Thompson L. - Survival Fighting Knives - 1986 PDF

LEROY THOMPSON
PA~DIN·PRESS/~·....
BQULDER, cOLoRADO
Survival/Fighting Knives
by Leroy Thompson
Copyright © 1986 by Leroy Thompson
ISBN 0-87364-347-x
Printed in the United States of America
Published by Paladin Press, a division of

Paladin Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 1307,
Boulder, Colorado 80306, USA.
(303) 443-7250
Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no

portion of this book may be reproduced in any form
without the express written permission of the publisher.
Neither the author nor the publisher assumes

any responsibility for the use or misuse of
information contained in this book.
Contents
1. The Knife as Tool and Weapon .....
2. Utility or General-Purpose Knives. . . .. 5
3. Commercial Hollow-Handled Survival Knives . . ... 23
4. Custom-Made Hollow-Handled Survival Knives and Substitutes 37
5. Survival Knives and Kits ..... 53
6. Folding General-Purpose and Survival Knives 59
7. Fighting Knives .... . 69
8. Street Survival Knives ..... 85
Appendix: Knife Makers ... .. 95
v
1.
The Knife as Tool
and Weapon
1 : e composition of the knife-one of Note that because I have not included some
man's oldest and most useful tools-has evolved custom-maker's knife, I do not mean to imply
from stone to bronze, iron, steel, stainless steel, such a knife is not an excellent product. I a~
or other alloy. Even knives made of plastic are only concerning myself herein with knives that
on the market today. Although frequently used I have put to the test to determine their accepta
as a weapon during its long history, the knife is bility . An important point on custom knives, in
too versatile to be used for such a function fact , is that they are only better than a produc
alone ; it is, of course, a tool and utensil as well. tion knife in certain situations. For example,
The type of knife used and the type and com if a high-quality production knife is available
position of its blade vary in different cultures. which perfectly suits one's needs, why spend the
Europeans, for example, have traditionally had time and money on a custom blade? The advan
an affinity for the dagger or poniard, while tage of the custom knife is that one can have it
Americans are most closely associated with designed exactly to fit one's own usage, and
Bowie knives and push daggers. The Japanese with a skilled and reputable cutler one can
classic knife is the tanto, while the Malaysians count on rigorous quality control.
have always favored the kris. In the Middle East, I should also point out that I am not a profes
the jambiya is the traditional knife, but up sional outdoorsman who spends most of his life
toward the Khyber Pass, the charas is still seen up the Amazon. However, I have, both in Viet
tucked into the belts of Afghan freedom fight nam and elsewhere, served with special opera
ers. On Afghanistan's borders, the Indians have tion units and have used the knife as a tool-
traditionally used the khanjar, though in Nepal, and weapon-in many parts of the world. srrrr,-----
the Ghurkas swear by the kukri. Across the bor my views are colored by the fact that I like com
der in the Soviet Union, the Cossacks struck fear fort and look for it wherever I can find it. That
into the hearts of their enemies with their doesn 't mean that when I've had to lie virtually
kindjaf. These and other traditional edged weape motionless for hours on an ambush I haven't
ons are interesting, and many are quite useful been able to do so, but I would rather have been
when employed skillfully. lying on a comfortable sofa watching a movie!
Rather than examine the history of the knife, If time and the situation allow, I try to make the
Survival/Fighting Knives is meant to be a guide most comfortable camp possible consistent with
for determining which type of knife-even the traveling light.
specific make and model-is most suitable for My recommendations, then, are often based
the reader's individual needs. I make no claim to on those knives which have made easier any task
the completeness of th is book, however. On the I've had to perform. As a result, this book is
contrary, though I've tried to evaluate a reason really not intended for the knife collector as
able number of knives, I've stuck to those with much as it is intended for the man who really
which I've had firsthand experience (with a few uses his knife or knives. He may not use them
exceptions) and which I know to be of accept every day or even every month, but when he
able quality and design. needs them, he really does need them.
1
2 SURVIVAL/FIGHTING KNIVES
A Ghurka sharpens his kukri. Although a formidable blade, the kukri is also used as a utility blade. Photo courtesy of
the Imperial War Museum.
THE KNIFE AS TOOL AND WEAPON 3
This Spanish fighting/utility knife is used by Spanish special operations troops .

This short bayonet, carried by Japanese paratroopers during World War II, served as both a utility and combat knife.
2.
Utility or General
Purpose Knives
I t would be a gross inaccuracy to say that

the utility knife is never used as a combat blade.
II is a good example of a knife which served
well in the utility role but was not very effective
On the contrary, many utility blades-the Ka in combat. This heavy knife was purposely
Bar is an excellent example-have "done in" manufactured with a blunt point so that the Red
their share of the enemy. The utility knife was Cross men would not appear to be bearing arms.
not, however, intended just for close-quarters Still, it was equipped with a very useful saw
combat. Its primary function is either to act as a blade (for cutting splints) and a heavy-duty
tool for a specific purpose or to act as a general hacking edge.
purpose implement around the camp or bivouac. The U.S . Army has had its share of inter
One of the best-known utility blades is the esting general-purpose knives as well. The 1890
Ghurka kukri, a boomerang-shaped knife. An Entrenching Knife, for example, which had a
incredibly useful tool, the kukri is used to chop heavy 8-1/2-inch long and 2-inch wide blade,
wood, cut bamboo, chop up meat, cut rope, and could be used for everything from digging a fox
decapitate enemies; not necessarily in that order hole to preparing foraged meat.
and not limited to these functions alone. The It's not surprising that the utility knife has
Ghurka's skill with the kukri is so well known been popu lar th roughou t history si nce man nor
that Argentine soldiers surrendered in droves in mally devotes far more time to food and shelter
the Falklands rather than face the "head-hunt and other chores than to killing others, despite
ing mercenaries"-the label applied to the Ghur what the pessimists may say. Among more
kas by Argentine propaganda. Yet, despite his current utility knives, a few stand out above
vaunted skill in battle with the kukri, the the rest.
Ghurka considers it to be his primary tool and
uses it as such . Westerners sometimes have KA-BAR
trouble at first getting the hang of the wrist
action necessary to use the kukri most effec The Ka-Bar is a classic among utility
tively; once mastered, however, the ku kri can knives. Although there are many variations of
be wielded with devastating force. the Ka-Bar, the one issued to untold numbers
One of the more interesting examples of a of Marines during the last forty-five years is the
knife designed for utility use-but which per one that is the most recognizable . With its 7
formed well as a combat blade-was the Renais inch parkerized clipped-point blade and serrated
sance gunner's stiletto. This dagger had gradua leather washer handle, it is probably the most
tions along the blade which could be used in widely known U.S. military knife.
measuring charges, while its sharply pointed The Ka-Bar isn't as sturdy as a lot of custom
blade could be used to clear a touch hole or cut utility knives, but it is very durable. The blade
a fuse, as well as to deal with an enemy at close has often been snapped when used too force
quarters. Other stilettos from the same period fully to pryor puncture, but a lot of Ka-Bars
doubled as a pair of dividers, thus increasing have been used to do both without breaking.
their utility. The Ka-Bar's forte is performing a lot of tasks
The German Red Cross Hewer of World War reasonably well. The Marines certainly love the
5
Ka-Bar and don't seem inclined to get rid of it,

and that's a pretty solid recommendation. When
it comes to doubling as a combat knife, the
Ka-Bar has probably accounted for more dead
enemy troops than any other American fighting
knife. It should be noted, by the way, that "Ka
Bar" has become somewhat of a generic term,
and the same basic knife has been made by PAL,
Camillus, and Robeson Shuredge as well as
Ka-Bar itself.
A general-purpose knife developed for the OSS and SOE

in World War II was this copy of the German "gravity
knife." The Commandos who were issued this knife
learned to kill using the spike to thrust into the carotid
artery.
1
A member of the U.S. Army Special Forces wears a utility knife of undetermined type on his right hip while serving
"survival foods" to VIPs.
Members of the U.S. Army's 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne) put their utility knives to good use preparing meat.
UTILITY OR GENERAL-PURPOSE KNIVES 9
This survival knife, used by the British Army I offers a

heavy, durable blade and a comfortable hilt. It is used
primarily by troops in Arctic situations.
A member of Merrill's Marauders during World War II wears what appears to be a Ka-Bar utility knife along with his.45
auto .
The Marine's old standby, the Ka-Bar. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps.
UTILITY OR GENERAL-PURPOSE KNIVES 7l
This variation of the Ka-Bar is used by the U.S. Navy SEALs as a utility knife.
72 SUR VI VAL/FIGHTING KNI VES
JET PILOT'S SURVIVAL KNIFE crossguard is rectangular in shape and is drilled

for a wrist thong.
Bearing some similarities to the Ka-Bar is The leather sheath has a pocket for the sharp
the "Jet Pilot's Survival Knife." Despite the fact ening stone which comes with the knife. There
that this knife was originally designed to be a are holes in the sheath so that it can be lashed to
pilot's knife, it has seen wide usage among other webbed gear or affixed to a pilot's survival vest.
military personnel who value its excellent quali On current sheath models, a sheet-metal rein
ties. It was very popular, for example, with forcing plate acts as a chape and runs up the
Special Operations Group recon teams in Viet back of the sheath.
nam, and strike teams of the USAF Combat The Jet Pilot's Survival Knife is intended to
Security Police often carried this type of survival be a mass-produced, inexpensive, military utility
knife. knife, a function it fulfills admirably. (Of the
The original pilot's survival knife, developed currently available military utility knives, it is
by the Navy in conjunction with Marbles Arms one of my favorites.) Various companies have
in 1957, had a 6-inch Bowie-style, blued blade had the contract to make Jet Pilot's Survival
with saw teeth along the top . In 1962, however, Knives: Camillus, Milpar, Utica, and Ontario
the blade was shortened to 5 inches, which is the (in addition to Marbles) come to mind . My cur
length still in use. Normally, the 5-inch blades rent Jet Pilot is an Ontario made in 1980. There
have also been parkerized. Like the Ka-Bar, the are cheap imitations of this knife around, so you
Jet Pilot's Knife uses stacked leather washers for would be well-advised to acquire one made for
the handle. The butt plate consists of heavy steel the military or a military overrun.
and is designed for pounding or grinding. The
A U.S. Ranger advisor to the Viet Rangers wears a Jet Pilot's Survival Knife on his left hip. Photo courtesy of the U.S.
Army.
-
13
The Jet Pilot's Survival Knife and its sheath. Note the metal chape on the sheath and the leather washer handle on the
knife.
Used by U.S. Navy personnel, including the SEALs, the

Mark 3, Model 0 utility knife shows an extremely
clipped point and a serrated top used to cut rope .
MARK 3, MODEL 0 U.s. NAVY UNDERWATER KNIFE
The U.S. Navy uses another utility knife Speaking of knives used by the SEALs, the
known as the Mark 3, Model O. This well-made U.S. Navy Underwater Knife is a utility knife
knife has a 6-inch, blued-steel blade with a pro designed for specialized usage . Made of a non
nounced clipped point and rope-cutting serra ferrous alloy, this knife has a 7-1/4-inch parker
tions along the top edge . The crossguard is also ized blade with saw teeth along the back of the
blued steel and is shaped in an elongated dia blade. The scales and sheath are of high-impact
mond. Grip scales are of high-impact plastic and plastic. This seems to be a durable and func
are heavily checkered with "USN" molded in. tional knife from the examples I've examined,
The steel butt is flat so that it can be used for though it has made the news as one of those
pounding. The butt cap is also drilled for a wrist boondoggles which cost the government a ridicu
thong which passes through it. lous price to replace.
The Mark 3, Model O's sheath is made of
black molded plastic or fiber and has a black MACHETES
webbed frog, which allows the knife to be
attached either via a belt loop or a hanger for a Although not strictly knives, machetes can
pistol belt. The bottom of the sheath is pierced often function as good utility blades when used
for a tie-down thong. properly. Like the really heavy-duty survival
Although the extremely clipped point bothers knives, they're normally a bit large to be used
me since it is somewhat fragile, I am otherwise with real finesse, however. The "Worldwide Sur
quite impressed with this high-quality knife. It is vival Tool" which Brigade Quartermaster lists in
said that the Navy SEALs are using it, and they its catalog seems to be a useful one. Along with
have high standards in equipment. the "Commando Jump Sheath" sold with it,
Even the machete makes a useful general-purpose blade if used with care. Members of the old 77th Special Forces
Group are shown using a machete to cut meat. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.
\ ,
I
I
_I
I
This odd-looking machete was used by the Special Forces in Vietnam and was often used as a heavy-utility cutting
implement.
the "Tool" should be a most useful item in the made it relatively popular for utility use.
outdoors. Recently, Cold Steel has added the Outdoors
The old "Woodsman's Pal," or as its successor man to its line. Designed for the utility market,
was known in Vietnam, the "Survival Tool Type the Outdoorsman has virtually the same hilt and
IV," is another useful heavy-duty utility blade. crossguard as the Tanto but has a distinctly dif
Of general machete type, this knife in its later ferent blade, with a more traditional point
version has a heavy 10-inch blade of interesting and blade sweep. There's still a lot of steel at the
design. The primary edge is sharpened for cut tip, however, to keep the Outdoorsman's point
ting and hacking, but it does not have a point. sturdy. I have used the Tanto more than once to
It has more of a cleaver shape with a sharpened open oil cans, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate
hook on the back edge. In Vietnam, this knife to use the Outdoorsman for such cutting either.
functioned primarily as a survival tool carried in Along the top (or back) of the blade is a sharp
choppers, but a few turned up in the hands of ened section about 2 inches long which can be
grunts. used for hacking, while the back of the blade
near the crossguard has serrations.
THE TANTO AND OUTDOORSMAN Both the Tanto and Outdoorsman come with
the same well-made sheath, which has a Velcro
Though the Cold Steel Tanto is primarily retaining strap and loops which enable you to
a fighting knife, its durable 6-inch stainless steel wear it on the belt or upside down on combat
blade and rubberized Pachmayr-style grip have suspenders.
Although the Tanto is usually considered to be a fighting knife, its durability makes it a good utility knife as well.
Photo courtesy of Cold Steel.
. The Cold Steel Outdoorsman is a general-purpose version of the Tanto. Photo courtesy of Cold Steel.
RANDALL KNIVES them since they add to the knife's utility. I

