Air Force Pilot Survival Knife from an Old Retired Air Force Guy's Perspective Pt1. 

Pt 3... More Misconceptions explained: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bvdgiihHl2A.html

Marine Corps veteran here. Our pilots were issued the same knife. Civilian outdoorsmen don’t use the term survival knife the same way we do. A survival knife to me is a tool that keeps you alive and makes the enemy dead. To a civilian, survival knife means big hardened full tang build a cabin tool. That’s why there are so many less than glowing reviews about this particular knife. It’s perfect for what it was designed to do. The biggest misconception in the civilian world is that the military has the best equipment on the planet. Remember that military contracts go to the lowest bidder and the equipment is usually very purpose oriented designed not do all gear. Example: the ALICE pack is absolutely one of the most durable equipment carrying packs ever, but it is very heavy compared to modern backpacking gear. So it sucks for the people who put a premium on weight to volume ratio. The modern backpacker isn’t depending on their pack to get them through a war.

I carried one when I was deployed to Bosnia as an IFOR soldier from 1995-96, I was in the Army. For those that don't know what IFOR stands for it means Implementation FORces. We were the troops that got deployed to end the civil war in Bosnia. Forces that came after us were referred to as SFOR. I called it my last line of defense if sh*t goes bad. I had an M16A2 and a M9 Barretta with me, but I always felt better if I had a knife as well. I still have the knife and it is one of my "keep sakes" from that time in my life, I didn't take pictures but kept a piece of equipment that I carried, I have it right next to my side of the bed.

The ‘bolt’ pommel was designed to lock into a survival raft paddle. The idea being a short harpoon. We field tested the first DOANS magnesium Bars on Kodiak Alaska USCG. The saw back was good for making shavings and many replaced the rather poor sharpening stone. A strip of 1000mph tape on the sheath Backside Could store needles. A Ranger band made the knife secure in the sheath. Christopher

As a child of the 1960s, with the Vietnam War in full force, I thought this was a real cool knife! My Scoutmaster had one too! So, when I was old enough to afford one, I bought one. I wouldn't say it is my best knife, but I would say it is my favorite. Thanks for the video!

I carried one in the Army. Opened a lot of MREs back in 85’

I enlisted in 1978 and after the first year traded one of my Kabars to an AF weenie for his AF Survival knife. Man! I used that little knife for years and for almost everything, but after about four years of pretty hard use the blade broke right at the rat-tail, and I hated to part with that knife so much I pulled the washers off, put a leather cord through them, added my dog tags, and wore it around my neck until 1988 when I swapped over to the AF to get a commission. I have the necklace in my display along with my rank (Enlisted and Officer) and my "rack" hanging on the wall in my office to this day.

USAF vet here. So many down this knife . I have two and have carried them outdoors hunting/ camping since 1977 . Many haters don’t know PJs are dispatched ASAP to rescue downed pilots and unless captured many pilots are recovered in a quick manner . Yes modern knives may not have the 499s weak points but, it does what it was designed for good for 60 years + . Thanks for sharing my blue vet brother

My dad was a Navy aviator during WW2 in the Pacific. The only time he saw MacArthur was out of a small window in a latrine (he had dysentery). He had a Ka-Bar bowie with a much longer carbon blade that was blued, and he used it to etch the name of every location he ever visited during the war. At one point he was ordered to fly reconnaissance, and in figuring out the distance-to-fuel ratio he discovered he wouldn't have enough fuel to return. He notified his commander and was told to proceed with his mission. As he was raring up his engines, he checked his knife and his .45 Colt pistol, he concluded they must need the info enough to sacrifice his life and his plane. And at the last moment, they radioed him with new orders telling him to stand down. They'd checked his math and discovered that yes, he'd never make it back in one piece. True story. I have no kids, but I gave it to my brother who does and they'll pass it down, with the story!

I was in the army in Vietnam carried this knife for five tours perfected it over the k -bar.

I bought an exact replica of that knife at Webbs Army and Navy store in 1974 ! I was 12 years old and my dad asked me if I was sure I wanted that knife. And I said, YES !!! I didnt like sharpening it with the stone, so I used a file with excellent results. My first fixed blade knife.

