Knife for Navy Pilot ???

D

DANGELO

Joined
Oct 20, 1999
Messages
422
My buddy leaves Saturday for Naval Flight Officer's Training School...and I was curious which knife he COULD carry, and which knife he SHOULD carry? I would like to maybe pick one up for him, and send it to him after his first 13 weeks...HELL ON EARTH from what I have heard...


Steve in NYC

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What we do today in life...echoes in eternity...
Every man dies...not every man lives...
 
The Fallkniven F1 and S1 have both been tested and approved by the Navy. I do not know if they will be issued though. As far as what he CAN carry, that will be up to the commands of the Flight School (when he is there) and the command of his permanant duty station. See this link for info.
http://www.fallkniven.com/f1bls1bl-us.htm


[This message has been edited by det (edited 03-08-2001).]
 
I'm just guessing, but I'm sure they issue some type of survivial knife, although maybe it's part of the aircraft's kit (as part of the ejection seat), not the pilot's.

A small, light folder couldn't hurt.

Delica
Native
KFF
Mirage

Maybe a multi-tool ?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RH:
I'm just guessing, but I'm sure they issue some type of survivial knife, although maybe it's part of the aircraft's kit (as part of the ejection seat), not the pilot's.</font>
Click to expand...
Some air forces include a scalpel or the like in the seat's emergency pack, but all I know of include a knife in the equipment worn. For example you may need it to cut parachute cords if you end up under the parachute in water.
In the USN/USMC the knife is carried in a pocket on the survival vest, in the Swedish air force it's carried in a thigh pocket (see my web page on the F1 for an image of the sheath used).

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Urban Fredriksson www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
 
Hi Dan... Randall makes a great knife, and it is called the Combat Companion. I don't know the model number, but it has a 5" blade.

Good luck!

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BC... For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know... Semper Fi
 
Can't go wrong with a Spyderco Military!

[This message has been edited by mnblade (edited 03-09-2001).]
 
The only time your friend will actually need his knife for official purposes during his time in Pensacola is during the week of survival training. This comes well after AOCS (and even after AI, for that matter), so you have some time. Take a look at the Camillus at the bottom of this picture:

cam-mil-fixed-500.jpg


The 5733 is the knife he will be issued (in the sheath below it which is also pictured). I would recommend purchasing something of a similar size. Corrosion resistant, non reflective blades are a plus also. Good luck!

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Semper Fi

-Bill

[This message has been edited by Bronco (edited 03-09-2001).]
 
Let me start by saying that I'm a Navy pilot and the knife mentioned by Bronco is indeed the issue knife (although Ontario currently has the contract). There are also several knifes that are authorized to replace the issue knife. Among these are the Fallknivens mentioned (F1 and S1 black blades), the BM Nimravus (model 140SBT) and SOG Seal Pup. You may be able to get what ever squadron he ends up in (after flight school) to pay for the knife. However, that squadron may want to keep it to issue to somebody else after he leaves that squadron since they paid for it.
I bought a Fallkniven F1 prior to it being approved by the Navy (and prior to the black bladed S1 being available). I recommend either Fallkniven knife. The other two I mentioned have partially serrated blades, which I don't like as much. That is purely a personal thing. I would also recommend a concealex sheath by Eric of On Scene Tactical. He is known as Normark here on the forums. Top notch product and service. When your friend carries the knife with his vest though it will be in the sheath for the issue knife since that sheath is sewn into the vest.

You can carry other knives, but then you still have to carry the offical issue knife and there isn't much room in the vest as it is.

As far as a folder goes, there are some authorized for carry, but again he may not be able to take it with him when he transfers. I'm not sure what folders are authorized off hand, but I carry an Outdoor Edge Impulse in my flight suit every day whether I'm flying or not. It is not tied into my vest (everything even your fixed blade is tied in so you won't loose it even if you drop it). Other popular folders seem to be Leathermen (or something similar), SAK's, benchmades, and gerbers. There is nothing regulating what I have in my flight suit pockets. Anything too big and it would be uncomfortable. Of course anything you pay for you keep.

