[bow4828]

My cousin is being deployed to Iraq as a chopper pilot.I want to make sure He has a good blade.I am looking at benchmade Nimvarus,SOG Seal pup,and varous folders.My question is Fixed blade or folder?

[perpster]

I believe that this is the US military standard issue to Air Force pilots, IIRC. You can get the milspec version for less than $50 online.

http://ontarioknife.com/milissue.html (scroll down)

I wish him well.

Edited to Add: For a folder, maybe the Ritter/Benchmade Folding Survival Knife
http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk1.htm

[bow4828]

I figured they were issued something similar.I want to Up-grade:) A blade is You're last line of defense,so make it good.

[El Tejon]

bow, I purchased one of those multi-tools for a son of a friend of mine who graduated from Annapolis last year. He loves it and says he uses a lot more than a regular knife.

Just an idea.:)

[zerosignal]

Yup, the 499 is the basic issue survival knife for our pilots (USAF). It's mainly meant to cut through sheet metal in the event of a crash, and not so much for actual survival.

It's a pretty good knife for what it costs, but the tip is quite thin and prone to breakage in a adverse environment.

[bow4828]

What about the SOG Sealpup Elite?It has a beefeir blade than the std.Kinda looking at that Of The Benchmade Nimvarus.IThe benchmade is better steel.

[armymp119]

I have a blackwater knife that I took over there and beat the hell out of it and it just keep coming back for more!

[Valkman]

Here ya go :D

http://www.darkopsknives.com/photo/11.jpg

The 911 designation isn’t for the emergency call, it’s to remind its user of the enemy we face, the war we fight, and the heroes who fight it! With the subdued 9/11 Tribute limited edition nomenclature on it’s blade, the operator carries with him a visible reminder of the Americans lost and the heroic efforts of those who take arms in defense of liberty. Blade design offers a combination spear/tanto point with the best attributes of both. CTV2 steel, an intimidating blade length in excess of eight inches, hollow grind and v-chisel sharpened edge make the Interceptor 911 an incredibly effective fighting tool. The Interceptor 911 E&E offers further enhancements for real-time escape and evasion activities. It includes a patent pending Splitter Hilt™ which provides for cutting away harnesses and overhead cables. Backsaw is optimized for cutting through plexiglass aircraft canopies or helo windows. The choil-notch doubles as both a bottle opener and peacemaker-its’ deployment and use is a great bar fight deterrent in exotic third world locales. Extended serrations aid underwater cutting efforts. Hilt ports provide additional attachment points for paracord in survival situations. Window-breaker in pommel. Notch design allows prybar style mechanical advantage for entry through aluminum vehicle rooftops. Expander tip provides expanded entry-wound channel. Like all Dark Ops blades, the CTV2 steel will last for decades! The most advanced fixed blade fighter in service today. 100% made in America! Black Titanium CarboNitride (TiCN) vacuum deposited finish.

What more could a guy need? :barf:

[Rupestris]

What more could a guy need? :barf:

:D LOL!

Lets see 'em do this with their wondersteel CTV2
http://216.69.138.190/images/eric/torture.jpg

[TrapperReady]

Lets see 'em do this with their wondersteel CTV2


I didn't know Clark was testing knives now. ;) :D

[ecos]

Don when you posted that knife pic in another thread i thought it was just about the most ridiculous thing ive seen....and boy did that description add to it! :p

bow4828,
i would suggest getting a fixed blade if he has room for it. less things to go wrong in an emergency situation.

[bow4828]

I am leaning that way.Only problem...when i looked at the BM and Seal pup,I was thinking or woodland survival.I did not think about extraction from a damaged airframe.

[MICHAEL T]

not a whole lot of woods in Iraq Fixed blade for getting out of down aircraft. H2H least of worry. Little Airforce knife was what I was issued in Nam and served me well in many tasks. Was never shot down so can't say how it work that way. That and a good muli tool should serve him well..

[Johnny Guest]

What more could a guy need? Perhaps a knife that's not configured to hang up in the sheath, cockpit edges, hatches, seat straps, parachute harness, suspension lines, survival vest, load bearing gear, and Aunt Emily's bustle.

Please clarify that the little :barf: symbol means you aren't making a serious suggestion.

Many thanks
Johnny

[Valkman]

Johnny, I'm a knifemaker. What do you think?

For the future, anytime I mention Dork Ops I am not seriously suggesting anyone actually buy one. Unless you get in bar fights in third world locales, that is. :p

[perpster]

My EDC is 2 knives:

1. the folding Ritter Survival Knife (RSK) I linked in previous post

2. Leatherman New Wave multitool

Like someone posted before, the multitool gets extensive use, often when least expected. The folding survival knife is not used for anything but things the Wave can't handle. In other words, the RSK hasn't been used on anything yet. The RSK is robust, S30V steel, axis-locked, designed by a survival expert (Doug Ritter) for survival and made by a knife expert (Benchmade). It is similar to the Benchmade Griptillian but enhanced for survival functions. A Special Forces friend of mine carefully examined my RSK and said he would have no concerns using it for H2H--it's got the needed features for a combat knife.

If I am out in the field I also carry the USAF/Ontario Survival Knife (and sometime the longer, more bayonet/dagger-like Glock Survival Knife but only because I already spent my money on it and 2 is 1 and 1 is none). If you read Ritter's web pages on survival knives you'll see that he much prefers a fixed blade, but designed the folder with Benchmade because he didn't see any folders offered that met his criteria for a survival folder.

