WWII air crew survival machetes

hso · Jul 25, 2021

In addition to the earlier fixed air crew machetes

folding machetes were included for downed flyers

While you may have seen these slab sided folding machetes by Case or Camillus, the molded poly handled Imperials are more comfortable.

I have a fixed Case and a folding Camillus, but am still looking for the Imperial.

bikerdoc · Jul 25, 2021

Never saw one before.
Interesting design, without compromising utility.

jmr40 · Jul 25, 2021

I have one of the Case version in the top photo. I had an Uncle who served in the Navy during WW-2. I assume it is a souvenir that he kept when discharged. Found it in his stuff when we cleaned out his house after his death. Mine still as the metal cover that goes over the blade. Similar to the one shown in the bottom photo.

FL-NC · Jul 25, 2021

I have seen those over the years at gun shows, but never knew what the deal was with them.

mokin · Jul 25, 2021

I'm kind of in a similar boat as FL-NC. I saw a fixed blade tool at a gun show - and heard quite a tale regarding it, but not a folding handle. Those are pretty cool.

Barry the Bear · Jul 26, 2021

Wow you learn something new everyday I had no idea these existed. Why would you want a forward leaning blade?

rust collector · Jul 26, 2021

I owned one of the folders with the metal guard and bakelite handle. I believe it was a Camillus. It was in the box and had the sheet metal guard, but the nickel or poor chrome was flaking off the guard/bolster, and it was a rather crudely made item. I am fascinated by some military items, but this was just something I picked up because it was unusual, and some years later it was traded away. The blade shape seemed to be an unfortunate compromise.

JShirley · Jul 26, 2021

Barry the Bear said:
Why would you want a forward leaning blade?

Shifts balance forward for greater chopping ability per blade length: same reason a kukuri angles forward.

John

Barry the Bear · Jul 26, 2021

JShirley said:
Shifts balance forward for greater chopping ability per blade length: same reason a kukuri angles forward.

John

Ok that makes sense, thanks for clarifying

hso · Jul 26, 2021

Most traditional machetes have a forward balance for that reason.

dh1633pm · Jul 28, 2021

My daughter lives in Camillus. It is in the Syracuse area. Those are unique designs.

Ranger99 · Jul 28, 2021

An older coworker that was in the
tail of korea and the front part of
SE asia said the aircrew folding machetes
were blunt so as not to puncture
inflatable life vests and rafts

Back when there were lots of surplus
stores in this region, they all had
beaucoup of those machetes in
question. Lots of stuff like that could
be had cheap

WWII air crew survival machetes

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