USN WWII Pilot's Survival Knife

[Aragorn243]

USN pilots knives were made by numerous companies during WWII and many were based off of existing hunting knives. This is the Kinsfolk version. 5" blade.

[RAM1ALASKA]

That's a dandy!
Never heard of that brand before. Any history on that company?

[browningautorifle]

the Kinsfolk version

Never heard of that brand before.

It's Kinfolks quite common.

An article to fortify... Kinfolks Inc. and World War II by Frank Trzaska Knife Magazine

[Aragorn243]

I'm a novice when it comes to knives. I'm mostly a bayonet guy but I'm running out of bayonets to get so have been looking at knives a little and getting them when I see one I can afford. They tend to go for more than the average bayonet. I never heard of them before either until about two months ago when they kept popping up in my searches. I picked up some books on the subject By Bill Watters to make sure I knew what I was getting.

There are several big name and numerous smaller name manufacturers of knives of this type that were under contract by the military and many others that were private purchased.

[Flying10uk]

Is it a short blade for the purposes of cutting/breaking through the Perspex canopy of an aircraft?

[Sapper740]

Is it a short blade for the purposes of cutting/breaking through the Perspex canopy of an aircraft?

Not really, buy I guess it could be used as such, especially if the ejection seat failed. Post WWII development led to the creation of famous aircraft like the B-52 bomber and the Century Series (F100, 101, 102, 104, 105) Experiences found missions were taking place further inside enemy territory. Simultaneously, adversary powers like the Soviet Union produced newer, more capable air defense systems. These advancements meant one thing: Pilots were more likely to be shot down behind enemy lines. Recognizing this likelihood, the U.S Department of Defense issued a Military Specification: MIL-K-8662. Inside this document, first issued in October 1953, were the specifications that manufacturers would use to develop their versions of an Air Force Survival Knife. The knives were mainly designed as utility knives with some self defense and hunting uses.

[Aragorn243]

Probably more for cutting the parachute cords and general utility. The navy issued short blade 5–6-inch knives to crewman on ships for general utility also. Not all were specifically for fighting knives. Those were generally the 7" Kabars and M3 knives.

I've used one of the current model survival knives for years as my deer hunting knife. At least it was the current model 30 years ago. Not sure if it still is or not.