I joined the Army in ‘84. I’ve had several of these. At the time, they were like $12.95 at the PX, and I always had one on my LBE. I used this thing for anything and everything under the sun, and still have 3 or 4 of them. One caveat: mice or chipmunks love to chew the grip (if you leave it in a shed, or some outside storage!). I’ve never broken one, but I have slightly bent the blade. With care and attention these knives can be sharpened to so fine an edge as to shave the hairs off the back of one’s arm. I bought a Buckmaster at the time (I think at like $125), but I ended up giving it to my dad, and just kept the pilot’s knife.

I served in the Army, and a lot of guys carried this when in the field. It's a solid, "all around" tool.

The Army acquired some of these when I was in Ranger School, and I carried this knife for 20 years, and still use it today. Very handy design! 8-75 was the manufacture date

You are the only one who has ever described the actual intended use for the serrations on the top of the blade. Thank you.

When I was in an Air Force special operations unit in the late 1970s, I was issued one of these. It was the single most useful all-purpose knife I've used. So much so that when I had to turn it in, I bought one. It's not a fighting knife nor is it a substitute for a hand axe but it's a pretty good utility outdoor knife.

I use one as my hunting knife. You can dress out a deer, split the pelvis and breast bone then skin it. It does everything I want it to out in field. My dad was in the Air Force stationed in Thailand during 69-70 and still has his. Uses it for hunting too. Great to learn more on it.

Mine is marked 3-1967. It was made just before the safety plates were added. It was issued to me in flight school at Hunter AAF, Savanah Georgia. We carried them on the flotation gear harness (water wings) along with a strobe light and flare pen, because many training flights were over the swamps and marshes. The knife went with me to Ft. Hood and the 2nd Squadron 1st Cavalry Regiment, and finally to the 11th ACR, Air Cav Troop, RVN. I never once used it for which I am grateful. In Nam pilots wore a heavy ceramic "chicken plate" and a .38 pistol in a shoulder holster. The survival radio went in the pouch on the chest plate cover. There was no good way to carry the survival knife! Flight suits did not have a belt suitable for carrying anything. Instead, I carried an issue Camilus SS pocketknife. The steel in the fixed blade may not have been very hard, but it was easy to snap off the point by throwing the knife or using it as a tool. I reground a blunter point. Later I on, I changed the blade profile to a flat grind up to the edge of the fuller. Trading the parkerized finish for a better slicing blade. A bit of oil now and again keeps the rust away. The false edge is now sharpish. My personal opinion is that the "saw" teeth were of no practical use to the pilots of OH-6, UH-1 and AH-1 aircraft. We had a few crashes and some shoot downs, and no one ever remarked on having to use a knife to extricate themselves or someone else from an aircraft. Those of us who did carry large knives favored the Gerber Mk1, though it was a fighting knife and not a wood craft knife. I favored the M3 grease gun with extra mag that I kept strapped next to my seat.

Carried one as an A6 Intruder pilot in the early through mid 70’s, it was a part of our survival vest. It was sewn in the vest and the tip of the sheath was cut off and blunt with a metal cover. I still have my original and a couple more from subsequent survival vests. Nice piece and it has travelled many miles and hours with me.

Excellent presentation. Knife guy here. Prefer the modern version. Cut off the rubberized top and one can choke up on the knife very well. Sharpen the blade to YOUR degree of desired sharpless on an electric sharpener for a few minutes and you are good to go. If you want a jet pilot survival knife that is ready to go right out of the box, it is the Fallkniven f1. No concept of being a crew member's tool to cut out of WW2 crashed cargo planes.

I was issued one of these by the Army when I was aircrew in 1981. I absolutely loved it and bought one of my own. Unfortunately I lost it on deployment a few years later. The only complaint I had was the original bevel on the blade - it was too coarse to hold a good edge. It took me hours with a 300 grit sharpening stone to reset the bevel but once I did it held a razor sharp edge like a champ. I bought another not too long ago and did the same with it. It now lives in my hunting bag - one of the best knives I've ever owned.

My late wife carried one i bought her. She once defended a woman who was being assaulted by a man in a parking lot. The guy backed down real quick when confronted by that cold, blue steel.