have found this knife to be incredibly durable
Among custom knifemakers, there is a for field usage, while its shape and balance allow
wealth of general-purpose knives, some of which it to double as a fighting knife if needed. The
are called "hunting knives." As with all custom Model 15 is basically the same knife, but with a
knives, one should take advantage of the fact 5-1/2-inch blade. Many find the shorter blade
that a custom knife can be tailor-made to one's easier to use for most chores.
needs. Frequently, one of the knives discussed in For the serving soldier, sailor, airman, or
this work under the heading "survival knives" marine, the utility knife is the most likely type
will make an excellent utility knife. In fact, the of knife to be issued, which along with the hol
purpose of a survival knife is to be utilitarian. low-handled survival knife is likely to be the
My choice of custom-makers for general most useful. The utility or survival knife, with
purpose military usage is Randall, my favorite its ability to perform a lot of tasks, will be the
fighting/utility knives being the Model 14 best choice for the outdoorsman. The primary
"Attack" or Model 15 "Aircrewman." The purpose of any utility knife is that it must ade
Model 14 is a heavy-duty knife with a 7-1 /2-inch quately perform whatever job it's called upon to
Bowie-style blade and black Micarta handle, do, ranging from skinning a deer to eliminating
which incorporates finger grooves and a ,brass the enemy at close-quarters. It must also retain
crossguard. Saw teeth along the top/back of the the ability to keep performing the job again and
blade are an option, and I would recommend again.
UTILITY OR GENERAL-PURPOSE KNI VES 79
The classic lines of this Randall show why it has always been the fighting man's choice .
The Randall fightingjsurvivaljgeneral-purpose knife is used by members of the 12th Special Forces Group {Abn}.
The Model 14, perhaps today 's most popular Randall with military personnel, has a saw-tooth blade, which adds to the
knife's utility value.
These two Randalls-the Model 18 at left and the Model 15 at right-saw a lot of use in Vietnam.
3.
Commercial Hollow
Handled Survival Knives
Although the Rambo films seem to have carrying so much gear he'd never get far from
given the hollow-handled survival knife the same civilization anyway. The basic tenet in using the
appeal that the "Dirty Harry" films granted the hollow-handled survival knife is that it should be
S&W Model 29, the concept of a blade with stor a useful heavy-duty knife in normal guise, but
age space in the hilt is by no means new. In fact, that the kit in its handle is there for last-ditch
Renaissance swords and daggers occasionally usage.
incorporated storage space in either the hilt or Although a lot of people simply like knives
the sheath for certain necessities. Actually, the and own custom survival knives just for the plea
hollow-handled surviva.1 knife as it is now known sure of having them, there are certain people
dates back about four decades to knives manu who find the hollow-handled survival knife to be
factured by Case and Ka~Bar in the 1940s. The especially useful. Almost anyone who works,
first custom knife of this type to achieve wide hunts, or hikes in the boonies should find a
popularity was the Randall Model 18 "Attack/ good hollow-handled survival knife to be a use
Survival," used by many in Vietnam, including ful tool and a comforting edge against Murphy's
myself. Law of the Jungle, which states that whatever
The hollow-handled survival knife has a lot of can go wrong will and only the strong and pre
critics as well as advocates, with myself pared will survive such disasters. Those who
staunchly among the latter. Some of the criti work consistently far from civilization-rangers,
cisms of this type of knife are, however, justi game wardens, bush pilots, prospectors, and
fied, the most common being that the lack of trappers, for example-are all very likely to be
a full -length tang weakens the knife so that the customers for a hollow-handled survival knife.
blade is likely to separate from the hilt during Traditionally, however, the foremost cus
hard usage. Though a valid criticism, recent tomers for such knives have been military per
techniques in joining the shortened tang to the sonnel, who by the nature of their profession
hilt have greatly enhanced the integrity and may have to survive in a hostile environment.
strength of some hollow-handled knives. In Vietnam, the Randall Model 18 was especially
Another common criticism is that the knife is popular with those troops who operated in small
expected to do too much. Individuals purchase units, often in "Indian Country," and were
a custom hollow-handled knife and think they likely to have to "E&E" (Escape and Evade) the
have a talisman that will enable them to sur enemy if detected. The Army Long Range
vive-no matter what. Such an attitude is, of Reconnaissance Patrol, Special Forces, and Ran
course, ridiculous, but the whole point of the gers; the Air Force Pararescuemen, Combat Con
hollow-handled knife is that it can perform a trollers, and Combat Security Police; Marine
wealth of functions in emergency situations. Recons; Navy SEALs; and chopper pilots were
Having such a knife is similar to having an insur among the users of the Model 18.
ance policy should one find himself facing the Special operations troops around the world
wilderness with nothing else: obviously, if one justifiably continue to be among the leading
anticipates every crisis, one would always be customers for such knives. For example, I
prepared. Of course, on the down side, he'd be have seen hollow-handled survival knives carried
23
24 SUR VI VAL/FIGHTING KNI VEs

1
Mike England fighting and survival knives, including some miniature hollow-handled knives, are shown above. Photo
courtesy of Mike England.
Though not tested by the author, these hollow-handled survivors from Mike England have a sound reputation. Photo
courtesy of Mike England.
COMMERCIAL HOLLOW-HANDLED SURVIVAL KNIVES 25
by the members of the following units: U.S . and be capable of cutting wood and other
Army Special Forces, Rangers, and airborne; materials to build fires and construct: shelter,
U.S. Navy SEALs; USAF Pararescuemen; French cutting snares or materials for traps or nets,
Foreign Legion; French Regiment Parachute skinning game, or spearing fish. The survival
Infantry Marines ; French Marine Commandos; knife owner may also expect it to aid in navi
Rhodesian Selous Scouts, Special Air Service, gation, provide health care, act as a signaling
and Rhodesian Light Infantry; South African device, or serve as a weapon. Among the tools
Recce Commandos; Australian Special Air or implements the survival knife may have to
Service; Spanish Special Operations Companies function as is the spear, hatchet, saw, machete,
and Spanish Foreign Legion; Sultan of Oman's screwdriver, hammer, chisel, compass, and drill.
Special Force ; and British Special Air Service. Depending on the contents of that small com
Because I have at times worked in some partment in the handle, the knife may also hold
Third World countries as an advisor to police or supplies for fishing, health care, sewing, and
military units, a Randall Model l8-or more . fi re-starti ng.
recently, a Parrish Combat Survival knife-has Obviously, with the myriad of tasks it's
often been a companion. As an "advisor" or expected to perform, the survival knife must
"trainer," I frequently carried only my knife be chosen very carefully. With dozens of models
and a handgun. As a result, it was a comfort to on the market-and prices ranging from ten
know that my personally selected survival/ dollars to one thousand dollars-the choice can
E&E kit was available in the hilt of the knife be bewildering. To help you determine which
and/or secured about my belt in pouches. hollow-handled survival knife to buy, I've com
Because many of the professionals who carry piled the following guide to some of the most
a survival knife consider it to be a tool which commonly encountered knives of this type.
may someday save their lives, they expect a Since the commercial hollow-handled knives
lot from their hollow-handled blade. It is ex are the most readily available and the most
pected to provide shelter, warmth, and food widely used, I'll cover them first.
This early hollow-handled commercial knife from Garcia included an interesting combo compass, sharpening stone, and
storage compartment which fit into the pouch on the front of the sheath.
LlFEKNIFE small pockets, one on the front and one on the

back. The front one carries the double-sided
The Lifeknife family of knives has proved sharpening stone, while the rear one can be used
highly successful based on its wide availability, for carrying additional survival items. The sheath
its inclusion of a compact survival kit with the and roughened handle of the Commando are
knife, and its most reasonable price of $35 to available in either a black or camouflage finish,
$60 (depending on the model). with the camo adding ten dollars to the price .
Original Lifeknife Trailmaster
The Original Lifeknife has a 6-inch, Bowie A slightly more compact version of the
style blade of 420 series stainless steel. This Lifeknife is the "Trailmaster." Its Bowie-type
blade is hardened to Rockwell 57-58 and is blade is 5 inches of 440-C stainless steel with
highly polished so it can also serve as a signal serrations that are shallower than the two knives
mirror. The top of the blade bears twelve ser discussed above. The Trailmaster's hollow Val ox
rations for sawing. handle is imprinted on the outside with the
The aircraft aluminum handle is hollow and International Ground-to-Air Emergency Rescue
grooved in "Tootsie-Roll" fashion, being similar signals. As with other Lifeknives, the butt cap
to the Ka-Bar in appearance. This handle is incorporates a liquid-filled compass. The same
blackened and is watertight when sealed with basic Lifeknife survival kit, less the wire saw, is
the threaded brass cap which comes with the included as it is with the other knives. In addi
knife. Actually, two caps come with the knife, tion, a small medical kit, which contains a tour
one with a liquid-filled luminous compass and niquet, scalpel, suture, antibiotic cream, topical
one solid one for use in hammering or grinding. anesthetic, disinfectant, butterfly bandages, salt
Along with the Lifeknife comes a survival tablets, aspirin, and other first-aid items, is
kit inside the handle which includes a wire included.
saw, six feet of snare/utility wire, twenty feet The medical kit fits into a special pocket on
of nylon line, fish hooks, sewing needles, and the Cordura nylon sheath. Though a sharpening
lifeboat matches. The black leather sheath incor stone is furnished with the Trailmaster, there is
porates a pocket which contains a small sharpen no pocket for it. There is not enough room for it
ing stone. in the pocket which holds the medical kit unless
some of the medical items are removed.
Commando
My personal favorite among the Lifeknife Floatknife
models is the "Commando." This Lifeknife has For boaters and divers, Lifeknife also offers
a 6-inch, 440-C stainless steel blade with eleven the "Floatknife," which, as its name indicates,
serrations intended to cut wood, sheet metal, or will float if it should fall into the water. The
nylon rope. The blade on the Commando is Floatknife's bUQyancy is provided by its Dupont
more of a spear-point than a Bowie style, Zytel hollow handle, which is yellow for easy
which makes it sturdier for prying and other visib ility . The double-edged 440-C stainless steel
utility usage. The crossguard is drilled so that blade has serrations along the top for sawing,
the Commando can be lashed to a pole for use while the other edge is razor sharp for cutting.
as a spearhead. A slot cut almost the full length of the blade
The hollow handle of the Commando is also lowers the weight and aids buoyancy.
of aircraft aluminum but is molded with finger The Floatknife's butt cap, also of Zytel,
grooves. The same two butt caps are included contains a luminous, liquid-filled compass.
and seal the storage compartment so that it is Imprinted on the handle are both the Morse
watertight using the O-ring included. In addition Code and Emergency Rescue signals. Within the
to the same survival items included with the hollow handle is the same basic survival kit
Original Lifeknife, the Commando also includes found in the Trailmaster. The same compact
sinkers for fishing and a loose compass for use medical kit included with the Trailmaster is also
when the solid butt is in place. included in a pocket on the Floatknife's Cordura
The Commando's sheath incorporates two nylon sheath.
The cammo hilt and sheath of the Lifeknife Commando are shown here, along with the contents of its hollow handle.
The oversized handle of this Lifeknife Floatknife helps make the knife buoyant and provides a lot of storage space.
This knife, with its Cordura nylon sheath, would be a good knife to stow aboard a boat.
1
A General Note on Lifeknives twenty-two well-designed saw teeth, which work

