It seems to have been there for several years. I must say that it's in great shape even after sitting in the weather for who knows how long. Great knife! Id get one.
 
Leather's tough stuff. I found an old Marble's in my grandfather's effects- 80 years old, worn and sharpened roughly, but still useful.
 
It's a good knife. I got one about five years ago for my camping gear. The grind on mine was a little funky (not uneven, just a little high) and needed to be reprofiled.

Mine's seen some hard use and has held up very well. The leather isn't as nicely finished as on my Ka-Bar and still hasn't worn smooth after five years.

I don't like the sheath though. If you get the knife, consider also getting one of the Blackhawk or Spec Ops sheathes for it. And the saw teeth on the back are kinda silly and not overly functional. They'll do in a bind, but I'd still rather use the saw on an SAK or Leatherman.
 
Here's a pic of my dad's (sorry a little dark), which I am 'taking care of' ...It is probably about 30 years old, and still in great shape, although I had to work on the sheath a little.

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I also have a brand new one like the one you posted.

Definitely go for it. Money well spent, IMHO.

Glenn
 
It's sound advise to coat the leather stack handle with a protective coating. You may use one of the many leather finishing products available on the shelves of most home department or auto stores. But the trick is to do this BEFORE the leather material gets saturated in dirt and grime. You can also tie paracord around the handle for this purpose. Just remember that it must be bound and fixed secure before attempting to do any serious "workouts" with the knife; before you end up piercing your foot instead the very least.
 
I just bought two before Christmas. I have to admit it's nothing pretty, the finish is dull and nothing special. No big deal there, it's the type of finish it is. I must say I wasn't totally pleased with the bi-color tanning on the sheeths, both had color variations from pinkish to light tan, nor was I too pleased with the butter knife edge that came on them both. It will take an edge but if yours are anything like the two I bought expect to put some work into it to get it that way...
 
jfeenin: Yes, the light color of the leather parts is natural and undyed, or at least very poorly so. Ever wondered how much darker pre-owned leather stack handles seem to appear? Could be one of two apperant reasons, that its been treated with oil/preservative or just saturated in plained good old fashion dirt and sweat.

Considering it was meant to be an economically priced item, it fairs better than most off-shore look-alikes. In fact, they are manufactured according to US Mil. Specs finish. Like any thing made of plain carbon steel, its bound to pit and rust with time. But, as with anything - good or bad, it's entirely the result of the owner's care and concern for his own personal material. "Take care of your 'friend' and it will take care of you", comes to mind.
 
Oh I am no newbie to knives, I am quite aware of what a tools steel blade will do and I can see the sheeth either isn't tanned or not well. Still, while it is an economicly priced knife I would assume it would still come with a good edge. After all it is the base for all future sharpening. Also with the tanning, I have other similarly priced knives from other companies (again US) that do a better job of that. I guess if it was all one light color I'd be happier with that but the pink tones are irritating. if I have time tonight when I am home I will post a pic.

Don't get me wrong... It's nothing major but it was my first Camillus knife purchase in many many years and it wasn't what I expected from them is all. It's not like I plan on returning it. I sharpened it and I will rub neatsfoot into the sheeth and handle before I use it outside. It is after all a work knife and it's not going to look pretty long anyway... :) The second one I gave to my nephew for a Christmas present because he needed a good working knife to replace the $10 (and overpriced at that) junk he keeps buying at gun shows and the like.
 
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