New US Army aircrew survival knife

Certainly an odd looking tool.

It seems as though it is designed almost exclusively to remove the crew from the aircraft rather than function as a true "survival knife".

I'm sure it would make quick work of seatbelts, plexiglass, and sheet aluminum, but I doubt that it would be real useful afterwards.

Certainly better than nothing, but not as utilitarian as the old pilot knife.
 
looks lik an ugly duck to me. i wonder if it will hold up to the prying and abuse that the old knife did.

alex
 
What a P.O.S.

It looks like it was designed by the boys at Frost Cutlery.

n2s
 
Originally posted by fishbulb

It seems as though it is designed almost exclusively to remove the crew from the aircraft rather than function as a true "survival knife".

Click to expand...
On the other hand, if you can't get out of the aircraft, you probably won't have any use for a survival knife.
 
I agree that it looks functional as a aircraft rescue tool. It looks like a big can opener. Part of surviving is making it with what you have. I always say you have to adapt your resorces to your needs. You sometimes do not have a kit when you need one. Mr. Murphy will often prevent it. So you have to adapt and overcome. If that knife is what you have, you make better use of it than you might think is possible. Just my humble opinion.
 
Yes, I'm quite sure that the knife would be much better than nothing at all, and the front portion looks like it would function well enough as a knife.

I'm curious as to why the knife was redesigned with such a clear emphasis on removing the occupants from the aircraft, to the extent of compromising it's usefulness as a survival tool.

Has there been a increased incidence of people being conscious but trapped in military aircraft recently?
 
The Aircrew Survival Egress Knife is a steaming loaf!

It is my opinion that they should give them something like the Reeve Green Beret for carry.

To escape from fallen aircraft they should mount a small, sharpened crowbar under or next to everyone's seat. This would cover both bases. :cool:
 
Thanks for posting this Fraser, it is 'interesting' for sure. I think I would prefer a Benchmade Rescue hook for cutting harness straps, then a good solid fixed blade for survival after getting out of my aircraft. But, then again, the Army can't afford to by several hundred thousand of the kind of knife I wouldn't think twice about buying for myeself.
 
What an odd-shaped knife! I am sure the designer must have thought long and hard about it before presenting it to the approval board.

Usually things like that have got a sound backing and solid reasons. :)
 
Looks like one of them new ontario spec plus rubber handles... I would venture to guess Ontario's the maker.
 
It looks as though the handle is more hard plastic than rubber. As to the knife blade... It appears to me as a tool as others have said, there is almost nothing except for the tip that is utilitarian, and thats what knives are all about, being able to utilize that edge to construct/shape nature to benefit you, and the kind of nature their looking to construct/shape is the aircraft :rolleyes:
Dare I say that pilots don't need a woods knife after the crashes? I mean they are going to be picked up proabably within a week or two, so food isn't a must. Water is easy to get without a knife, i've done it in winter, and dessert climates and have never needed a knife to feed my thirst. Thinking now, I can see how a full knife would be use full for making camoflouge for yourself in dangerous territory.
 
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