Air Force Survival Knife and SOG Seal Pup as Khukuri Companions

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
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Posted something similiar over at the Survival Forum but there's a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people here at home so I though I would ask my question here too.

Ask a backup or companion to my Khukuri, I was just wondering what everyone thought about the basic Air Force Survival Knife. Durability, slicing, chopping, versatility, blade strength, etc. I was also wanting to know if anyone has experienced blade failures with this knife and who is considered to be the best manufacturer ( Camillus, Ontario, etc if there are others). What are the AFSK's advantages and disadvatages?

I also wanted opinions on the SOG Seal Pup concerning the same things minus the manufacturer part.
 
I have an AirForce survival knife made in 1968 and have used it quite a bit. Retired it in favor of the Cold Steel SRK though.

Ice
 
I'm definitely more of a fan of the flatground or convex ground types of knives for companion blades myself.

As far as I remember about the Air Force survival knife- it was all around "okay" the "blood grooves" tend to screw up the grind of an otherwise decent knife, and I'm not at all a big fan of the top guard on them. The sawback was pretty useless for beating through the woods- had much better luck beatin' on the back of it with a log. Overall usable, but...definitely not a barn burner by any stretch of the imagination. I think there's alot better choices out there nowadays. I'm not at all sure on the manufacturers, so I'll keep my trap shut on that one.

The latest issue if TK has a review of the AFSK, which pretty much says that the new model rectifies most of my complaints about the old model. (primarily by going to a flat grind) but I'm still not a fan of the double guard, the low rockwell hardness, and the serrations. (RW is around 52) Bear in mind I haven't handled the new one yet, so I'm just parrotting what I've read.
 
I would look at a knife that is a great slicer: Mora; Spyderco Moran; SR Bandicoot; puukko -- something like that. You don't need an all-rounder.
 
Cuch, I just like those little AFSKs. They don't hold an edge forever but they are easy to sharpen and they're an all around decent little knife.

I have to agree with Tom though about the Puukko or the Swamp Rat Bandicoot or similar although the Bandicoot is a bit smaller than the AFSK.
Anything you get from Swamp Rat is top notch!!!!:D
 
In my question on the other forum, I mentioned the Swamprat, Mora, etc. Part of my reason for the AFSK as a consideration was for an inexpensive knife that I could put in multiple survival packs (autos, boat, etc). It seems to be more suitable to heavy survival use or overall versatility than say the Mora's. For higher end belt knives, I have been looking at SOG, Swamprat, Becker Companion, etc, etc, etc. Even the Kumar Karda, which I haven't had much luck catching on the specials. Any suggestions or advice is much appreciated.

But since we're talking about Swamp Rat knives, how do the Howling Rat and Safari Skinner rate.
 
Well, the AFSK is tougher than a Mora or puukko. I'd be happier batoning it than the Mora, and the top guard can (and has been) easily removed.

If it comes to it, as a "Wise man" once observed, who cares if the slice of cheese is a little wedgy when you happy just to have the cheese. It can be gotten sharp and comes with a stone in the sheath.

Hey! You could carry a small puukko as a karda in the khukuri rig.
 
I am actually going to get one of the Moras too. For $10 bucks or so your not losing much to give one a try and at that price you could throw one in with your AFSK as a backup.
 
Ragweed's moras are good fun, and as good of a value as Hi's products.

Buying a blade from there and putting on a handle is a good introduction, at least in my opinion, for a young teenager. My nephew and I are working on that now.

I still hope to get a karda that isn't all that so I won't feel guilt when I replace it's blade with a two inch mora...
 
I recently came into possession of a PAL USMC combat knife, rehandled firmly, if not beautifully, with a huge piece of stag. It was covered with corrosion and pitting. I would love to hear this blade's stories.

From what I have read, PAL took over Remingon Knife Co. in 1942, and from about January, 1943, on all the knives they made were RN PAL marked. So this knife is pre-1943.

This thing has a 6 7/8ths blade and will take an edge that is astonishing. Oddly it is more intimidating a tool than my 12 in AK, due to it's shape and balance. It doesn't have the blade weight, but I've severed several 1 1/2" willows and box elders with two chops. It doesn't lend itself to chopping, but would baton through great thickness for it's size.

That said, if that is all I had, I would be well-served. The five inch pilot's size, or the Navy Mark I's (?), made by a respectible manufacturer would be a fine tool, if that was the only tool you had.

