Real or knockoff "army knife"?

[EricV]

Or from any of hundreds of other knife retailers.

Certainly true as well. I'd say its one of the most common fixed blade knives out there.

 

[Faiaoga]

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.

Can you explain what is what is meant by "fit into a raft fitting"? This is the first time I have seen such a reference.

 

[EricV]

Can you explain what is what is meant by "fit into a raft fitting"? This is the first time I have seen such a reference.

Not sure how to explain such a simple phrase any better. I had heard it mentioned by the local surplus guy many years ago and its was echoed in the marketing spiel for the Blackjack Jet Pilot Survival Knife. Supposedly it was part of the original Marbles design requirements, but have fun trying to find any solid info online about it since it was a minor detail on an unimportant item from a very busy time, I never even found a patent sheet, but also never looked hard. Considering hammer pommels have long been round (especially at the time these were designed) it would be odd to make it hexagonal for no reason, and the pommels needing to break plexi as is often mentioned doesn't hold up for me as why not just give it a spike pommel or use the tip?



If you need more info I suspect Frank Trzaska may know.

 

[marcinek]

Can you explain what is what is meant by "fit into a raft fitting"? This is the first time I have seen such a reference.

I have read something somewhere about that hex fitting into the end of the life raft's paddle. Possibly to make a spear?

Might all be a load a' hooey....but I recall something like that.

 

[Grindstone50k]

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!

I haven't handled one of those in ten years, especially before I had any sort of "knife knowledge". They were very well-used from SERE school classes. It was definitely not that great at any sort of detailed slicing tasks, that's for sure. I used my Leatherman Wave far more than I used this knife, including eating rabbit and deer (forest service was nice enough to give me an entire rear leg from a poached deer).

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.

Word to the wise, "mil-spec" doesn't equate to quality. Often it's just "lowest bidder" or "whoever has the best contacts in contracting command".

I have read something somewhere about that hex fitting into the end of the life raft's paddle. Possibly to make a spear?

Might all be a load a' hooey....but I recall something like that.

As I understand, the hex head did used to fit something on a long disused inflatable raft. So it seems to be a vestigial feature now.