Anybody have experience with a Spec Plus SP2 Air Force Survival?

Uncle Bill · Oct 18, 1999

You could buy five or six of these for the price of the fancy stuff out there.

What's your experience with these around the campsite, out hunting, etc? Blade hold up OK?

Can you do non-knife things with them without breaking them?

This appears to be a very nice, cheap beater for all kinds of things.

Send in your thoughts.

LabRat · Oct 18, 1999

I'm interested in hearing about Spec Plus knives too. I've been wanting to get a Marine Raider Bowie. I'm not sure what I'll use it for - I just want one. Please send us your thoughts.

Tuff · Oct 18, 1999

Great beater knife. I prefered the SP1 Version myself, but they're really similar. They can be thrown and pry stuff to an extent as well. Considering the price, it's hard to beat. They don't hold the greates edge thou...

johno · Oct 19, 1999

There was a thread recently in the Camillus forum on their pilot's survival knife. It's 1095 nominally at Rc 58, which should make for a nice knife.

Michael Bennett · Oct 19, 1999

I own an SP-5 Survival Bowie and an SP-3 Ranger. Both are 1095. The SP-3 I haven't used, but the Survival Bowie is a GREAT user knife for brush clearing and camp-knife uses.

I believe Cliff Stamp has some reviews on his site.

If you're concerned about quality lines, workmanship, etc, then you should try to visually inspect the knife before buying, as some have uneven grinds, etc. If you're looking for just a user knife, it should hold a good edge (my SP-5 does) and or the price, provide a very good value.

Mike

Michael Bennett · Oct 19, 1999

I own an SP-5 Survival Bowie and an SP-3 Ranger. Both are 1095. The SP-3 I haven't used, but the Survival Bowie is a GREAT user knife for brush clearing and camp-knife uses.

I believe Cliff Stamp has some reviews on his site.

If you're concerned about quality lines, workmanship, etc, then you should try to visually inspect the knife before buying, as some have uneven grinds, etc. If you're looking for just a user knife, it should hold a good edge (my SP-5 does) and for the price, provide a very good value.

Mike

Tuff · Oct 19, 1999

Marine Raider Bowie is excellent. It's easily worht the $40 or so you would spend on it. I recently destroyed a beat up entertainment center with it, performed great. 1/4 in thick, good solid heavy knife.

Defender · Oct 19, 1999

No expierience w/ the AF survival Model, but I love my SP-1 Marine Combat and SP-11 Bolo. The Bolo IMHO is one of the best light weight choppers out there for the money. I am a Bit wary of the sheaths, but you can easily replace them w/ the 5 or 7 inch BLACKHAWK cordura sheaths made to fit USAF Surival Knives and Kabars.

Schlager · Oct 19, 1999

I've a number of the Spec Plus line; Marine Raider, Survival Bowie, Frontiersman, Ranger, MIni Smatchet, Fighter (SP-6) and the only complaint I've ever had was the poor sharpening job.

I did go to a gun show a few months ago and all of the SP blades had been honed and buffed, and were sharp! Me thinks the Bagwell influence is cross contaminating the factory - Yipee.

1095 is what our fathers and grandfathers pocket knives were made of when stainless wasn't worth a flip except for ball bearings. And I'll bet the old pocket knives weren't running past Rc 54 either. Its good stuff Maynard, its just not sleek and sexy.

Once sharpened my SP 6, and Marine Raider would slice 1" hanging newspaper rolls with ease. The Frontiersman was hair peeling right out of the box.

Consider a metal pommel Spec Plus, unscrew the handle and fit your own prettier wood handle on it-Brian