Real or knockoff "army knife"?

[spencer.kissick]

I've got no military experience
But I do plenty of sharpening for side cash.
Someone sent this one in and said it was their nice army knife, just curious if it's real. I've got a real one of my own, different brand entirely and this one doesn't seem like a GI thing.

It's pretty solid, but has no markings other than the label on the back of the sheath.

 

[EricV]

Probably privately purchased but that is an Ontario Pilots Survival knife. The sawback is for cutting plexi/sheet metal/wood which is why its not very good with wood. The pommel is designed to fit into a raft fitting, and the sheaths were originally stitched to a fabric panel.

 

[marcinek]

Someone sent this one in and said it was their nice army knife, just curious if it's real. I've got a real one of my own, different brand entirely and this one doesn't seem like a GI thing.

Welcome. What is your "real" army knife? Because that one is, as EricV posted, a real Pilots Survival knife. They made (and continue to make) loads of them.

 

[spencer.kissick]

Didn't notice this in the dark this morning

 

[leghog]

Your knife is real, but anyone's guess if it was really ever issued. I have one just like it with the same January 1986 date. Mine was issued as part of Army ALSE (Aviation Life Support Equipment).

aka Pilot Survival Knife or Jet Pilot Survival Knife

 

[afishhunter]

Ontario 499 Pilot Survival Knife.
Great knife.
1095 blade steel.

 

[ocnLogan]

Yep, as others have said, its a "real" Army knife. No idea if it was ever issued or carried though.

The Kabar 1217 USMC is not the only knife that is available for issue from my understanding, which is probably what your other "Army" knife is, hence the confusion.

 

[spencer.kissick]

Yep, as others have said, its a "real" Army knife. No idea if it was ever issued or carried though.

The Kabar 1217 USMC is not the only knife that is available for issue from my understanding, which is probably what your other "Army" knife is, hence the confusion.

Welcome. What is your "real" army knife? Because that one is, as EricV posted, a real Pilots Survival knife. They made (and continue to make) loads of them.

Sorry I should have clarified asking if it was real as in
Was it a knockoff or some eBay survival thing. I've seen a bunch of those just wanted to check because I've learned not to bother taking the edge up above the edge pro 1000 grit if it's a softer (cheaper?) knife. My cheap Kershaw dulls quick when I do anyways

 

[spencer.kissick]

Yep, as others have said, its a "real" Army knife. No idea if it was ever issued or carried though.

The Kabar 1217 USMC is not the only knife that is available for issue from my understanding, which is probably what your other "Army" knife is, hence the confusion.

I should have clarified - I meant to ask if it was one of those eBay survival knockoffs. The sticker on the back threw me off, but it felt too solid to be obviously cheap. I've learned not to bother taking the edge above the 1000 grit stone on my edge pro if it's soft (cheap?) like my Kershaw daily carry. Just gets too dull too quick

But it seems like it's the real deal so this baby is going up to the 6k polish! He's gonna love it

 

[spencer.kissick]

Here's my "real" knife. Unless you folks can find anything otherwise, I was given this and told it was a GI knife. I apologize if I mix up which knife was issued to which branch of the military.

I haven't been able to find much with mine though- the closest ones I've found have a patent number. ??

If I'm not mistaken mine has the handle that unscrews to mount on a bayonet. But I could be wrong. Handle is on tight and I don't want to break it if I'm wrong

 

[Tdhurl1103]

So, lets make something clear here. There really is no such thing as a "real army knife." Army procurement buys all sorts of knives from many different makers, for a myriad of tasks. They have been doing that since Colonial days, I think. Having said that, I think what you mean by "real" is actually "official issue." So in those terms, your "real" knife (phrobis?) isn't actually "official issue." At least none that I've ever seen. The Ontario you asked about is "official issue."

I will say your "real" army knife (phrobis), looks a lot like an M9 Bayonet clone/copy, without the bayonet ring and lug attachment pommel. Coincidentally, most of the Army M9 bayonets are made by Ontario Knife Company....the same maker of the Pilots Survival Knife.

 

[R.c.s]

I don't know about the phrobis knife of the ops . but just for comparisons . here's a PIC of the Ontario M9 and the phrobis M9..

 

[Tdhurl1103]

I don't know about the phrobis knife of the ops . but just for comparisons . here's a PIC of the Ontario M9 and the phrobis M9..

