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Posted: 11/23/2014 5:25:50 PM EDT
My brother is a student Naval Flight Officer right now, and I have been selected to attend OCS with the same designation. We want to buy a knives to carry while flying with these criteria:
- auto opener - a glass breaking tip on the grip - high quality Thinking a budget of $300-350. I am not a knife guy so suggestions are highly appreciated!
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The usual glass breaker might not have any affect on a cockpit window. Something to cut straps and cords is good. Will they also want to cut through a fuselage? General use for survival after an uncontrolled landing or ejection? They will probably be issued something, my brother was as a crew member but it was a 'swiss army knife' style with a self-opening main blade. Plus, any form of self-opening or variation of may be regulated in many places.
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When I flew in the USAF, I carried a Benchmade tanto/serrated folder in my boot.
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Quoted:
When I flew in the USAF, I carried a Benchmade tanto/serrated folder in my boot. View Quote I don't know about the USAF, but there are several Benchmade autos that are U.S. Army issue. Something like the 9101 or the AFO with a (partially) serrated blade. A Tanto profile is desirable since it is designed for piercing (metal, canopies, etc.). Aircraft "glass" doesn't shatter like auto and other glass so unless you specifically want to get into/out of cars, the glass breaker tip doesn't have much military utility. You can use your brother's creds to get access to military only models and a discount. While the folders are much handier due to their small size, the only other thing I would consider if looking for a (reasonably priced) dedicated survival knife is the ESEE-5 but it is a big knife and they are difficult to wear. I've seen ground guys run them on vests but I couldn't imagine a pilot wearing one on his/her vest. One of the smaller ESEEs might be acceptable. Again, military discount available. |
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Quoted: The usual glass breaker might not have any affect on a cockpit window. Something to cut straps and cords is good. Will they also want to cut through a fuselage? General use for survival after an uncontrolled landing or ejection? They will probably be issued something, my brother was as a crew member but it was a 'swiss army knife' style with a self-opening main blade. Plus, any form of self-opening or variation of may be regulated in many places. View Quote |
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Quoted: I don't know about the USAF, but there are several Benchmade autos that are U.S. Army issue. Something like the 9101 or the AFO with a (partially) serrated blade. A Tanto profile is desirable since it is designed for piercing (metal, canopies, etc.). Aircraft "glass" doesn't shatter like auto and other glass so unless you specifically want to get into/out of cars, the glass breaker tip doesn't have much military utility. You can use your brother's creds to get access to military only models and a discount. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: When I flew in the USAF, I carried a Benchmade tanto/serrated folder in my boot. I don't know about the USAF, but there are several Benchmade autos that are U.S. Army issue. Something like the 9101 or the AFO with a (partially) serrated blade. A Tanto profile is desirable since it is designed for piercing (metal, canopies, etc.). Aircraft "glass" doesn't shatter like auto and other glass so unless you specifically want to get into/out of cars, the glass breaker tip doesn't have much military utility. You can use your brother's creds to get access to military only models and a discount. |
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If you can tolerate a fixed blade, a DPX Heft 4 "assault" (black coated blade) or "milspec" (uncoated blade) might be another consideration. http://www.workwearcanada.com/products/images-extra/1377.jpg DPX also makes a folder with a frame lock called a HEST folder MilSpec >>> http://x-gear.com.ua/products_thumb/dpx-hest-milspec-1.jpg View Quote I was going to throw the H.E.S.T. in my list, as well. I have the original H.E.S.T. and am trying to find a folding H.E.S.T. Have a link? |
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Forgot to mention that ESEE will also customize the micarta scales: mine has my blood type, NKA (No Known Allergies) and battle roster number (BRN; first two initials, last 4 of SSN; don't know if the USN uses BRNs that but it's fairly standard practice).
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How about a Bark River Gunny? I'd be more interested in a knife that's good for after a crash, than for escaping from a crash, but that might just be me.
