Air Force Survival Knife - No such thing?

[@ericstarr9399]

Great response and history! Thanks for sharing!

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

My Dad was in the Navy, The Army Air Corps, and USAF when it transitioned to a separate branch. I was in the USAF in SAC, PACAF, and USAF Europe. The only knife we ever got issued was whatever was in the toolbox 🧰 either a Mil-k, or a TL 29, and it wasn’t ours. I was maintenance not aircrew though. Dad did have a very nice orange handle switchblade pocketknife that i could look at but not have. Later he gave it to me, but i lost it, or it got stolen. I wish i still had that one.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The knives I carried in the army were the knives I bought in the class 2 store or the PX.

[@garyb.4080]

I have both, one given to by a pilot, of an F-4, and another given to me from a bombarder, on a B-52. The Navy one is 1965, and the USAF, from 1966! Both Camillius! They both have six inch blades, they are identical, except for the stamping on the pommel! Had to change this they are both 5 inch, just measured them!

[@mikeadams2538]

As usual, very interesting and useful info. Do you know about the astronaut survival knife. I have heard tidbits of info over the years, but no definitive account. One story I heard was that Mercury astronaut Gordo Cooper worked with Randall to come up with a design. I would sure like it if you could shed some light on those knives (if they really existed).

[@Mmagnus7]

I never get tired of hearing the historical significance and background to these awesome cutting tools! Great video.

[@57WillysCJ]

I beleave in WW2 there was a folding survival knife as it was in the survival kit. There are a few old WW2 crash training films you can watch that show the equipment and even using a knife to cut their harness when their chute caught in a tree. I do know at the begining of the war soldiers and sailers bought every knife close to the base and they were even produced in the shops on the bases until the official ones came out.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

The navy had a famous folding knife with a blade and a saw. The army Airforce also used it. It was primarily employed in the Pacific. There was also a folding machete.

[@57WillysCJ]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Yeah I have the machete. I saw both in the kit from a B 17.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@57WillysCJ .. If you're interested in my video on the machete, you can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpKYla2mqdmZgpIsi=kbyAsGLc43EWsJQt

[@mikeadams2538]

I have seen such a folder. One of the blades was similar to a hawkbill, and I was told that its purpose was to hook around and cut the parachute lines in the event that the parachutist got tangled up when landing.

[@57WillysCJ]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Thanks. I have one from Cattaraugus. Not that great of a light machete but it worked and soldiers couldn't break one easily. I have the reproduction of the Woodsman's Pal that was used in theater as well. Although I have had it for almost 20 years now. My father was in USAAF in the Pacific theater in WW2 so I am more interested in that era. By the way the Woodsman's Pal is made by the original company although it has been bought out. It's not light weight either but can be used as a digging tool.

[@RandysWSG]

Another awesome video Tobias!

[@zer0tzer0]

I knew Camillus made one, but I didn't know it as the Hunter / Camper. I had no idea the ASEK was made by Ontario. Or that the Pilot Knife predated both of them. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@alanrice39]

As a collector of these knifes I really appreciate this video, learned a couple of things.

[@beaurex4756]

So interesting, thanks for the video.

[@andrewh6034]

What about the 1953 Pilot knife by Schrade Walden and maybe Imperial?

[@gizmocarr3093]

Interesting discussion about knife history. Specific details sure make things more difficult than you would think. A conversation about Swiss Army Knives could go on forever ! 😅🤣

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I think you’re correct especially when it comes to SAKs. Even some of the officially licensed books on SAKs have contradictions within them.

[@kuzinit2374]

the buck 119 was designed as a military knife , a lot were issued , they lost the contract ,went on to become a popular hunting knife

[@craigcook1571]

I have read the jet pilots were the ones complaining about the 6” being too long. It was probably some of all of them. Another interesting fact of these knives is that they were popular among the recon troops as well as the seal teams who often traded with pilots. Also there was a Japanese copy that was sold in the PX’s which was popular and decently made unlike the SOG Bowie’s

[@Stans_Cutlery_Universe]

Great video and lots of great info. Truly appreciate your insight and knowledge on these different knives. Have a great day and God Bless.

[@jeffjackson5331]

Very cool

[@terrillschneider3778]

Nice exposition Tobias

[@freddavidson8364]

Great info. WOW such knowledge. Thanks!

[@occasionalnick1000]

Thanks for another great video Tobias. I'm not so much a fixed blade person, but you surely make me interested in these military knives. A wonderful education on the history of these knives. I recall reading somewhere that the Navy uses "aviator" because the term pilot was already in use for personnel who piloted ships.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You are 100% correct. A pilot in the navy is normally a person who brings a ship into a harbor or drives in through unfamiliar waters. Pilots will come aboard and take control of the ship. They are specially trained individuals. So the Navy uses a different term for people who drive aircraft.

[@faninblack3]

I have a rh pal 34 with a wooden pommel with the original sheath with the persons name on it. Cpl Leon Munger I bought this at a auction. I didn’t know this knife was used in the military!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

He's a black guy, I know because he was my mom's brother.

[@LeashMechanic]

Great video! So do you see this pattern possibly being revived to be contracted as a Space Force survival knife? I’m thinking they might need one if they intend to keep flying Boeing Starliner capsules!

[@wizardofahhhs759]

Yeah, they'll need a good fighting knife to defend themselves against the aliens and other outer space creatures.

[@WilliamsKnifeLife]

The cockpit in an F4 phantom is a pretty tight fit. I could see one inch making a difference if you had to eject. You are literally riding rockets 🚀 when you punch out.

