U.S. Army knives, Vietnam era, etc.

[Jim the Brave]

Hello, netizens of MTO,

I finally received my first U.S. Army knife. I was searching for a thread about them, and if there is one, I haven't found it yet. (search results get flooded with the Swiss Army Knife stuff).

I am aware that the knives of this pattern were made by several different companies. It seems that Camillus made a heap of them, and I saw one by Imperial on the bay, and this one I picked up is by Ontario USA.

Is there a thread dedicated to these things? If not, discussion on....

[SteveC]

Also known as the "Demo knife"  They were made by a few quite a few companies over the years.  Stevens, Kingston, Ulster, Imperial, Western, Case, Queen and Camillus made versions of this knife.

[Jim the Brave]

Also known as the "Demo knife"  They were made by a few quite a few companies over the years.  Stevens, Kingston, Ulster, Imperial, Western, Case, Queen and Camillus made versions of this knife.

Interesting. Demo? Demonstration? Demolition?

Were they issued to troops on a regular basis? Or just available for them to buy?

[SteveC]

They were issued.

https://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2010/june-2010/248-demo-knife

Spec sheets for war production knives

Demo knife is on the last page

http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/History/Camillus-Military-1941-1945s.pdf

[SAKTaschenmesser]

Check out Myron’s piece:

http://www.roverhaven.com/the-rover-haven-blog/2020/2/14/t9rssec8yoygr6gsmj3pg8bvrfznir


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Aloha]

I've got a Vietnam era Air Force survival knife.  I had one before ( not Vietnam era ) but sent it to a member.  I was pretty stoked to find a Vietnam era one.  I'll post a pic later.   

[Jim the Brave]

Mine, made by Ontario, does not have a year stamped on it.

Thanks for the info. Very interesting!

[Jim the Brave]

So mine does not have a year stamped in it. Does that mean it was not an issued knife? Possibly a civilian market product?

[cody6268]

So mine does not have a year stamped in it. Does that mean it was not an issued knife? Possibly a civilian market product?

I do know that, about 5-ish years ago, Ontario sold them on their website for about $35 as a "Camp Knife".  Possibly, that was one of those.

[Jim the Brave]

I do know that, about 5-ish years ago, Ontario sold them on their website for about $35 as a "Camp Knife".  Possibly, that was one of those.

You're probably right, that's what this would be. Now I wonder if it's exactly the same pattern, or a modified copy of the mil spec Army knife.

A quick check of their site shows it does not seem to be sold anymore.

[Aloha]

I do know that, about 5-ish years ago, Ontario sold them on their website for about $35 as a "Camp Knife".  Possibly, that was one of those.

   Thanks Cody for this information. 

[Aloha]

I see the Demo knives a lot at the flea market but not always in the best shape.  Many times the sellers want quite a lot IMO. 

Heres my Camillus Air Force knife. 

[cbl51]

I served in the army combat engineers for my service, and these knives were pretty common in both he engineer tool kits and the 'demo' kits when we had to move/take down something using explosives. The supply room sergeant held them dear, but iffy sweet talked him you could get one overt the counter. It won't until Vietnam that they really got hot. A 'demo' knife in downtown Saigon could be traded off for a iced down case of "33" and maybe even some nice female company if you tossed in a carton of American cigarettes from the PX.

Some of them in the late 60's and early 70's had a nasty habit of the springs breaking. The Swiss made equivalent, the pioneer, was a better knife, but the U.S. version had the 'mystique' once the war was over.

[39hotrod]

Mil-K was their designation.. 

[Mechanickal]

Found an 81 stamped version locally last year made by Camillus.
It's a decent and fun tool and very uncommon around these parts.
Think I payed €12 for it.

[Barry Rowland]

I had one a long time ago.  They're really practical fixed blades.  That one is a month older than me!!

I see the Demo knives a lot at the flea market but not always in the best shape.  Many times the sellers want quite a lot IMO. 

Heres my Camillus Air Force knife.

[Aloha]

 .  The one I had a while ago I did put an edge on and I was very surprised how well it came up.  I didn't use it but I would not hesitate if I needed to.  This one is purely for the collection. 

[Jim the Brave]

I tried out the self-promoting can opener on mine last night. It worked, but I don't think it worked any better than the 91-93 mm SAK can openers, which are discretely non-labled....

[Shuya]

I have my own theory on the can opener label.

Its for those people who think a knive only consists of a blade. Seen those people. Not everyone was in scouts or was taught proper knife handling.
They will open a can with whatever they have in hand, probably not even knowing how to operate that can opener.
Army not only needs to make things tank proof but also dumbass proof.

I once read that story:  Cans as food rations were introduced into service before army knifes exist. There were dedicated openers, which were often lost. So the soldier used what he had on hand, including their bayonets which didnt end well at all times.
This was the reason the army included can openers to their pocket knifes.

