Pilot Survival Knife

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
Messages
234
A friend recently commented that the current issue Pilot Survival Knife would make an excellent choice for survival purposes. He said that the cost/performance ratio compared to say, the Becker C/U7 put it way on top of his list.

I've not seen many things said about this knife on these forums, although the design seems sound. I would think though, that it wouldn't make much of a chopper or self defence knife due to its 5" blade.

Any comments, opinions?
 
While it's a good knife, cost-wise, it has a few drawbacks: all the R&D bells-and -whistles like sawback, lashing holes on guard, round handle, etc make it uncomfortable to use for any length of time, unless you modify it. I'd recommend a "Shorty" Marine Utility knife at a similar price if you still want that size and style of knife, but with an easier handle and the crossguard isn't gonna tear up your hand (webbing between thumb and index) and it still has a hammer pommel.

Matt in Texas
 
I carry both the Camillus pilots knife and the BK-7 in our BOB and I really like the pilots knife. It's a beater that does the chores I don't care to put the Becker through. However, if I had to choose between the two, it'd be the Becker, hands down.

Cost difference between the two isn't that great to begin with, so if cost is a major consideration, then save up a little longer, because for under $50.00, it's gonna be real difficult to find a better knife than the Becker combat/utility 7.
 
I have had a PSK develop a loose butt cap after lots of use. I re-peened it and it works fine, but that could pose a problem. Still, I like the knife.

Mike
 
Just for clarity purposes, we should probably all make sure we say which brand of PSK we're talking about, since quality in materials and construction varies widely.
 
I would go with the spec plus one and at that I would rather have the "quartermaster" a little more pricey but a better blade.

I love cheapy knives especially for survival outdoors stuff.

I must say the PSK was the first knife I fell in love with. oh memories.
 
Here's a side by side comparison between the Becker and the PSK. The Becker has the size advantage for chopping as well as a grind that's better suited for a sharp edge. The sheath of the Becker has a large pocket capable of carrying quite a bit. I carry a mini kit in a tin and a bottle of purification tablets in mine. The PSKs sheath also has a pocket that contains a sharpening stone. Cost of the PSK was 28.00 and cost of the Becker was 48.00.

cambeck.jpg
 
I really like these pictures of survival knives.
Can you please post more of these?

.. ________
< ________][==;
 
I have to put these down even though they are the offical US Air Force knives. I have heard the new ones are better than a few years ago but I don't know for sure. I have heard Vietname era ones are awesome and maybe new ones. I know the ones made from approximately 89-95 are not great, the ones from Camillus. I am not sure on the other company that makes them but I have heard they are better than Cam. I have personally had 6 break and at least 4 bend due to heavy pounding and heavy work. I am talking about the exact same looking ones as the photo above. I and my students used them every month for two years and hence my intimate knowledge of them. Go better(get the better model or another knife) or you better carry two if you need to have your life depend on a knife.

Take care and God bless,
Jamie
US Air Force Survival Instructor
 
While discussing the subject with Jerry Hossom, this is what he came up with. We thought it would make a good presentation piece for my brother upon making full colonel. The main factor in every "pilot's survival knife" is the hope that it never gets used.
craig2A.jpg
 
My Camillus knife made on or about 1966 is much better than the later models I bought for my sons. The Camillus models are better than the Ontario models I've seen.

Bruce Woodbury
 
The CRK Sable IV with custom rubber handle cover for insulation from cold and a bigger more comfortable grip.

fd3371de.jpg


This blade is a razor as these wood curls attest but the comfortably rounded spine is heavy enough for light wood prying. This knife is a fist full of steel and is heavy enough to chop wood but with a 5.5" blade it is nimble enough for most fine work too. It has a good flat butt for pounding.

fd2e8be0.jpg
 
Originally posted by logansan
I have to put these down even though they are the offical US Air Force knives. I have heard the new ones are better than a few years ago but I don't know for sure. I have heard Vietname era ones are awesome and maybe new ones. I know the ones made from approximately 89-95 are not great, the ones from Camillus. I am not sure on the other company that makes them but I have heard they are better than Cam. I have personally had 6 break and at least 4 bend due to heavy pounding and heavy work. I am talking about the exact same looking ones as the photo above. I and my students used them every month for two years and hence my intimate knowledge of them. Go better(get the better model or another knife) or you better carry two if you need to have your life depend on a knife.

Take care and God bless,
Jamie
US Air Force Survival Instructor
Click to expand...

DAQ;
was the air force, a few years ago , testing the "knives of Alaska" knives to replace the venerable Ontario/Camillus knife????
 
Originally posted by Big-Target
DAQ;
was the air force, a few years ago , testing the "knives of Alaska" knives to replace the venerable Ontario/Camillus knife????
Click to expand...

I don't know about the AF, but the Navy and Marines have "approved" the Fallkniven F1 and S1 for their flight crews. For civilian purchase, the knives aren't too expensive (S1 for US$120, F1 for $60 in most places). The S1 is nearly identical in size to the PSK, without the extraneous stuff and its alot more comfortable for extended use. I did'nt recommend them at first because of the price difference, altho it's not nearly as steep as a Chris Reeves knife. Altho if I thought it would be the last knife I could ever have for extreme situations, I think I'd do what I could to get a CR Aviator or similar.

Matt in Texas
 
I had a PSK save my life back in 94. It was a Camillus version that I got back in 81 or so. I ended up sliding down a glacier at about 40 mph, towards a sheer 2000 foot drop, and pulled out the knife to dig into the show/ice pack to change my trajectory (around the craveasses) and slow me down enough to keep me from going over the edge.

It withstood some serious lateral stresses...which is amazing, because the knives are designed with a stick tang, and not a full tang. Any of the PSKs from various manufacturers, if they are of the traditional design, will have the tang weakness.

edited to correct a typo: it was a 2000 ft drop, not a "200 ft frop"...:D
 
I really like that crk sable iv. where do you find that exact one with rubber insulation if i may ask.
another question that has been on my mind is that of steel thickness and treatment. how does A2 Steel compare with D2? i dont know what A2 steel is. how, should i get the knife take care of the knife. is sharpening A2 steel relatively simple?
Please any info would be nicely appreciated.
thanks.
 
Okay, took a risk: ordered and just received a PSK from Ebay for 19.99.

Seller told me it was manufactured by Camillus, handle says "Ontario 99" :mad:

My thoughts/observations--

Seems like a sturdy knife for the price, there is some unexpected play/noise in the fingerguard. Hammerhead pommel looks fairly solid but I can see an evetual possibility of it becoming loose if I were to hammer enough tent pegs. Knife itself feels good in my hand, leather washer handle is comfortable for Canadian winters (not immediatley cold to the touch); blade is very sharp.

Summary so-so knife for the price, though I really wish I could've gotten the Camillus version.

Can anyone descibe what differences there are between the PSK made by Ontario vs the Camillus manufactured one? How did I do pricewise?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top