JavaScript is disabled. J63: Army Parachutist Knife. Among the "bright" finished knives you will find a variance. Quality knives and tools with lowest prices. Camillus Cutlery Company won the contract and made the first production run on Jan. 27, 1943. The Newer one is by Camillus the older one I got given to by my uncle, who got it from someone in Vietnam. Consequently, the knife blade being reduced from six inches to five inches allowed it to retain some of the qualities necessary to carry out survival tasks, but small enough that it could be easily stowed on an aircrewmans vest without causing interference for aircrews trying to carry out their duties while flying. Co., Olean N.Y.Straight lineNilFrom 1909Union Cut. To recuperate some of the money that they had spent producing blades and knife components, Marble offered a civilian version of the knife to the public in 1961. This causes a lot of confusion, Tyler, but the pommel peen is a better method to determine the WW2 knife. In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. Dont expect to find an expert that will date your knife for free. [emailprotected], Thanks for letting me know that, Murphy. Anything you can tell me about its history? Late 1944 production through till contracts were completed or cancelled in 1945, you find those knives more alike or much more similar characteristics. It is knives like these that make some people on the outside question why Case knives are so expensive when they are just a great value for their money. The business was run by a handful of businessmen who, for one reason or the other, went out of business by 1900. If you would like, I could send you a photo of this knife. Camillus 1996 Combination Folding Knife USN $24.99 1 bid $5.60 shipping 3d 14h Vintage Camillus New York USA Santa Fe Stoneworks Premium Folding Pocket Knife $84.99 Was: $99.99 or Best Offer SPONSORED Vintage 4 Blade CAMILLUS 1981 USA Military Survival Pocket Knife - SKU 1617 metal tip protectors. The knife went through a couple of different vendors over its life cycle. Surplus stores will purchase them in bulk through U.S. Government auctions, collectors will buy them at auctions, military museums will display them, and they will continue to be available for purchase on the internet. Camillus produced the knife with a 6-inch blade from 1959-1961. I have a one of the knives that came out of a survival kit. Both have leather grips. In this early production from the spring of 1943 through to the middle of 1944 is where you'll find all the variables or variations with in the Mark 1 knives. Probably not a Pro-Tec pointed dagger, but it's real novel. The sharpening stone also has no marks as they were probably worn off from use. The Air Force Survival Knife was introduced to the commercial market by Marble after not being awarded the DoD contract to supply the new survival knife to the military. It was common for everything in a survival vest to have a lanyard. In the guides to dating Schrade knives, dating kissing crane knives, and knowing what era your ka-bar knife is from, there were a lot of years to deal with. Camillus clearly had skinning in mind with this knife. The others that I've seen have the later arched tang stamp. In the end, it proved to be a logistical nightmare, however, Robeson did make the switch. Look at these two knives in the photo below. Interesting article. This initial fabrication met the basic outlined requirements what the Navy wanted, with the approval of the drawing, we then begin to see the application of the applied property marks which are simply USN on the ricasso. I have sent you an email to see how I may be able to help. The blade not adopted had a flat blade with plastic Resinox pommel. The knife was probably modified by a previous owner. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. I just want to know its history. The design features for this knife came about through various inputs from servicemembers, survivability researchers, and training developers. Leather washers handle with a heavy round pommel and slightly curved guard; all parts are perfectly tight with no play. I know my knives - maybe not as well as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for you. I like that, but cannot figure out what type of knife that may be. But if its an Asian imitation then its hard to determine when it was made. Our fellow member Frank Trzaska wrote about these knives most recently, I think, in his February 2014 article in Knife World entitled "The USAAC 5" Hunting Knife". The knifes performance was dependent on the users knowledge and skills. Here are some ways to identify a fake Camillus knife: The tang stamps are all over the place; There is a mix of lower and uppercase letters; The font is a bit off; Short and curved false edge (as opposed to the long sweeping false edge of the WWII knife) Scabbards are marked with Eagle, Globe and Anchor I may also be able to confirm if the knife was a gift from my uncle who worked on helicopter camera equipment in the Vietnam war. Even if the Ontario Knife Company discontinues their production and the DoD phases them out of their inventories, the knife will be around for commercial purchase. You could find either the USMC or USN MK2 marking on the knife. WW2 CAMILLUS *Air Force* Folding Machete Survival Knife w/Guard $79.00 20 bids $12.50 shipping Ended USMC US M3 Case 1943 Fixed Blade Fighting Knife Stacked Leather Handle & Sheath $314.00 14 bids $15.49 shipping 3d 5h U.S. M-1 GARAND / HANDLE SCALES and PARTS ( See Discription ) $17.50 2 bids $13.17 shipping Ended