Chute knife??

[John L]

What in the dickens is a chute knife and what does the word chute mean? I keep seeing so and so builds chute knives, I look at some of them and still cannot figure exactly what it is and why it is called a chute. Thanks

 

[James_Terrio]

I believe they're meant for paratroopers or downed pilots (parachute.)

I don't care for them much because the "classic" design is a full tang with a double guard fitted from the blade side. That means the blade must be narrower than the handle and I think that looks weird. Just my $.0002 of course.

 

[george tichbourne]

Parachute.

There are many different interpretations from military issue cut away knives to survival knives for use after landing.

George

 

[tltt]

 

[James_Terrio]

Yeah, tltt's Loveless pic is what I think of as the "classic".

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

There is no reason the blade has to be narrower than the tang, but a few thousandths will make it easier.
Stacy

 

[Keith_H]

here is another like that one http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5430694
(just a good excuse to read that thread again )

 

[Jeff Clark]

Here's a historical reference from 2000. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1047748&highlight=chute#post1047748

 

[AcridSaint]

Or they could be frame constructed and have the guard put on from the tang side.