Traditional Folding Military Knives

supratentorial said:
The military plier knife was a private purchase. The design was patented in 1900 and made before and after WWI. The "Escape Knife" is a derivative of the pattern that was issued to Special Operations, Executive (SOE) and Office of Strategic Services (OSS)

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Great Rodgers escape models!!!
 
The U.S. Military issued switchblade knives to paratroopers during and after WWII. The first models were offered by two different Schrade companies, both the "Schrade Cutlery Co." and the "George Schrade Knife Co." (using the "Presto" brand) were licensed to produce single blade military switchblade models. Paratroopers could use these knives to cut the lines of their para shoots should they get tangled up and possibly only have one arm to use. In 1958, a new military model was introduced which had a spring fired main blade and a manual opening shroud cutting blade. These new models were made by three different cutlery companies which were, "Schrade Walden" of New York, "Camillus", and "Logan / Smyth" out of Florida. All of these models from 1958 and onward were handled in orange plastic for better visibility. Enclosed is a picture of and early WWII "Presto" model and a later "Schrade Walden" model.

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Some great looking knives and photos! In 1965 the orange handled switch blade was issued to the A-Camp at Trang Sup, in Tay Ninh Province. For about two weeks all you heard was the blade being opened, as folks played with them. After that most of them were thrown into a footlocker as they were not much of a knife. John
 
herder said:
Jack, these military pictures are just captivating!!!
I look at them over and over again and always spot new details.
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Thanks my friend :) I know what you mean, I could look at them all day myself :thumbsup:

I'll try and find time this week to photograph more of my clasp knives :thumbsup:
 
herder said:
The U.S. Military issued switchblade knives to paratroopers during and after WWII. The first models were offered by two different Schrade companies, both the "Schrade Cutlery Co." and the "George Schrade Knife Co." (using the "Presto" brand) were licensed to produce single blade military switchblade models. Paratroopers could use these knives to cut the lines of their para shoots should they get tangled up and possibly only have one arm to use. In 1958, a new military model was introduced which had a spring fired main blade and a manual opening shroud cutting blade. These new models were made by three different cutlery companies which were, "Schrade Walden" of New York, "Camillus", and "Logan / Smyth" out of Florida. All of these models from 1958 and onward were handled in orange plastic for better visibility. Enclosed is a picture of and early WWII "Presto" model and a later "Schrade Walden" model.

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Great information and pics :) Those knives are in superb condition. You have an outstanding collection my friend :thumbsup:

John A. Larsen said:
Some great looking knives and photos! In 1965 the orange handled switch blade was issued to the A-Camp at Trang Sup, in Tay Ninh Province. For about two weeks all you heard was the blade being opened, as folks played with them. After that most of them were thrown into a footlocker as they were not much of a knife. John
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That's great information too John :) :thumbsup:
 
Surprised I'm just now finding this excellent thread.

Here are some made by Camillus...

Camillus World War I Marlin Spike, c.1914
CAMCO;9794668 said:
Camillus made a Marlin Spike knife for the British and Canadian Navies during WWI. This knife had bone covers, a spear blade, early style can-opener and a copper clevis. Total production was 18,062 dozen knives. This order was the first military knife contract that Camillus ever received (1914).

Tom Williams
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With World War II version which has jigged rosewood handles, a sheepsfoot blade, no can opener, and extended spring to form a screwdriver...
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Camillus Maritime Commission and Merchant Marine Sailor's Knife, c.1941-1946
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Camillus Navy and Coast Guard General Utility Knife, c.1941-1946
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USMC stamped Camillus, look closely at the second pic,its pretty lightly stamped.
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WW2 era post exchange knife
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Kutmaster pilot's parachute harness survival kit knife. I want to say that everyone talks about the fixed blade pilot's survival knife. I've seen it stated it sucked at finer cutting tasks,well in the whole system it wasn't the ONLY knife. For many years a stockman style was also included.
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Misplaced Hillbilly said:
want to say that everyone talks about the fixed blade pilot's survival knife. I've seen it stated it sucked at finer cutting tasks,
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While not in a military roll, I carried one for a bit as a member of BSA.
I can and will confirm it wasn't/isn't the greatest for finer cutting tasks.
Feather sticks, for example, were not its forte.
The "Demo" knife I had was much more useful, if y'all want to know the truth.
 
Question:
While never an official military or government issue knife, would the Buck 110 qualify?
During the 1960's and 1970's "everyone" had one, regardless of if in a combat zone, a cook, engineer, paper shuffler, mechanic, or whatever?
 
While an aerial delivery specialist, rigger, in the 101st abn, I was issued a tl29 with wood panels. We kept them with us for daily use. If broken or lost there was a box of new one's in the packing shed. All you had to do was go get a new one. Early 60's. I now have three tl29's but they all have the plastic handless. They are decent knives, maybe a little heavy to carry around in a pocket.
 
Trvr said:
I don't know much about this knife. I've seen others online claiming to be WWII era. I'd love to hear more about it if anyone knows anything. Visconti Canzo
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That's an Italian Navy Clasp Knife (like the one below), and while, like the Belgian Navy Clasp Knife, it's based on the British Army Clasp Knife of the WW2 era, it is of relatively recent provenance, and not from WW2. I'm afraid it's a bit of a mess now, with a lot of the original photos missing, but there's a Military Clasp Knife thread here :thumbsup:

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My dad’s Camillus from 1973. I saw a couple other versions of this in the thread, but with different blade shapes. I don’t know what was going on here, but the ‘tanto’ part of the blade literally isn’t sharpened. I’m just going to say it was made for prying.
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