I knew I recognized Phrobis from some place. I recall, when I was stationed at Ft Campbell, KY the M9 Bayonet I would draw from the arms room was made my Phrobis. I recall one time a battle buddy of mine, while on TCP (traffic Control Point) duty, threw his phrobis M9 at stop sign and the blade broke in half. LOL

 

[GIRLYmann]

Here's my "real" knife. Unless you folks can find anything otherwise, I was given this and told it was a GI knife. I apologize if I mix up which knife was issued to which branch of the military.
If I'm not mistaken mine has the handle that unscrews to mount on a bayonet. But I could be wrong. Handle is on tight and I don't want to break it if I'm wrong

Phrobis was the outfit which designed the buckmaster,
The M9 bayonet, the former SEAL issued combat utility knife (CUK), amongst others.
And the modular field knife (MFK), which was aimed at the civillian outdoors market
Which was a commercial spin off of the failed military CUK.
Both models look alike at first glance.
But only the MFK had this multi guard concept.
They were manufactured in Toledo by Marto of Spain.

 

[Grindstone50k]

I've got no military experience
But I do plenty of sharpening for side cash.
Someone sent this one in and said it was their nice army knife, just curious if it's real. I've got a real one of my own, different brand entirely and this one doesn't seem like a GI thing.

It's pretty solid, but has no markings other than the label on the back of the sheath.

I used one exactly like that in SERE. Made by Ontario. There should be a small sharpening stone it's own pocket on the front of the sheath, if it's an original sheath. "Army knife" is way too generic of a term. These are typically issued as aircrew survival knives. Carried one in our issued survival kit on the jet. They're excellent at batoning wood, but absolute hell to skin a rabbit with. Trust me, had to do myself.

 

[leghog]

Sorry I should have clarified asking if it was real as in
Was it a knockoff or some eBay survival thing. I've seen a bunch of those just wanted to check because I've learned not to bother taking the edge up above the edge pro 1000 grit if it's a softer (cheaper?) knife. My cheap Kershaw dulls quick when I do anyways

It is real, and it is softer. Mid 50s RC.

 

[spencer.kissick]

So, lets make something clear here. There really is no such thing as a "real army knife." Army procurement buys all sorts of knives from many different makers, for a myriad of tasks. They have been doing that since Colonial days, I think. Having said that, I think what you mean by "real" is actually "official issue." So in those terms, your "real" knife (phrobis?) isn't actually "official issue." At least none that I've ever seen. The Ontario you asked about is "official issue."

I will say your "real" army knife (phrobis), looks a lot like an M9 Bayonet clone/copy, without the bayonet ring and lug attachment pommel. Coincidentally, most of the Army M9 bayonets are made by Ontario Knife Company....the same maker of the Pilots Survival Knife.

Haha ok here I'll clarify

THIS. Is what I meant by fake, not government issued.

By real I mean an exact knife that someone was / is issued. I've got it in my head that if uncle Sam decided he'll give it to our boys it oughta be good enough for me to use.

I only said army because when he dropped it off he said it's my good army knife, but now it sounds like it was issued to the air force? Doesn't matter either way now- all I needed to know was whether it came from Amazon or was cleared for our military.

Funny I was questioning his knife and now I hear mine may not be real! Poking around online makes me wonder if the patent pending mark means it was one made before they got the big contract to supply the knives..

 

[spencer.kissick]

I used one exactly like that in SERE. Made by Ontario. There should be a small sharpening stone it's own pocket on the front of the sheath, if it's an original sheath. "Army knife" is way too generic of a term. These are typically issued as aircrew survival knives. Carried one in our issued survival kit on the jet. They're excellent at batoning wood, but absolute hell to skin a rabbit with. Trust me, had to do myself.

Yup! Stone on the sheath. I like this thing. And the edge came out fantastic. It didn't appear to have ever been sharpened so I was a little confused trying to match the angle- had to set it way steeper than any other knives I've done. I'm thinking it's just because the blade is pretty thick, but did you notice the same thing on yours? Might explain why it's better at wood than a rabbit!

 

[EricV]

I only said army because when he dropped it off he said it's my good army knife, but now it sounds like it was issued to the air force? Doesn't matter either way now- all I needed to know was whether it came from Amazon or was cleared for our military.

These can be ordered off of Amazon still, and they were also military issue knives for quite some time. Chances are it came from Amazon...

 

[marcinek]

These can be ordered off of Amazon still, and they were also military issue knives for quite some time. Chances are it came from Amazon...

Or from any of hundreds of other knife retailers.

Was that knife you are holding issued by the government to someone? Who knows. I don't see how that determines whether it is real or fake.

I don't know if more were commission ed by the government and issued, commissioned by the government and eventually sold as surplus, or just made and sold directly to civilians..