Camillus Pilot Survival Knife

B

BillyYank

Joined
Jan 1, 2004
Messages
7
I request some info on this knife, Ive tried to search the forums but it doesnt work for me.
Im sure theres alot of people out there who have handled this knife.
What I want to know is if its a tough and rugged knife that can take a beating without breaking. I will use this knife in the military so I want to know if there are any problems or other things that I should be aware of before buying one.
Also this is my first post.
-Out.
 
I have an old Camillus AFSK that has been beaten up and only asks for more. The only thing I can say "bad" about it is the original edge is only so-so. If you take a new file and reprofile the edge just a little thinner and then sharpen on a fine stone, the knife will be a real cutter :) Also wax the leather handle and sheath when you get it and it will last forever.
 
Bill covered it, so I'll just add my agreement that it's a good little workhorse, and a very useful blade size/shape. Welcome to the Forums and best of luck! :)
 
I know that some people overlook the fact that leather handles and leather sheats needs to be taken care of once in a while, but I take care of my stuff so it doesnt go to pieces when you really need it.
Are there any other cons with this knife? is it heavy? the nut on the back of the handle looks pretty massive to me.
 
There really are no cons to this knife but it could be improoved as mentioned above.

Another improvement or personal preference I should say is, I found the top guard was right where I wanted to put my thumb so I hacksawed and filed it so it's flush with the leather handle. Now it's just perfect!

The lower half of the guard is nice and big so there is no chance of ever slicing you hand.

Camillus makes a nice one but the Ontario version is not put together as well.

Another knife that is near the same price is the Eriksson Mora 2000. It's the issue knife to the Swedish army.

It's a totaly different knife but it probably has a bigger following than the AFSK.

Good luck,

Collecter
 
I've seen a 'not so taken care of' Camillus made in 1968 that's still in use halfway around the world. The handle is still solid and everything is tight, other than the phosphate finish coming off there is nothing wrong with it. To top it off it's pretty neglected compared to the way some of us treat our knives. It sure gave me confidence in the model.
 
Not only is it a fairly good knife for the money, but prices are all over the map...

I recently saw a mint old one in the 'original plastic bag' go for $400+ on ebay, and another mint old one that I was watching go for $17.88 without the bag...that was a really expensive plasic bag...lol

The point here is, if you want an 'original', do your homework, and you can take home an 'oldie but goodie' on the cheap...

Mel

Don Rac, Happy New Year buddy!
 
I still have my father's issue piece from Korea, carried in Viet Nam (by my father, too,) and used by me for my indoctrination into Boy Scouts... and finally ceded to me in '76 after Dad hung up his uniform.
So far, other than a chip I put in the edge from throwing it on a Boy Scout camp out and wearing out the phosphate coating.. even the handle is in good shape and is still tightly attached to the tang... A true value for a $25 knife...
 
:eek:
Allow me to be the first to dog this knife.

If you can pick one up for around ten bucks you might do that but otherwise I think its about as cool as a tent peg.

The design was a compromise to begin with. Basically a shorter version of the Kabar for use by pilots as a last ditch tool. Rat tail tang and crappy saw teeth on back that don't saw.
As a compromise I guess its Ok. I wouldn't be afraid to dig with it. The edge is horribly thick and the handle uncomfortable and too short. Its also heavy and oddly balanced. Doesn't even throw well.

If youre paying more than twenty bucks for one the money is better spent on a more recent design.
I defy anyone to show me how a pilot survival knife is better than a Becker CU7 for anything other than the afore mentioned tent peg.

I respect all of your opinions but are you sure you are not letting nostalgia get in the way of practicality in recomending this old dog??
 
Actually, no nostalgia involved because when I left for Philippines last year I actually hated the design. The one I saw has been used in Mindanao and back to my home city of Baguio, since 1969 when my uncle got it as a gift from a GI over there. He's used it while doing service in the Filipino Army, to clean out and work on alot of food, even vegetables. I guess it just depends on your intended useage of the knife, of course, he only used it as a knife. Nothing more, nothing less. Everything is still tight fitting on the knife.

Mel, back at ya bud! As soon as I got back here my e-mail inbox was maxed out with tons of junk!
 
I find the pilot's survival knife to be rather clumsy. The blade is too thick for the width so it does not cut well. The saw teeth are not a particularly good design and don't saw efficiently with a short, thick blade. I would consider a couple other candidate with similar dimensions. The Kabar Warthog has a broader blade and is a very rugged package. The Becker BK10 (by Camillus) has a broader and somewhat thinner blade for much higher performance. The handle may be a little bulky for your taste.

http://www.onestopknifeshop.com/store/kabar-warthog.html
http://www.1sks.com/store/becker.html
 
MC Chan,

I tend to agree with you which is why I mentioned the Eriksson Mora 2000 which is the same price.

