US Navy MKI Combat Survival Knife

[diletante]

Anyone have a Colonial Knife Company US NAVY MARK I COMBAT / UTILITY KNIFE sold HERE and through Brigade Quartermaster (page 62, Catalog No. 63)? It has a 5 1/8" 1090 blade with a high flat grind for around $35 to $40. It looks like it might be a nice working knife with a touch of history.

 

[calyth]

I thought soldiers back then didn't like the MK1...
It sounds pretty good but don't know how well it would work.

 

[Sgt 127]

For a knock around knife, thats Mil-Spec, I think I prefer the USAF Jet Pilots Survival knife.

 

[King Grinch]

I heard that the blade was thin only 1/8th or an inch thick. That knife might make a good skinner or box opening knife.

 

[bob bowie]

Originally posted by calyth
I thought soldiers back then didn't like the MK1...
It sounds pretty good but don't know how well it would work.

Hi,

I believe you are thinking of the Mark 1 Trench knife from WWI. It was a heavy dagger, with Brass Knuckles.

The Mark 1 from WWII was a really nice little fixed blade. I don't know about the reproduction Colonial, but you can still find vintage Mark 1's cheap, but prices are going up.



.

 

[burtzolotar]

I have one of the Colonial reproductions as well as two different makers vintage versions from WWII. My purchases were for historical, collection reasons and not to use them. My quick recollection is that the marines didn't think the Mark I was strong (long) enough for combat and so military production switched to the Mark II during the war. I also have a Mark II (current version made by Camillus) and it is a much more substansial knife. KABAR also still makes the Mark II. During the war there were many different variations of both the knives (e.g. handle materials) and the sheaths. The current releases of both knives come with leather sheaths.