Ritter's Fixed Blade picks, with links to each (2004): http://www.equipped.org/devices8.htm

Ritter's Chapter on knives for pilots/survival (don't miss the chapter links at bottom of page, or just keep using the Next Page link at bottom of each page): http://www.equipped.org/devices4.htm

I hope this helps.

[bow4828]

I have a Cold Steel SRK.Think that would be adequate?

[ghost squire]

The Fallkniven A1. It is tougher then any Strider and cheaper to boot. I have no doubt it could chop its way out of a heli.

[gremlin_bros]

i can only add my personell openion and that is one word coldsteel and pick one of the many knives they offer you cant go wrong. personaly i love my bushman and the folders are some of the toughest knives and locks i have ever seen you can get the video "more proof" free from thier web site and see just what any one of thier knives will take. i do have a few custome made/modified knives that cold steel just hasent improved on yet but those are few.

[Dave Markowitz]

Check out the Becker Companion or Crewman, plus a good multitool. Beckers are good knives and are reasonably priced. I have a Becker Combat Utility 7 that I like quite a bit. If I was climbing in and out of aircraft I'd want the Companion or Crewman, which are a couple inches shorter, though.

[bow4828]

Thanks All.He said that it was covered.We'll see if that changes once He gets on the ground.
Bow4828 out...

[Pilot]

I carry a Fallkniven F1 (fixed blade) when flying. Like this one:

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6815

I also have Leatherman multitool in my flight bag and either a Benchmade 710, 551, or Lone Wolf T2 Harsey (all folders) in my pocket.

I switched to the F1 as its a bit smaller and lighter than the Ontario/Spec Plus Air Force knife. While its nice to have a "survival kit" in the plane, anything not attached to you is just baggage.

[Pilot]

when i looked at the BM and Seal pup,I was thinking or woodland survival.I did not think about extraction from a damaged airframe.

That's my first thought. Surviving a forced landing and getting out of the aircraft. All else is secondary. I want a fixed blade that can cut through aluminum or punch through plexiglass first. Fires start fast and 100LL aviation gas (which is in my plane) is highly volatile, more so than JP5. A good fixed blade like the F1 on your person and a good folder like the BM 710 clipped inside your pocket should take care of most needs in the field.

[qwik]

sharp real sharp :D

[Sgt Stevo]

Cold steel tanto is what i carried for two tours. I was infantry, not a flyer.

But It would not break, Cheaper as well. And it has a handy Hard thingy on the butt for breaking stuff.

[tegemu]

During Nam, Randall Knives were very popular. They probably wouldn't sell too well today. They were just a plain jane, superbly manufactured, extremely utilitarian, rugged knife made like a standard hunting knife, like the famous K-Bars that many of us carried. Those who owned them pretty well cherished them and were envied by many. Today it seems that if it does not have some "Tacticool, whiz bang Ninja sounding name" and all sorts of odd protrusions and weird blades, it is totally ignored by so many. If a Randall is not available the K-bar does just fine and is hard to beat. Randall is still making those fabulous knifes. See www.randallknives.com or www.kabar.com .

[Lee Woiteshek]

I am not a combat pilot. Nor a pilot of any sort. Having said that, of all the choices listed I would also pick the Randall. They actually make an "Airman" model with sawteeth that are strong enough to cut through an airframe. The military users of these knives have actually had to cut through their aircraft to escape/survive. Down side is the wait on these knives last I heard was four years. Ebay is your (expensive) friend. Get the stainless/sawteeth/double guard with commando handle. He will give this knife to his grandson. I always own at least one Randall, they are that good.

[RoyG]

LMF II ASEK, Tan Handle, w/Safety Knife, Combo, Nylon Sheath (http://www.covecutlery.com/detail.cfm?sku=1400&SectionCode=KNIVES&BrandCode=GERBER&Family=LMF%20II&CategoryID=43)

http://productimages.moteng.com/1400.jpg

Deal of the Day 29 March 2006
Over 45% OFF

SKU: 1400
Features a 4.84 in. 12C 27 steel black blade and a 5.75 in. Coyote brown textured Kraton handle. Comes complete with a molded plastic and nylon sheath that holds the safety knife as well. Holes through the blade and handle allow lashing to specific gear. Window breaker/skull crusher handle end. Soft rubber over-molding on the main sheath to reduce noise. Butt cap is physically separated from the tang by handle substrate for shock absorption amd electrical isolation. Includes safety knife.

Regular Price: $136.06
Discount Price: $74.83

[MD_Willington]

Multi-Tool...

This is what the Canadian guys/gals in Afghanistan are packing...
http://www.army.gc.ca/Chief_Land_Staff/Clothe_the_soldier/hab/2/28_e.asp

Not sure if they issue these to the US troops...

[kayl]

The LMF II is a great knife, check la police gear for a great deal!

[Sixtigers]

I can tell you what our pilots carry (I work in a Navy Hornet Squadron):

The PRs give 'em a very, very nicely made Benchmade switchblade. This is a pretty big knife, side opening automatic, I'd put the blade at 4-5". Black synthetic grips. Very good quality: No shakes, wiggles, or looseness...when that thing springs open and locks, it kicks a bit, and the blade is tight.

I've been trying to talk one out of 'em for years now, but they're strictly controlled and serialized. Broken units are sent back to Benchmade for repair.

The knives have to be turned in at end of flight.

[oldways]

Bark River Bravo 1 and a Leatherman.