Giant Jack Knife - Pilot's Survival

[tjmurphy]

I bought a Colonial Pilot's Survival knife off ebay today, $22.85 including shipping. It appears to have only one blade, no saw blade and no bale. Anyone know if they made a single blade model, or should I assume that the saw blade is broken off. Here's a crappy seller's pic:

[Miller Bro's]

They all had a saw blade as far as I know.

[tjmurphy]

That's kinda what I thought too, but I keep running onto knives that appear to have only one blade. Here's a pic that I grabbed off Google Images:

[knife7knut]

I can't tell from the pic(my monitor isn't very bright;it is on it's way out)but it looks like the bolster has been polished when it should be a black passivate finish.As that is the saw blade end,it may have been taken apart and polished when it was put back together.I have never seen one without a saw blade but that doesn't mean they don't exist.Still make a good work knife even if one blade is missing.A word of warning though:If you intend to carry it,get a belt pouch;it is WAY too heavy for pocket carry.

[tjmurphy]

Well, I found another on Ebay which appeared to have only one blade. The difference being that the seller had a group of GOOD pictures, two especially, one looking down into the blade well and one of the back springs. So then, it appears that my knife is indeed missing the saw blade. But, it'll do until I get a complete knife. Thank you all for your responses

[eveled]

I've bought a couple that were advertised as having 1 blade. I knew what I was buying and was not surprised to find the broken off nub of a saw blade. The surprise came when I one described as a one blade, had the saw blade intact! It's easy to miss the saw tucked inside.

For anybody interested in actually carrying one of these, it has already been pointed out that it is too heavy and large for pocket carry. Beretta makes a leather magazine pouch for a 92 magazine that fits this knife like a glove. It looks like an oversized Buck 110 sheath. I'll take a picture and add it when I get a chance.

[jerryd6818]

eveled, welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures of your knife.

[eveled]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Seems like a nice place to hang out. I've been having fun digging through the archives. I was careful not to dig up any old threads, but wanted to add to this one. Ed

[jerryd6818]

I was careful not to dig up any old threads, . Ed

That's not taboo here. Not in the least.

[tjmurphy]

I bought another one of these Pilot Survival Knives a few weeks ago. It needs work but I don't think I'll fool with it. For those that have not seen or handled one of these I am using a Camillus 72 for size comparison. It is a handful.

[Hoggslayer]

I just found one at a garage sale for $2. It only has one blade but it appears the saw blade is broken off.

[eveled]

That was a score. What are your plans for it?

[Hoggslayer]

That was a score. What are your plans for it?

My Nephew is a Navy pilot. I plan to clean it up and give it to him for his birthday.

[eveled]

That's awesome. What a great gift. I have wondered if a sawzall blade could be welded to the stub of the old blade. Might be worth trying.

[Hoggslayer]

That's awesome. What a great gift. I have wondered if a sawzall blade could be welded to the stub of the old blade. Might be worth trying.

That is my plan. I found a keyhole saw that matches the pofile and thickness pretty good.

[knife7knut]

Don't know if everyone is aware that Colonial was not the only manufacturer of these knives. I found one marked United Cutlery Co. Grand Rapids Michigan.I found another Colonial that was tipped slightly at a yard sale for $15 awhile back.A little belt sander massage and it is good as new albeit about 1/4" shorter. I have and original sheath for one of them.

[Hoggslayer]

Don't know if everyone is aware that Colonial was not the only manufacturer of these knives. I found one marked United Cutlery Co. Grand Rapids Michigan.I found another Colonial that was tipped slightly at a yard sale for $15 awhile back.A little belt sander massage and it is good as new albeit about 1/4" shorter. I have and original sheath for one of them.

Thats kind of typical of thing made for the military. I have a 1917 Colt 45 revolver and one made by Smith and Wesson that are identical. When Colt couldn't keep up with demand our government took Colts design gave it to SW.

[americanedgetech]

Not to get off track completely...

IMHO the best .45 EVER Browning
I bought maybe 20 of them, and made 12-15 great shooters out of parts.