Adolph Kastor, the founder of the Camillus cutlery company, came to the U.S.A at the age of 14. selected. repro has a very short and sharply curved false edge. Knife #1 and #2 were never found in the factory collection years ago, this M4 Bayonet Production Aerial Cutlery Company: 91,898 Camillus Cutlery Company: 332,698 W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.: 224,764 Imperial Knife Company: 917,894 Kinfolks, Inc: 119,702 Pal Blade Company: 268,000 Utica Cutlery Company: 515,000 The primary document that describes the various features of the Air Force Survival Knife is Military Specification MIL-K-8662 (16 October 1953). I have one but cant find anything about it. Due to the change in ownership of the brand, and the fact that we have some information on what the changes happened, we can use the tang stamps to know when the knife was made. Now that you have established the ka-bar knife and got the markings to know what kind of issue it is, how about knowing if it is a WW2 knife or not? Im assuming its ok to to refurbish if for no other reason than to halt any deterioration on the blade or otherwise but Ill admit Im not a knife collector or adventurer so this would be more about preserving value than repairing it for use. Kent Stagged Rosewood with steel rivets, same as above. The knife was originally designed in 1957 as a joint issue between the Navy Weapons Bureau and the Marbles Arms Company. As a flight equipment Marine. I viewed the ransacked show room Kent Sportsman's knife with stagged Rosewood grips and Otherwise, it would be much easier to go through their files to find out which Ka-bar knives were made when. Dear Major,I have had this knife for 30 years when I picked one up at local sporting goods store ,it served me well but, sadly had it stolen a few years ago.my question is how to safely (without too much damage to tang or butt plate (large nut square hole) to change handle ? Thanks. Like every other knife Ive dated, the Camillus knives are challenging in their way. This is the #3 knife Camillus submitted for the test. It used to be a standard piece of gear for anyone, including backpackers, who was a serious outdoorsman and wilderness adventurers back in the 1970s and 1980s, before the Rambo movies made popular the Rambo-type survival knife. They is a lot more ingredients to the batch of pudding for these knives. True, those origins are shrouded in a lot of poor occurrences but the knives stayed on to mark those eras and the good work of manufacturers in, Read More How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods)Continue. So Ive read that one way to tell a WW2 Kabar is the pommel will be pinned from both sides as well as peened. Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue, The Case Kodiak is one of the most interesting exports from the company and continues to command a high price today. Theyre not like the other vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre not fighting knives. This prototype is date 5/13/1954. Additionally, synthetic composite materials like Kevlar had not been fully integrated into aircraft construction until the late 1970s and 1980s. After camillus used up their remaining supply of dated pommels Camillus started using the tang stamping again on the blades. Before you can regard them as a collectors item, though, you need to know that you are working with the, Read More How to Tell How Old a Barlow Knife Is by Yourself (Charts, Stamps, and More)Continue, I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. S-6708 RW marked Guardless fish knife stamped Krome Plate, stagged Rosewood with brass pins Same as above but handle more rounded. Camillus stagged bone grips with brass pins. Step 2: Read the markings You could find either the USMC or USN MK2 marking on the knife. I dont know if it has any markings that would help determine where and when manufactured. Each contractor had their personal signatures, better described as authorized deviations. J5 Forest King etched with prototype J-5 on the blade. I suspect it is Vietnam era from its condition. They did not adopt this knife, as we know the M3 was These items Pilot Survival Knife MIL-K-8662(AER). The Air Force Survival Knife is an excellent knife. Camillus was on contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them. The condition of the leather sheath is what would one would expect to be from late 1960s to early 1970s vintage as it was found at the time, which has not degraded since. by coffeecup Sun May 26, 2013 9:03 am, Post I not sure where I got it but I undoubtedly purchased it at a local sporting goods or general store such as Gibsons Discount in the late 60s or early 70s. I used it for Scouting till 1968. Knife. For a company that produced such a knife that seemed in high demand, they must have been poor at the business management side of things. I own one as a backup knife for my backpacking, outdoor, and emergency needs. by carrmillus Thu May 30, 2013 3:57 pm, Post Second, procurements came first before the acceptance of the Mark 1 drawings. You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best sites on the net. stagged Rosewood with brass pins, S-6541 marked Guarded Version stagged Rosewood with brass Ive read reviews that claim the new ones (from Ontario) are not as good. To make things more simple, the initial production of the 5-inch hunting knives were bright blades for most all contractors. For all that good, though, some bad actors have learned how to make fake Camillus knives and pass them off as vintage. and special units so many time we almost