It cuts nicely through sheet metal. It was designed to cut through aluminium skin like older planes (C-47 and AC-47, as examples). I have carried one for 55 years now. I traded an M-7 bayonet and 20 baht for the knife when I was in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It has problems but has done me well for years.

Thanks for your service.I too am an old retired AF guy, retiring in 2000 after serving 24 years. I held 3 AFSC’s: Aircrew Life Support Specialist, Nuclear Weapons Specialist and Ground Radio Specialist. While in Life Support I packed these knives in all the survival kits we installed on the Aircraft. Most were in individual seat kits, others were in either vests(chopper crews) or life raft survival kits. In my opinion the knives were OK for their intended use but they didn’t carry an edge well and were brittle which led them to break at unexpected times. While attending Land Survival School at Fairchild AFB my group of 8 broke 3 of the knives collecting wood for the camp fire. But those knives were from the 70’s. Hopefully the knives they’re using today are higher quality. Cheers

Thanks for your service! I was a C-130 navigator for 21 yrs. I’ve got one of those knives & it’s a tank. Truthfully I don’t carry it on me while camping & hiking, but it’s a great “truck knife”.

I have had the same knife since the early 80's at Ft Bragg NC, I was a crew chief on army aircraft, still going strong.

As a kid, I bought one at the Army/ Navy surplus store. I used it for skinning knife for rabbits and other game. Out fishing and whatever else I was doing, a good steel but not enough metal left for handle. Softer, temper but fairly easy to re-sharpen to fine edge. Just don't abuse it. I found the standard sharpen stone in scabbard works, but a flat rock or wet sandstone is better. After I joined the army, I got issued a few different knives besides the M-7 and M-9 bayonets.

Ex ROMAD here ('78-'81). We were issued those as part of our "A" bag when we went TDY. I used that thing a lot, along with my machete, to cut branches to camouflage my tent and jeep (MRC-108). I still have that knife and pull it out from time to time to reflect on those days.

I was a aircrew life support specialist in the guard and the Air Force and we put these knives in our F4 survival kits and vests. I still have a couple and to me they mean more than any other that I have.

The RAF have a version of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife model known as the "Hunter" in the survival kit that is built into the ejection seat/parachute. A really practical knife.

I have that knife, and found the hand grip very rough on the hands so i improved the comfort much by painting a coat of rubber flex seal over it.

I carried that as my primary knife in the Infantry back in 76.

I got one in 1981at Ft. Folk LA. took forever to put a SHARP edge on it. Its my first use knife in the field.

I have a Camillus from 1975, my brother has one from 1968. The Ones dating from the Vietnam era are very collectible.

I threw that knife 36 paces dead center chest high into trees the summer of 1979. It finally snapped in half the next spring. Great for throwing!

I have the same background as you and utilized my training in Antarctica for the US Navy. Got a medal and commendation for it as well. It is an emergency survival knife, not a planned survival knife. A downed aircrew-man has a set of tasks to complete, the knife was designed for that purpose. Many of the things people want the knife to do are not within the scope of how its needed or what needs to be done.

My most cherished memento from my USAF Dad when he returned from Nam "68". The handle disintegrated long ago as lost and gone as the sheath. I'll never part with it. THANK YOU for the happy trigger. In loving memory of SSGT Swafford sleeping in paradise (the Punchbowl)

I was at a auto salvage yard about 20 yrs ago, looking for a spare tire in the trunk of an old beat up station wagon, looking through trunk I found that exact knife. I took it home cleaned off all the dirt, oil. And rust, turned out to be a very good knife, best part was it was free...lol

I was issued this knife when assigned to an AWACS squadron back in the early 70's along with other survival equipment. I also carried a hawkbill that was tethered to my flight suit, it was for cutting shroud lines in a parachute if it came down on you in the water, they would drag you under if you didn't get out from under it. I had to return all the cool stuff when I was reassigned to a ground station.

My father carried a Camillius US Air Force Survival Knife in the US Army in Vietnam 1970-1971. He loved it. He bought me & my brother the same knives. He still has his!

as a pilot I loved walking thru DM boneyard. beautiful aircraft from yesteryear.

Former 3E151 here, I love mine. Been using it since 2006 when I got it in Iraq.

