Knife for Flight Suit thigh pocket

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HIcarry

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I am looking for information on knives that will fit the left inside thigh pocket of the standard flight suit. Also any information on the "standard" or "recommended" knife from any of the armed services that use flight suits would be appreciated as well.

It can be a folder, but I would like info on fixed blades as well. As an FYI, the general dimentions of the pocket is 1.75 x 6.75 inches.

Thanks for any help.
 
HIcarry,

Out of idle curiosity, how come? Is this historical or current issue or what's best for me?

Traditionally a small switchblade with a riser line cutter was issued to flight personnel. They weren't he best made knives in the world, but the shroud cutter worked (I always thought that it was very odd that the shroud cutter wasn't he switchblade part).

Today there are a number of automatic knives with NSNs that can be carried. Unfortunately none of them seem to have learned that the line cutter is the most important part to have button activated (broken/tangled arm with the other hand free) if you're dangling from a tree.

As to the broader question of what will fit in the pocket, just about any 4" folder.
 
X large Cold steel voyager . should fit and will handel your cutting needs.
In a fix blade The little AF survial Knife (MIni K bar ) we were issued in Nam would take a beating and could be sharpened easy.
A small fixblade hunting knife .
 
HSO:

It is mostly for my current needs but the historical aspect of it was interesting because of the difficulty I had finding any references to what was generally used inthe past.

My situation: I am part of a team that is not associated with the military but are considered intermittant federal employees when we get called to assist with aeromedical transports. My last mission was to Midway in a CG C-130 and enroute we had a secondary mission assigned to drop some medications over Kure, which didn't have a runway that would accomodate the aircraft. Since starting these flights, I have wondered what went into that thigh pocket, and after learning it was for a "survival knife" I began looking into a suitable one for myself. I found the rather small dimentions of the pocket seemed to severely limit the choices, especially for fixed blades since my assumption is that it would be wise to use a sheath. But, the dimentions of any sheath generally exceed those of the pocket and therefore excluded most knives from consideration. With those limitations in mind, I thought I would ask here as I know there are many with military experience and are generally a bunch of smart guys (and gals).

Although the possibility of using it after jumping exists, (now I gotta ask where the parachutes are...) the more likely scenario is having to cut seatbelts and aluminnum skin of the aircraft during egress after some kind of ditching. My consideration of a fixed blade was based on my assumption it would be just a little stronger for cutting the skin of the aircraft and that one less task (opening the blade) would be a plus. As it is now, I generally carry two folders (one a Benchmade auto) as well as a multitool.

For the others who offered suggestions, thanks as well.

I am still leaning toward a fixed blade and like the Gerber LMF and the ASEK Aircrew Survival. I will probably use the web cutter that comes with both to stow in the pocket and then just strap the fixed blade somewhere, but am still quite open to suggestions from those with more experience and knowledge than I.

Thanks for the info.

Aloha
 
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This is what they looked like. I have one a friend gave to me still in the issue paper.

ItemGraphicA731.gif
 
HSO,

Thanks! At least now I know what they looked like. I can see what you mean about the riser line cutter. Looks like it would definitely be difficult to open with one hand.
 
HI, I have one, keep it in the collectables box.

I think your instincts about the fixed blade are correct. The C 130 guys here tend (of the few I've seen) towards multi-tools and medium sized fixed blades. Rat-3 seems popular.
 
HIcarry, the knife with the orange handles shown by hso is indeed the switchblade issued to Air Force pilots. I was issued one in 1970. It fit in the thigh pocket of the flight suit and we had a little card saying we were authorized to carry them. They were real neat but actually a piece of junk. The tip of the blade often stuck out a little when the knife was closed. The knife sometimes wouldn't open or would stick part way. The blade wobbled and was dull. Real junk. If you want to get a knife for that pocket any good folder about 4" overall will work fine, much better than the original. Something that you can operte with one hand, like a Benchmade 940. As far as a fixed blade goes, the UK Remora might work. Most fixed blades will be way too big for that pocket. http://www.uwkinetics.com/product/41
 
It fit in the thigh pocket of the flight suit and we had a little card saying we were authorized to carry them.
Click to expand...

It was OK to carry the 24-megaton H-bombs without the card, though.

They were real neat but actually a piece of junk. The tip of the blade often stuck out a little when the knife was closed. The knife sometimes wouldn't open or would stick part way. The blade wobbled and was dull. Real junk.
Click to expand...

Of course knives are very complicated, so it's no wonder that the Air Force couldn't buy a usable model. I'm sure they evaluate the simple, low-tech H-bombs and ECM equipment just fine.

Everyone does have a well-stocked basement shelter and hand-cranked air supply, right?
 
Everyone does have a well-stocked basement shelter and hand-cranked air supply, right?
Click to expand...
And aluminum foil for hats! :p

Cold Steel's spike series comes with really dinky sheaths. You could grind one down even more.. it's kydex :)

I have one at home, where I'm not, otherwise I'd go measure mine for you.
 
