Camillus Pilot in Cheaper than Dirt Catalogue

S

Shann

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Sep 2, 2004
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They have some kind of Camillus Pilot Knife in the Cheaper than Dirt Catalogue for $19.95. Is that a good deal? What kind of knife is it comparable to? I don't know a thing about Camillus, but I recognized the name which stuck out from the normal junk in the CTD catalogue.
 
I saw that too. The price would be good for a new one as they are usually about $35. Got my attention because "Cheaper than Dirt" is usually kind of pricey and, as you stated, most of their knives are junk. Look closer at the ad though. The Pilot Knives they are selling are used surplus. Might be a good deal though. I intend to buy a new one from somewhere else though. I did have one a few years ago but I gave it to my dad.
 
One of my favorite knives. Think of a smaller Ka-Bar USMC. A little brute. Ontario and Camillus both make them, and were issued ti pilots, although there is a much much more expensive new ASEK official issue out now that is very impressive.

Check Ebay for good prices on these. Search: Camillus Pilot
Or: Ontario Pilot

Seem to be a whole bunch of 1984 models, in excellent shape, still in the wrappers. Make sure and check the shipping prices of the ones with opening bids of 1 cent. If your locality has a thing against double edged knives, you may wanna dull the top of the clip.

Here's just a few of mine... commemoratives, civilian and military issues.

Phil
 
That´s a nice group you have there Phil, as usual.

The pilot survival style was very popular some 30 years ago or so, I remember seen quite a few knockoffs of very poor quality in those days, make sure you get the real thing.

For an emergency survival knife I like the idea of the short prybar style with the hard heavy pommel, but I always thought that the tip on this one was too pointy for prying and don´t like serrated spines. Then again I never had to cut my way out of a crashed airplane and survive in the jungle.

It is a popular traditional style and very American IMHO.

Luis
 
Be careful guys if those are used surplu!! I was in survival equipment for 8 years active duty AF from 88-96. I worked in survival equipment and when we sent surplus off to be sold, especially knives, they were usually in rough shape, or near broken. I would be cautious if they are surplus. You would better off buying it new. Most definitely. usually when things lef tour shop, they did not have much "life" left in them.

More than likely the ones are probably ontario made. They've held the contract for many years now, I believe since the late 70's early 80's.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I didn't notice the "surplus" issue until after going back and reading the fine print again.
 
19.95 for used surplus knives, is too much. A little more and you can get a new one!!
 
http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-Product Spec?ONASEK1,

The military has gone and done to the Asek (Aircrew Survival and Egress Knife) what they did in upgrading the old M7 Bayonet with the M9... which is create a 'system'.

I have enough faith in the old one that when my much younger step-brother shipped out for training last month (heading for Iraq by Xmas) that I gave him a Camillus 'Jet Pilot' in desert tan, and the CP-77 boot knife, also in that color to take with him. He's a chopper mechanic, but as I remember from my army days 30 odd years ago, it's a short step from mechanic to crewchief or door gunner. I'm ordering one of the new Ontarios for him, however. Seeing as how he's in a Guard unit, they will be the last to get anything like that issued to them. His CO was leery of the boot knife, but went ahead and gave the nod to both.

Godbless and Godspeed to Steve and all the other guys to whom a knife may be more than just a point of interest.

Phil
 
Does anyone know if they are actually issuing this new ontario? Last thing I knew they were not. Unless of course its in the FSN catalog and you can order it as a stock item? Anyone have any insight here?
 
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