Camillus Pilot Survival Knife

Man, I'd love to see a pic of that knife after a year+ in the jungle!
 
I was active duty AF for 8 years, spent 6 months in Desert shield/storm. I owned both the pilot survival and the Issue F/U. First of all as to whether you can carry this knife, it is usually dictated by what job (afsc, mos in your in the army, etc.) that you have. Second it is dictated by your unit commander, regulations, etc. For mine it was a 3 inch blade, in war the rules go out the window! Then the truth is what are you going to use it for? a pilot survival knife is okay for a pilot, but for actual survival you would be better off with a F/U or a SAK. The teeth (saw) on the pilot's knife are great for cutting the airframe (thats what it is made for), but poor on wood. A F/U although not a strong as most production knives is till quite serveable for most all purposes. I carried one for the time that I was in and it served me just find. The Pilots knife has a nasty weak point at the hilt and could snap off. Now granted it does take alittle to break it, but Ive done it. Ive also seen others break them, usually by throwing, but also from cutting/chopping tasks. I worked in survival equipment for 8 years and the survival knives we used were either the old 4 blade metal utilities, or the small 3 blade colonials. The only other knives were the old floating curved blade (for cutting lines in a life raft) and the curved knife for shroud lines (parachute lines). Personally I would use a F/U. You will find that most, not all, of the pilot's knives that survive have not seen much survival/utility use. What works really well is a SAK. As far as leather handles and jungle rot? yes it does happen, but you can soak a leather handle in parafin wax and it will definitely make it last longer. The one thing you will find is most do not like to carry a fancy knife. Its best to use an inexpensive, but effective one and replace it if need be. Experience is the best teacher, although its better if you gain some knowledge going in.
 
LOL! Rev_Jch it's funny you should mention the SAK as being a better option. I had one in my pack, it got stolen some where between La Paz, Bolivia and this little backwater town called San Borja. My fault really, I had it on top so I could get to it real fast if I needed it. Oh well. Although I would have loved to have real can opener. :D
 
First, if you go with the pilot survival knife, go with the Camillus version. IMHO they have the best heat treat.
Second, The psk is a very good knife for the money. Are there better knives? Yes, absolutely, but for $25-$30 bucks, they're hard to beat.
The various BK&T's and the Fallknivens are good choices as is the CS SRK.
BTW, welcome aboard and thanks for your service.
 
Drone, thats to bad me, I always had a lanyard tied to mine. Carried it through Desert Shield/Storm, in the field many times and for many, many years.
 
I have owned and used an Air Force Pilot's survival knife for over two decades.
030692.jpg

During that time it has been used, with its original sheath for every possible useage from digging sassafras roots and clams, to making a spear to try and fish to cutting brush and limbs for a temporary shelter. It will skin a deer or gut a fish just as well as chop light kindling or shave fuzz sticks for fire starting. I have spared this knife no mercy during that time and it shows it in wear to the Parkerized finish. However, much of the original finish is still there. The excellent leather sheath has a very distinctive worn look now days but is still in great shape partially due to the bee's wax treatments I give it every now and again. These are high carbon knives and will take and hold a wicked edge. I have never found but one use for the saw/file type serations on the back spine of the blade. They strike massive sparks when struck by a flint type stone. I discovered that digging gingseng roots late one afternoon.
The small carbide stone that comes with the sheath is very functional and does a good job on the blade. I wore my original one out years ago and replaced it with an identical sized stone from a hardware store.
In short I would recommend this $37.00 knife over fancy survival knives that cost ten times as much. In fact I have new one put back in case the worst happens and I lose it in a river or it gets stolen. The way it looks I will never wear it out.
 
I have noticed that Ontario is advertising a new version of the Pilot Survival Knife. I didn't look closely at the specs, but did notice a far higher price tag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top