Although the Lifeknife line offers excellent very well. The teeth, which are the full width of
value for the money, I would not normally the blade in order to avoid binding, are angled
at 35 degrees to avoid clogging. Also incorpor
choose one as my primary utility/survival knife
which I use virtually every day. Though quite ated into the blade are a clinometer (for deter
mining the angle of elevation of something
durable, the Lifeknife group of knives will not
from the horizon as an aid to navigation), five
stand up to some of the same hard usage that
International Ground-to-Air signals (assistance,
the better custom survival knives can tolerate.
negative, medical, affirmative, and direction),
The Lifeknife is not really intended to be a
and a six-centimeter ruler. A slot in the blade
heavy duty knife, either. It is at its best when
allows the knife to be used in conjunction with
employed as a general-purpose outdoors knife
the sheath as a wire cutter. The section of the
by the casual user or when kept in an emergency
blade used for wire cutting has even been spe
survival kit in case of need . The latter is , in fact ,
cially tempered. This same slot can also be used
the task the Lifeknife knives · perform best.
with an optional harpoon barb.
Because of · the well-thought-out survival kits
The Explorer's hollow handle is of cast alu
included with the knives and their very rea
minum with a nonslip black epoxy finish and
sonable prices, Lifeknives can be bought in
comfortable finger grooves. A removable hand
multiples and stored for emergency usage . For
example, I. have two four-wheel~drive vehicles, guard is incorporated instead of a crossguard.
and I keep a Lifeknife Commando in one and a It is useful should the knife be used in hand-to
hand combat or when gripped while being used
Trailmaster in the other. Normally, when off
for such tasks as hammering. The nonmagnetic
roading I'll have one of my custom knives as
stainless steel butt cap, which is drilled for
well as a firearm and other survival gear along.
a wrist thong, has a built-in compass inside the
No matter what my plans may be, a Lifeknife,
cap where it is well protected. The compass is
still in the box with its kit, is permanently
liquid-filled and designed to be highly shock
stored in the vehicle. I think that it is advisable
resistant. (When I compared it with my Pris
to keep such a kit in the cabins of light planes or
matik compass, it proved quite accurate.)
boats, weekend cabins in the woods, or any
Inside the hollow handle is a tubular, water
other place a survival situation could arise. A
proof plastic container which contains a minia
lot of people just don't have the time or the
ture survival kit. Like the knife itself, the
inclination to assemble their own survival kit ,
"Survival Capsule" is very well designed, and
but by purchasing a Lifeknife one then has a kit
contains a needle and suture thread , scalpel ,
and basic survival tool in one package. The Life
sewing needles, magnesium flint bar (fire start
knife could also be an excellent addition to
er), waterproof and windproof matches and
one's survival retreat. Three or four Lifeknives
striker, water-purification tablet, and a fishing
not only would make good spares, but they
kit (six hooks, two sinkers, a float, and fishing
would also be excellent barter material if and
line) intended to be used by affixing the line
when ti mes got very, very bad.
through a small hole in the blade. The knife
can thus be used as the rod, especially if a shaft
BREWER EXPLORER has been fitted into the hollow handle to con
vert the knife into a spear. The Morse code is
I rate the Brewer very highly; it is, in fact, printed on the outside of the capsule, which is
my own favorite among the commercial hollow one of the Explorer's foremost features. A
handled survival knives. The Brewer's blade is similar capsule should be furnished with any
6-1/2 inches in length, and it is fabricated of hollow-handled knife since it allows one to
440-C stainless steel which has been black remove the survival items without dumping
chromed. On some models the blade is polished them out piecemeal, thereby preventing the loss
for use as a signaling mirror. Since the Brewer of a precious aspirin, water-purification tablet,
is a military-type survival knife, which may or fish hook.
double in night combat usage, I prefer the black The Explorer's sheath is also well designed
ened blade. Along the top of the blade are - and functional. Fabricated of glass-fiber rein
The Brewer Explorer with its survival capsule, compass, and sheath. Note the clinometer on the blade and the cutout
for use with wire cutters.
The tip of this Brewer Explorer's sheath can act as a wire cutter in combination with the knife.
forced Poliamid with a webbed belt loop and tional center of quality blades. The Jungle King
sharpening stone built into the back of the has a 5-1/2-inch, blackened stainless steel blade
sheath, it is one of the best available for a survi with a sturdy spea,r point. Saw teeth, which run
val knife. When the protective cap at the base of about 2-1/2 inches along the top of the blade,
the sheath is pulled downward, the wire-cutter are full width and angled with staggered teeth
pivot and a screwdriver blade are exposed. The to reduce binding or clogging. Overall, the blade
tie-down thong keeps the sheath from falling design is effective, but it is a light blade which
off. lacks the weight needed for hacking or some
The current list price of the Brewer Explorer other heavy uses.
is about $150, and I consider it a real bargain The hilt is of black anodized aluminum alloy
at that price. I especially recommend it for mili with knurled bands to enhance its ability to be
tary usage since it incorporates many features gripped. There is a small hole in the hilt's base
which should prove useful for battlefield, where a roll pin passes through the hilt, cross
bivouc, and SERE (Su rvival, Escape, Resistance, guard , and blade. The blade is sweated into the
Evasion). Of commercial hollow-handled survival hilt about an inch inside the crossguard, thereby
knives, this is my personal top choice. making the knife relatively sturdy as hollow
handled knives go. The lack of a full-length tang,
however, is still one of the disadvantages of such
JUNGLE KING knives. The crossguard has a hole on each side
which, combined with the hole through the hilt,
Like the Brewer Explorer', the Aitor Jungle should allow the knife to be effectively lashed to
King is manufactured in Toledo, Spain, a tradi a pole that is thrust into the handle cavity.
The Jungle King has a compass in its butt cap, a survival capsule, and a sheath with raised slingshot ears.
The butt cap is also made of aluminum and

has a hole through which a wrist thong is af
fixed. Inside the butt cap is a rather cheap com
pass which is not liquid-filled. Still, it is better
than no compass, assuming one has checked its
accuracy and bears in mind its margin of error.
It should at least serve as an emergency backup
to a larger, more sophisticated compass. I always
view the compass on a survival knife as-a backup
in any case.
Like the Explorer, the Jungle King incorpor
ates a "survival capsule. " In one respect I like
this one even better than that of the Explorer.
The Jungle King's 2-3J4-in ch-long capsule has
two compartments-one large one which con
tains the "Kit" and one small one for carry
ing water-purification tabs, aspirins, "uppers,"
etc. The survival kit packed in the other com
partments contains three fish hooks, sinkers,
about three meters of fishing line, a small pencil,
two safety pins, two needles, thread, a scalpel,
tweezers, two Band-Aids, and a flint for start
ing fires.
The Jungle King's sheath not only carries the
knife, but it offers a wealth of additional survi
val gear. The sheath itself is of olive drab, high
impact plastic and has a very wide mouth, the
purpose of which will become clear shortly. The
belt loop is of olive drab webbing, and there is
also an olive drab tie-down thong. Built into the The mouth of the Jungle King's sheath, in which one can
back of the sheath is a sharpening stone. I see the frame which carries a harpoon shaft.
should note here that I consider the incorpora
tion of the sharpening stone into the sheath an
excellent idea since you are less likely to lose Jockey Shorts! (I should note, by the way, that
the stone and it is easier to use, being so acces anyone constructing slingshots using the elastic
sible. from Jockey Shorts must bear in mind that it is
At the base of the sheath, where the chape quite difficult to shoot accurately when you
would be located, are two arms which fold out need one hand to hold the slingshot, one to pull
from the sheath at 180 degrees, forming a sling back the elastic, and one to hold up your
shot. To complete assembly of the slingshot, one shorts!) I tried the slingshot on the Jungle King
must remove a metal frame/holder which fits using 000 buckshot for ammo and could shoot
into ' the back half of the sheath's mouth. relatively accurately out to fifteen to twenty
Wrapped around this frame is latex tubing yards. It might be a good idea, though, to tape
(including a pouch for the projectile) which can some ammo to the back of the sheath or carry
be affixed to the arms of the sheath, thereby some along with the knife in some other way
forming the slingshot. This latex tubing can also since stones will not perform as well.
double as a tourniquet. Though not as effective Another useful implement fitted into the
as some of the excellent commercial slingshots frame inside the sheath is a small harpoon blade,
available, the one incorporated into the Jungle which has holes and a line for affixing it to a
King will certainly work better than one created shaft. Theoretically, this harpoon head is for
from a forked branch and the elastic from one's fishing, but it can also be used to construct
34 SUR VI VAL/FIGHTING KNI V£S
spring-and-spear traps. A device which might be ing, the raker saw teeth on this knife are not
even more useful and versatile would be a broad very effective, requiring a great deal of effort to
headed hunting arrowhead. I used to get two accomplish anything. The teeth on the clipped
or three such arrowheads out of Air Force edge, on the other hand, are very effective on
survival kits in Vietnam and include them in my rope and other heavy line. The blade is heavy
E&E kit. Bear in mind, though, that you can enough and balances well for hacking. Since the
include just so much gear in the handle and Buckmaster also has one of the strongest lock
sheath of a knife! ups between the blade and hilt of any hollow
What really adds to the usefulness of the har handled knife, there is little likelihood that the
poon is that it also incorporates a can opener, blade will separate from the handle even under
bottle opener, screwdriver, and shackle wrench hard usage.
into its design. When using these other tools, be The crossguard is very heavily made with a
careful so that you don't harpoon your hand. slight "hook" on each side toward the blade.
One final implement included in the package is On each side is a threaded hole which can be
the frame which holds the harpoon and latex used to either lash the knife when used as a sur
tubes. It has a polished section which can be vival spear or to screw in two "anchors" which
used as a signal mirror. The frame can also serve come with the knife. Theoretically, these
as a base when constructing certain types of anchors allow the knife to be used as a grappling
traps or snares. hook or as some other implement, but I really
The overall quality of the Jungle King is not find they just get in the way when on the knife
up to that of the Brewer Explorer, but its versa and do not store anywhere about the sheath
tility and low price of about $100 make it a conveniently. Hence, I don't use them. The
viable choice for some survival tasks. I especially Buckmaster was supposedly designed with cer
like the inclusion of the slingshot and the har tain U.S. Navy units (such as the SEALs) in
poon/can-opener tool since both devices could mind, which may offer some explanation
prove to be most useful in a survival situation. for this feature.
Although I know for a fact that some Spanish The hollow handle offers a large storage area
special operations units use the Jungle King, I and hand-filling knurled gripping surface. The
would normally want a heavier-duty knife as my butt cap, which has an O-ring to ensure water
everyday working blade, especially for military tightness, contains an internal compass and fits
use. I would and do use the Jungle King in the through a large lanyard ring located between
same manner as I use the Lifeknife-as an emer the handle and the butt cap.
gency item to be carried or stored in places The Buckmaster's "Griptite" sheath is of
where I could conceivably need a survival knife. black high-impact plastic, with two slots on each
The fact that the Jungle King is so versatile and side so that it can be strapped to a leg or addi
offers so many functions makes it an excellent tional gear can be lashed on. The retaining strap
knife for inclusion in an off-road vehicle's kit and belt loop are of black webbing, and there is
or in a light plane's survival items. a tie-down thong at the bottom of the sheath. A
sharpening stone is incorporated into the back
of the sheath. One feature of the sheath that
BUCKMASTER could prove useful is the inclusion of two op
tional pouches (one small, one large) which can
This large, heavy-duty survival knife from be affixed to the sheath to carry more gear.
Buck Knives is intended to compete with the big When additional items are attached to the
custom hollow-handled knives from Lile, Ran sheath, of course, both bulk and weight are in
dall, Parrish, and others. creased; therefore you must weigh the advan
The Buckmaster's 7-1/2-inch, Bowie-style tages of additional items on the sheath against
blade has a sandblasted gray finish. Along the having to carry more on the belt.
top of the blade are nine raker-style saw teeth, The Buckmaster is a large knife that has that
while the clipped portion of the blade has "First Blood" look without the price of a cus
nine teeth for sawing rope or nylon cord. tom knife. I feel, however, that its more than
Though they are full-blade width to retard bind two pounds of weight legislates against choosing
15
The odd lugs or anchors of the Buckmaster screw into the crossguard.
it as a general survival/utility knife. Its weight, I have by no means covered all of the avail
combined with the saw teeth's relative ineffec able commercial hollow-handled knives, but
tiveness would cause me to evaluate the Buck those discussed represent some of the most
master below some of the other commercial popular models. More to the point, they repre
knives of this type, especially the Brewer Ex sent the models I have used in the field and
plorer. know to be of acceptable quality.
4.
Custom-Made Hollow
Handled Survival Knives
and Substitutes
The wealth of custom hollow-handled Sylvester Stallone selected the big Lile knife to
survival knives is even greater than that of com be his co-star in First Blood: it's an attention
mercial models. A healthy proportion of custom getter.
knifemakers have added a hollow-handled survi The Sly II is offered in three blade lengths:
vor to their product line due to the popularity 6, 7-1/2, or 9 inch~s. The 9-inch version is
of the Rambo films and the resulting demand closest to the First Blood knife ; for all around
for such knives. Once aga in, I am not able to usage, though, the 7-1/2-inch blade might be
evaluate all of the knives available-nor even a more efficient. The Bowie-style blade is made of
majority of them-but I have used some of the 440-C stainless steel with a matte finish . Like
most popular custom models, one, in fact, for most survival knives, the Sly II has saw teeth
almost twenty years. The same criteria I have along the top of the blade. The Lile saw teeth
applied to the knives I have tested can also be are among the most efficient I've tested, work
applied to other knives . Because of the expense ing effectively on everything from nylon rope to
involved in buying a custom knife and the wood. To give the saw versatility, the first four
potential for having the maker incorporate any teeth, which merge into the sharpened clip, are
special features you may want, be sure to evalu single raker teeth. These teeth taper into the
ate your needs carefully and select a knife which eight unique Lile "split teeth" toward the
will serve you for life-as a good custom knife middle of the blade. The split teeth are the full
should be expected to do. width of the blade in order to counter binding
There are less well-known custom knife on wood or bone, while the four narrower raker
makers who produce high-quality survival teeth toward the front of the blade are designed
knives; however, bear in mind that the better to work well on nylon rope and thin sheeting
known and longer-established custom knife (such as fiber glass).
makers have perfected their designs and must Though the Sly II's blade is massive, it is very
protect their reputations. Since some custom well-balanced, thereby being a good compromise
made knives from established makers have been between general usage and possible combat ser
around for awhile, you can ask the knife owners vice. In fact, I give the Sly 1/ 's blade very high
how well the knives have performed. Another marks overall, except for the fact that its sharply
advantage of choosing a knife from one of the clipped point might break if used for prying ;
better-known custom makers is that examples hence, caution must be used. For other cutting
of their basic models will often be on hand for tasks, however, it works marvelously .
immediate delivery. The matte stainless-steel crossguard is as mas
LlLESLYIl sive as one would expect on a knife such as the
Sly II. There is the expected hole on each side
This excellent custom knife is the descen for lashing the knife to a shaft if used as a spear
dant of the custom blade Jimmy Lile produced or for affixing a wrist thong. One feature I espe
for Sylvester Stallone for the film First Blood. cially like on the crossguard are the lugs on each
Probably the best single word to describe the side, which would be useful in combat as a blade
Sly II is "impressive." That, of course, is why catcher while also helping to protect the hand
37
The Lile Sly II with its sheath. Note the line used to wrap the handle/hilt.
CUSTOM-MADE HOLLOW-HANDLED SURVIVAL KNIVES AND SUBSTITUTES 39
To provide versatility, the Sly II's saw teeth are arranged