I hope that helps.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Seahawk:
Let me start by saying that I'm a Navy pilot and the knife mentioned by Bronco is indeed the issue knife (although Ontario currently has the contract). .... When your friend carries the knife with his vest though it will be in the sheath for the issue knife since that sheath is sewn into the vest.</font>
Click to expand...

Hey Seahawk, you're current aircrew; right? I'm just wondering if the sewn in thing is new. Last time I was flying was about 3 years go, and they didn't at that time sew the sheath in, at least in the SV-2's that we were wearing. Same knife and sheath, and it WAS tied, but not sewn. Just curious.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Seahawk:
You can carry other knives, but then you still have to carry the offical issue knife and there isn't much room in the vest as it is.</font>
Click to expand...

As part of your personal 5 lbs? Or whatever weight? When I was flying, I carried a BM Ascent tied into one of the pockets of my suit. Definitely a good idea to keep it tied in, because for sure when you most need it it's going to be a time when you are in a situation where it's the hardest to hold onto.

IMO, while the fixed blade is a good idea, and you also have the line cutter, I wanted to make sure I had a one-handed folder that I KNEW exactly where it was for an emergency. I DEFINITELY recommend a folder, and let the Navy issue the rest.

Incidentally, I understand the Spydie Endura was looked favorably on by the USN, at the same place that approved the Fallknivens.


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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 03-10-2001).]

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 03-10-2001).]
 
Rock Spyder: I'm still current and my sheath has been sewn into my SV-2 as long as I've had it (11yrs). If you get any other knife other than an authorized replacement it counts as part of your 5lbs optional gear. I looked up the message listing the authorized replacement knives and it specifies that these knives will fit in the current sheath. I also emailed Peter Hjortberger of Fallkniven and he said that the navy hasn't asked them for sheathes.

As for the folders, here are the authorized folders:
Gerber: Applegate-Fairbain, Chameleon, Gator 06909
Benchmade: AUTO-STRYKER 9100SBT, AFO 9053SBT
Mission knives: MPF-1
SOG Knives: Pentagon Elite

The advantage here, you may be able to get the Navy to pay for it. The disadvantage is you may not be able to keep it. If you want to get a fixed blade, I'd get one of the authorized ones so you don't have the extra weight and bulk of the issue knife. You can buy it or get the Navy to do it. I'd also get whatever folder you want and tie it into your flight suit, NOT your vest. I knew a guy in one of my old squadrons whose vest had gotten caught on something while he was trying to get out of a sinking helicopter. He had to take the vest off to get out (everybody got out of that one).

Rock Spyder: Are you still in or did you transfer to CIVLANT?
 
Seahawk, unfortunately I never was actually "in". My eyes were too bad to be a pilot, and I didn't want to wind up in surface warfare, or worse, subs. But, I work at the place that is touted as the "approving" organization in the latest Fallkniven ads, and have, off and on, been in flying billets. As a civilian. Obviously get to work very closely with you guys, though. And like most of the civilians that I work with, we're pilot wannabees.

Just went back and looked at your message... it sounds like you got into Naval Aviation about the time I showed up here. If you ever have the opportunity to fly into Patuxent River NAS, let me know.

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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 03-10-2001).]
 
my best friend is a crew chief (civilian defense contractor) at randolph AFB in san antonio tx - he said every 1of the pilots there carry a spyderco delica - every 1 of them!!! dont know why - are they issue? but he said none carried any custom stuff, just the spdie and the std USAF survival sheath knife on vest.......

vet
 
Rock Spyder: If I ever head up that way, I'll drop you a line. If you work at the "approval" agency, do you get to test them?

Deangelo: What did you decide for your bud? Just curious.
 
I think he will be issued with a 1095 steel 5" model by Camillus. Get a D2 tool steel Ka Bar knife. Better all round IMHO. SEVEN inch blade, better rust resistance 2" of serrations for cutting belts etc. Great sheath. Oh and its a Ka Bar so no hairy eyeballs!
smile.gif


W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
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A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Seahawk:
Rock Spyder: If I ever head up that way, I'll drop you a line. If you work at the "approval" agency, do you get to test them?</font>
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, no. That was probably done in aircrew systems. I work more directly with "platforms."

Feel free to email me directly if you have more questions, Seahawk.

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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi

[This message has been edited by rockspyder (edited 03-13-2001).]
 
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