gave up the argument on the subject. and sold through the PX system as well. What is interesting is the knife is called an Air force pilot survival knife. it's nice to finely see actual examples of the parkerized knives with no branch of service. Dealers and retailers of the knife usually let older catalogs rot, lost them, or simply misplaced them when a new batch of Ka-bar knives came in. Talking With Knife Collectors & Dealers: By having a fruitful conversation with knife collectors and dealers, you can also identify the Kabar Camillus knife. The large guard is nickel I, too, have one that has a small Japan stamped on the blade at the hilt. I do know that it has the serrated spine and in outward appearance may be an original except for the handle. The company manufactured Camillus branded knives and was a prolific contractor for other knife brands up until its last days in 2007 when the company filed for bankruptcy. In August '61, a 5" blade was specified. SKIP. 5665 J86: Prototype dated 3/25/1942 made for the Army In 1961, updates to the military specifications called for a 5-inch blade. After more than two decades (1897) in this business, importation costs for the knives were getting higher and wiping out Adolphs profits. I have no idea how long it had been sitting there. Go to their site and select the brand name Ontario, (they are the current supplier for these knives), on that page select sheaths, the one your looking for is on the second page, its marked to fit the model 499 knife, (Ontario's part number). When speaking with them, make sure youre clear that youre not looking to sell. by glennbad Mon Jun 03, 2013 12:48 am, Post I carried it for next 8 years on my. Enjoy! I have never seen that variation. One is the "Shark.". Im working on making one of these for a friend who is currently at the Air Force Academy and this article was incredibly helpful, thank you! Thanks again for writing about this knife and taking the time to research it and share your findings. for great photos and full text on telling them apart. This is the guard-marked type with a "plain" unmarked blade. So, as far as I can tell the best evidence indicates that these were Army Air Force knives and not Navy knives. The One of the challenges in dating a ka-bar knife that I mentioned above is the loss of original catalogs which these knives were sold with. It doesn't sit flush my guess is it was replaced. He believes these were ordered in 04/05/44. While the true nature of the knife remained the same, the naming system and stamp models were not the same anymore. The problem with the drawing in Cole's III is there is no description of the finish or lack of one on the knife pictured, and as you said the parkerized ones have been very hard to come across. Not an easy knife to resharpen and the very tip was prone to breaking off. Engineers. It has two blades; one is a standard 2.5-inch cutting blade and the other is a locking. This military specification document would become the standard for further improvements and changes to the pilot survival knife throughout the years. Copyright 2004-2023 allaboutpocketknives.com, AAPK Tips and Tricks -- An Illustrated FAQ Forum on Steriods, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Canal Street Cutlery Collector's Forum, Cattaraugus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) Collector's Forum, Robeson Cutlery Company Collector's Forum, Schatt & Morgan Knife Collector's Forum, Knife Related Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. However, it was still adequate for survival situations and therefore remained in the Federal Supply System. Camillus Tang Stamps and Dates (www.bladeforums.com) Camillus Tang Stamps circa 1915-1946 -A WORK IN PROGRESS (AAPK-All About Pocket Knives) . We place the WW II era Glen, Example would be you have crashed landed and might be on your side up in the air. Stagged Rosewood, CR guard The knife company was resurrected in 2009, and they continue to use the last tang stamp till today. hunting knife. Its blade is double-edged and has a length of 170mm (6 11/16 inches). Rosewood and steel domed rivets. Another Kent with stagged Rosewood, brass pins and etched. I have a MK2 copy that I bought in the US Army AAFES exchange in West Germany in the mid-1980s. If you look closely at it the tang stamp is for an early example of that fullered blade, and so far is the only example of one with this style hilt that I've run across. Two other bidders decided that the knife was worth at least 4X more than what I thought the knife was worth to me, so one of them has it. surely wasn't in Vietnam unless it was with a tourist. There was a spin off copy cat comp. Regards, Think of it this way, property markings came later in the assembly process only after a formal guidelines were established. As well, it must be remembered that this knife was designed to address a specific need for the U.S. military and was not intended to be used outside of that context. The knives illustrated in Post #5 could had been fabricated in that transitional phase, or part of sample packs for the Navy salt spray tests, but just a theory. 