in single raker teeth and "split teeth."
The Sly II balances very well in the hand whether used in combat or for general·purpose functions.
in utility usage. Even though I like the lugs, hide, but it is also available in black if so desired .
though, I'd trade them for the Phillips and blade It includes a tie-down tab with a rawhide thong
screwdrivers built into the ends of the cross so the sheath can be strapped to the thigh. Holes
guard on the original First Blood knife. in the frog allow the sheath to be lashed to the
The Sly II's 5-inch hollow handle is also made webbed gear for military or paramilitary usage.
of matte stainless steel and offers a good cC}.pac Instead of a sharpening stone, the Sly II incor
ity for storing survival items . The threaded butt porates a Model M, EZ Lap diamond sharpener
cap contains a small compass internally and an in a pocket on the front of the sheath.
O-ring for watertightness. The butt cap incorpo The Sly II is the most expensive hollow
rates a skull-crusher pommel, a feature I really handled survival knife covered in this book , but
like since one can deliver a devastating down it is also a very high-quality example of the
ward blow after a slash or parry without chang blade-maker's art. The combination of the Sly
ing the basic grip on the knife . This feature also II's quality and its use by the film character
works for puncturing cans. The knife's excellent Rambo explains its high price tag, which is
balance, well-designed blade, and skull crusher about $600. The Sly II is, in fact, such a hand
combine to make the Sly II one of the best some knife that one wants to just gaze at it in
fighting knives of the hollow-handled survival appreciation, but its rugged, eye-catching design
breed. should not cloud the fact that it is also a well
The Sly II's sheath is of top-grade brown cow designed tool , albeit an expensive one.
The heavy lugged crossguard on the Sly II can be used for parrying as well as for general-purpose application. Note the
"LlLE" marking.
CUSTOM-MADE HOLLOW-HANDLED SURVIVAL KNIVES AND SUBSTITUTES ei7
The holes in the crossguard allow the Sly II to be lashed to a shaft when used as a spear point.
A useful, small compass can be found in the Sly II's butt cap_
This Model M, E Z Lap sharpener comes with the Sly II.

The Sly II is shown beside the Randall Model 18, the first of the hollow-handled survival knives.
PARRISH SURVIVAL/FIGHTING KNIFE blade which can function as a signal mirror, but
I leave a matte finish entirely matte. The inter
This large knife from Robert Parrish, nal area of the hollow handle, in which you can
also known as the RP, is the one I now use as store survival items, is 2-3/4 inches long and
my standard heavy-duty survival knife. It has 13/16 inches wide . Although the Parrish does
also gained wide acceptance with military spe not come with a built-in compass, the company
cial operations units, ranging from the French is in the process of developing a spring-mounted
paras to the U.S. Special Forces. Like the Sly compass which will fit inside the butt cap and
II, the Parrish is a big, impressive knife, though will not be affected when the butt is used for
its lines are more heavy and functional. It costs pounding. An O-ring is used on the butt cap to
only a little over one-third of the Sly II's price keep the handle's storage area watertight. I can
tag. attest that it works, too, since my knife has
The Parrish has a massive 440-C stainless taken some dunkings, and the contents of the
blade, 8 x 1-1/2 x 1/4 inches, which is heat handle have remained dry.
treated to Rockwell 57-58. For added strength, Parrish offers two sheaths for the RP knife .
the spear point has extra metal at the point most The standard natural leather one is both sewn
likely to snap when used for prying. The weight and riveted. It has a pocket on the front which
of the blade is distributed toward the rear to holds a sharpening stone. This sheath is designed
make it more effective for hacking. Unlike some to be worn either on the belt or lashed to the
hollow-handled designs in which one is hesitant webbed gear.
to hack or chop with any force out of fear the The other sheath, which is the one I use,
blade will separate from the handle, the Parrish should be of special interest to anyone involved
has an incredibly sturdy system for mating the in military "special ops ." It costs more, but it's
blade to the handle. The tang is threaded to the very useful. This "Combat Jump Scabbard" is
handle, with the crossguard in between, and the of black Cordura nylon and has a belt loop that
whole thing is then epoxied. So far, my Parrish is adjustable for length of drop. It also has two
has seen heavy use on three continents and nylon leg straps so that it can be strapped down.
under assorted conditions and has "survived" The safety strap and flap for the sharpening
admirably . stone pocket both use Velcro closures. The
Like other knives of the type, the Parrish Sur knife therefore cannot penetrate the scabbard ,
vival/Fighting knife has saw teeth along the top the interior of which is lined with Lexan.
of the blade. It should be noted, however, that Though it's not as pretty as some leather
these are the most effective saw teeth I've ever sheaths, this sheath really works and keeps the
used . They are the full-width of the blade and knife exactly where one wants it along the
arranged in three rows. Though designed only thigh.
to cut on the draw stroke, these teeth are so I obviously think very highly of the RP Sur
effective that one can quickly cut through two vival/Fighter or I wouldn't have chosen one as
to three-inch limbs without binding. Since con the knife that goes with me to far-off places.
serving energy in a survival situation is impor The Parrish is a no-nonsense, general-purpos-e
tant, a saw that does the job with the least survival knife which can also slit a throat or
effort is very desirable, and the Parrish easily otherwise discommode an enemy if necessary .
fi lis the bi II. It is designed for the military special-ops trooper
The heavy crossguard is of 300 series stain who really uses his knife extensively.
less steel, also matte-finished . It has two holes
on one side for a wrist thong or the hypothetical RANDALL MODEL 18,
lashing for spear usage. ATTACK/SURVIVAL KNIFE
The hollow handle and butt cap are also of
300 series stainless steel and are matte-finished. acquired my first Model 18 over seven
On a knife which sees a lot of military usage, teen years ago in the Republic of Vietnam from
as does lne Parrish, the matte stainless finish is a buddy who wanted my Model 60 S&W badly
very desirable since it reflects less. Some individ enough to offer a lot more than it was worth,
uals like to have a small polished area on the including the Model 18. The Model 18 wasn't
The leather sheath comes standard with the RP Custom Fighting and Survival Knife, which has a heavy spear point and
very effective saw teeth.
The wrist thong on the RP prevents the knife user from losing the knife should it be dropped .
•
47
The RP Knife is shown in the Combat Jump Scabbard, which is very useful to military or SWAT personnel.
The Randall Model 18 with its 5-1 j2-inch blade appears here beside another symbol of quality, a Rolex watch. Note the
"5" on the blade which identifies it as stainless steel.
The Randall Model 18 with a 5-1 J2-inch blade is shown next to the Model 18 with a 7-1 J2-inch blade, which has had its
blade sandblasted .
the first hollow-handled survival knife, but for other Randalls in stock, but one will often have
many years it was probably the most widely to pay a premium price to get one immediately.
used. I have owned four Model 18s during the Active-duty military personnel can normally
last two decades and still have two of them. I get faster delivery from Randall if they are
have probably used the Model 18 in the field serving in a "combat zone."
more than any other knife I own, except per
haps for my Swiss Army Knife. I can honestly I can recommend the above-mentioned cus
say that the Model 18 has always performed tom hollow-handled survivors based on my expe
excellent service, but then it's a Randall, isn't rience with them in the field. Anyone of them
it? would be an excellent choice, since the special
The Model 18 has a spear-point blade which is characteristics of each could suit your specific
available in lengths of 5-1/2 or 7-1/2 inches, needs. Of the custom hollow-handled survival
either in stainless steel or high-carbon Swedish knives I have examined, but not field-tested,
steel. Currently, I have 7-1/2-inch tool steel the following appear to be acceptable: Timber
and 5-1/2-inch stainless steel versions. Although line, England, Crain, Baskett, and Cox. Another
the 7-1/2-inch version actually looks more sym interesting hollow-handled model is one from
metrical and stu rdy, I've found the 5-1/2-inch Tom Enos, who offers a full tang with a slot
blade to be handier. Both are well-balanced beneath the scales for the survival items. This
blades which will take and hold an excellent model was made to the design of survival-knife
edge. The twenty saw teeth are very sharp and expert J.E. Smith.
work especially well on heavy fabric, sheet
metals, etc. They will · also perform adequately VICTOR II SURVIVAL SYSTEM
on wood, though not as well as the Parrish.
The brass crossguard is silver-soldered be Before ending this chapter, there is one
tween the blade and the crossguard. It has a hole other blade I want to cover, though in some
on each side wh ich can be used for a wrist thong ways it should be evaluated in the utility knife
or to lash the knife to a pole. chapter. Since the knife incorporates a survival
The hollow handle is of stainless steel, sealed kit in its sheath, however, I feel it merits discus
with a threaded brass butt cap with an O-ring. sion here. The knife I am referring to is the Vic
The hilt, which is smooth and polished, offers tor II, which is crafted by A. Daniel Valois.
a rather slippery gripping surface. You can wrap The Victor II Survival System consists of the
the hilt with fish line or snare line, thereby knife, its sheath, and the very comprehensive
creating a gripping surface, and also carry an survival kit contained in the sheath. The blade,
additional survival item without taking up space which is of 440-C stainless steel and hardened
inside the handle. to 56-58 Rockwell, is 7 inches long with a 3
The Model 18's sheath is Randall's "C" inch minor cutting edge on the clip. Unlike the
model of oil-tanned saddle leather, which is hollow-handled knives, the Victor II has a full
very heavily stitched. Fitted with a pocket for length tang, although it does contain two half
the sharpening stone, the sheath comes with a inch-diameter stash areas for storing gold, jewels,
tie-down thong. It also has thongs for lacing it or other barter items. The tang is especially de
to the webbed gear since the Model 18 is geared signed to take certain tools contained in the
to the military market. survival kit. The wooden grip panels are of lay
Randall knives are of excellent quality and ered laminated wood, which form a camouflage
hold their value well, which makes them a good pattern.
investment. The Model 18 is a fine survival Sandblasted to create a nonglare finish, this
knife, which can still double as a fighting blade one-pound knife has a brass or aluminum cross
if needed. I recommend it highly. My only guard, depending upon individual choice. Very
objection to the Model 18, in fact, arises from well-balanced with its weight toward the back
the fact that it is so sought-after that one will of the blade, the knife can be wielded effectively
often have to wait years for the knife if it's when hacking and also handles well when used
ordered directly from Randall. There are cer for slashing during a knife fight.
tain dealers who will have the Model 18 or The sheath is surprisingly compact, consid
The Victor II Survival System consists of the knife, a sheath with a pocket for survival items, and the survival kit.
)
t,
The objects carried in the Victor II Survival System's well-thought-out survival kit are shown above.
ering it contains a comprehensive survival kit

in the pouch on the front of the sheath. Fully
packed, in fact, it's only one-inch thick. The
Obviously, A. Daniel Valois has given a lot
of thought to this kit, having chosen very high
quality components. Quality is of supreme
I
sheath is of black leather and has a snap retain importance when one's life may depend on a
ing strap. Woven through the back of the sheath particular item, and the Victor II Survival Sys
is a heavy-duty nylon cord which can be used to tem is a quality item. It also offers an excellent ;
lash the sheath to one's gear. This system is compact survival system for those who dislike \ I
effective and, though I often lash a sheath to my the hollow-handled knife and want a full-tanged
webbed gear, I'm cond itioned to having a belt blade. Although I normally carry my Parrish
loop available and would like to see one on the knife on my gun belt for general usage, I think
Victor II sheath as well. so highly of the Victor II system that if I know
The survival kit, which is in the pouch, makes I'll be traveling in really rough country or am in
up the remainder of the Victor II Survival Sys other situations where I'm wearing a pack, I
tem. Included are the following items: twenty generally strap the Victor II onto the frame for
five feet of stainless-steel wire rope with loop added insurance.
cords, five five-foot stainless-steel snare wires, If it hasn't already become clear, I'll unequivo
Phillips and blade screwdriver bits that fit into cally state that I believe the hollow-handled
the tang, a liquid-filled Silva compass, one small survival knife (or the Victor II system as a
adjustable wrench (which handles nuts up to substitute) is an invaluable tool for the serious
half an inch), six feet of nylo'n 370-pound test outdoorsman, soldier, game warden, bush pilot,
rope, two six-inch saw blades (one hacksaw, and or anyone who might have to keep himself
one for wood and plastic) which fit into the alive with just the items carried on his person.
tang, a Loray sharpening stone, four No.1 fish Of course, how well one chooses the survival
hooks, five fireproof and waterproof matches gear he carries with his knife and how effectively
with a waterproof striker, fifty feet of thirty he uses the knife can be even more important
five-pound test fishing or sewing line, a sewing than the choice of blade. Use of the knife and
needle, one P-38 can opener, two D-rings (for choice of survival kit, therefore, will be covered
making snares and garrotes), one slip ring, and in the next chapter.
four six-penny nails (useful in making snares and
traps) .
5.
Survival Knives and Kits
I n order to effectively use one of the hol

