Chute Knife Information?

Just thinking that if someone bought it for its intended use, cutting lines, they may need it for survival use too. So you may want to put some thought into how versatile it is and wether it could be used for heavy cutting and or skinning.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
In 1971 the Marine Corps issued a "chute knife" to me.
An automatic folder, it had red plastic scales, and two blades.
The automatic blade had a conventional drop point.
The non-automatic blade, formed in the shape of an acute curve, had the inside of the curve sharpened so that one could safely cut shroud lines simply by pulling, even under water.
Some thought the curved shroud cutter should have had the automatic function instead of the drop point, and popular mythology said the manufacturer had made a mistake and the Marines went ahead and issued the knives anyway.
I didn't buy that story, but I did agree that the curved shroud cutter should have had the automatic function.

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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11, Freedom

 
The Air Force issues a hook blade knife that is worn on the outer layer of flight gear. They also have the bolt knife, or pilot survival knife. Personally, I would rather have a knife well made to do one thing, and have to use my brain to improvisationally use it for another task, than to have it made to do all things. The knife you have displayed looks very beautiful, but it looks very similar to many skinning and survival knives I have seen. I would be hard pressed to believe it was designed to cut parachute cords. It would definately not do as good of a job at that as it would at skinning a deer, or splitting heartwood, though it would look very good as it did whatever one used it to do.


Stryver, it's not whether you win or lose, but how good you look doing it.
 
Dr. Lathe:

Read your post offering to post my picture of Bridwell chute knife. Thanks! I won't be able to E-mail you with scan until Tues; I have a late meeting tonight. Anxious to see what you guys think.

Dave
 
Well, while I love the looks of that knife, I'm glad that someone actually posted about <u>real</u> 'chute knives. All the real ones are in the form of a hook, almost like a gut hook. Ken, I work in the test community for the Dept. of the Navy, and I've seen that exact knife you mention. The story I got was just the same, the manufacturer got it wrong. Also, IIRC, the knife was made by Camillus. Supposedly, the reason that the knife was issued as it was delivered was because they were already paid for. After a period of usage, the Navy decided that the knife wasn't what they needed, so they didn't renew the contract, with the correct action. Looking at the knife, I can't say that I'd be comfortable carrying it, or using it.

Take if FWIW. All that happened before I got into the test community.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
 
As I'm lot bloody likely to jump out of a perfectly airworthy plane anytime soon, I don't much care whether it's the best tool for parachutist or not. What I do care about is the fact that this thread keeps getting pushed back to the top so I have another excuse to stare at that Steve Johnson blade.
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WOW! Look at those grinds. I think it was Corduroy who said to me, "Those hollow grinds are so deep you could dive in!" I just LOVE that knife.

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Kelly

SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice


 
The term "chute knife" has become a generic term for a pattern or style- like "boot" knife or "fighter" or "skinner" with the final design often having little to do with the intended purpose. Even the venerable "Bowie" has been interpreted into seemingly countless degigns that, if the original were to suddenly turn up, would cause many to rethink the design. There are tools that cut shroud lines better than a "chute knife", but a chute knife is, I suppose for the sake of those who like to put names on things, a chute knife.(Disclaimer: I know I'm opening a potentially big Can O' Worms on the Bowie thing & it's been/being argued to the point of madness elsewhere
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& that's not the point of this posting...)
Regards,
M.

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
But, Senator and Rugger, where did 'chute knife originate? No, I'm not being obstinate, I'm asking.

A Bowie knife seems to alway resemble the knife that Bowie used (well, I think that's right) in blade shape. Well, maybe not, not after seeing the knife show on the Shopping Network last night, and seeing the guys call a big honkin' piece of 420J2 shaped like a American tanto a "Bowie" tanto. DUH! Anyway, I digress.

