US Air Force Jet Pilot Survival Knife and Commercial Copies

The US Air Force jet Pilot Survival Knife that we know today has a history that goes back to the end of the Korean Conflict. All branches use the knife for their aircrews. The knife was designed to allow crews to cut their way out of an aircraft if they had to and to survive one on the ground. The knife is extremely popular and has spawned many commercial copies, some of which we will look at in this video.

[@alanrice39]

So glad I found this video. I have had and still have my air crew survival knives. I still have the one i purchased in 1980. This particular knife has been dunked in water on multiple canoe trips, been everywhere on hikes, camping trips, and just every day use. This knife is still serviceable but I retired it long time ago. Since I’ve gotten several more of these. I don’t care what anyone says, these knives are hard core. They have carried me thru the 80’s. As more modern knives came out I have bought many thru the years but I keep coming back to my survival knife. I just have a obsession with this knife. Reminds me of old times and is like a good friend to me.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I admit I have a tiny obsession with these pilot/air crew survival knives. Thanks for watching!

[@shanematthews9220]

Appreciate the info. I traded for a longer version a few years ago. I always wondered what the story was about this knife. Still have it in my collection. I will keep it around for my grandsons. I hope they will appreciate it as much as I do.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That is awesome Shane. I have a video about the longer (earlier) versions on my channel too. Thanks for watching!

[@agaig9812]

Junkyard Fox turned me on to your videos. Thank you for your service. I love knives and I love the history behind them! Keep the vids coming, sir.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching! More are on the way.

[@jpe1701]

Thanks for the video. I got screwed on Ebay with one of those 499 mod Ontario knives. I have a real 499 too that I bought for my collection a number of years ago and I was going to buy the new one to use it because I liked the other one so much. I fixed the edge and purchased a separate sheath and gifted it to my nephew to use when we went camping.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I put some work into a 499 Mod and it came out very serviceable, just not a great knife, like the one it mimics.

[@GreatLakesKnivesandLanterns]

Good subject! Thank you for your service to our country

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and commenting. It has been my honor to serve this country.

Ontario also made a 498M modified Marine Combat knife (Mk2) just like the cheaper 499M. No fuller and raw leather handle. They were limited production and have become collectable.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Very cool, I have not seen one. Now I have to go looking for one.

[@ericellquist7007]

Thanks for the info, excellent video. In the early 70's I bought a new Camillus knife similar to the one you showed, it even had the grey paint on the pommel. I had the edge hollow ground and it was incredibly sharp. Loved that knife, left it in my car one night in Spokane Washington and some rat bastard stole it from me. This happened in 1990or '91, so I had become rather attached to it. When I found it gone, I felt like I had been gut punched. We had been through a lot together and it never let me down. Maybe that sounds funny, but it sure doesn't feel funny. I found an Ontario knock off at Cabela's and bought it for about $45. It does have a fuller, but the factory edge leaves a lot to be desired and there is no edge at all on the false edge, which actually seems shorter than the one on the Camillus.If I can find a competent knife grinder in Spokane, I might have those issues rectified. Still love the way it feels in my hand, and the memories it brings...

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

You can still find Camillus knives out there in on-line auctions and at gun shows, etc. They tend to be more expensive because people think they are rarer than they really are. My Ontario knives have taken a good edge after some work but the edge from the factory leaves a lot to be desired.

[@ernestwalden3894]

I think these are the coolest knives. And love the history behind them.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I do too. Thanks for watching Ernest!

[@donavantew8278]

Awesome video my brother 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@craigcook1571]

Good video. Thanks for your service. I’m am also a big fan of the jpsk The Utica’s are the Grail knives of the jpsk’s. I have yet to see one in person. You aren’t gonna let your brother live that down are you😂. There’s probably some poor ole camel limping around the desert cause he stepped on that knife

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching! No, he's not gonna live that down any time soon. LOL

[@user-me3nt6oo3w]

The Ontario 499 has a Chinese sheath, but the knife is the same as the US made military contract knives. Or at least they were as long as Ontario Knife still made them under military contract. If you are a person that does not like the Chinese, nor the US version of the sheath and you want to make your own or replace it with some of the commercial nylon sheaths or kaydex sheaths that are out there is no need to spend the extra money to get a US sheath when the knife is the same US made knife.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

The "499 Mod" has the Chinese sheath and no fuller on the blade. It is a lower quality of knife than the military contract 499, but even so I was able to put a good edge on my 499 Mod and I oiled the sheath to keep it from deteriorating.

[@user-me3nt6oo3w]

Towards the end of the video this guy has that both knives have the same Rockwell hardness. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6ergp1tlp6Xl9k

[@robshirewood5060]

Have you got the same idea for the US Navy aircrew survival knives? A look in the movie Bridges of Toko Ri and there are at least two different models used, both with silver pommels, leather grips, and similar sheaths, interesting variations.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I'll have to look that movie up and check the knives out. There were different variations of the USN MK1 knife made during WW2 and the Navy was still issuing them into the Vietnam war and beyond.

[@joefrizell5868]

I carried one (still have) in Desert Storm.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

It is a very handy knife and if you can get it issued to you, even better!

[@JunkyardFox]

Really enjoyed the video and the history lesson. Great job, brother!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks man! I appreciate your feedback. Thanks for watching!

[@coltensamir7687]

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[@ahmadzayn8776]

@Colten Samir Instablaster =)

[@coltensamir7687]

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[@coltensamir7687]

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[@stefanandersson2394]

Thank you very much for sharing your JPS Knives and you did it in a very good way... Just what I wanted to know...