BTW, aircraft canopies are probably going to be unaffected by any glass-breaker tip, if that's why you wanted it. |
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Quoted:
I was going to throw the H.E.S.T. in my list, as well. I have the original H.E.S.T. and am trying to find a folding H.E.S.T. Have a link? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
If you can tolerate a fixed blade, a DPX Heft 4 "assault" (black coated blade) or "milspec" (uncoated blade) might be another consideration. http://www.workwearcanada.com/products/images-extra/1377.jpg DPX also makes a folder with a frame lock called a HEST folder MilSpec >>> http://x-gear.com.ua/products_thumb/dpx-hest-milspec-1.jpg I was going to throw the H.E.S.T. in my list, as well. I have the original H.E.S.T. and am trying to find a folding H.E.S.T. Have a link? |
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God I wish DPx would drop the stupid looking flat brimmer bro skull. The heft looks like a great knife otherwise.
Esee alsomakes aawesome knives Using your original criteria look at the auto triage by benchmade. Glass breaker, auto and strap cutters. |
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Quoted:
My brother is a student Naval Flight Officer right now, and I have been selected to attend OCS with the same designation. We want to buy a knives to carry while flying with these criteria:- auto opener - a glass breaking tip on the grip - high quality Thinking a budget of $300-350. I am not a knife guy so suggestions are highly appreciated! View Quote -----> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chris-Reeve-Professional-Soldier-CPM-35VN-Plain-Edge-Fixed-Blade-/271684260132?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item3f41a4d124 |
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imo i like my benchmade mini barrage. it fits most of the criteria but not the glass braking tip but that doesn't seem like something he needs in a plain.
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Mini-Barrage-586S-Spring--16999 |
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Quoted: My brother is a student Naval Flight Officer right now, and I have been selected to attend OCS with the same designation. We want to buy a knives to carry while flying with these criteria: - auto opener View Quote - a glass breaking tip on the grip - high quality Thinking a budget of $300-350. I am not a knife guy so suggestions are highly appreciated! Just a few thoughts from an old AF C-130 FE. Have you been to your survival school yet? Might want to wait until you go and get some firsthand with issued gear before making any decisions on purchases now. With regards to personal survival kits, generally they are a "last line kit" you always have on your body, or they are in addition to/ in support of an issued kit. And past the basics, what you consider more important to carry may differ slightly from others points of view. If you're going to be on an aircraft with an ejection seat, whatever knife you get for your psk will have to be secured. And by that I don't mean in a sheath carried on the flight suit's velcro waist cincher or just clipped onto the edge of your boot top - might get ripped right off in the ejection process. If you'll be wearing a "G-suit", not sure if modern versions have a pocket for a small folder. Flight suits used to have a small pocket for a small folder on the inner thigh. Not large enough a pocket to carry anything very large. Do your issued survival vests/ seat kits not already have a fixed-blade? Might want to check and see what is to be issued before making a choice. If they do, you might give thought to a small folder that can be used for smaller, more delicate tasks, and either a small fixed-blade or more robust folder for use as backup for the issued fixed-blade. Sometimes, something as basic as one of the one-handed opening Swiss Army Knives work wonderfully as a companion knife. Mr Murphy might decide to accompany you if you find yourself in a no-shit survival situation, so some backups of the most essential items like fire making tools, decent cutlery, compass, etc... might be in your thought process. And please take the time to learn and practice map and compass, fire making, and how to properly use a knife without breaking it. The issued knife might not handle abuse as easily as an ESEE or such. Glass breaking tips... Aircraft windscreens and laminated glass/ poly panels are quite robust and the amount of energy to actually break through them isn't small (ours were five layers of glass and laminate). Think "large eagle hitting the windscreen at a combined speed of over 300 mph and penetrating the flight deck" type of energy. We had crash axes located at several locations on the Hercs, to be used to hack our way out of the aircraft if exits were blocked or inoperable. There were designated spots with minimal obstruction so we could hack through the thin aluminum skin easier, and not take enough time to overly increase danger of getting stuck in the aircraft. I'd imagine trying to do it with the butt/ blade of a knife would get exhausting quickly, and take significantly longer than it would with a tool designed for that purpose. Also note, you'd probably be hacking out of an aircraft after a crash - not airborne - and the chance of you already being injured needs to be considered. So I'm not sure if a glass breaking point would prove very useful. Personally, for a fixed-blade survival knife, I'd prefer a flat nut or plate on the end of the pommel. But that's me. Blade type. For a survival knife, I'd lean more towards something with more of a kinda spear point/ clip drop point combo. It's primary purpose isn't fighting or hacking your way out of an aircraft - it's needed to do a wide variety of tasks from collecting firewood and kindling, to building shelter, to making/ repairing clothing, to cleaning and eating wildlife, etc... Tanto blades are strong for thrusting and piercing, not as good at finer shaving and cutting tasks. Too much of a clip point and the tip is easily damaged/ broken. And no one knife is perfect at everything, which is one reason why I suggested a combo of small folder like a SAK and a more robust folder/ small fixed-blade if you have the space and can tolerate the extra weight every day all day every single time you get in an aircraft. Firearms. Maybe the Navy is different, but when I served we were only allowed to carry what issued weapons we were qualified to shoot. No personal firearms. Now, if the Navy allows you to choose from a variety of issued weapons... Some things have changed over the years with regards to gear and training and rules, so IMHO and YMMV. Yeah, holy wall of text batman, yada yada yada, and all that jazz. Enjoy the schools and the experiences! edited due to a brain fart |
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I fly with a dpx hest folder, but I've had it for a long time and I didn't want to buy anything else.