low-handled survival knives discussed in the pre
may need to be glued to one's sheath for ready
availability. If you have a sharpening stone with
ceding chapters, you must understand the limita the knife, you may want to determine whether
tions and capabilities of your knife and give lifeboat matches will work on it. A candle and
careful thought to what items will be packed some type of tinder are useful tools to carry for
into that limited storage space. The knives that fire-building. Any candle other than a small
come with a preassembled survival kit may save birthday candle would, obviously, not fit inside
you such a task, but these kits need to be sup the handle of the knife, however. Tinder in the
plemented in many cases. form of cotton or some other substance might
When assembling a mini-survival kit to be car be stuffed in somewhere, but natural tinder is
ried in a survival knife, bear in mind that such a usually available. If not, you can use lint or
kit is intended for a situation in which more something in your pockets to serve as tinder.
comprehensive kits carried in packs or elsewhere Due to the fact that one can improvise with tin
have been lost. In fact, I would normally recom der materials, I normally would not waste room
mend that the kit contained in the hilt of the in my knife's hilt for tinder. One fire-starting
knife be one's third reserve. The first-line kit aid I do try to include, though, is a compact
would, of course, be contained in one's pack or flint just in case I run out of matches. Because
stowed away in a safe place within a plane, RV, most survival flints or magnesium fire-starters
or boat. A second kit, one you either buy or come equipped with a key chain, I affix either
assemble yourself, should be carried in a pocket one to the back of my sheath with the chain and
or in a pouch on the belt. One of the sardine then wrap a few feet of line around it and the
can-sized, prepacked kits offered by Survi sheath to keep the fire-starter from moving
val Aids, Brigade Quartermasters, et aI., would around.
serve quite well. (One I especially recommend is
available in the United Kingdom from J. Wise LINE
man .) The third and final kit would be the one
carried in the handle of one's knife. Speaking of line, you should include a sub
stantial amount of nylon fishing line for use in
FIRE STARTING fishing, sewing, tying together branches for shel
ter, building traps, and assorted other uses.
Given the limited storage area in the handle Stainless-steel wire with a tensile strength of
of even a large survival knife, one must be very over one hundred pounds is also useful for build
selective about what one includes therein. Since ing shelters and making snares. Although a rea
fire is important for warmth, signaling, and sonable amount of line and wire can be placed
cooking food-as well as for water purification inside the handle of a survival knife, the most
some method for providing fire is a must. life efficient way to do so is to wrap the knife's
boat matches are frequently chosen because of handle with them. I normally wrap a bottom
their resistance to wind and dampness, but they layer of snare line around a top layer of nylon
work best with a special striking surface, which line. On my Parrish survival knife, I can usually
53
I
!'
i.
get forty to fifty feet of wire and more than at least four hooks (to allow for loss) of at least
fifty feet of nylon line on if I wrap them tightly, two sizes and three to four small lead sinkers.
yet I have only one layer of each material. The In addition to fishing, the fish hooks can also be
nylon line normally makes a surprisingly good used to make traps for small birds. Although not
gripping surface, though some knife owners like used strictly for fishing, some small eye screws
to cover the whole thing with tape. can be used to build static set fishing lines and
snares.
NEEDLES Since fish hooks are invaluable, it's a good
idea to use wire between the hook and fishing
A needle should be included since it can line to help prevent the line from being bitten
be used to repair clothing, sew wounds, remove in two. Using feathers or bits of cloth , you can
splinters, and create a makeshift compass. To also create lures. Another point to remember is
use a needle as a compass, stroke it with a piece that it may be easier to net fish, and if possible
of silk in one direction (normally toward the one should know how to make a gill net.
point) and then rub the needle with oil (running
a finger over the nose and forehead will nor
mally accumulate a sufficient quantity of oil) . HEALTH-CARE ITEMS
With a thread or line, make two loops and care
Water-purification tablets, Band-Aids, aspir
fully lower the needle into a nonmetallic con
in, and other health -care aids are obviously very
tainer of still water. Floating by surface ten
important survival items, but, once again, you
sion, the needle should rotate until the head
must consider the amount of room provided
points north (assuming it was stroked from head
in the knife's handle. I have, however, found
to point) . Even without the rather complicated
that a couple of Band-Aids and a couple of but I,
process of using a needle as a compass, though ,
terfly bandages will often fit in the pocket with
a needle doesn't take up much space and is a
the sharpening stone on knives having such a
very useful implement.
pocket. Water-purification tablets don't take
up much room and are useful should you need
COMPASSES to build a fire to sterilize water. Even more use
ful, though, is potassium permanganate, com
prefer survival knives that have a compass
incorporated inside the butt cap. Once again, I monly found in survival kits used by the Special
don't consider such a compass to be my primary Air Service. This substance can be used for fire
one, and I normally carry my Prismati k on my starting, signaling, water purification, and as an
belt. Still, it's nice to have a compass in the antiseptic. The key is to find a method of pack
ing the potassium permanganate so that it will
knife as a backup .
fit in the handle of one's knife.
In North America, a watch can be used to
create a relatively accurate compass. Be sure the
watch is set correctly to the local standard ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE CARRIED
Greenwich time . Lay the watch down faceup
with the hour hand pointing directly at the sun . Two other items I try to store with my sur
To check this alignment, place a thin stick up vival knife if I'm likely to be in the desert-a
right to determine whether its shadow falls possibility I must consider since I sometimes
along the hour hand . Once the hour hand is work in the Middle East-are about six feet of
aligned with the sun, south will lie midway quarter-inch plastic tubing and about six square
between the smaller arc between the hour hand feet of thin clear plastic. Useful in making a
and twelve o'clock. solar still, these items will not fit in the handle
of a knife and must therefore be lashed to the
FISHING sheath. My sheath sometimes ends up with a
few extra things wrapped around it, but the
Since fishing will often be one of your pri added items rarely add enough bulk to cause
mary means of obtaining food, a standard item problems, and their additional weight is negli
for inclusion is the fish hook. I normally include gible.
SURVIVAL KNIVES AND KITS 55
THE "MAP" POCKET one I find especially distasteful, I normally don't

recommend using a knife for a spear. In wild
I'd like to see more manufacturers, in fact, pig country, maybe, but normally I advise
offer a second pocket on the back of the sheath, against it. For fishing, especially, such spears are
perhaps even one made of thin nylon which normally not as effective as a gill net anyway.
would function much as a car's "map pocket." Even with a very durable spear-pointed blade,
Such items as a map of one's area of operation one must be careful of using the knife as a crow
and solar-still plastic can be carried in such a bar. Even high-quality stainless-steel knives will
pocket. A bulky pocket on the rear of the break if enough pressure is applied. Likewise,
sheath would most likely get in the way or rub don't abuse the saw teeth along a knife's top
the thigh, but such a pocket for flat items edge: even the most efficient survival-knife saw
shouldn't cause problems. teeth aren't intended to cut up an engine block
or saw down a redwood tree.
KNIFE TIPS Bear in mind the limitations of a knife's cut
ting edge. A heavy, general-purpose survival
Once you have chosen a good survival knife knife that is well suited for use as a small
and stocked its hollow handle with the proper hatchet is not likely to handle like a surgical
items, be sure to employ the knife properly. The instrument when one has to dress small game.
knife is a great tool but only if it is used intelli The best compromise is to carry a folding knife
gently and skillfully. as a companion to one's large hollow-handled
Don't abuse the knife, which is your primary surviyor. My personal choice is a Swiss Army
survival tool. Since the idea of tying my princi Knife, which may not be a perfect skinning or
pal tool on the end of a shaft and possibly losing filleting knife, but it is easier to handle than a
it while employing it as a harpoon or spear is larger knife and offers great versatility.
The author is not concerned that the Randall Model 18's blade will separate from the hilt as he applies 195 pounds of
weight behind his hacking strokes.
The best saw by far on any knife tested for this book is that found on the Parrish combat/survival knife. In only a few
strokes, it easily cut almost completely through this thick branch.
SURVIVAL KNIVES AND KITS 57
When using a large blade as found on a heavy to re-emphasize the fact that it is by its nature a
survival knife to skin or gut game, take special compromise between size and convenience, and
care not to cut so deeply that the gall or urine it is designed to perform a large number of tasks
bladder is punctured . (Such a puncture would adequately rather than one or two in an out
taint the meat.) If the edge near the point of the standing fashion. Likewise, one cannot expect to
survival knife is kept very sharp, it can certainly pack a comprehensive survival kit into the space
be used effectively in preparing meat when a available in the handle of the knife, but a sur
smaller blade is not available. vival kit should be available in a knife's handle
A friend of mine from the Special Air Ser should you need one as a final resort.
vice, an expert on survival , believes that it is Because of the limitations of the hollow
important to have different parts of the knife's handled survival knife, I recommend that it be
cutting edge sharpened to different degrees for supplemented with a good pocket knife such as
different uses. I concur with his viewpoint to the a Swiss Army Knife, accurate compass, map,
extent that I like the first two or three inches to firearm, and a more-comprehensive, pocket sur
be razor sharp, while further back toward the vival kit. All these items can be easily carried on
hilt I prefer a more axe-like cutting edge for the belt or in the pockets, thereby ensuring their
hacking. Since a survival knife will be used a propinquity if needed . When choosing a hollow
great deal for hacking and sharpening poles for handled survival knife for everyday use, I highly
building shelter, fish traps, and animal traps, recommend you choose either a high-quality,
knife sharpness is an important consideration. custom knife (such as the Parrish or Randall)
Having a very sharp portion on a blade is use or the best of the production knives (such as the
ful for creating the tinder, such as wood shavings Brewer Explorer) so that it can hold up under
or bark, needed to build a fire. Sawdust left heavy usage. If one is picking a survival kit to
from using the knife's saw blade can make excel store at a "retreat" or in one's home, the high
lent tinder. Bird down, dry straw, and various est-quality knife possible should also be chosen,
other natural materials also make good tinder. though some of the prepackaged inexpensive
A knife's balance and usefulness as a slash kits (such as those from Lifeknife) are useful
and-thrust weapon must also be considered. The since they can be purchased in multiples and
possibility of using a knife to silently eliminate stored in vehicles, boats, and planes.
a human enemy exists primarily for the soldier One of the most basic rules of survival is that
carrying a survival/fighting knife. Quite often, you keep your head and this applies to the
however, the design of a general-purpose knife acquisition of food and shelter, navigation, sig
does not lend itself well to the carotid thrust naling to extract oneself, and the use of one's
or the other more rapid killing techniques. knife. The survival knife will be your second
Probably the easiest way to make my basic most basic tool-your mind will be your first.
point about the hollow-handled survival knife is
6.
Folding General-Purpose
and Survival Knives
Beyond a doubt, the handiest knives dis SWISS ARMY KNIFE

cussed in this work are those "folders" which
fit in.lo a pocket or a pouch on the belt. In addi By far the most useful folding knife
tion.to being handy, such knives can be used for remains the Swiss Army Knife. Beware of the
a myriad of tasks where a certain delicacy of tendency, however, to choose a knife loaded
touch may be required (such as skinning). The with tools that is then too large to fit into a
folder also has the great advantage of propin pocket. Also beware of choosing cheap imita
quity ; one can easily have it along most of the tions. It's far better to pay a little more for a
time. Victorinox.
For survival/general-purpose usage, there are
four types of Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox
,CHOOSING A FOLDER
worthy of consideration : the Champion, Pio
Buck and Gerber, among others, offer quite neer, Huntsman, and Tinker.
durable and effective production folders which
will suffice for most tasks. The main point to Champion
remember in choosing a folder is not to buy one The Champion is the largest of these four,
that is too large, or you could otherwise carry which hampers its portability a bit; however, the
a sheath knife just as easily! Be sure that any fact that it includes so many blades and imple
knife intended for medium or heavy usage has ments makes it a good knife to tuck into a large
a locking blade. pocket when outdoors. It's also an especially
good one to use to illustrate the versatility of
SERE/ATTACK KNIFE the Swiss Army Knife genre by discussing the
Champion's tools and their various applica
There are many good custom-made folders tions:
on the market, and you can follow your own • Large blade. At 2-1/2 inches, this blade will
preference in choosing the one that has the right do most of the utility cutting one expects
feel. A good representative example is the from a small folding knife . I use it primar
"SERE/Attack" designed by AI Mar with the ily for cutting twine or apples or for some
Special Forces trooper in mind . (SERE stands other mundane chores, but in a pinch it
for Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion.) When could be used for skinning and cleaning
open, this sturdy and well-balanced folder ha? an small game. I have also used it for shaving
overall Iength of 10-1/2 inches, 4-1/2 inches of off dried bark for use as tinder.
which is blade. The blade locks open as any • Small blade. The smaller blade is .only 1-1/2
good utility folder should. The scales for the inches in overall length and is a useful sup
knife are of camo green Micarta. This knife is plement to the larger blade for cutting
designed primarily for utility/survival usage, tasks. Both this blade as well as the larger
though in a pinch it can also serve as a viable one take an edge well and hold it through a
fighting knife. The SERE comes with a leather lot of use if one shows reasonable judg
scabbard in either black or woodland camo ment.
pattern. • Corkscrew. Only someone who has found
59
The AI Mar SERE/ATTACK is an outstanding folding fighting/utility knife. It is much larger and more durable than can
be shown in this photo and I highly recommend it.
FOLDING GENERAL-PURPOSE AND SURVIVAL KNIVES 67
A Victorinox Champion is displayed with its various tools and blades.