If someone has only $30 to spend on a 5" fixed blade they don't have too many options. The Camilllus Pilots knife is the toughest there is!

Personally I'd rather go in with a Kabar or Camillus USMC knife but I assume Billy Yank has a reason for choosing the 5" knife.

Actually, I'd pic a Kabar or Camillus USMC and tuck a Swedish Mora into my pack for goood luck!

I just bought a Frosts Mora Army Knife. I paid $9.00, it weighs nothing (maybe 2 oz) and it's razor sharp!...I'd best describe it as a fixed blade swiss army knife!

Collecter
 
Yes, what a diffference the extra two inches of blade makes.
I quite like the Kabar and Camillus Marine corps knife.
Still shares the stick tang but balance and performance are in a different league.
 
The reason I was looking at the Camillus Pilot survival knife was that it has a thicker blade than the Mora 2000, (wich I have, but I think the blade is alittle thin) The Camillus has a much better hand guard than the Mora 2000, the camillus is shorter than the other USMC style knives (wich I find too long). I also like the phosphate coating, not just because it looks alittle more "combat" but its also works as rustprotection, aswell as a combination with the price of the Camillus ( around $28) makes me want this knife. AND I find the appearance of the Camillus knife appealing.
However it looks like the knife is back heavy, is it?
 
It's about 5.25, can get with a Kydex sheath that's handy.

Has all the features you like (epoxy coating probably better than phosphate protection and durability wise) and meets a lot of the shortcomings identified here also.

Ontario has some "updated" mil-spec jobs too.
 
Billy, you could do alot worse than the Pilot knife. My uncle had one of them by his fireplace for years. He used it to cut shavings and split (small) kindling to start the fire.
As far as being handle heavy, I like that in a short knife. This is more tool than weapon & if you find it necessary to use your index finger and thumb of your knife hand, you don't have to put the knife down, it'll stay in your hand rather than tip out like a blade heavy chopper will.

The sawback was designed for ripping thru aluminum not firewood and that is probably why lots of folks think that it is a crappy saw.

A note of caution, if you decide to hammer with the pommel, be very careful! If you miss a nail, you hit it with your hand. No standoff for the fingers like a hammer. Better to put a piece of wood over the nail and hammer on that.

The pilot knife has been around for years, I've wanted one since the 70's. You may have to sharpen it (yikes) and maintain it in the field. If you can maintain your rifle, you can keep up with the knife.
If it were mine I'd remove the top guard and get a Normark kydex sheath for it.

Or....if you are able to wait and save your 'lunch' money look at the Dozier Ranger or Wilderness @ www.dozierknives.com

Good luck in your search, it's half the fun!
 
I have a AFSK that I havent touched in years. The pseudo-saw, and sharp false edge make it unsuitable for how Iuse a knife. The Mora 2k on the other hand is just about perfect for me. The only thing I would like to change would be a bit more of a point. I don't think it is too thin, but I don't as a rule pry or dig with a knife.
 
I haven´t seen a AFSK in many many years, I think it was the theory of the short sharp prybar for survival, but it didn´t follow this idea because of the too pointy tip, I feel the teeth were more in the way than useful, there were many cheap crappy copies made, so it must have had a following, perhaps it takes some getting used to it.

I recently got a short KA-BAR utility which to me seems like a much better design, I must admit it hasn´t been used much, It´s almost new and I´ve had a very passive life for a long while now, but I would take it over the AFSK any day.
 
I think I'm undestanding what you are looking for...You like your Mora 2000 but the blade is too thin and you don't like the full size USMC knife. Two other knives come to mind,

Fallkniven F1, it's a heavy duty Mora!

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1066

This is the best price I know of for this knife. I like everything abut this knife except the lack of a better guard and the handle material. I have the NL-5 which in my opinion is the perfect medium sized knife. It's basically and F1 with a gurad and stacked leather handle. Only negative is it's price at almost $200.00.

Another option is Ontario P3 Quartermaster. 6" long blade with brass guard and stacked leather handle. I'm not sure of the price, I would expect it to be over $50.00. My only dislike is the 440A blade material.

Other options,
BlackJack Trail Guide II,
Marbles Ideal hunting knife,
Bark River also some around the $70.00 mark,
Buck Nighthawk,
Cold Steel master hunter

I have a ton of knives but I can't think of a better cheap beater knife for you! Get the Camillus Pilot's knife and tuck that Mora 2000 in your rucksack for when you need a real good cutter!

Good luck in the military and be safe,

Collecter
 
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