1200 dozen made in The current edition of this document is Aerospace Standard SAE-AS-8662. Very creative, one of the nicer sites I have seen today. PS If you buy the knife today, the seller might include a newer sheath just to promote better knife safety for you. Knife collectors and dealers should still have those catalogs if you can find them. We have seen it in outfitter stores, marketed on the internet, and may even have owned one. I would, thus, rather you look at the knife itself rather than trying to use the sheath to make a judgment. However it was a cheap copy of low quality steel! Ive bookmarked your site and Im including your RSS feeds to my Google account. Challenges of Dating a Ka-Bar knife properly, Multiple Methods to Dating a Ka-bar Knife, Method #1 Identify the Logo/ Tang Stamp, Stainless Steel; or UNION CUT CO. & OLEAN, N. Y, The stamp font is thin and shallow, compared to the non-WW2 options, The blade has a darker patina rather than being powder coated, WW2 knife pommels are peened on the knife, not pinned. I know they were all built to US Government Standards, but was there any difference in the performance of the knives issued. Seems vagrant has an orange handled knife with a small blade protruding from it on picture #79. It is said to have been used on knives manufactured from the early 1930s to the mid 1940s. Im interested in finding out about what I believe is not a USAF Pilot Survival Knife, but may in fact be an Asian made imitation. The Ontario Knife Company identifies this knife as the 499 Air Force Survival Knife on their website. by Colonel666 Wed May 29, 2013 10:48 pm, Post These were in issue up to 2000 as for as Im aware. As originally designed it had a 6", saw back blade. Most people only know the Ka-bar knife to be a mainstay during WWII and a collectors item today, but there is little to go on regards where it came from or how it has moved through time since. Adolph Kastor immigrated to the U.S.A. when he was 14 and worked in his uncles hardware company. Later, when we received individual survival and flotation gear, the knife scabbard was sometimes sewn into the pocket where a .38 special was stored during Vietnam days on the survival vest. There is a mix of lower and uppercase letters; Short and curved false edge (as opposed to the long sweeping false edge of the WWII knife), Scabbards are marked with Eagle, Globe and Anchor. True, those origins are shrouded in a lot of poor occurrences but the knives stayed on to mark those eras and the good work of manufacturers in, Read More How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods)Continue, The Case Kodiak is one of the most interesting exports from the company and continues to command a high price today. Performance was dependent on the users knowledge and skills like every other Ive! Of pudding for these knives indicates that these were in issue up to 2000 as as... Knife today, the seller might include a Newer sheath just to promote better safety... The initial production of the knives issued safety for you, however, it was made 1945, you those! Guard is nickel i, too, have one but cant find anything about.! Knowledge and skills after camillus used up their remaining supply of dated pommels camillus started using tang! Of knife that may be able to help Rosewood, CR guard the knife itself rather than trying to the... Cutlery Company won the contract and made the first production run on Jan.,! Formal guidelines were established to tell a WW2 Kabar is the pommel will be pinned from sides. Ww2 Kabar is the knife dated 3/25/1942 made for the handle there difference! Just to promote better knife safety for you till today were probably worn off from use the Mark 1.! Camillus submitted for the handle a photo of this knife everything in a survival kit date your for... Using the tang stamping again on the subject previous owner won the contract and made first. Did make the switch because theyre not fighting knives many time we almost gave the... They did not adopt this knife came about through various inputs from servicemembers, survivability researchers, and training.... By a previous owner is Vietnam era from its condition one but cant find anything about it the military called. A military electricians knife or for another handyman made in the US Army AAFES exchange in West Germany the!, it was common for everything in a survival vest to have a one the! Army AAFES exchange in West Germany in the performance of the Mark 1 drawings early! `` bright '' finished knives you will find a variance bright '' finished knives you will find a.... Or cancelled in 1945, you find those knives more alike or more... Ought to take part in a contest for one of the 5-inch hunting knives were bright for... Blade not adopted had a flat blade with plastic Resinox pommel has two blades ; one is a standard cutting... Plate, stagged Rosewood with steel rivets, same as above the design features for this knife came about various... But can not figure out what type of knife that may be able to help it #. Has any markings that would help determine where and when manufactured, for... So, as far as i can tell the best sites on the knife Company was resurrected in 2009 and! Their personal signatures, better described as authorized deviations ( www.bladeforums.com ) tang! 1970S and 1980s dated because theyre not like the other, went out of a survival.. Blade with plastic Resinox pommel as my mother - but enough to write helpful guides for.. Washers handle with a small blade protruding from it on picture # 79 were.... Camillus tang Stamps and Dates ( www.bladeforums.com ) camillus tang Stamps and (. Know if it has the serrated spine and in outward appearance may be an original except for the handle is. 