Great video. I got this knife from Ontario Knife Company, back in early 90's for me, as a Rover Scout I could use bigger knife when camping, instead of the classic folding ones. In 1994 to 1996 when serving my military duty in Greek armed forces, I always had it with me, though I was in armored division. Still today, that I'm Senior Scout Chief, this knife is among my first choices concerning knives 💯👍

We were given those in the Marine Corps. I was issued one in 1965 or 1966. I still have my original and sheath in excellent condition with exception to the wear from sharpening on the flats.

Was a truck driver in Nam 67-68 and had one used it everyday and still have it .

I've always wanted one but haven't gotten my hands on one yet. You have inspired me to go search one out again. I appreciate you man and thank you for representing the country.

I tend to agree with you on al aspects. The new ASEK doesn't look as cool but it is a better knife. I had heard it was able to punch through the skin and/or canopy of a helicopter. The overall shape of the knife was around way before WWII and a similar knife in the same size was being used by Army Air Crew in WWII. Another thing people don't realize is the knife was just part of the survival kit. Too often people get hung up playing Rambo and expect one knife to do everything. Good job!

A fav knife of mine in my army years and on. Originally made not far from me in Camillus, NY. I actually went to the Camillus Knife factory and talked to the foreman about this knife a few years before they closed.

Was always taught the saw was for cutting 90 degree notches quickly to improvise traps. It does work well for this.

I carried the vintage Ontario version (slightly different profile, less bow, straighter blade) for months in the real outdoors (no roads, power lines or lights in view) over the course of a couple of decades. I have always owned "better" knifes, but nothing as simple, utterly dependable, or better suited to real use without worry of damaging, breaking, or loosing it. This is my digging tool, pot lifter, fire poker, can opener, light holder, pry bar, and hammer. Mild steel makes it easy to return to a razor edge after hard use or outright abuse. In my teens I threw it regularly for a couple of years, until I was proficient. With practice you can swing it like a machete with just the pommel held in your fist between the base of your first and second fingers. This works so well with practice you can quickly chop down small trees, though I highly recommend an Ontario machete for real bushwhacking.

I remember this knife from my first duty in the 60’s to my last duty in Desert Storm. It held up very well. Over 15 years over seas, it was nice to have the correct equipment.

Was issued one during my Flight Indoctrination Training in Pensacola, 1983. Picked up another along the way. Got them packed away somewhere.

Thanks for your service. That knife was popular with the seals and recon guys in the Vietnam war. It was liked better than the kbar being shorter and easier to carry

I carried one for close to fifteen years as a guide, would still have it if it hadn't been stolen. It was/is a great knife, though with constant carry on my right flank, it would sometimes get bent to my butt curvature and need straightening-- vises are good for that. As for the "saw teeth"... not very useful but would sure scale a fish quickly or dress a hide fairly well. Also useful for shaving wood to dust for fire making. The stone wasn't much good, broke the first week I carried it and I replaced it with a steel that was better. The sheath developed a tip cut at the point so I glued on a piece of roof flashing steel to save my hands and wrist when swinging them around as I walked. Though I did own "better" blades, this one had sentimental value as an added attraction- I bought it while still in the Army in 1970. Still think about it, too, and still miss it. Darn memories...

The subject of issued survival knives came up in my household when (what else?) First Blood was first aired on network tv. My father had worked around Studies and Observations MACV in '67 out of Phu Bai, delivering intelligence gathered by Mohawk flights (he was NOT on a ground team himself, as he would hasten to point out) and surprised me by saying he saw this simple pilots' knife on returning teams as much as anything, except maybe what he called the small "saw backed pipe handle" (Randall 18?) and the ever popular Bucks. Interestingly, he rarely saw anyone going out on a chopper with a machete and was told for them cutting a trail was a huge no no.

I got to keep mine when I left the National Guard. It’s in perfect condition and I’ve put a better stone in the sharpening pouch and mink oil on the sheath. It’s razor sharp.

Videos like this show why the RU-vid option to show at speed x1.5 is required.

My mother transported ICBM's at Vandenberg AFB in '76. My father installed them in the silos during the same time. Older brother was the reason for them leaving.