The Swiss Army Knife's saw blade will really cut wood; it is, in fact, one of the most effective saws on a knife I have
ever used .
One use for the Swiss Army Knife is to shave bark for use as tinder.
himself with a bottle of wine and no cork one needs scissors. I would estimate that
screw can understand how useful this im I've used the scissors on my Victorinoxes
plement is. I have also used the corkscrew more than any other blade. Cutting finger
once or twice as a makeshift drill in light nails, trimming my mustache, cutting out
wood, though I don't normally recommend ads or coupons-the list of more mundane
the practice; in an emergency, though, it uses is long. In a survival situation, the abil
will do the job. ity to cut out a jerkin or other rough
• Can opener. The can opener on the Swiss clothing from a tarpaulin or heavy cloth
Army Knife actually works quite well. could be quite useful, and though the scis
Over the years, I've opened at least fifty sors on the Swiss Army Knife certainly
cans with this type of can opener, includ aren't heavy-duty shears, they are neverthe
ing some fairly heavy-gauge ones. It takes less surprisingly handy and durable. Other
a bit of practice and effort to achieve max uses include cutting leather thongs for traps
imum proficiency with this little can or snares, cutting signal panels from cloth
opener, but it does work reliably. or other material, or cutting strips of cloth.
• Small screwdriver. On the top of the can • Phillips screwdriver. I've found this blade
opener blade is a small screwdriver blade. invaluable for mechanical and minor car
Some of the tasks I've used it for include repai rs. Ph iII ips screwd rivers are often hard
setting adjustable sights on handguns and to find when one needs them, and it's a
tightening screws on my glasses. I've also real boon to always have one along. It takes
used it for very light prying jobs where it a bit of practice with the Swiss Army Knife
was necessary to get a thin blade under to keep the constant pressure on the Phil
something in order to open it. lips head so it doesn't slip out, but it does
• Bottle-cap lifter. In addition to normal work.
metal pry caps, I've also used this device • Magnifying glass. I really did use this device
on the plastic type found on brake fluid on my Champion a couple of times to read
or gas line deicer. fine print. In a survival situation, the glass
• Large screwdriver. This blade is located on can theoretically be used for starting fires,
the end of the bottle opener and is useful and I have managed to do so. One must,
for larger screws and for some types of pry however, have patience, good tinder, and
ing. Note, however, that you need to be strong sunlight to focus.
careful that the blade doesn't close on • Wood saw. Never underestimate the wood
your fingers when torquing a screw with saw on a Victorinox. The one on my Cham
any force. pion is extremely effective on limbs up to
• Wire stripper. Though I rarely use this fea 1-1/2 inches in diameter and can saw
ture, it's useful and doesn't take up any through them with great speed. This saw
additional room. It certainly is faster than cuts on both the forward and backward
using the regular knife blade to strip a strokes, which can therefore enhance its
wire. efficiency.
• Reamer. I usually think of this blade as an • Fish scaler. Whether in a survival situation
awl or leather punch, though it serves a lot or on a fish ing trip, th is device can be
of pu rposes. In many su rvival situations, quite useful. I've only used the one on
the ability to punch a hole in leather can my Victorinox once, but it worked ade
be important. Anyone who has lost pounds quately.
while on an extended patrol can attest to • Hook disgorger. Located on the end of the
the value of being able to take one's belt scaler blade, this is one of those features
in. Like the screwdriver blade, this is a very which takes up no extra room but is excep
useful tool, but one must make sure it tionally usefu I and saves a lot of wear and
doesn't close on the fingers while in use. tear on the fingers-a consideration for sur
• Scissors. I didn't realize until I started vival when infection could be a problem.
carrying my Swiss Army Knife how often • Ruler. Incorporated into the scaler blade,
1i
64 SUR VI VA LjFIGHTJNG KNIVES
Although it is not as easy to start fires with a magnifying lens as some adventure novels would lead one to believe, I
have managed to do so with patience and very dry tinder.
Some of the Champion's features are highlighted here: file/metal saw, fish scaler/hook disgorger/ruler and wood saw
blades.
the ruler is in both centimeters and inches SWISS ARMY KNIFE VARIATIONS
and can be used to measure objects up to
about three inches in diameter or length. Similar types of knives, known as "Spanish
Military Pocket Knives," offer variations of the
I've used mine a few times in hardware
Swiss Army Knives, some of which include a
stores when buying bolts or other parts.
• Metal file. Intended for use on the nails, fork, cartridge hook, or other tools. There is also
this file in a pinch can, along with the hack a West German Army knife which is quite com
saw edge, convert a piece of thin sheet pact and has a cutting blade, saw, screwdriver,
metal into an arrowhead, fishing spear bottle opener, corkscrew, and reamer.
point, or other implement. In evaluating the Swiss Army type of knife,
• Hacksaw. The edge of the file blade is a it is important to bear in mind that in many situ
light-duty hacksaw. I've only used this saw ations, your "survival" (or at least comfort) may
once to cut through a quarter-inch screw, depend on your being able to make a minor car
repair with a screwdriver or opening a bottle or
but it did the job reasonably effectively. It
could serve in a complete survival situation can of stew. Therefore, the fact that the Swiss
to rough-cut an arrowhead or other imple Army Knife's primary blade is not as effective
ment from sheet metal. at most tasks as the larger, more sturdy lock
• Fine screwdriver.. My Champion includes a
able blades on folders such as the AI Mar must
fine screwdriver blade in addition to the be weighed against the versatility of the Swiss
fine screwdriver on the can-opener blade. I Army Knife.
don't really know the reason for having
two such blades, though the separate blade
should be more effective on a tighter screw ACE-PAL-O
since it allows more leverage. UNIVERSAL SURVIVAL KNIFE
• Tweezers. I have found the tweezers which
tuck into the grip of the Swiss Army Knife Although it could have been discussed
to be among its most useful features. Their along with the hollow-handled survival knives ,
usefulness in removing splinters is, of the ACE-PAL-O Universal Survival Knife also
course, a boon, but I have also retrieved fits within the context of this chapter since it
more than one small object from a crack or is that odd hybrid, a "hollow-handled" folder.
crevice with them. This interesting knife comes with two 3-5/8
• Toothpick. The toothpick, which tucks inch blades which are interchangeable, the spare
into the grip opposite the tweezers, has also fitting into a small pocket inside the pouch. One
proven most useful. of the stainless blades has a cutting edge, while
the other has a cutting edge with a saw along the
top. The blades are easily interchangeable and
Other Swiss Army Knife Models lock into position using a locking stud. When
folded, a slight portion of the blade's base pro
The other three Swiss Army Knives incor trudes, thereby functioning as a screwdriver.
porate fewer blades, but they are easier to carry Beneath the one clear plastic scale are in
in a normal pocket. The Pioneer has a large dentations in the knife's body, in which are
2-1/4-inch blade, a large screwdriver, bottle stored or affixed certain survival items . Perma
opener, wire stripper, small screwdriver, can nently mounted beneath the scales are a small
opener, and reamer. The Hu ntsman has a 2-1/4 compass and a thermometer. The compass is in
inch blade, 1-5/8-inch blade, a large screwdriver, actuality a button compass and is not liquid
bottle opener, wire stripper, small screwdriver, filled . Personally, I wouldn't have included the
can opener, corkscrew, large scissors, wood saw, thermometer, but it's there.
reamer, tweezers, and toothpick. The Tinker has Within the small indentations are the follow
a 2-1/4-inch blade, a 1-5/8-inch blade, a large ing loose survival items: a small candle to aid in
screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper, small fire-starting, a fishing kit (line, weight, fly,
screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, can opener, hook), matches, and small nails.
and reamer. Mounted on the opposite side of the knife's
handle from the storage se.c tion is a small sharp

ening stone. To use the stone, the--bTiide- must
first be dismounted. As an additional aid to ver
satility, the locking stud can be used as a bottle
opener. The belt pouch/sheath is of leather and
fastens with a large button hole, fitting over the
locking stud. A cutout at the base of the sheath
allows you to view the compass while the knife
is in the sheath.
The ACE-PAL-O is not a particularly high
quality knife, but it is an interesting concept and
it is very inexpensive . Like the Lifeknife, it
offers good value for storing in places where it
might be needed in an emergency, especially
since it takes up less room than the Lifeknife.
The number of folders which could be dis
cussed is large, but most comments would
quickly become redundant since there aren't
that many possible variations. My own recom
mendation for a folder is the Swiss Army Knife
because it is useful for so many tasks. As a
result, the Swiss Army Knife or another folder
should normally be carried as an adjunct to a
belt survival or fighting knife.
The ACE-PAL-O folding/hollow-handled survival knife is

shown with its blade open and a survival kit that is vis
ible through the clear scale.
I
The ACE-PAL-O is shown in its sheath . The compass can be viewed through the hole so that the knife user does not
have to remove his knife .
7.
Fighting Knives
'V:rtuallY any knife can be used as a fight erates and dies quietly), with the carotid sub
ing knife when necessary. My days as a police clavian ,thrust normally the quickest means to
officer helped convince me that people can do killing the enemy.
each other in with all sorts of objects should
they so desire-and certain knives perform that TRENCH WARFARE AND THE KNIFE
function better than others. Although I love the
lines of the classic fighting dagger, I personally The two World Wars saw the proliferation
prefer a good Randall or Parrish multipurpose of fighting knives. In World War I, bitter trench
knife. Both Randall's Attack/Su rvival (Model fighting saw the birth of all sorts of "trench
18) and Parrish's Survival/Fighting Knife are knives," including a variety of knives which
intended to serve both in and out of combat incorporated brass knuckles. So vicious was the
and do so well. Randall's big Bowie-styles and hand-to-hand combat in the trenches that such
Lile's Sly II also function well in the fighting/ knives really saw action. The Germans developed
utility role, as does AI Mar's SERE/Attack a wide variety of trench daggers during the
folder. "Great War." Most had blades of about 6 inches
Still, the fighting task is secondary, albeit with one edge along one side and a half edge
important, for these blades. There are, however, along the back of the blade. The most well
a substantial number of knives designed to be known World War I trench knife, though, is
used in close combat with utility application probably the American 1918 pattern dagger,
being secondary. The fighting knife is usually which has a 6-3/4-inch double-edged blade, brass
designed for delivering thrusts to the brachial, knuckles, and a skull-crusher pommel.
radial, carotid, or subclavian arteries; heart; In the British trenches, knuckle knives were
stomach, or other vital organs; or to slash at the popular as well, especially those from Robbins
hands, arms, face, or other exposed targets. of Dudley, which made assorted knuckle knives
Traditionally, fighting knives are of dagger or and push daggers. My personal favorite has a
stiletto type and are designed for thrusts. The 4-inch blade which extends straight out from the
best fighting knife, however, must also have a brass knuckles in push-dagger fashion. Though
sharp edge or edges so that it can be used for it's a collector's piece, I occasionally carried this
slashes. Assuming a knife will actually be used little Robbins of Dudley along as a companion
in a blade-to-blade encounter-which is not all while a student in London. Many Robbins of
that likely-the ability to deliver both slashes Dudley fighting knives turned up in World War
and thrusts makes the weapon more versatile II as well, and probably a few made it to Korea
and harder to defend against. In such theoreti and Malaya, among other places.
cal blade-to-blade encounters, a crossguard is
also very desirable since it allows one to catch FAIRBAIRN-SYKES DAGGER
an opponent's blade.
A far more likely use for the fighting knife Fighting knives in World War II abounded,
in a military context is as a silent assassination but they were often then used by elite units as
weapon (assuming, that is, that the victim coop a symbol and a silent way to eliminate an
69
This spike combat knife with a knuckle-duster handguard was probably used during World War I or II.
FIGHTING KNIVES 77
The Ghurka in the middle of this photo has his kukri ready for action. Photo courtesy of the Imperial War Museum .
The author's Hibben fighting knife is held in the "on

guard" position. Note the location of the thumb.
A Robbins of Dudley knuckle knife is shown at left, and a fighting knife made for the French Resistance in World War
II appears at right. The placement of the R-D's blade allows easy use when drawing across a throat.
FIGHTING KNI VES 73
This Robbins of Dudley knuckle-duster push dagger, used by the British in both World Wars, is obviously a pure fight·
ing blade.
lL-t
enemy. The most famous fighting knife of all