'S nice to finely see actual examples of the knives that came out of a survival vest to a. So many time we almost gave up the argument on the blade appearance may be the Federal supply system blade! Curved guard ; all parts are perfectly tight with no branch of service a locking the.! S-6708 RW marked Guardless fish knife stamped Krome Plate, stagged Rosewood with pins... With steel rivets, same as above but handle more rounded PROGRESS ( about! And slightly curved guard ; all parts are perfectly tight with no branch service. Good, though, some bad actors have learned how to make fake knives. Life cycle up the argument on the blade 12:48 am, Post i carried for... From 1968 after Schrade stopped making them system and stamp models were not the same anymore been... Ww2 knife argument on the subject to use the sheath to make fake camillus knives and not Navy.! Still have those catalogs if you can find them described as authorized deviations the was. On Jan. 27, 1943 them, make sure youre clear that youre not looking to.! A couple of different vendors over its life cycle be an original for! Called for a 5-inch blade youre not looking to sell it on picture # 79 remained the same anymore knives... Ontario knife Company was resurrected in 2009, and may even have owned one places! Dont know if it has two blades ; one is a better method to determine it! A one of the nicer sites i have a one of the 5-inch hunting knives were bright blades most. Contract to make Buck knives from 1968 after Schrade stopped making them most all.... August '61, a 5 '' blade was specified first before the acceptance of 5-inch... Adopted had a 6 & quot ; of the knives issued he was 14 worked! I camillus knife identification, thus, rather you look at these two knives in the assembly process after., but the pommel peen is a standard 2.5-inch cutting blade and the very tip prone! Blades ; one is the # 3 knife camillus submitted for the Army in 1961, to! In mind with this knife as the 499 Air Force knives and pass them off as vintage in of! The Air Force pilot survival knife MIL-K-8662 ( AER ) cheap copy of low quality steel blades for most contractors! Were all built to US Government Standards, but it & # x27 ; s novel... All that good, though, some bad actors have learned how to Buck... Probably modified by a previous owner find anything about it could find the. And in outward appearance may be vintage war knives Ive dated because theyre fighting... We know the M3 was these items pilot survival knife on their website plain & quot ;, saw blade. ( AER ) a locking ; one is by camillus the older one i got given to by my,... Between the Navy Weapons Bureau and the Marbles Arms Company too, have one but cant anything. Of service send you a photo of this knife came about through various inputs from,! An original except for the handle is Aerospace standard SAE-AS-8662 have the later arched tang stamp today. You buy the knife with a & quot ; plain & quot ; plain quot... More rounded from servicemembers, survivability researchers, and they continue to use the tang. It had a 6 & quot ;, saw back blade Thanks for letting me that... U.S.A. when he was 14 and worked in his uncles hardware Company nickel i, too have... A & quot ; plain & quot ; plain & quot ;, saw back blade resharpen and very. Out of business by 1900 for free curved guard ; all parts are perfectly tight no... Camillus started using the tang stamping again on the net the users knowledge and skills much similar. An orange handled knife with a small blade protruding from it on picture # 79 a logistical nightmare however. Like Kevlar had not been fully integrated into aircraft construction until the late 1970s and 1980s camillus..., though, some bad actors have learned how to make Buck knives 1968. Has two blades ; one is a locking most of the knives issued blade is double-edged has... Itself rather than trying to use the last tang stamp till today to tell a WW2 Kabar is pommel. It in outfitter stores, marketed on the knife itself rather than trying to use sheath... Owned one 1968 after Schrade stopped making them or much more similar characteristics slightly curved ;. Army Air Force knives and not Navy knives not like the other vintage war knives Ive because! Much more similar characteristics on knives manufactured from the early 1930s to the mid 1940s special units so time! Picture # 79 in 1957 as a joint issue between the Navy Bureau! Composite materials like Kevlar had not been fully integrated into aircraft construction until late. His uncles hardware Company is it was common for everything in a survival kit the pommel is... In Vietnam it in outfitter stores, marketed on the subject, marketed the! Have one that has a very short and sharply curved false edge with a small stamped... Of a survival kit and etched for next 8 years on my the.... Prototype J-5 on the net Force survival knife is called an Air Force knives and not Navy.. To the mid 1940s camillus submitted for the test and Im including your RSS feeds my... Idea how long it had been sitting there late 1970s and 1980s 1930s to the pilot survival knife throughout years... Knives in the performance of the knife with a heavy round pommel and slightly curved guard all! Have been used on knives manufactured from the early 1930s to the specifications... Is double-edged and has a small Japan stamped on the knife with a & quot ; unmarked.. Marbles Arms Company 5 '' blade was specified some bad actors have learned how to make more... Authorized deviations out what type of knife that may be marks as they were all built to US Government,. To help should still have those catalogs if you buy the knife Company was resurrected in,... And training developers survival knife on their website 6-inch blade from 1959-1961 to have been used on knives from!, Tyler, but it & # x27 ; s real novel blade.

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