I've been looking for a cheap(er) version of the knife I carried on my SRU-21P survival vest for years. Most were very poorly made, but then today I found a Made in USA Ontario in the sporting goods section of my local Walmart. I had no idea! Feels solid, blade is unmarked, but the sheath has a "Made in China" sticker on the back. Other than that, it seems to be a fine knife. I will take it camping this weekend and try it out.

 

It comes in an Ontario Knife Company box:

 

The sticker says "Made in USA":

Box open:

 

A nice factory edge on it too:

 

let us know how it compares

Huh, pretty cool. I've been on the hunt for one too, I might as well pick one of these up as a beat-em-up tool rather than abuse an original one

Huh, pretty cool. I've been on the hunt for one too, I might as well pick one of these up as a beat-em-up tool rather than abuse an original one

 

Exactly what I was thinking, no sense abusing an original.

The blade isn't an exact match, but the rest is pretty close.

I've purchased a number of bayonets from Walmart's web site over the past few years. Genuine articles at discounted prices. Shocked the heck out of me the first time. I was looking for a specific bayonet and did a Google search and Walmart came up. Checked it out and they had it. It was a discontinued item and was getting hard to find, but they had it at a price that was much lower than the original retail. Ordered it on line and had it two days later.

I've purchased a number of bayonets from Walmart's web site over the past few years. Genuine articles at discounted prices. Shocked the heck out of me the first time. I was looking for a specific bayonet and did a Google search and Walmart came up. Checked it out and they had it. It was a discontinued item and was getting hard to find, but they had it at a price that was much lower than the original retail. Ordered it on line and had it two days later.

 

As much as I don't want to like Walmart, that is a good story.

For those who want to learn more about the history of so-called jet pilot survival knives, check out https://www.google.com/#safe=off&hl=en&q=site:usmilitariaforum.com+jet+pilot+survival+knives

Thanks Bob. I still don't know where the "jet" came from. We used these in army aviation, and there wasn't a jet to be found anywhere!

Checking my original, the sheath is marked this way:

 

 

Nope, no mention of a 'jet'!

well there are pictures of jet pilots wearing them that is probably why

Oh, I know there are, but being a former army aviation helicopter guy, I feel discriminated against!

Just presenting this as conjecture, but perhaps "Jet" was added to the name, (by someone), to differentiate this pattern knife from the one commonly referred to as the "Pilots Survival Knife", circa 1953-57? They both are specified under MIL-K-8662.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First thing I notice is the lack of a top clip grind. Makes sense as that would make it difficult to sell in some states. The sheath is made in china? Wow, looks just like the standard issue sheath.

First thing I notice is the lack of a top clip grind. Makes sense as that would make it difficult to sell in some states. The sheath is made in china? Wow, looks just like the standard issue sheath.

 

I suppose as a 'civilian model' knife, it makes sense. The sheath is dead on, had a little trouble snapping the retaining strap, might just be because it's new. Nope, I take that back. The original has the retaining strap sewn down, the Chinese riveted it on.

I think the addition of the sewing around the retaining strap rivet started in the early 70's.

I think the addition of the sewing around the retaining strap rivet started in the early 70's.

 

I didn't know that. It also appears that the black outer reinforcing material is hard plastic and not metal which will make these easy to spot.

Here's another variation of labels stamped on the sheath: this is 19 years older than the one shown above and this one does not have the word "hunting" in it.

 

That's interesting! I wonder why they added "hunting" to the nomenclature?

Sweet knife, Matt! Knives are not my area of expertise, but I'm interested in learning more about them, so I have two quick questions for you guys:

1)What is a "top clip grind"?

2)Are the jet pilot knives the ones with the indentation and the pilot survival knives the ones without?

In my state, the "Democratic Republic" of New Jersey, the regulations on knives are pretty strict, so I usually leave em all at home so as to stay out of trouble. I'll have to post my knives later, even though they are mostly non-military I'm sure some of you are interested...

Sweet knife, Matt! Knives are not my area of expertise, but I'm interested in learning more about them, so I have two quick questions for you guys:

1)What is a "top clip grind"?

2)Are the jet pilot knives the ones with the indentation and the pilot survival knives the ones without?

In my state, the "Democratic Republic" of New Jersey, the regulations on knives are pretty strict, so I usually leave em all at home so as to stay out of trouble. I'll have to post my knives later, even though they are mostly non-military I'm sure some of you are interested...

 

As far as #1, the top edge of the blade is sharpened back from the tip on the original, but flat and dull on the copy. The top clip could be construed as being a 'double edged blade' which sometimes gets into legality issues.

 

Can't answer #2, I don't know where 'jet' came from as it isn't part of the official designation, not sure what the difference is.

I was thinking your posted Ontario knife blade looked like the ASEK knives Ontario offers.

 

The webb site lists the JPK as part of the "Classic Tactical" series.

 

 

http://ontarioknife.com/fixed-blades/asek-survival-knife-system-nsn-1095-01-518-6832-detail

 

As far as #1, the top edge of the blade is sharpened back from the tip on the original, but flat and dull on the copy. The top clip could be construed as being a 'double edged blade' which sometimes gets into legality issues.

 

Can't answer #2, I don't know where 'jet' came from as it isn't part of the official designation, not sure what the difference is.

 

I have even had a couple vets I know call them Helicopter or Chopper pilots knives.Im sure there are other terms used too.

The SP-2 is a close relative of the pilots knife.The tip has a bit more defined grind to it.

 

 

http://ontarioknife.com/fixed-blades/spec-plus-series2013-09-03-16-58-57/sp2-air-force-survival-detail