Air Force Survival Knife - Opinions?

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
I see a lot of discussion of the perfect survival/camping/hiking knife. Busses, Swamprat, Ka-Bar, Helle, etc. 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 have several of them, I keep one each in tool boxes in my car and truck, and I have a few just kind of floating around the house. I consider them a nice tool for rough work. Cost was a big factor in my purchases. In other words, it wouldn't cause me to go on Prozac if I lost or damaged one. Disadvantages: round handle, and in my opinion the point could stand to be heavier. Mine are all Camillus. Shop around and you should be able to score a new one for around twenty bucks, and they are well worth that.
 
Part of the reason that I was asking about them is exactly the reason that you have stated. An inexpensive, reliable knife that I could put in several survival packs for auto's, backpack, boat, etc. I know that Mora's are listed a lot for those reasons but here I am looking for something a little more heavy duty.
 
I own the Camillus version and it lives in a small ruck that I keep stashed in the pickup. Lots of better blades out there, but I keep the PSK close to me while on the road because it does what's asked of it and it's the only blade I own that push comes to shove, I'd use as a prying tool.
 
cucharadedragon said:
Part of the reason that I was asking about them is exactly the reason that you have stated. An inexpensive, reliable knife that I could put in several survival packs for auto's, backpack, boat, etc. I know that Mora's are listed a lot for those reasons but here I am looking for something a little more heavy duty.
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If you have room for one of them, you have room to put a Mora in there as well!
They do not weight anything, and they are MUCH better for woodworking and small slicing jobs...And they are also only $8.00-$12.00!!!!
Trust me, you will be using it a LOT more than the AFSK!
Do not misunderstand me though...The Mora is NOT a replacement in ANY way for the AFSK...Get it as an accesory that you can strap TO your AFSK sheath!

P.S. does anyone have the Delux version of the AFSK? Is the only difference the metal cover over the end of the sheath? Is it worth it? I cannot tell how well that metal cover protects you from the end of the blade cutting through the sheath and stabbing you, but it seem like a GOOD idea.
It does add a few oz.s thougth...
 
The Air Force Survival Knife is a great blade for the money. Decent enough steel and can take some punishment, Sheath is amazing.

It has limitations so beware of them.

Skam
 
Find one with the metal guard. I fell down a hill several years ago and in my haste and anger at the bottom I shoved the knife quickly into the sheath and it came out the back. 6 Stitches and I found a replacement sheath for it.

Other than that I have nothing but great fondness for the AFSF. They are sturdy reliable and most important to me Carbon steel(If It dont rust I wont carry it!!!!!) the stone on the sheath is adiquite but get a small dmt and with a piece if innertube secure it to the back.

Handel roundness is easily corrected with a file and linseed oil. Just put a nice oval and coat( that can be your first custom job on your knives)
 
Even though mine has the metal section on the sheath, I replaced it with a Blackhawk sheath. I like the replacement a lot better and it has several advantages over the original. Mostly, the larger pocket and multiple carry options.

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jamesraykenney said:
P.S. does anyone have the Delux version of the AFSK?
Two of mine have the metal tipped sheath, and yes, it is definitely worth it! I think I got them from Brigade Quartermaster. By the way, the latest Cabelas Shooting supplies catalog has the AFSK on sale for $19.95, item no. XS-51-6837, and it shows the knife with the metal tipped sheath. You can probably find it at www.cabelas.com as well.
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cucharadedragon said:
I see a lot of discussion of the perfect survival/camping/hiking knife. Busses, Swamprat, Ka-Bar, Helle, etc. 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?
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I thought of getting on of those Air Force models, but after some research I settled on a Navy variant made by Ontario knifes the SP26:

http://www.ontarioknife.com/images/specplus/sp26_usn3_survival.jpg

I choose this one because of the design of the blade and the fact that the sheath was not leather (which in the type of humid places I would be using it would not be a good sheath material).

The Spec Plus series are simply military-issue knives slightly improved over the original military specs by Ontario.

This model is cheap and comes with a lifetime guarantee by Ontario. I highly reccommend it.
 
I'm a big fan of the AFSK. You have to keep in m ind one of it's major purposes was to extract yourself or another crew member from wreckage. That's why it's built like a tank. For cutting ability there are better knives out there. The Mora comes to mind but the Mora is far more fragile than the AFSK.

If you do get an AFSK then reprofile the edge to improve its cutting ability and make sure its razor sharp. Pair it up with a machete and you have a great combination. Mac
 
I bought mine used, and never really used it. When I took it out of my case recently, I noticed that the hilt was loose. The reason I bought this knife was for the two holes in the hilt, that I could attach a shaft to, and improvise a spear. Well, I tightened it up, but now I am wary of using it. I'm selling another one for a friend, and that one is fine. :/
 
The AFSK is not a bad knife for the money. It should be enough of a knife to get you out of a short term survival situation. The edge should be reprofiled for better cutting.

One of the few things made by lowest bidder for the military that is actually a pretty good deal.
 
I keep one in my Jeep survival kit. I like it because it's cheap, sharpens easy and is pretty tough. But it has it's drawbacks. The round leather handle is clumsy to me, the saw is all but useless, but it serves it's purpose as a sturdy mid sized knife.
 
Yeah, the saw is meant to cut through the fusalage of an aircraft I think. I carry a SAK w/saw to handle that part anyways. The handle was a problem for me too, so I wrapped paracord around it. Gives me a much meatier grip on the knife and some extra cordage if I need it.
 
FYI - the Ontario-made Spec Plus series do not have these leather handle (or sheath) problems. They come with 1095 steel, really well designed blades and a lifetime guarantee.
 
longbow50 said:
Yeah, the saw is meant to cut through the fusalage of an aircraft I think. I carry a SAK w/saw to handle that part anyways. The handle was a problem for me too, so I wrapped paracord around it. Gives me a much meatier grip on the knife and some extra cordage if I need it.
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The saw is not for cutting aircraft skins but making 90 degrees grooves in branches for trigger snare trapping. ;)

Skam
 
Is that so?
It seems that a pilot would have to cut himself out of an aircraft much more often that he would have to build a snare trap...
 
MelancholyMutt said:
Is that so?
It seems that a pilot would have to cut himself out of an aircraft much more often that he would have to build a snare trap...
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Maybe so, but that is in fact what they are for (taught in airforce SERE school). To think those anemic teeth could do anything but score branches is a pipe dream.

Skam
 
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