I am curious, though. Where did the 'chute knife originate? Apparently is wasn't from the shroud cutter knives. And I don't even want to talk about the theoretical use of the beautiful knife above to cut a couple of shroud lines on a screamer... oops, I mean "streamer". I'd be pissing myself so hard, I'd cut every line with that thing!!!
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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
 
Rock, "A Bowie knife seems to alway resemble the knife that Bowie used (well, I think that's right) in blade shape."

I think it's a pretty safe be that the "Iron Mistress" clip point blade, is just a Hollywood design, and in no way reflects the style of knife that Jim Bowie actually carried. It's a beautiful design though.
 
Not knowing a heck of a lot about sky diving... If I was falling to earth at 180+MPH, I would want my trusty Civilian to cut those tangled lines
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My goal with this project is only to have people recognize my final effort as a Chute Knife. Yes, I will be pushing the depth of the hollow grinds to the max, hopefully followed by a flawless finish. I must admit, this has much to do with the SR Johnson pic above
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Sometimes I like to start with a clean sheet of paper with NO outside influence, like my LiteWave. Reproducing a well known design is also a challenge, like doing a Loveless. The Chute Knife project with the fitting of the guard, thicker material and deeper grinds will be a good change of pace for me.
Neil

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Originally posted by PhilL:
I think it's a pretty safe be that the "Iron Mistress" clip point blade, is just a Hollywood design, and in no way reflects the style of knife that Jim Bowie actually carried. It's a beautiful design though.
Click to expand...

Is it safe to say, though? Obviously, I'm asking from ignorance here, and getting a bit off topic. OK, more than a bit. But, what is the evidence that Bowie carried anything like the current "Bowie knife"? Is it really JUST the "Iron Mistress" of Hollywood?

I do know about real, useful parachutist knives, adn what they look like. Even in a streamer situation, you don't want to start indiscriminately cutting a load of paracord, or you streamer will open up nicely, but you'll never see it because the 'chute will stop while you continue to plummet, now without that wonderful drag creating device.

I guess the bottom line is, if you're talented enough to make a knife like the one in this thread, you can damn well call it what you like, eh? I can accept that. I'll slink off now.

Neil, I look forward to pictures of your 'chute knife, as it is obvious you have a lot of talent.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
 
The first time I ever saw or heard of a "chute" knife, I believe I was looking at a Loveless (or a photo thereof- to be more accurate) and every knife with the same design/shape had the words "chute knife" next to it. I think the design was intended for paratroopers. That's about as far as I got with the whole "history" of the thing- I just like the shape. Wish I was of more help. I never really thought too long or hard about it- I just assumed it was a Loveless design. And we all know what kind of trouble "assuming" can get you in...

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
double post-

[This message has been edited by Rugger (edited 02-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Rugger (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
Here is DDS's pic of the Bridwell Chute Knife!
Chute1.jpg

The top view of this knife shows a VERY nice tapered tang and PERFECTLY even plungelines on the top edge. I didn't have time to upload that one
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NICE KNIFE
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I like the single guard also. Thanks Dave!
Neil

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Histroy of a chute knife, as I rememeber it......

Harry Archer was a paratrooper.

He owned a number of Loveless knives, way back. Including a Big Bear Bowie.

Harry wanted a knife that would cut in both directions in case of a chute failure, but that would be useful as a combat and utility knife.

He also designed a puss-dagger with a gut-hook on the back, but it was not as useful overall.

So really this is not a purpose built tool from the standpoint of chutes, it came from a useful field/combat knife, that sharpened on the back so that anywhich way he flailed he was cutting and hopefully doing himslef some good.

There was an article about it in one of the Knives Annuals.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
Thanks David.

Beautiful knife, Neil!

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."
 
Ok, it posted......finally.......twice!!

MDP,
What Kind of DAGGER???
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Your description makes good sense to me. The knife would need to be handy, sturdy and usefull once safely on the ground. Now that I have mine blanked out I realize just how stout a knife this size will be in 3/16" material. Cant wait to do those hollow grinds!
Neil

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More knives in stock soon!
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