Scuba Knife

Well, most of them won't fit into the thigh pocket, but I've found that for a boot or belt knife, the utility of a chisel-point diver's knife is pretty handy. Many of them have a serrated edge on part of the blade, and they come in various configurations. Many of them also have a 'line cutter' notch in them.

I'm not saying it would be the best suited - but they are pretty handy for general purposes, come in lots of flavors, and I wouldn't rule them out if I were looking for such a blade.
 
The Ox Forge Black knife is the real deal. They are out there for $130 thru the GSN #. You can find them as a civvie for less than $200. They make the other auto knives (Micro Techs, ect.) look like the old issued Cammillus .
 
The best knife to have for flying is a one handed opening switchblade. It is not the most rugged or versatile knife, but it allows quick and sure deployment of a cutting instrument.
If you jump out of a plane with a chute on your back, and you get a tangled line or have other problems and need to cut a line to deploy your backup chute or something similar, you need to be able to accomplish it quickly with one hand. You may be spinning, and only have a short time of consciousness. You don't have time to fumble with the knife, try to pull a blade out, rely on centrifugal force to open it (you may be spinning) etc. At the same time it should be small and convenient while doing normal activites. You don't want something that can open too easily when you are working, banging around in turbulance etc Assisted openers, loose folders etc can be much worse than a switchblade.


That said, it is against federal law to take a switchblade across state lines. So unless it is a short flight, then you will be breaking the law with such a knife.
Switchblades are also illegal in your state of Hawaii.

In light of the laws I would lean towards a fixed blade. A blade with a line cutter that is large enough to get around the cords necessary would be a good idea.
As mentioned SCUBA knives will often be setup to do the necessary tasks. They are designed with divers getting tangled in fishing line and similar things in mind.
SCUBA knives though are usualy of a softer more corrosion resistant alloy. So not the best blades for lots of work.
 
I'm in the process of retraining from B-52 maintenance to C-130 flight engineer. My initial equipment issue didn't include any knives. The loadmaster students were issued el cheapo S&W folders for cutting loose webbing and parachutes on air drops. I carry a leatherman charge but it is hard to pull out of that thigh pocket. I ordered a BM 8 Hook for a parachute shroud line cutter. http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?m. It should fit nicely into that pocket. Anyway I don't think it'll matter. They stopped loading parachutes on C-130s on training or CONUS flights as a cost-cutting measure.:uhoh:

As for hacking my way through the fuselage I'm sure that it'll be broken up into lots of separate pieces after the crash. If not there's always the crash ax mounted on the bulkhead.
 
Hey Stratomole,

Congrats on the upgrade. You'll be missed on the flightline. Just as the AF is going back to a semi-SAC. As a loadmaster, the main piece of equipment you'll need is a real good thermos! The AF motif of the Kershaw Junkyard Dog and Junkyard Dog II is ideal for flyers, not to mention they are mighty fine knives as well. Check them out.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions:

stratomole: I ordered a BM 8 Hook for a parachute shroud line cutter. http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?m. It should fit nicely into that pocket. Anyway I don't think it'll matter. They stopped loading parachutes on C-130s on training or CONUS flights as a cost-cutting measure.

As for hacking my way through the fuselage I'm sure that it'll be broken up into lots of separate pieces after the crash. If not there's always the crash ax mounted on the bulkhead.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find a reference to the Benchmade "BM 8" and the link you provided said it couldn't find it either. But, I suspect you meant the Model 8 rescue hook ( http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=8 ). I looked at those, as well as those made by Gerber and will likely get one or the other. As far as not needing to be able to cut out of a fuselage, I disagree. While it may be broken up, there is always the possibility the section you are in may require breeching the skin because of fire or debris blocking your egress. Just a couple of weeks ago I attended a memorial service for 4 CG members who died in a helicopter accident (I had flown missions with two of them...) and I believe one was trapped inside despite a non-intact fuselage. Whether he was alive or not after impact with the water, or whether he would have survived had he been able to cut the fuselage is debatable, but it does demonstrate that you may still get stuck in some of the pieces....

As for the parachutes, as I mentioned, I now have to ask about them having not really thought about it until now, but by definition all of my flights are outside CONUS and over water and all of our "training" has been OJT.

Zoogster: I looked at (actually have a couple of them) some of the divers knives...some look good for the purposes I need, but like you mentioned, the steel often used makes them a less desirable choice.

Gordon: Nice, but I have an auto already...not that I couldn't use another....

Moxie: I like my Benchmade auto...the UK knife looks interesting. I always take my thermos along...of course that might be because most of the calls seem to come late at night...

Al Thompson: I was looking at those as well. Seems like a good knife.

Pax Jordana: While I like the looks and functionality of them, the overall length exceeds the pocket dimentions, so even if the sheath fit, the snap securing it wouldn't close and therefore the risk of the knife/sheath falling out wouldn't make it an ideal choice. Neat knives tho...
 
If you can find one..

A Camillus Cuda Maxx, especially with the clip removed, carries perfectly in that pocket tip down. The "flippers" that form the guard when open align the knife in the pocket. I'm fully confident that that knife will cut any kind of webbing you'll find on a C-130 and sheet aluminum as well.
 
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