U.S.G.I. Pilots Survival Knife

I have a pilot knife and put a square shaped piece of fatwood in stone pocket that I shaped, hacksaw blade, and unhandled ferro rod it it. i like the idea of a tube of rubber, say from a large bike innertube over the works. You can make ranger bands out of it, tinder for fire, trip for snare etc.
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
I would vote for the fire kit too.

The U.S. Government issued Pilots Survival Knife (early 70's vintage) was the only knife that ever failed me when I needed it most - in a survival situation when in the military (I crashed my airplane!). Hopefully you have the better ones. ;)
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I would love to hear more of this story if your willing to share!
 
When I carried one, I started by cutting of the top guard on the knife itself. After that I shaped the leather handle to fit with sandpaper, resealed it with boot dressing. On the back of the sheath I placed some fish hooks and coverd them with 100 mph tape. Wrapped the sheath first with a layer of fishing line then a layer of snare wire covered by a layer 550 cord. I also replaced the stone with a magnesium fire starter. On the bottom of the sheath I used the tie down holes to add a millitary earplug case filled with PJB's and wrapped with more 100 mph tape.
 
Does ayone know why these knives have a nut shaped pommel? I have always wondered but never heard of the reason.
 
"...why these knives have a nut shaped pommel..." my guess is that, it can be wishfully fitted in as an emergency propeller blade?
 
the gimp said:
Does ayone know why these knives have a nut shaped pommel? I have always wondered but never heard of the reason.
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Maybe when you lash it to make a spear it won't twist. Or it fits like a key into a hex hole. Maybe cheaper to make than round.
 
just a suggestion as well.. Removing the section of the guard on the back of the knife makes it a much more usable bush knife
 
I think the image sent by PICT is a good way to go, just don't use too tight of an old inner tube. I agree on fire making gear for the pocket, a small fresnel magnifier could be cut down to fit and take up very little room. I have seen them for sale at GOINGGEAR.COM.
The paracord lanyard could be used to tie a small waterproof container to the end of the sheath. I have been "repurposing" Airborne colds remedy tubes, wrapped with duct tape with some success. It might look odd but only weighs a few ounces. Good luck.
 
1st that's the best survival knife ever made
2nd i would keep the stone in because you can survive with just a sharp knife and sharp is a must
 
1st, I don't believe that there is any "best" knife for everyone. Ever.

2nd, there are many ways to sharpen a knife with field expedient materials. You don't need that little stone to keep the knife going.
 
scouter27 said:
1st, I don't believe that there is any "best" knife for everyone. Ever.

2nd, there are many ways to sharpen a knife with field expedient materials. You don't need that little stone to keep the knife going.
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To your first point, I find the round handle uncomfortable, the point too delicate, and the bevels too obtuse. But that's me. I've had one since 1960 (5" blade).
 
the gimp said:
Does ayone know why these knives have a nut shaped pommel? I have always wondered but never heard of the reason.
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Back when these were first issued the pommel fit the windscreen fasteners on some of the aircraft. That way the pilot could egress from the aircraft in the event of a crash.
 
IIRC, at least on mine, which is Vietnam era and at home in the states, the pouch is real small, like 1"x2.5"x3/8". You could maybe fit a fero rod and striker or maybe a small SAK but not much else. I have a friend who has one over here and he uses a SpecOps sheath. The knife was his dad's from Vietnam so It has some sentamental meaning to him. Still a decent knife after all these years.
 
I've had a few pilot survival knives over the past several decades.

I like mine mostly as-is, although I used silicone leather boot waterproofing on the grip and sheath.

I have cleaned fish with it, used it in a horse barn for all of those cutting tasks, and have used it to dig up medicinal and edible plants.

I'm sure that there are better knives, but mine works well for me.

I now keep it in the car emergency kit.
 
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