Will: USAF pilot's survival knife??

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
1,646
Will,

I've got a troop here at the base who isn't a knife nut (his wife is though
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!) who has used a short 4" blade USAF survival knife for 23 years. It is designed like the classic Marine knife but with the shorter blade and a saw toothed spline. It has that hex bolt pommel as well.

He just used it again to dress out an elk and was complaining to me about the edge never holding for very long. After a protracted discussion in which I tried to interest him in a different design, he stated flatly that he'd used it so long that it had become a part of him. Bottomline is he's looking for a replacement with better steel. I suggested the Camillus military but the blade is too long for him. Does Camillus make a version of the pilot's military survival knife? The one made for the USAF by Ontario is pure crap. He's even willing to have a custom maker do one up if necessary but he insists that the design be the same although the saw teeth can go
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.

Any help would be appreciated.

------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since the very beginning
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member



[This message has been edited by bald1 (edited 04 October 1999).]
 
Bob,
While it wouldn't be my favorite knife to skin elk, the USAF PILOTS SURVIVAL KNIFE will certainly do the job, and its one tough cookie too! Camillus makes tthe pilots survival knife also, and its made out of the same well heat treated 1095 that we make the 7" MARINE COMBAT knife with. I'm not sure of the version your friend has, but the current mil spec item has a 5" blade, and the same hex knut butt cap. The knife has a leather washer handle, and a parkerised blade with a 'sawback'.

I'm not sure which contractor built the knife that your friend has, but I will say that the current CAMILLUS produced Pilot's Survival knives are the BEST we have ever done due to modern heat treat methods. If your friend is bonded to the classic Pilot's Survival knife[it is pretty unique], and wants improved performance, have him try one of our current production models, I think he'll be impressed. I'm pretty sure KnifeCenter of the Internet has them in stock.

Thanks for the interest Bob, take care....

------------------
Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
I've been looking at one of those, to keep in the car, so you've clinched my decision. I was concerned that the blade would be hardened on the soft side for better toughness. You mentioned 'current' so have the knives always been of properly heat treated 1095 ? If not how does one tell, as there seems to be a lot of stock out there.
 
Johno,
I wouldn't worry to much, the improvements in heat treat I'm refering to started approximatley 5 years ago...anything you find on a dealers shelf should be that current. Unfortunately, there is no outward difference between the two. Remember, there was nothing 'wrong' with the older heat treat, we have just refined it somewhat. The 5" Pilots Survival Knife should Rockwell @ 58 Rc.

------------------
Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery


 
Will,

Thanks for the help! As always you're a true gentleman. Howard doesn't list it seperately although I'm sure he has it. My friend found one available locally and he's quite content. (He proved he listened to me during our discussion which also included a couple of places to scope stuff out
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). Thanks again!

------------------
-=[Bob Allman]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

BFC member since the very beginning
AKTI membership pending
VHA and NRA member

 
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