I was a P-3 Flight Engineer for 15 years and a SERE Instructor for my last 5. It is as you say tempered soft. They did that so it would bend but not snap, well at SERE we had at least one of those break per class. The edge would fall off the blade as well. Maybe that is why they had the attached sharpening stone. As an aircrewman, I replaced the survival knife in my vest with the Cold Steel Master Hunter. I wanted to replace it with the SRK but the original SRK was too long. Their newer mini SRK would fit quite nicely in the sheath Which was sewn into the SV-2 Survival vest. Even back when I was flying , there were numerous knives that were much better performers during a survival situation.

Thanks! I have long wished for a good description of the knife's features. I had presumed the saw back was to cut through canopy glazing. I have an '83 Camillus, with the metal sheath stiffener. The Marine in me just kicked in--instead of a spear or throwing weapon, the knife on a stick can be used as a 'distance cutting tool' to reach and cut items just out of reach or an improvised bayonet if fending off a threat.

I was a Gunners Mate in the Coast Guard back in the 80's. We carried it as an underway knife, when we were out at sea.

I know it was your job but thank you for your service.

I appreciate and respect your review of this classic. Thank you for your service.

Awesome explanation, I own one of the Ontario versions myself. I think I paid less than $30.00 for mine on sale years ago but it is one of my favorites in my collection. You did a really good job talking about how and what it was made for. The only thing this knife was missing was that you could still get electrocuted since it didn't have an isolated handle and I believe the newer version of the Air Crew knife (Ontario ASEK) has that feature. The new ASEK also has a strap cutter that would be good for cutting through wire as you talked about in your video.

My Dad was a navy pilot in the late 70's early 80's. And his knife looked almost exactly like that.

The fuller, as included on the Marbles "Ideal" that inspired so many knives including the USMC Fighting/Utility, was to decrease drag when slicing through material. The wider groove on the AF knife shown here is closer to the "Ideal" and more effective than the narow one on the"Ka-Bar". This decrease of drag was known since ancient times as shown by the wide fuller on Viking swords, for example.

Very informative I own 2 the first I bought in the early 80s and traded away. The second I bought in the 90s because I liked my first one. Some 30 + years later my friend sent me the traded knife back ! It sits quietly in my Book Case now.

I bought one mail-order several years ago, I like it. I sharpened it up until it has a good edge on it. I keep mine in its sheath, tied onto a shoulder strap of my backpack, I had it with me on some day hikes when I was on vacation in eastern Kansas a few years back. Didn't have to use it for anything but was glad to have it along "just in case". In fact, the only time I've ever had to "use" mine for anything was when I was driving some small nails to hang some pictures and was too dang lazy to go out to the garage to get a proper hammer. I remembered the "hammer" pommel on the knife which was in my closet right next to where I was working. It did the job flawlessly as a hammer. I'm not much of an outdoorsman, but I like the knife and have NO plans to get rid of mine, one never knows when it could be VERY necessary to have one.

I flew DUSTOFF 1972-76 and used an earlyer verson. I took it with me and used it for climbing and rescue. I gave it to my grandson.

Both my father (pilot) and I (crewchief) carried this knife during our service. Bought one for myself. Some of the newer versions have some funky blade shapes at the tip compared to older designs. The blade goes dull quick, but the stone brings it back with little work.

Everyone (Including the manufacturer) calls the spine of the knife a "Sawback". However, if you compare it to other tools, its really a 'metal file' with the same profile as a common autobody file. Its just made thin enough to be on a knife spine. That file is designed to be used with a Doan Magnesium firestarter to file shavings off for fire starting. Both the US Airforce knife and Doan magnesium fire starter were specifically designed for the SAME Airforce survival kit. They were engineered to go together from the beginning. When you USE them together to make a fire, it all becomes super clear.

Great video & thank you for explaining the features of the knife....

Great experience and perspective!! I owned this knife, bought it surplus in 92. Good rough use knife with a sharpener. Thanks for your service!

We had those knives in our survival kits when I was an aircrew member, never used it. USAF 1974-2004.

I got issued one in Thailand as a security police. I still have it.