When at the university we were preparing a party for our faculty. We had to remove some posters and stuff to hang up our decoration, so there were some screws to be removed. A dude asked if anyone has a scredriver. I handled him a Spartan (my knife to give to others...the better ones dont leave my hand anymore). He instantly opened the blade to unscrew the phillips.    I shouted at him, took my knife back and did it myself. Was the last time I ever gave my knife to someone else.
Do not exspect other people to know things we know, to have the practice we have.
Some people are lucky not to hurt themself leaving the bed.

[Jim the Brave]

Whenever I hand somebody a knife for a task, I tell them which tool to use if it isn't the main blade. Typically, I open it for them.

Whenever I give somebody a knife as a gift, I give them a tutorial on what all the blades and tools are.

[Aloha]

Interesting thoughts Shuya.  I would agree that a great many would have had no clue which tool to use for what other than the blade.   

[Jim the Brave]

That may all be true. Myself, I have a hard time thinking that people in the 1940's weren't highly familiar with opening cans by using this type of can opener, as a separate tool. Nowadays, with rotational can openers superfluous, and pull-tab cans common as well, (not to mention so much fast-food and instant breakfast), it would be far more common for green GI's to not know what the can opener is, but I would think in 1943, everybody would have known. However, I wasn't born yet at that time, so 

[Aloha]

Maybe the younger folk  .  Young men joining the military leaving home for the first time. 

[Etherealicer]

That may all be true. Myself, I have a hard time thinking that people in the 1940's weren't highly familiar with opening cans by using this type of can opener, as a separate tool. Nowadays, with rotational can openers superfluous, and pull-tab cans common as well, (not to mention so much fast-food and instant breakfast), it would be far more common for green GI's to not know what the can opener is, but I would think in 1943, everybody would have known. However, I wasn't born yet at that time, so 

Actually, "that style" of can opener was not that prominent (oh and fun fact, electrical can openers were introduced in 1931!!!). You should also not forget that in that time, few men were found in a kitchen. It is well possible that many of those men held a can for the very first time (especially a tin can, this was the time of home-canning and that means glass jars).

[Shuya]

Its not only the time back then.
Some people nowadays have problems opening cans when their electric opener is out of service.

https://cdn.eazyauction.de/d6/d6343c56d801c7b9a0bd3931f1cb52b95610bb84d30f501499cc01edc48ff1b5ff1b1acad94aa0b6a6b7ae1091209c1f/img/500x500_1f013a063455bc8012b120a1eb52e320c176851d.jpeg
https://mlpupix9f17o.i.optimole.com/wsEp57E-GsFpeEEW/w:1000/h:667/q:90/https://www.homestratosphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Lever-type-Can-Opener-1-23-5.jpg

Hand those two openers to people and watch them try.

[cbl51]

When it comes to opening cans, my sister in law is a bit spoiled. Electric everything. Can opener, stirrer and beater, anything.

One day about 15 years ago, the wife and I were over the SIL's and I was helping make a spaghetti dinner. Diane, (the SIL) was opening a can of tomato paste for the suave, and her wonderful electric can opener broke. he little cutter thing sheared right off the spine it was mounted on. Di was frantic to send her hubby out to the store for a can opener when I opened my wallet and produced my old army issue P-38.

Blank stares. They hd no idea what it was, and how was that silly little thing going to open a can?

About 40 seconds later, (I was out of practice from my army days) the can was opened and Diane and her hubby Roy, ( a college guy who had a student deferment during the draft and never served) were amazed.

I doubt many people under 50 who never served in the old army would recognize or know how to use a P-38. The most wonderful little multitool in the world.

[Jim the Brave]

When it comes to opening cans, my sister in law is a bit spoiled. Electric everything. Can opener, stirrer and beater, anything.

One day about 15 years ago, the wife and I were over the SIL's and I was helping make a spaghetti dinner. Diane, (the SIL) was opening a can of tomato paste for the suave, and her wonderful electric can opener broke. he little cutter thing sheared right off the spine it was mounted on. Di was frantic to send her hubby out to the store for a can opener when I opened my wallet and produced my old army issue P-38.

Blank stares. They hd no idea what it was, and how was that silly little thing going to open a can?

About 40 seconds later, (I was out of practice from my army days) the can was opened and Diane and her hubby Roy, ( a college guy who had a student deferment during the draft and never served) were amazed.

I doubt many people under 50 who never served in the old army would recognize or know how to use a P-38. The most wonderful little multitool in the world.

I must admit, I heard about P38 can openers for years, but never knew what they looked like. I guess I expected them to look a little more like a P38 Lightning....

[Syncop8r]

I saw one for sale near me - Imperial, 1974.

[Aloha]

 .  Nice find. 

[Syncop8r]

I'm not getting it though. 
Just thought it was kinda interesting.