Schrade AF Pilot's Parachute Switchblade Flea Market Find

quinn

quinn

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Ran across this interesting knife at the flea market yesterday. I am not an active blade collector but I do love my switchblades.

From my little reading these knives were issued to Air Force flight crews beginning in WWII and continuing through 1993 when the AF discontinued them. I believe from the color and texture of the scales that his particular one was Vietnam era or possibly Korea.

Interestingly, the automatic part is the blade. The parachute cord cutter is manually deployed. Apparently, this knife was carried with the cord cutter already open for quick access of the crew member got tangled in a tree, etc. On the ground, the cutter hook could be closed for field use.

The knife is marekd "Schrade Walden NY USA" and "Stainless Steel"

Thas last photo is a few of my other switchblades.

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I had one of those paratrooper knives years ago,lost it.They were great knives
 
I had some similar knives in RVn. They had same shroud cutter but knife blade was same type as a GI issued pocket knife. I think they were Camilus made. Our supply Sargent got them because nobody wanted the GI knife. At least the blade on the para knives wood take a decent edge. The orange handle sucked. I sent last one I had to a forum member that helped me out several times as a gift.
 
These were issued to the Marine and Navy aircrews also. My Flight Equipment shop and a parts bin with items for the aircrew survival vests. One drawer was jam full of these. They never interested me, so I never got one. Have several TL-28's & 29's, and K-Bars. But no pilots survival knives or shroud cutters. Guess I should have got a couple............
 
I've got one, got it when I was in 3rd SFG at Ft. Bragg. Not a bad knife, not a great one either.
 
I think paratroopers were a main user. All I've seen were made by Schrade. Not their best quality, but they probably worked, if needed. Most aircrew carried better knives.
 
Like how the blade is bent when it's open,screams quality :D

I agree with the single use thought,maybe just use the line cutter and forget it has a blade at all.
 
Texas Star said:
I think paratroopers were a main user. All I've seen were made by Schrade. Not their best quality, but they probably worked, if needed. Most aircrew carried better knives.
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Both Aircrews and paratroopers had better knives available to them. IIRC the shroud cutter was in the survival vest that the aircrew wore when flying. That way it was within reach if needed in an emergency situation.
 
Carried them for years and still have several.
Normal carry for AF was in knee pocket with shroud cutter open.
Most of them I ever saw were made by Camillus.
And I never had a very high opinion of them.
The construction isn't that robust and the stainless blade won't take a very good edge.
Just looked my picture of one of mine. Also Shrade!
The AF aircrew Parachutes had a small survival kit with a knife.
Usually a three blade Stock Knife.
Here's one.
Now this is an excellent knife and handy to have!
 

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I had one that was given to me by a pilot when I was an Aircrewman in the Navy, around 1987 or so. Wound up trading it for a Chinese SKS rifle when they were cheap. The guy who I traded it to was underwhelmed with my trade items until I brought out that aircrew switch blade. Apparently, he had been a Air Force Para Rescue guy and had his switch blade stolen from him by an Egyptian Solider while on deployment there in the 1970's. Long story, I guess. This was the only successful trade I was ever able to make with that guy....
 
See the pocket on the Left Leg?
That's was where you carried the Orange Switcher.
 

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Not much to add but...........

I had a good friend in the surplus business who obtained a couple of these knives, as I recall one had the "Switch Blade" purposely broken and I wrote to Camillus asking if they could make repairs, their reply was "Destroy or burry it." It must have been considered as contraband. Hope I did not miss an opportunity for a money maker.
 
smitholdtimer said:
I had a good friend in the surplus business who obtained a couple of these knives, as I recall one had the "Switch Blade" purposely broken and I wrote to Camillus asking if they could make repairs, their reply was "Destroy or burry it." It must have been considered as contraband. Hope I did not miss an opportunity for a money maker.
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That's because laws on "switchblades" used to be full on retard strength stupid,it's better now.
 
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