All About Pocket Knives

I don't know too much about history, but, I thought that the Vietnam War ended in 1975 ... but I keep seeing various listings for "Vintage Camillus Pilot Survival Knife" or "Vietnam War Pilot's Survival Knife" and the knife is marked 1979 or 1976 or 1978 These listings state that the knife was used in "The Vietnam War" or "Used in the Vietnam Theater", "Vietnam Conflict" etc... etc... Well, I guess that I just didn't pay no good attention in history class back in high school

From an ebay listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174938080805?c ... s=ispr%3D1

item specifics
Condition
Used

Seller Notes
“Good condition, sheath does show signs of use”
Featured Refinements
Pilot Survival Knife
Country/Region of Manufacture
Japan
Original/Reproduction
Original
Conflict
Vietnam

Or maybe: US VIETNAM ERA PILOT SURVIVAL FIGHTING KNIFE FIXED BLADE ( made in Taiwan )

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176714060345?_ ... s=amclksrc%

Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:176714060345
Item specifics
Condition
Used: An item that has been used previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and ... Read moreabout the condition
Conflict
Vietnam (1961-75)
Original/Reproduction
Original
Theme
Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture
Taiwan
Item description from the seller

The war ended 27 January 1973 when the Paris Peace Accord was signed.

Troops were withdrawn in March 1973.

30 April 1975 was when NVN troops rolled into Saigon and the last US military personnel (embassy guards) left via evacuation.

So anything made after December 1972 has almost zero chance of having been used by US forces in Viet Nam. And anything made after February 1973 has absolutely zero chance of having been used in VN.

zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:21 am So anything made after December 1972 has almost zero chance of having been used by US forces in Viet Nam. And anything made after February 1973 has absolutely zero chance of having been used in VN.

Are you saying that some sellers on eBay .... ... could be less than honest in their listings?

zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:21 am The war ended 27 January 1973 when the Paris Peace Accord was signed

True but the accords were broken almost immediately and fighting continued until the 1975 spring offensive and fall of Saigon to the PAVN, marking the war's official end. North and South Vietnam were reunified in 1976.

Ended for me when I caught my freedom bird on Monday, August 23rd 1966. No combat for me. Just a year away from the Red, White & Blue.

Rambo came out in 82, does that count as part of the Vietnam ERA ?

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 2:06 am

zzyzzogeton wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:21 am So anything made after December 1972 has almost zero chance of having been used by US forces in Viet Nam. And anything made after February 1973 has absolutely zero chance of having been used in VN.

Are you saying that some sellers on eBay .... ... could be less than honest in their listings?

No, it can't be so, can it?

The term "Vietnam Era" is a useless thing and somewhat offensive to those who served "IN Country". J.O'.

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 8:25 pm Rambo came out in 82, does that count as part of the Vietnam ERA ?

.... I believe... when selling a knife on eBay ... 82' would definitely count as part of the Vietnam ERA!!!

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 10:48 pm

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 8:25 pm Rambo came out in 82, does that count as part of the Vietnam ERA ?

.... I believe... when selling a knife on eBay ... 82' would definitely count as part of the Vietnam ERA!!!

Only to Vietnam veterans and their close folks is there a lack of humor in that service.

FRJ wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:14 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 10:48 pm

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 8:25 pm Rambo came out in 82, does that count as part of the Vietnam ERA ?

.... I believe... when selling a knife on eBay ... 82' would definitely count as part of the Vietnam ERA!!!

Only to Vietnam veterans and their close folks is there a lack of humor in that service.

Maybe the humor is NOT aimed at Vietnam veterans and their close folks, maybe it is aimed at the fraudsters on eBay advertising a knife stamped "1979" as an item used during the Vietnam War, etc... etc... Maybe ...

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:55 am

FRJ wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:14 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 10:48 pm

.... I believe... when selling a knife on eBay ... 82' would definitely count as part of the Vietnam ERA!!!

Only to Vietnam veterans and their close folks is there a lack of humor in that service.

Maybe the humor is NOT aimed at Vietnam veterans and their close folks, maybe it is aimed at the fraudsters on eBay advertising a knife stamped "1979" as an item used during the Vietnam War, etc... etc... Maybe ...

That is well and good with me, TOPDOG and I wouldn't suggest your humor be directed otherwise.

What I am saying is Only to Vietnam veterans and their close folks is there a lack of humor in that service.

FRJ wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 1:06 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:55 am

FRJ wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 12:14 am

What I am saying is Only to Vietnam veterans and their close folks is there a lack of humor in that service.

Understood FRJ

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 5:16 pm Understood FRJ

21APR1970

22 Aug 1966

My first cousin was killed , shot down in a helicopter.
It galls me the lack of outrage over Communist aggression that's in our government and people now , but I'm glad I don't have to make a decision to send troops into war.

wlf wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 1:36 pm It galls me the lack of outrage over Communist aggression that's in our government and people now...

We fought in Korea. We fought in Vietnam. We fought the Cold War. And in the end, just take a look at a typical Ivy League courses catalog... Then please tell me if you think we beat Communism...

Two informative sources to learn about the wonders and delights of Communism;

The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression by Stéphane Courtois

Gulag, the Story - Part 1(1918-1936) | FULL DOCUMENTARY (3 parts on You Tube).

Let’s stay on topic gents and keep the political opinions out of this topic please.

Never mind.

OK, back to the topic, (which is actually FAKE Vietnam military knives for sale on eBay) Here is a "Vietnam Pilot Survival Knife Japan Made US Military Sawback Vintage With Sheath" (I thought these Japan made versions came out in the 80's, I had one that I bought about 1988, but... I can't say they were not made in the early 70's).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196873914402?_ ... e&itmmeta=

This is pretty good deal; A REAL "Vietnam Pilot Survival Knife" ... Now look closely at the pictures This knife must have been dropped on the Ho Chi Minh trail by some pilot trying to E&E (escape & evade) 'Ol Victor Charlie... except that it looks like several big 'ole Russian trucks ran over it, before the pilot found it and got it back. Notice the bent handle and bent blade ... It must be authentic!!!

The blade is as crooked as ... Opps! I won't say it .... I'll stay on topic ... So, the listing says; "There is wear on the blade." If you call bent like a "U" "wear" ... well OK then....

From the listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196873914402?_ ... e&itmmeta=

Item specifics
Condition
Used: An item that has been used previously. See the seller’s listing for full details and ... Read more about the condition
Country/Region of Manufacture
Japan
Conflict
Vietnam (1961-75)
Original/Reproduction
Original
Theme
Militaria
Item description from the seller;
Vietnam Pilot Survival Knife in used condition. There is wear on the blade. It comes with original sheath and knife sharpener. Please see all photos for blade description.