Airforce survival knife question

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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My buddy has the air force survival knife and was wondering what the numbers on the end of the Pommel meant. It says "Ontario 6-91". Does it just mean it was made June '91? Also what are these made out of, 1095? How about the quality/heat treat etc?
 
As far as the quality / heat treat is concerned, the one I bought from the local Army & Navy Surplus store a few years ago was not impressive in either category. Considering what a pain it was trying to sharpen it, I'd say the heat treat was substandard. The guard also lossened up on its own! Had to keep applying rubber cement in between the guard and the forward portion of the handle.

Overall: A waste of money. :thumbdn:
 
ya are right about the date, i dont have a clue as to steelheat treat/etc though, i have one from my army days and its ok, ya ahve to reprofile it to get it sharp though, well if ya wanna get it really sharp anyway.

the real gov't issue ones are probably better than surplus store versions, most i have seen in that venue were not made by ontario, if it is its not too bad anyway.
 
Correct guess on the engraving. I don't know what the current (or even 1991 models) steel is but I have an original one from about 1966 made by Camillus that is made of 1095 and has a great heat treat! I carried it off and on for 23 years of Army service and it is still going strong. It is more robust than the current models, the hilt is as tight as a drum, and it holds and edge quite well. I don't know if the differences are based on year or company of manufacture.
 
i carried one for a while. I think they work perfectly fine. And i dug with mine too. I never ever had it not be able to perform the task i was doing at the time. All these high speed 300 dollar, custom crinkle finish knives, that are just slabs of steel with 2 handle pieces riveted on can look all nice in their tactical kydex sheaths... but can ya pound with em? nope.
sure, ya gotta reprofile the point first, or youll snap it right off but, thats minor. Mine works just fine.
 
I have an Ontario from 5-99. It is a pretty good knive, and the edge holds up pretty well. I have spent some time on it getting a lower angle on bevel, but now it is sharp. I did try to batoning with it and it bent where the blade narrows into the handle(not to bad). I have pried with it, with no problems seems to be a decent knife for the money. I have dogged mine and it is still going strong.


John
 
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