Survival / Combat

Survival knives and combat knives were often the same knife. Military Post Exchanges offered a select assortment of knives for soldiers who preferred something other than a Ka Bar, Air Force Survival knife or the trench knife the government provided. Soldiers travelled and had access to knives crafted in areas like Germany and Japan. Magazines and outdoor stores offered a selection of knives in a variety of patterns made in the USA and imported for sale by mail.

Survival Knives are generally 5.5" or longer, 3/16" or thicker blade to handle abuse such as clearing brush, chopping, processing game and can be easily sharpened.  Some have pockets on the sheath for a sharpening stone or a hollow handle to store survival items.