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

It looks like you may have added some more background decoration to your temporary headquarters, or is just my imagination?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I managed to make it down a flight of stairs. The doc gave me some better pain management medication.

[@The-Armed-Pacifist]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias Retired pharmacist here. Be careful with any narcotic based pain meds as far as dizziness, balance, etc. In any case, wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.

[@deniskozlowski9370]

Great video. Always a favoritesubject of mine. If possible, a video on the Navy Mark 1 would be great. It's truly a forgotten US martial knife.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I’ll see what I can do. I’m actually trying to get a MK1. The Navy “Deck” Knife began life as an off the shelf Remington/Pal RH-35.

[@CP23798]

The first air force survival knife looks a lot like the Case leather hunter. One could do worse.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Several companies made a knife very similar to the Boker 155. All of the knives, even the Marbles Jet Pilot Knife were basically of the shelf hunting knives or a modified version of current production hunting knife.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

All branches could have used the same knife model instead of wasting time and money on a different design , they all had the same basic design. Government loves to waste money that's not theirs.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

All branches did use the same knife, at least when it came to the current pilot knife. That's one of these rare occurrences when the department of defense got things right and branch rivalries to a back seat.

[@propblast82nd]

I had the Camillus and someone “ borrowed it “ . Cost me $9 to replace it the Special Forces supply store

[@Jimthechevywheelman]

Had a crowbar that a jerk borrowed . Didn’t see him for five years ,, he showed up for a construction meeting boss was talking to him : I Interrupted them: hey Bill where’s that crowbar you bought from me five years ago? He said he gave it back.. I said let’s look in your toolbox. He couldn’t say no … I showed boss my name on it . ( I don’t like thieves) . He didn’t stay for the meeting I heard he ‘had some where he had to be’. I never did lend out my camilus 5 inch lockback during construction ( 5 years - then changed to maint) .. I saw how others treated their knives ,, here I am 45 years later and I am always surprised when I hold that knife how good of condition it is in.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My first Camillus pilot knife (which everyone I knew called it an Air Force Knife) was also ‘borrowed!’ 😂. So much for honor and integrity among officers.

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Nice job and great info!

[@beaurex4756]

So are those knives in stainless or carbon?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

All of them, including the bright metal Boker are 1095 Carbon Steel.

[@nexcpu]

Some great history here. Thank you!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@nexcpu , thanks. I’m hoping this doesn’t come across as full blown rant because the person posing the question was technically correct.

[@scottmcintosh2988]

Is there a stainless steel navy seal knife ? Thanks Tobas !

[@hleeky]

here's a list of all the ways your presentation is imprecise.... oh, erm, uh, i seem to have misplaced the list... don't worry!! i'll have my people call your people!!!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I actually would rather a person correct me when I’m wrong then allow me to continue give out bad information. So I was actually happy for the message. But the message didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. I have Cole’s book on military knives and he mentions the navy contract. Trzaska also discusses the Navy contract. The thing is, neither is really clear about the details. No doubt the Navy initiated the contract and accepted the first 500 knives. What is unclear is if the Department of Defense then approached Camillus in 1957 for the contract for all branches or if the Navy approached Camillus. Even the Marble’s number has been questioned. Was it 500 or 5,000? The story goes that marble’s made 5,000 but the navy only accepted 500. The rest were sold on the civilian market. The knife proved popular enough that Marble’s then produced a better quality version with bright blade (instead of blued) a polished leather handle and brass guard for the civilian market. The problem is, when you try to verify any of this official documents become somewhat sketchy and or hard to verify. Some of it is just personal recollection of people who worked there.

[@hleeky]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias you do a great job presenting these nuances!

[@jerseyknifeguy6382]

Tobias how do you know all this stuff? You must have good memory….. thsnks for sharing and educating me stay well 😊

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks for dropping by. I read quite a bit. I have a decent size collection of knife books and magazine articles. I’ve been reading and collecting info on knives for over 40 years

[@dwightehowell8179]

Among those I know this knife is called the air-force survival knife/a piece of crap. If used as a pry bar the handle easily bends then snaps if you try to straighten it and the coating is not something I want in my food. I'm not sure why they decided to purchase a hunk of crap but they very obviously did. Almost any decent sheath knife is going to be better. I do own one but I don't use it.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Well, it is not a pry bar and you shouldn't use it as such. It has proven itself time and again in combat by people who know how to use a knife. Anyone can break a knife if that's what they want to do. It is one part of a survival kit issued to pilots. It was one of the most carried knives throughout the Vietnam war. I trust the vets who carried it more than You Tube experts who make a name by trashing knives on purpose. Can other knives take more punishment? Sure. Can you break the tang if you misuse this knife? Without a doubt. BTW, about the non-food grade coating. The same can be said for every knife made by TOPS, ESEE, and every other knife that has some type of coating. None of them are approved food safe. I do own one and I have used it - properly.

[@slick_slicers]

Pedantry in the knife world is rampant! Often I think that if you look at the full history of any Pattern you will find it called many different names, and indeed have many subtly different forms, overtime. Certainly, I have known this as the US pilot survival knife for at least 40 years, probably nearly 50!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

@@slick_slicers but if someone calls it Air Force Survival Knife does an image of this knife come to Mind?

[@danholmblad9925]

I have a ww2 fighter knife. It's a folder. 5 inch blade and saw.

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

Yip air force survival knife ive owned 2 an original camillus from vietnam era used in war time overseas and i lost it somehow 😠💔 and got a replacement ontario last year. A knife i will never part with.