time-the Fairbairn-Sykes (F-S) dagger-was, in
fact, designed for use by the British Commandos
during their harassment raids against the Ger
mans. With its 6-7/8-inch, double-edged blade
and well-known Coke-bottle hilt, the F-S has not
only become the archetypal fighting knife, but it
is also the symbol of elite units the world over.
The F-S proved popular with other troops as
well and adequately served its purpose of deal
ing deadly thrusts to certain arteries or vital
organs. As the F-S saw increased usage, however,
its faults became apparent: it had a tendency to
break off at the point; it tended to roll in the
hand because of the hilt's design; and it was not
too effective for slashes. These faults were cor
rected in the Applegate-Fairbairn knife, designed
by close-combat experts W.E. Fairbairn and Rex
Applegate, and was the successor to the F-S.
V-42 KNIFE
Other F-S-style knives were adopted by Amer

ican military units. The Office of Strategic
Services, Marine Raiders, and 1st Special Service
Force all had F-S-type knives, though the V-42
stiletto of the 1st Special Service Force was
quite distinctive. The most interesting aspect of
the V-42 is the "thumb print" on the ricasso
which is supposedly there to remind the user
where to place his thumb for proper use of the
blade. This design still retains its appeal for
many knife makers, and there have been modern
copies. In fact, I have a beautifully made Hibben
custom fighting knife of V-42 style.
SPECIAL UNIT BLADES
OF WORLD WAR II
The Commandos also made use of other

specialized fighting knives during World War II.
The Smatchett, for example, was a heavy hack
ing weapon with a 10-1 /4-inch leaf-shaped blade.
When used with skill, the Smatchett could cleave
through a neck or limb with one blow. Another
interesting Commando knife was what is known
as the "Middle East Commando Knife" because
it was fabricated for Commandos serving in the
Middle East.
British clandestine units such as the Special
The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Dagger-the classic Operations Executive had various knives de
fighting knife of all time. signed for their needs as well. Small concealable
15
Th. skull-,,"shOT pomo'" on thi' ,"stom Gil Hibb.n fighting knif., whi,h is ba"d on tho V-42 stil.tto usod by tho 1st
Sp.dal SOT,i" for" duriog World War II, allows th' knif' to b. u"d to doli'" a downward thrust with tho ba,k of
the hand.
World War II paratrooper's gear includes an array of edged weapons. At left is a machete; behind the .45 is a knuckle
duster fighting knife, and a parachutist's switchblade is shown at bottom right. (It can be used with ease in one hand to
cut tangled lines.) Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.
daggers which could be worn on the arm or steel and is pinned in place. On most M3s, one
beneath a lapel, for example, were developed ear of the crossguard is bent while the other is
for agents, while a gravity knife with a secon straight. In a theoretical blade-to-blade encoun
dary spike blade was developed for use by ter, the bent ear might work more effectively
agents and Commandos. The spike blade was as a blade catcher or for parrying. Numerous
found to be very effective for delivering thrusts cutlers produced the M3, including Camillus,
to the arteries. Also using the spike blade was Case, Imperial Knife Company, PAL, Kinfolks,
the McLacklin-Peskett Close Combat Weapon, and Utica. Though it was not the best fighting
which ingeniously combined a cosh, spike dag knife ever developed, the M3 was quite good for
ger, and garrote in one weapon. a mass-production item.
M3 TRENCH KNIFE OTHER AMERICAN
WORLD WAR II BLADES
The two most widely used U.S. combat

knives during World War II were the Ka-Bar (pre The M4 bayonet for the M1 Carbine, which
viously discussed) and the M3 Trench Knife. appears to be quite similar to the 1\113 Trench
Developed in 1943, more than 2.5 million M3s Knife, also saw substantial use as a fighting
were procured during World War II. Like the Ka knife. The M5 bayonet for the M1 Garand even
Bar, the 1\113 uses a stacked leather washer saw limited use as a fighting knife.
handle, which is quite comfortable to grip. Its Various custom knives were used in World
blade is 6-1/2 inches long with the back edge War II, including the Randall #1 and the John
sharpened about half way back. The butt is of Ek Commando.
FIGHTING KNI VES 77
The U.S . Mark 3 Combat Knife was one of the most widely used fighting knives of World War II.
,
KOREA contemporary in engineering. Its blade is made

of 6-inch stainless steel and is very sturdily con
During the Korean War, many of the same structed. One reason, in fact, so many Tantos
knives were used, often because World War II see utility usage is that they are so tough. I can
vets were recalled and took their trusty blades testify that mine has held up incredibly well
back into combat with them. The Randall Model even under very hard usage.
14, which was so popular in Vietnam, first saw The armor-piercing point, combined with a
combat in Korea. razor-sharp blade, makes the Tanto a vicious
close-quarters weapon, though its crossguard
VIETNAM does not serve well for parrying, its one disad
vantage in close-quarters usage. The Tanto's
During the Vietnam War, the Ka-Bar con Pachmayr-style rubber grip makes it easy to hold
tinued to be issued to the Marines, while other on to-another real pius. Its balance is also good
utility/fighting knives (such as the Jet Pilot's for close-quarters combal, though it is not a
Knife) were also issued. There were few pure throwing knife and is not balanced for hurling.
fighting knives issued in Vietnam; however. Even The Tanto's sheath is quite useful since it allows
the "SOG Knife," made on Okinawa for special the knife to be affixed about one's person in
operations units, was a Bowie-style utility knife. various ways.
Gerber Mark II
Among private-purchase fighting knives OTHER COMMERCIAL KNIVES
used in Vietnam, the Gerber Mark II is still one
of the best. The Mark II was introduced in 1967, Other assorted commercial or military
and early models had a slightly offset blade, sup fighting knives are available at quite reasonable
posedly to allow a more comfortable wrist posi prices. There is a West German Army trench
tion with the "fencing foil" grip and also to hug knife available, in fact, for under $25 from
the body better when carried . More common, Atlanta Cutlery. This functional knife has a
however, was the double-edged, compound 5-5/8-inch, stainless-steel blade and is a real bar
curve blade which was not offset. A section of gain at the price. Atlanta Cutlery, in fact, has a
saw teeth appeared on each side of the blade. large selection of inexpensive and interesting
This 7-inch blade was a good design for fighting imported fighting knives. Another quality blade
and a satisfactory one for utility usage. The in their catalog is billed as the "Anti-Terrorist"
crossguard has a hook -on each side, and the knife. In reality , however, this knife is more of
pommel is designed to act as a "judo stick" to a utility knife than a fighting blade.
increase its combat effectiveness. The Armor
hide grip is very slip-resistant and is well RANDALL FIGHTING KNIVES
designed for wielding the knife . The Mark II
is still one of my favorite knives, and I recom Among custom fighting knives, I have a
mend it highly. As commercial fighting knives strong preference for Randalls and would nor
go, it's hard to beat. For those who want a com mally choose one of Randall's heavy utility/
bat blade which can also serve for survival usage, fighting knives, such as the Model 14. Randall's
the Mark II is a viable choice, too . It has already pure fighting knives, however, are also impres
been combat-tested, having seen extensive usage sive. I have a Model 2 "Fighting Stiletto," for
by the Special Forces and SEALs, among other example, which I dearly love. The Model 2 is
military units . available with a 6-inch , 7-inch, or 8-inch blade
and has a "modified Fairbairn-Sykes" style
TANTO grip . Though its grip is roughly of F-S Coke
bottle shape, it is really a bit fuller and does not
Another commercially avallable fighting have the F-S's tendency to twist in the hand .
knife of which I think highly is the Cold Steel More impressive but less functional than the
Tanto. Based on the traditional fighting knife of Model 2 is the Randall Model 13 "Arkansas
the samurai, the Tanto is traditional in looks but Toothpick." This 12-inch-bladed monster is a
FIGHTING KNI VES 79
The Gerber Mark II is shown at left; the Mark I at right.

r
The Gerber Mark II, shown here strapped to a calf, is one of the more popular and better fighting/survival/utility knives
around. The model shown is an older one and has a gray grip.
Two knives which have seen more than their share of combat are the Randall Model 2 (left) and Modell (right). This
Modell incorporates saw teeth for more general -purpose use. The Model 2, a stiletto, is intended more for pure com
bat. The Mark I, used by U.S . military personnel since World War II, is still in substantial use.
replica of the dagger carried by Confederate knife feel hilt-heavy. The hilt itself should allow
soldiers in the Civil War, and though a fighting a firm grip even if the hands are sweaty or cov
knife, it is rather large by contemporary stan ered with blood, the latter being a distinct pos
dards. sibility in close-combat knife encounters.
Should you choose to use a fighting knife,
APPLEGATE-FAIRBAIRN KNIFE be sure to train yourself in its use so that any
blood that will cover a knife will primarily be
Another custom fighter I'm especially that of the enemy rather than your own! Killing
impressed with is the Applegate-Fairbairn sentries stealthily with a knife is no easy matter,
(A-F). Designed by Rex Applegate and W.E. and killing an armed enemy who can see you
Fairbairn to correct the faults they had dis coming is far more difficult. The best knife in
covered in the F-S dagger while training special the world can't compensate for a clumsy wield
operations personnel in close combat, the Apple er, though the Spetsnaz knife, which shoots its
gate-Fairbairn is . a sturdy, functional fighting blade at the enemy, can certainly give one the
knife. Its 6-inch blade is of stainless steel and has advantage of surprise and distance. By all means,
a very sturdy profile, especially at the ricasso choose a top-notch fighting knife, but do every
and the point, which are areas of frequent break thing you can to make sure your abilities live up
age in the F-S. The A-F takes an excellent edge to it.
and is designed to be effective for both slashes
and thrusts.
Its crossguard is well-designed for parrying,
being of quarter-inch brass hooked forward to
catch an enemy's blade.
The A-F's Lexan grip keeps the knife from
moving or slipping in the hand, while adjustable
weights beneath the grips allow you to adjust
the balance to fit your own taste. I should point
out, though, that a good fighting knife will nor
mally be hilt-heavy.
CUSTOM KNIFE SELECTION TIPS
There are many other excellent custom

fighting knives on the market, and one should
use the same rules of thumb I have suggested
elsewhere in this work for knife selection.
Choose a custom knife that's exactly tailored to
your needs and, therefore, can perform tasks
better than a production blade. You need to
know, of course, what your needs are, how
ever, before choosing a custom blade.
My own taste in fighting knives dictates the
following features: a blade of six to eight
inches so that the knife can reach out and bite
the enemy at a distance. The blade should be
such that it can be used for slashes as well as
thrusts and parries. As a pure fighting knife,
I prefer a stiletto or dagger with a pointed
double-edged blade. The crossguard should be
designed to allow parries, with a hooked cross This U.S. Ranger advisor to the Vietnamese Rangers
guard offering many advantages. has a Randall Model 2 fighting dagger as his blade.
Balance should be good, and should make the Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.
The Applegate.Fairbairn fighting knife combines the combat knowledge of two of the twentieth century's foremost
knife experts.
8.
Street Survival Knives
Although most of the knives discussed in ments. The Skinner's sheath has a clip which
this book are intended for use on the battlefield allows it to be worn inside the waistband or else
or in the wilderness, those covered in this chap where. I've equipped the inside of one of my
ter are designed for that highly specialized field jacket pockets with a loop to which I can affix
of urban combat-escape and evasion on the this clip, thus allowing me to keep my hand near
battlefield of the streets. Many knives intended the knife while also securing it.
for such usage, though marginally better than no An additional advantage of the Urban Skinner
weapon at all, are virtually useless in a real con is that even a person not trained in blade usage
frontation. Even those which are relatively effec can wield it effectively by delivering punches
tive must be used with some degree of skill. As a and slashes with the fist in a relatively natural
result, you must not only choose a "street com manner. An added advantage, especially for
bat" blade with care, but you must also practice women, is that it is very hard to disarm someone
techniques for wielding it most effectively. who has a push dagger in his fist since he is able
For example, due to the short blade length of to grip it far more tightly than is possible with
most street-fighting blades, such knives are far an average small dagger. The Skinner's blade is
better employed primarily for slashing rather also well-designed to deliver either a thrust or
than stabbing. Though a spike blade can be used a slash, depending on the situation. Although
to deliver puncture wounds to the neck, groin, the shape of the Skinner's hilt/handle is well
eyes, cheeks, and other vulnerable areas, it is designed to allow a firm grip, its gripping ability
still not as effective in a short-bladed weapon as on newer models is additionally enhanced by a
is a blade which can be used to deliver slashes to hard rubber, checkered grip.
the hands and face as well as to the more
obvious vulnerable areas. The best combination,
of course, is a weapon which allows both slashes URBAN PAL
and thrusts to be delivered, thereby granting
greater versatility.
A smaller push dagger known as the Urban
Pal is also offered by Cold Steel. Only 3-1/8
URBAN SKINNER inches in overall length with a 1-3/4-inch blade,
the Urban Pal is fabricated from one piece of
My own top choice among close-combat steel. It comes with a small sheath affixed to a
blades for the streets are those from Cold Steel. key chain, thus enhancing the likelihood it will
Although Cold Steel makes at least four excel be along if needed. The "Pal '" is so small that it
lent street blades, my first choice and most is only useful as a last-ditch weapon; like a razor
recommended blade is the Urban Skinner. This blade, which has often seen such usage, it can
compact push dagger with a 2-1/4-inch blade is still do a lot of damage to an opponent's face,
easy to carryon one's person and conforms to neck, hands, or other exposed body parts. For
the arbitrary 3-inch blade limit on concealed normal "urban warfare," however, I would rate
knives enforced by many U.S. police depart the Skinner far superior to the rest.
85
The Urban Skinner and its sheath are shown above. Photo courtesy of Cold Steel.
The Terminator is a longer-bladed, double-edged Urban Skinner. Photo courtesy of Cold Steel.
STREET SURVIVAL KNIVES 87
URBAN SHIV AND THE

