The Jet Pilots Survival Knife

[sactroop]

Roger that Danny. I first noticed the Sears stones a couple of years ago. This is why if you have an original stone with the correct markings on it you want to preserve those markings. But it's still nice to have something that fits in the pocket.

[jerry_k]

Here is my old pilot survival knife. Wow the condition was VERY VERY cool and a date was nice

 

Enjoy,

Jerry

 

Last photo:)

[Dutchy357]

Hi Guys

I would just like to add some images of the two JPK's I have in my collection.

From my research to date I have evidence that the JPK was used by all three Services here in Australia, Army, Navy and Air Force. I have been unable to establish the scale of issue but it appears that they were not a general issue item. They were only issued for specific purposes.

The two I have are both by Ontario. 6-89 and 6-91. Both are quite special in that they came from the Special Air Services Regiment.

The first one saw service in Afghanistan! (6-89)




I am unsure of the second knifes (6-91) service history.

They do not appear to be on current issue, however units may still be holding them in their stores.

Currently, the Australian Special Forces Soldiers serving in the Ghan are issued with the SOG Seal Pup for a Utility Knife.


Regards Dutchy

[sactroop]

Great info Dutchy!! Thanks.

[sactroop]

I got some information the other day from Tom Williams, long time employee of the Camillus Knife Company and considered to be it’s unofficial historian, that I’d like to share.

 

Camillus made the first run of the 5" Pilot Survival knife with the date stamped butt on 11-28-66. ( My addition; Tom cleared something up for me. Even though the first production run of the pommel marked JPSK’s was on 11/28/66 those knives would have been marked 1-1967. That does show up in the image of the second S-Card pictured below.)

Camillus would regularly bid on the military contracts and also supplied knives to other companies that received contracts. We used to sell the MC-1 Paratrooper's knife to companies that had been awarded contracts for survival kits. I recall one time getting a call from a customer wanting to buy the 5" knife for a contract for the Taiwan Military.

I have attached the manufacturing information for the first 5" knives made in 1961 and the butt date stamped knives made in 1966. The production figures are for the date stamped knives.

Camillus lost the contract for the 5" Pilot Survival knife to Ontario Knife Co. around 1984. I believe that after the date stamped butts were used up, the stampings were then done on the blade.

 

Tom Williams

 

image of Camillus’s S-card for the 1961 production of their first 5” JPSK’s;

 

 

S-card for the first pommel marked knives, card dated 1966

 

 

Here’s some more from the old Camillus files:

 

 

 

 

Even as late as 1987 Camillus is still providing JPSK’s to the ArmyAirforceExchange. This is after Camillus no longer had a government contract to provide these knives thru the normal procurement system.

 

 

 

I can now see how it would have been possible for a service member to have made a private purchase of a Camillus JPSK thru the Base Exchange after the government cancelation of the contract knives.

I guess I would need to consider that when someone shows me their family members knife that they believe was issued to them while serving that has the following marking on the blades ricasso.

[sactroop]

I need to make a correction to the above post. Tom Williams was the official company Historian for Camillus Knives.

[gunbarrel]

Sactroop,

 

Thanks for adding this great information to the thread!

[doyler]

Recent addition

 

 

 

[Charlie Flick]

Ron:

 

Nice catch! Those Nordac (NMC) blades are very tough to find, and your example is a beauty.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[doyler]

Ron:

 

Nice catch! Those Nordac (NMC) blades are very tough to find, and your example is a beauty.

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

Thanks Charlie

 

$20 well spent.I guess

[gunbarrel]

$20 well spent.I guess

 

Ron!

 

Did you mug Santa!? What a beauty--congrats!!

[doyler]

Ron!

 

Did you mug Santa!? What a beauty--congrats!!

 

 

 

Thanks GB

 

Found it last month at the gunshow.Had to pay the man his asking price.I missed the large folding pocket knife in the USN marked pouch for $75.I saw it but forgot it.A buddy bought it.Cant win them all

[Woody]

I bought my pilot's knife in the mid to late 70's, and it appears similar to those in "Gunbarrels" post on page 1.

At the time, similar knives were being marketed by "Sussex Armoury" in the UK but the finish to mine was different. It came with a home-made scabbard which isn't worth showing.

The blade is marked one side with I guess JAPAN which has been over-stamped with Xs to obliterate it. On the other side is half a stamp with what looks like US 43 surrounded by a box. I suspect it has lost a leather ring prior to my ownership as there is 5mm of the thread exposed. The blade appears blued and the cross guard has two holes. Upper blade saw cuts are angled.

 

 

[Neuron]

Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful information and great pictures.I hope to start my collection soon.

[1SG_1st_Cav]

I picked this up on eBay and it came today. The blade is blued and it is not marked. The pommel is Marked Camillus NY. It had a little rust on it and it will clean up. Is this one of those where someone bought a barrel of Camillus blades and made these in 1966 because of the demand. Hopefully GB will have the answer.

 

 

Here is the knife and cap.

 

Here is the pommel side view. I need a little help to date this one please. BTW, this beauty was $29 with shipping.

Some times the bear eats you. And some times you eat the bear!

 

Thanks ~ Danny

[1SG_1st_Cav]

#1: Okay guys, while I'm at it I'll post my meager collection. Lets start with one of my two favorites, 6 Inch Camillus, no date, in a custom sheath.

 

 

#2: 5 inch Camillus no date.

 

#3: Here is my second favorite knife, a 5 inch Camillus dated 1-1967.

 

#4: 5 inch Camillus dated 6-67. This one is up for a trade for a 1969 or a 6 inch JPK.

 

#5: 5 inch Camillus dated 4-1968.

 

#6: 5 inch Camillus dated 2-1976 with Camo sheath.

 

#7: 5 inch Ontario dated 6-1991. Enjoy guys! Danny

[gunbarrel]

Hey Danny,

 

I'm afraid I am not familiar with the story you think may be behind your latest addition...

 

BTW, I don't see a "meager" collection anywhere. I do see some very nice knives up above

 

Thanks for sharing them with us!

[SKIPH]

I really like the 6" versions. Wish I had gotten a hold of one years ago. SKIP

[1SG_1st_Cav]

GB & Skiph: Thanks for the compliments. I really like these knives. Danny

[kriegsmodell]

Great group of knives Danny!

[1SG_1st_Cav]

I just added this knife to my meager collection. It is an EXPLORER WILDERNESS, 440 Stainless MODEL 21-049 JAPAN U.S. Pat Pend, made in the 1980s.

It has a 6" blade and a well made leather sheath. This is a solid well-made knife and I'm glad to have it in my collection. Enjoy! Danny

 

 

Here is a view with the knife in it's sheath. Danny

[1SG_1st_Cav]

#9: A beautiful Camillus with gold pommel and hand guard, a parkerized 5" blade, marked CAMILLUS, NEW YORK, USA.

There are no markings on the pommel. The leather sheath and leather grip is superbly dressed. I'm not sure when this

was made but it is in immaculate condition. If anyone has any information on this knife please let me know. Thanks ~ Danny

[Backtheattack]

After reading this post I did some pictures of the knife a friend of mine gave me some years ago. No markings on it, think it is a copy.

[1SG_1st_Cav]

Your knife is either made in Taiwan or Japan. I'm leaning towards Taiwan. BTW, I was stationed in Bamberg from 1963-1966. Northern Bavaria is beautiful! Danny

[Backtheattack]

Thanks for the information. Wrote a few years ago a report dealing with the end of World War II in the Bamberg/ Franconian Switzerland area.