The T6 canopy is pretty tough and hopefully the detcord does it's job. You have a quite a while until you get to primary though, good luck. |
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Wasn't the ESEE 5 designed to be an pilot's survival knife?
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Wait until you get to the fleet. You're probably going to buy the wrong item because you don't know what will be issued at your squadron. Save your money, then get something you really need when you figure it out.
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I've carried an Infidel every day for 3 years now, and I'm not very easy on it. It's been problem free, and I'd have no problem using it for what your brother is looking for.
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Just wanted to reply so you guys know I am reading all the suggestions. While it will be June/July before I even get done with OCS, my brother is actively flying (T-6 currently) and wants to add a personal knife to his flight gear. I don't know exactly what he has been issued but I will ask him the next time we talk.
He said he is planning on putting his inside a pocket that runs on the inside of his left leg.
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Uhh. This worked just fine in the late 60's early 70's. I imagine it will still do whatever is needed. <a href="http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Jeepnik/media/Knifes/AirForceKnife.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f271/Jeepnik/Knifes/AirForceKnife.jpg</a> Or perhaps this if you can find one. They were discontinued several years ago. http://www.roedter-messer.de/homepagepics/chris-reeve-shad.jpg Or, of you want to go with the Rolls Royce (or Bentley if that's you thing) <a href="http://s49.photobucket.com/user/Jeepnik/media/Knifes/RANDALLATTACK.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f271/Jeepnik/Knifes/RANDALLATTACK.jpg</a> View Quote That top one was in my SV-2 when I retired in 2002 and is gtg. Use your personal weight to carry more water. ETA: As a Navy flyer, the thing you will most likely have the most need of if you punch out/bailout/ditch is fresh water. Don't sweat the knife, one will be sewn into your SV-2. |
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Quoted: Just wanted to reply so you guys know I am reading all the suggestions. While it will be June/July before I even get done with OCS, my brother is actively flying (T-6 currently) and wants to add a personal knife to his flight gear. I don't know exactly what he has been issued but I will ask him the next time we talk. View Quote He said he is planning on putting his inside a pocket that runs on the inside of his left leg. Might want to consider DrJekell's post just above. If your brother is set on getting a knife, unless they've changed the size of that pocket, he won't be getting a large knife in there. I carried an earlier version of the SAK "Camper" in that pocket for 16 years. It got pulled out and used for something several times a week. Something like the SAK One-Handed Trekker might fit - not sure about anything larger. I know they're not tactical and that's what many people seem to want, nor are they a full multi-tool, but I always found a good SAK to be a sensible balance and quite useable, in a size that will fit that space. IMHO and YMMV |
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Great choice...I'm sure your bro will love it! Good luck and stay safe.
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Quoted:
Just wanted to reply so you guys know I am reading all the suggestions. While it will be June/July before I even get done with OCS, my brother is actively flying (T-6 currently) and wants to add a personal knife to his flight gear. I don't know exactly what he has been issued but I will ask him the next time we talk. He said he is planning on putting his inside a pocket that runs on the inside of his left leg. View Quote My youngest is a 130 pilot. He went with the biggest folder that fit in the inner leg pocket. I had a new CRKT Crawford Falcon that fit the bill perfectly. It's been thru three deployments, so far. |
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