What you're calling "lashing holes" we called "lanyard holes" when I was issued this knife in the Navy . I was an aircrewman. When flying we wore survival vest that contained inflatable neck guard and floats ,heeds bottle, survival gear, flared and this knife. All pieces were attached to you/the vest so you wouldn't drop and or lose them. There was a lanyard(string) tied to the vest and to those two holes in the knife guard.

Great video my friend, thank you for sharing it. I purchased the #499 Air Force survival knife five years ago. I enjoy it very much. No problems with it. Stay safe out there. 😊

As far as Stainless goes it's not easy to get a hard enough material to hold an edge long because of the metallurgy that makes it "Stain-less". There's an added percentage of Chromium AKA Chrome, typically around 11-18%~ that's added and it's quite a bit softer than Steel. Something I learned from my old neighbor who was a machinist by trade.

I find it hard to believe the fuselage has several inches of steel. I believe it had a hard skin only. Even 1" of steel is an impressive amount of strength and weight. Several inches implies least 2 in maybe three which is crazy.

I have used one for over 50 years. Perfect hunting fishing camping outdoor knife.

Every now and then I actually learning something new - and a few things in this video today did just that - thanks!

This has become my preferred camping/hiking knife. Not too big, not too small, feels good in the hand and will get my basic tasks done. I added a dangler to the sheath so it sits a little lower

Thank you for your service! My son is currently in the same branch and working in Arizona at the boneyard. Small world

I have to agree with you about this knife, I really like mine. It's a survival knife, not a combat knife like the marine kabar. I got mine back in 1971 when I was an aircrewman for the Navy.

If you live in an area where you can legally own one, get a USMC Ka-bar. You won’t be disappointed.

I loved watching your video and reading ALL of the comments. I have that knife - the CAMILLUS version - it’s a great knife!!!

I own two of these. Great knives. Now a jarhead will swear by the K Bar and they have a good reason, it is a great knife

It could be sharpened razor sharp but the edge doesn't stay sharp long. I had three of these. Great story Sir!!

Thank you brother man for producing the video it's interesting reading the comments and how much more information that one can pick up on a particular item like this knife, thank you

Great video. Thank you for sharing your perspective and experience.

Mine is stamped Ontario 10-76. Army Issued to me in Germany in 1987ish. Remains as my primary go to the woods knife to this day.

Thanks for the informative video. I picked up one of these back in 1994. Mfg. Ontario Knife Company, 5/94. My sheath has a metal back. I always wondered what the reverse sawtooth was for, now I know thanks to you. I have never really used this much at all. Like the looks of it with it’s leather handle. I’m USAF veteran June 63-June 67. I wound up in the motor pool. In those days it was just like Sgt. Bilco. I went to RAF Lakenheath, England. Also two try’s Wheelus Air Base, Libya. Our pilots would practice booming in the desert with their F 100 fighter jets. Overall a great time for . Before I went to England, I was at Greiner Field Manchester N.H. I spent two years stateside and two years overseas. Thanks again.

Pops was a AF Survival and SERE Instructor for decades. I grew up with these all over the house! I handed them out to my CAP buddies and we’d strap em to our SAR Alice straps and think we were SO damn cool. I have 2-3 in the safe still! Good vid.

Ontario is no longer around. I would love to have one as a collector’s item.

Nice to see someone who knows about the knife and aircraft review this. Every other review I’ve seen the reviewer is talking about cutting a plane in half with it 😄.

I've had one of these since the early 80s no issues or complaints

I’ve had many of these. And I always keep two or three on hand. They make a great gift to someone just getting into the “survival” mindset.

Hey hey ... ik heb dit mes sinds 1986 ... altijd gebruikt voor BushCraft in Nederland !! (tot vandaag 2023) dank voor de video delen !!! grtz. Jannemans uit Nederland ...

I got mine as a kid in the 1970's. The guy wouldn't sell it to me unless my mom came into the shop to say it was okay. Still have it. It has the metal tab on the back. The very tip broke off a long time ago

I joined in April of 81. Went to Lowry and became a 462, 18 months at Nellis and 3 years at Torrejon. I was very homesick and decided to leave the AF. In hindsight I wish I would have stuck it out, I could have retired in 2001. I finally retired in 2021. I was a stupid kid!!!