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I'm glad to help, Stefan! Thanks for watching! I have a playlist of survival knives and more about the JPS knives. I'm still picking up variations to these knives. It must be an addiction.

[@stefanandersson2394]

@@FreeAmericaChannel My addiction have just started when it comes to JPS Knives... Got my first one a week ago... A Camillus 1967... I will look at your playlist and I am sure that I will be content! Once again, thank you!

[@CorsairTrainers]

Good stuff.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@andrewtate5568]

very informative, just like all the others you have shown. please show us the rest of your military and historic collection.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Andrew! The rest of the collection may take some time, but I really enjoy doing these videos.

[@DIYSolarandWind]

I had something similar to that in Iraq that I fastened to the flack jacket.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

I hear you. They are really popular with the troops. Perfect size for most uses and really durable.

[@williammontroy9024]

I just scored a very solid first pattern camillus af survival knife at the local surplus store for 20 bucks the sheath is trash but the knife is perfectly rock solid just dirty and in need of a overhaul which I’m happy to do lol

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Nice score! You can still find early sheaths from time to time, just keep an eye out for them. The 6" knives usually fit in the 5" sheaths as well.

[@williammontroy9024]

@@FreeAmericaChannel lol I tried it out in my 5 in sheath and it fit ok . But I’m good with making my own anyway.. also sorry I forgot to mention in the first comment .. outstanding video man and some really cool stories to boot .

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@williammontroy9024 Thanks brother!

[@MARKET_ANDREY]

Very good

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks for watching Andrey!

[@user-ok4ek1zj5w]

Ножи классные!!Лезвие бы подлиннее!!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Пилоты жаловались, когда лопасти были длиннее, поэтому они делали короче.

[@AOKUrbanHomestead1]

Sorry I have been gone. Back and here to support you again. Great video my friend

[@stephentaylor9630]

I just stared collecting these knives. You video is not only timely but very helpful. Thanks! You briefly touched on the transition from the Marble (expensive) knife to the first Camillus knife. I just purchase a Pre-1967 knife (Camillus type) that had the treaded tang protruding approximately 3/16" out of the pommel. I as understand the evolution of these knives, the Marble knife was too expensive for the Gov't. In the end Camillus was awarded the contract. However, some of the first Camillus knives had threads until the peened tangs could be manufactured. I purchased this knife because it appeared to be an odd variant. Can you comment about threaded tangs and pommels? Thanks.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Wow, Stephen! Great find. The screw pommel Camillus knives are very hard to find. You have the history right. Marble's knives were too expensive, but they did sell the patent to the US Gov. The Navy let a bid and Camillus won it. The first Camillus knives were nearly exact copies of the Marble's knives except they were parkerized instead of blued. It seems that is the variant you have and I have only ever seen a few, most were in bad shape, one was very nice except for the price tag. After the screw pommel they started peening the pommels. Your knife sounds like the leather has possibly shrunk a bit, which is not uncommon. A little Neatsfoot oil will help preserve it and keep it from deteriorating further. I'm glad you liked the video!

[@andrewh6034]

Nice selection. Thanks for showing them. Shame about the quality of that Ontario, shouldn't be like that even as a civilian copy. I have a JPSK I got in a trade that's in the sew in style sheath with knife and sheath inside a long green material pouch. The original Marbles knife with the screw pommel and blued blade is a nice looking knife too. ATB.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Thanks Andrew. I actually got that Ontario knife really sharp after a few hours of work. You remind me that I didn't show a knife in a sew in sheath. I should have thought of that. I love the original Marbles knives, they are so well finished. I just can't afford one. :)

[@281covfefe5]

#SurvivalKnife 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Rock On 281 homefree! I too am the descendant of men who would not be ruled!

[@randyblackburn9765]

Do you know why so many of these knives have left hand sheaths?I just picked up a Cattaraugus at an auction has left hand sheath also have a vintage Kinfolks with a lefty

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

That is a good question. Both right and left hand sheaths were available for most military knives. I am guessing that since most people are right handed that right handed sheaths got used up more quickly than lefties. That's a guess of course.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@594bolt That's true, but you see a lot of photos of guys carrying their knives in right-hand sheaths on their left sides.

[@SoldierAndrew]

@@FreeAmericaChannel In the military quite often personnel are dictated where to carry things on our LCE, LBV, plate carrier and rucksack. It's about uniformity and about being able to quickly locate items on any personnel's body in combat. In my experience the USMC and Army infantry were told to carry knife or bayonet on left side. Special Forces aren't under such strict uniformity regulations so the S.F. Group guys are allowed to carry according to personal preference. The primary purpose of the rasp spine design on the pilot / crewman survival knife was to cut through aircraft aluminum of downed aircraft to extract pilot or crew members.

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

@@SoldierAndrew Right on warrior. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@user-ok4ek1zj5w]

Народ России и народ США дружба!!!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Добро пожаловать, мой друг!

[@woezacardoza5659]

Trump 2024

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

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[@RandoCalrisiann]

Dude you are so full of crap, you have to get the Ontario pilot knife, you got the cheaper survival knife, they also make a hunting knife version. My knife was an Ontario issue and it's all quality! Do more research!

[@FreeAmericaChannel]

Ontario doesn't issue knives. They have a contract to manufacture the knife for the US Military. Even the cheaper survival knife is a good piece of gear and I hope you keep watching my videos to hear me say that.

[@fireemblemistrash75]

Thats a bit rude Randy Robin. Ontario doesn’t issue then, they have a contract with the military and still do I believe. Many of these knives saw service even up until Afghanistan. A small beater knife is a small beater knife and can definitely work so long as you maintain as you would your service guns and vehicles