It came with a rawhide deerskin sheath (Hiya LCS, any progress?), which really isn't suitable for the sharpness of the blade, but with some modifications, will serve.


Long-winded, but synopsis is...go right ahead, they are fine knives, but not made for the variety of tasks that a khuk is.

But as a second knife to carry, they would be heavy, and maybe a little cumbersome.


Be well and safe.
 
I've had a couple of AFSKs, but they never really grew on me that much. I love Ka-Bars, but these little guys just didn't do it for me. Like Ice, I finally did away with mine for a CS SRK. As far as belt knives go, what are you going to use it for? I used to be a memeber of the medium do-it-all camp knife club, but have since gone the way of the big knife/little knife camp since I found HI. 99% of the time the only belt knife i need is a JKM/Sarge/Bilton when paired up with a khuk. Anything bigger than that is over kill for my personal needs.

Jake
 
For a khuk companion knife I prefer a fine-bladed slicer such as a Schrade Sharpfinger.
 
For what it's worth, I agree with Raghorn. Thin, small fine cuts are the thing- I thought the khuk did the tough stuff.


munk
 
Kismet said:
I recently came into possession of a PAL USMC combat knife, rehandled firmly, if not beautifully, with a huge piece of stag. It was covered with corrosion and pitting. I would love to hear this blade's stories.

From what I have read, PAL took over Remingon Knife Co. in 1942, and from about January, 1943, on all the knives they made were RN PAL marked. So this knife is pre-1943.
Click to expand...

Hi Kis. Because I collect Scout knives, I am familiar with the PAL/Remington deal. PAL bought the cutlery division of Remington in 1939. For awhile, PAL knives used all Remington parts from inventory, then a combination, then all PAL-made parts. Even in this final period, PAL used the Remington model numbers - RH-34 = Remington Hunting Pattern 34. It makes for lot's of variations for collector nuts to try to acquire.

One of my users as a young man was a PAL, and, like yours, it took a good edge. Stilll have it - 5" flat-ground WWII Navy issue piece with an incredibly lousy sheath. Now IT would make a good companion knife due to the flat grind.
 
I believe that the JKM makes the absolute best companion knife possible for an HI khukuri. Not the least of reasons is the fact that the handle, blade and buttcap will match perfectly.
Give it a try, you'll be glad you did.
 
DannyinJapan said:
I believe that the JKM makes the absolute best companion knife possible for an HI khukuri. Not the least of reasons is the fact that the handle, blade and buttcap will match perfectly.
Give it a try, you'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

A thin JKM-1 would be a great companion knife. Mine is just over 1/4" thick and more like a sharpened prybar then a slicer. Hald tempted to get another one or a Kumar Karda.. Now there is another good companion knife.:D

BTW out of the two knives mentioned, I would go with the SEAL Pup. I've handled all the SEAL knives and like them a lot. Had the Mini Kabar and it was good, but I think the SEAL Pup would make a better companion knife.

Heber
 
The carved wood handled Kumar Karda was one of my favorites. Just happened to want somethhing else more at the time and trading. One of these days I'll catch another on UBBB's.
 
I really thing that I do a little of all. I think I'll pick up a couple of inexpensive AFSK's just to throw in a backup survival kit because of affordable price. Although I called it a Khuk backup, one thing that I really am looking for is a belt knife for short hikes. I've about decided on one of the Helle knives. I think this would also be perfect a Khuk backup for camping (slicing knife and chopping knife). My favorite all around hiking knife for longer hikes right now is my 12" AK. I have 4 but none of them seem to fit the bill like this one favorite. It's surprising how different they are. I still like the looks of the SOG Seal Pup for a light belt knife but also because I thought that it would be perfect for canoeing. However, a couple of formites on the survival forum indicated that it was all but impossible to sharpen SOG's and if they can't do it I probably can't. Swamp Rat and Becker still look appealing too. AG Russell advertises the Becker's. I think that I drive up to their store and see how they handle before making a decision. Oh well Decisions, decisions. :confused:
 
Beckers are great knives for the price. Functionally they overlap with khukuris though, so mine don't get to see much daylight.
 
DannyinJapan said:
I believe that the JKM makes the absolute best companion knife possible for an HI khukuri. Not the least of reasons is the fact that the handle, blade and buttcap will match perfectly.
Give it a try, you'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

Don't have one myself, but ditto. That or the Kumar Karda. Of course, if I took one as a khuk companion knife it would mainly be for fine slicing and cutting jobs.

But of Cuch's question, I too vote for the Seal Pup.

Bob
 
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