Space qualified knives - what does it take?

The thread about the Randal model 17 for the Mercury programme got me thinking: That kind of knife, could it be allowed in a spacecraft today? Is leather and micarta OK in a spacecraft, could you have oil on a non-stainless blade? (I don't think so. Starting with Apollo it took a lot of modifications to make a camera safe for space use.
The Gemini programme might have used the same knives as Mercury, but which ones were used on Apollo and are used on the shuttle? The Russians use what?


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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
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Schrade Lake & Walker
Calypso Jr Lightweight
A handmade Russian hunting knife

"I've always been 1fascinated by Scandinavian knives [...] they're simple, in an advanced way".
- Bob Loveless
 
Hold the knife at arm's length and release it.

If it falls up: Mission Capable

If it falls down: POS....back to the drawing board.
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Um, no problem with leather or micarta. Solid substances tend to not really have problems with being weightless. You could oil a blade, by using some sort of applicator, as the oil will not float off the surface of the blade once it gets there, but could not be squirted onto the blade. However, due to the oxygen concentration aboard spacecraft, it is likely that only stainless would be used, since it would better resist rusting.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Originally posted by e_utopia:
Um, no problem with leather or micarta. Solid substances tend to not really have problems with being weightless.
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I'm thinking more outgassing and flammability, the same for the oil.

 
Yeah, but neither leather or micarta outgasses significantly, or toxically. As for flamability, ever tried to burn either? IIRC, you can soak micarta in gaoline and light it, and the gas burns off, leaving the micarta unharmed.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
There was a great exhibit on the history of knives for manned space travel at Blade Show. As I recall, they started with plexiglass handles for light weight, but changed to Aluminimum because of fire concerns.

As I recall, they started with canvas sheaths and went to Aluminum.

My guess, and I have no data, is that Micarta might outgas horribly in space. Epoxy and resins and these sorts of things (stuff that starts out liquid and then self-hardens) are generally a no-no in spacecraft construction for this reason. As I recall, though, circuit boards for spacecraft electronics are often G10. So, you could use G10.

Given that most space missions are only a few days long and that the environment isn't exactly harsh (not like, for example, deck duty on an ocean-going ship), I doubt that rust is much of a problem. So, no need to oil.

I have also seen a picture of a Leatherman PST in use aboard the Space Shuttle.

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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com

[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 09-16-2000).]
 
Um, Micarta does not outgas in a spacecraft any more than in your living room. G10 is no less epoxy-based than Micarta - G10 is epoxy & fiberglas, Micarta is epoxy & [paper, linen, canvas, or rag]. Phenolic resins, as are used in traditional circuit boards, and in some cheaper substitutes for Micarta and G10, do outgas.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Given that most space missions are going to be years long once the station is completed, now is a good time to figure out what materials work best for longterm use. I like the idea of a Leatherman or other multitool. There is always something that needs adjusting when you work with machinery. And an all-stainless piece of equipment should last about half of forever up there.

Thanks for the info on micarta and G-10. I understand that a lot of hardwoods are really toxic to grind. "Wood" that rule them out in a closed environment?

How about something like Gerber's River Shorty? It's a short, thick blade with a serrated edge and screwdriver tip. I don't care much for its skeletonized plastic handle, though.
 
It should have a hollow handle with the compass thing in the end so if the guidence system goes off line you can find your way home. The next handy thing would be a space blanket get's kind of cold up there. Let's not forget the fish hook you might have to go fishing for some Ice crystals to keep the thirst down or use it to hook the space ship if you life line breaks.
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I need a knife for outer space
That won’t pollute our living space
With fumes from chemicals raw and rare
That might corrode the air that’s there.

It should be sharp so it can cut,
But not too big or it won’t fit,
I’d like it custom made, too, but
I can’t afford that for my kit.

So let me take a knife
That makes a lot of sense, a
Sebenza!
 
Originally posted by e_utopia:
Yeah, but neither leather or micarta outgasses significantly, or toxically. As for flamability, ever tried to burn either?
Click to expand...
Significantly in your opinion might not be little enough for space use. And when leather burns, what does it give off?
Additionally, I was thinking of dust. Leather isn't dust free at all, and giving off small particles definitely isn't a good thing in microgravity.

 
Originally posted by e_utopia:
Phenolic resins, as are used in traditional circuit boards, and in some cheaper substitutes for Micarta and G10, do outgas.
Click to expand...
I thought Micarta is made with phenolic resins originally, but that the definition is loose enough to include stuff like G-10.

Originally posted by Esav Benyamin:
I understand that a lot of hardwoods are really toxic to grind. "Wood" that rule them out in a closed environment?
Click to expand...
Probably. Not that I think wood is at all a good material for space use. I don't know about stabilized wood.

 
Griffon, read my profile.
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I mean significant in relation to space use. As for leather burning, it really doesn't matter what it produces. What matters is how easily it will catch fire; in space, any fire is nearly 100% catastrophic, so the chemical byproducts of some small amount of burning leather really doesn't amount to much.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Jani, I've heard the same. Actually I got curious and surfed to http://www.victorinox.ch Just go to Gallery and then click True Stories and then VICTORINOX pocket knives are used in Spacelab missions.
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And so that the Americans would not feel bad... Leatherman has also been in space
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Go to http://www.leatherman.com and then About Leatherman and Leatherman at extremes and finally Leatherman Tools in Earth's Orbit. BTW, they also gave some white Photon II's for the Russian Cosmonauts... So, Photons are also NASA Approved
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Any others?

Hugo.
 
One of the first tools used in space was a Fisher space pen, which was used to pry into a tight corner. The Russians also used them, since they write reliably, being sealed and pressurized and using ink that writes even on greasy surfaces.
 
Apparently also Case has been in space: http://casesales.com/space.htm

I did take a look at that Emerson NASA Specwar, man that is ugly in every way! (Sorry guys!
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) But besides the looks... why would they want to have a knife like that on a mission in space? ... do they still think the Russians might attack them there
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But than again, why would they have a knife like the Case Astronaut's knife either? Seems like huge chopper. I think that the Victorinoxes and Leathermans would be the ticket. Small and relatively light with many other important tools (In addition to the blade) that they probably might need (screw drivers...) And I would bet that the food containers can be opened with SAKs and Leathermans too
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Now if there really was a need for knife knife (i.e. something "more" knife than SAK
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) I'd go with Sebenza. (Have to turn this into a Sebenza thread
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) It's reliable and performs very well, but in addition it's not as heavy as some other comparable knives and no problems with handle material.

Hugo.
 
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