and to take credit for perforating the leaking
URBAN HUNTER
mugger. However, a lot of citizens also know
that our criminal justice system favors the mug
Two other Cold Steel blades which deserve ger over the muggee defending himself in many
consideration for urban survival are the Urban urban areas. Therefore, should one desire to sur
Shiv and the Urban Hunter, both of more con reptitiously dispose of his Cold Steel knife, it
ventional design with skeletonized hilts. Basi bears no serial number and is easily replaced.
cally, the only difference between the two
knives is in the shapes of their blades. The Urban
Shiv has a double-edged, spear-point blade of TEKNA MICRO KNIFE
2-3/4 inches, while the Urban Hunter has a mini
Bowie blade of 2-3/4 inches. Each comes with a Among the other knives specifically mar
compact sheath which can either be affixed keted for "urban survival" are a group which are
about one's person with a clip or strapped to an not intended to look like knives when carried in
arm or leg with a Velcro strap. Each of these a shirt pocket or purse. My personal favorite
knives is fabricated entirely of stainless steel among these types of blades is the Tekna Micro
with skeletonized hilts to keep weight down. Knife which masquerades relatively effectively
Still, each hilt is grooved to provide a solid grip as a pen while carried in the pocket, though even
and has a thumb rest for proper hand position a cursory examination of the implement will
ing. Personally, I prefer the Shiv to the Hunter, identify its true purpose once it's removed from
though I've carried both. The Shiv is more effec the pocket. My preference for the Micro Knife
tive as a stabbing weapon because of its spear is based on the sturdiness of its design. Unlike
point, though it retains sharpened edges which other similar knives in which the blade drops
allow it to be used for slashing as well. The from the hilt in switchblade or gravity knife
Hunter's edge makes it a more effective slashing style, the Micro Knife has a rigidly mounted
weapon; its Bowie-style point is not quite as 2-1/4-inch stiletto blade. To protect and conceal
effective for stabbing. The point can still pene the blade, a shield pulls out of the hilt and
trate quite deeply, however, especially if used covers the blade. Pressing a red button at the top
for an upward thrust. of the hiltf"pen body" retracts this shield and
I've often carried the Urban Shiv in combina presents the blade for usage. Unlike many of the
tion with the Urban Skinner since neither takes other knives which masquerade as pens, one gets
up much space about one's person. If carried a sturdy blade with the Micro Knife, one which
together, I would normally position the Skinner is unlikely to collapse or break should heavy
for use with my left (weak) hand and the Shiv clothing or bone be encountered. The Micro
for use with my right (strong) hand. Knife is not, of course, a heavy-duty fighting
knife; rather, it is more of a heavy-duty type
ADVANTAGES OF COLD STEEL KNIVES than most others of its ilk.
My only objection to my Micro Knife is that
In addition to their effective design and it is sometimes a bit difficult to get one's finger
sturdy construction, the Cold Steel line of positioned correctly over the button to retract
knives has other advantages which make them a the shield prior to bringing the knife into action.
top choice for "urban warfare." First, Cold If drawn from the pocket and held in the "ice
Steel knives are very reasonably priced, which pick" stabbing grip, one can retract the shield
means that even the person of modest means can quickly and effectively. To retract it from other
be armed with one. Their reasonable price also positions may take mUltiple attempts: Hence, it
means that the honest citizen who has just is probably best to assume that after drawing the
shown a mugger the error of his ways-punctuat Micro from one's pocket, one retracts the
ing his rhetoric with Cold Steel-could easily shield-normally as the knife is being swung up
dispose of the Cold Steel blade if he so desired into the "ice pick" position-and attempts to
without being out of pocket for a large amount. immediately deliver a stabbing movement
Now we all know the "right" thing to do is to toward the opponent's face or neck. Another
report the attempted mugging to the authorities reason I favor the Micro Knife over such other
88 SUR VI VA L/FIGHTING KNI VES
Cold Steel's excellent Urban Skinner is flanked by the Urban Shiv and Urban Hunter.
The Tekna Micro Knife (left), the author's favorite "pen" knife, is shown with a skean dubh and another pen knife.
"pen knives" as the Guardfather, which uses a dall Guardian and its namesake, the Gerber
spike blade, is that the versatile Micro Knife Guardian, both of which are compact, double
can be used for slashes as well as stabs. edged, stiletto-type knives with blades of about
4 inches. Each is well-made and durable, with
Tekna-Knife and Security Card the Gerber being the cheaper of the two since it
Tekna also makes other "u rban survival" is mass-produced. Either is effective as a thrust
blades, including the Tekna-Knife and the Tekna ing or stabbing weapon, which can also be used
Security Card. The Tekna-Knife is similar to the for slashes against unprotected body parts. Each
Cold Steel Urban Shiv, being a skeletonized of these blades comes with a compact clip-on
stiletto. The Tekna's blade is slightly longer, holster. Though I like both of these knives and
however, at 3-1/2 inches, a length that puts it rate them highly for quality and functionality,
over the legal limit for a concealable knife in neither is as good for all-round urban carry as
many venues. If the Tekna-Knife is chosen, I the Urban Shiv because they are bulkier without
recommend the one with the matte black fin offering increased effectiveness (except for
ish for more concealability. The Tekna Security slightly longer blade length) . Still, I recom
Card is a bit of a gimmick since it consists of a mend either of these blades. The A. G. Russell
blade which slides into a credit-card-sized, black "Sting" is another excellent blade of this type.
rectangular body. Since far more effective blades
can be carried just as easily, I don't recommend
the Security Card. GERBER MARK I
BALI-SONG Among the longer blades falling within the

general urban combat category is the Gerber
There are various types of folding knives Mark I. This knife has a 4-7/8-inch, double
which are applicable for street combat, but my edged stiletto blade and a one-piece hilt and
own preference is for the Bali-Song butterfly crossguard cast onto the tang. The hilt is rough
knife. With practice, one can bring this knife ened to offer a good grip, and the crossguard is
into action quickly if so needed. The intimida slightly hooked to allow it to act as a blade
tion value of such quick access implies that you catcher in a blade-to-blade encounter. Held in
mean business as you flip open the Bali-Song. the standard "knife-fighter's" grip with the
Intimidation with a knife is not, of course, to be thumb on the edge of the crossguard, the Mark I
relied upon, but the flash of steel as the Bali can be used effectively for either thrusting or
Song opens might discourage a low-grade at slashing. It is a well-balanced knife which can
tacker who lacks superior weaponry. Never, even be thrown by a skillful wielder. Its leather
however, try to bluff with a knife! Anyone sheath has the clip which seems to be standard
contemplating close combat with a blade had for "boot" or other concealable knives and uses
better be completely serious and realize that a quick-release, snap-retaining strap. Although I
such combat is messy-and very dangerous. I like the Mark I a lot because of its size, I tend to
prefer the clipped-point blade on my Bali classify it as a compact fighting knife rather than
Song since it is primarily a slashing weapon, a real street knife; this doesn't mean that I
though its point can be used for thrusting as wouldn't prefer it to one of the smaller blades
well. There are some very cheap butterfly knives should I be in a tight situation on the street.
on the market, though they appear to be func Usually, I have chosen the Gerber for street
tional. carry either because I was wearing heavy cloth
ing within which I could conceal it or I carried it
BOOT KNIVES along with a compact firearm when wearing
"civvies" in a Third World country. I have also
There is a wide assortment of "boot" included a Mark I in a compact survival kit con
knives available as well, though these days most sisti ng of a Deton ics .45 au to or some other
are carried tucked into a waistband or in pockets compact handgun, some ammunition, and the
rather than tucked into the top of a boot. Mark I. l\Jormally, this combo has been tucked
Among the really high-quality ones are the Ran into the bottom of a briefcase.
The Randall Guardian, though expensive, is an excellent boot knife. The holes in the sheath allow it to be lashed in
any convenient location.
Though these Highland regimental skean dubhs are very decorative, they can also serve quite well as fighting knives
when correctly used.
SKEAN DUBH fiberglass blades which bill themselves as "CIA

Letter Openers." Theoretically, the appeal of
Although its true purpose as a compact these blades is that they will pass through air
fighting knife has been lost since it is now used port security checks and other metal detectors.
a~ a piece of Highland jewelry, the skean dubh I assume the idea is also that they will seem to
is still a reasonably effective urban-combat blade be less of a "weapon" should one be found
if one bears in mind that the method of mount carrying one . In practice, however, most law
ing the blade into the hilt does not make it a enforcement agencies would still probably
particularly sturdy type of knife . Still, the skean treat them as "dangerous and deadly weapons."
dubh design is such that it can be used effec Therefore, I would normally choose one of the
tively for thrusts and slashes at exposed skin sur other blades mentioned for "covert" carry.
faces. It also has the advantage of appearing to Most of the blades discussed in this chapter
be an innocuous piece of decoration meant to are designed specifically as close-quarters defen
be worn with the kilt. The presence of a skean sive weapons meant to be concealed about one's
dubh among one's effects, especially if one has a person. As a result, they represent a trade-off
Scottish name (such as Thompson), ' rarely between effectiveness and compactness. It is
attracts much attention in the United Kingdom, possible to find a concealable blade which can
Australia, or Canada, especially if one has a great still be wielded with a devastating effect, but
story ready about it being an heirloom from one will have to know how to use such a weapon
one's Uncle Angus who carried it throughout the and have the willingness to get very messy in
Great War. the process. Larger blades-up to machetes-have
been carried concealed and used for urban com
CIA LETTER OPENERS bat and will be in the future, but they are not
designed specifically with street fighting in
One final group of urban fighting knives mind and , therefore, do not fall within the scope
which should be mentioned are the nylon/ of this chapter.

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LEROY THOMPSON

Published by Paladin Press, a division of

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no

Neither the author nor the publisher assumes

1. The Knife as Tool and Weapon .....

2. Utility or General-Purpose Knives. . . .. 5

3. Commercial Hollow-Handled Survival Knives . . ... 23

4. Custom-Made Hollow-Handled Survival Knives and Substitutes 37

5. Survival Knives and Kits ..... 53

6. Folding General-Purpose and Survival Knives 59

7. Fighting Knives .... . 69

8. Street Survival Knives ..... 85

Appendix: Knife Makers ... .. 95

The Knife as Tool

This Spanish fighting/utility knife is used by Spanish special operations troops .

I t would be a gross inaccuracy to say that

Ka-Bar and don't seem inclined to get rid of it,

A general-purpose knife developed for the OSS and SOE

This survival knife, used by the British Army I offers a

JET PILOT'S SURVIVAL KNIFE crossguard is rectangular in shape and is drilled

Used by U.S. Navy personnel, including the SEALs, the

RANDALL KNIVES them since they add to the knife's utility. I

Handled Survival Knives

24 SUR VI VAL/FIGHTING KNI VEs

LlFEKNIFE small pockets, one on the front and one on the

A General Note on Lifeknives twenty-two well-designed saw teeth, which work

The butt cap is also made of aluminum and

Handled Survival Knives

To provide versatility, the Sly II's saw teeth are arranged

This Model M, E Z Lap sharpener comes with the Sly II.

ering it contains a comprehensive survival kit

Survival Knives and Kits

I n order to effectively use one of the hol­

THE "MAP" POCKET one I find especially distasteful, I normally don't

and Survival Knives

Beyond a doubt, the handiest knives dis­ SWISS ARMY KNIFE

A Victorinox Champion is displayed with its various tools and blades.

have managed to do so with patience and very dry tinder.

FOLDING GENERAL-PURPOSE AND SURVIVAL KNIVES 65

handle from the storage se.c tion is a small sharp­

The ACE-PAL-O folding/hollow-handled survival knife is

The author's Hibben fighting knife is held in the "on

enemy. The most famous fighting knife of all

Other F-S-style knives were adopted by Amer­

SPECIAL UNIT BLADES

The Commandos also made use of other

M3 TRENCH KNIFE OTHER AMERICAN

WORLD WAR II BLADES

The two most widely used U.S. combat

KOREA contemporary in engineering. Its blade is made

The Gerber Mark II is shown at left; the Mark I at right.

CUSTOM KNIFE SELECTION TIPS

There are many other excellent custom

Street Survival Knives

URBAN SHIV AND THE

BALI-SONG Among the longer blades falling within the

SKEAN DUBH fiberglass blades which bill themselves as "CIA

You might also like

I n order to effectively use one of the hol

Beyond a doubt, the handiest knives dis SWISS ARMY KNIFE

handle from the storage se.c tion is a small sharp

Other F-S-style knives were adopted by Amer