Remembering some cool knives……

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When my interest first peaked in “survival” I was around 14 years old. This was in the mid-80′s between the release of the movies First Blood and Red Dawn. Survival knives began to gain popularity and there are several models I remember fondly.

Now – I am not suggesting all of these were actually very useful – just pretty cool.

Lets reminisce a bit…….

Rambo: First Blood – With a 9″ blade and images of Stallone wielding this knife in the popular movie First Blood – this knife gained tremendous popularity. The hollow handle contained a small survival kit and the back of the blade had saw teeth for cutting through wood. One of my favorites.

Buck Buckmaster – Labeled as the official knife of the US Navy Seals – this knife followed the very popular First Blood knife and was bought by many. I never owned one of these – and they are no longer manufactured. I had heard back in the day that one criticism was the tip of the 7.5″ blade came to too sharp of a point and was easily bent. I wish Buck still made this knife today.

Air Force Survival Knife – Still available today but much more expensive than back in the 80′s. Issued to pilots in the Air Force – always liked the design. Appears rugged – carbon steel blade, saw tooth back, leather sheath.

Gerber BMF – The BMF stood for Basic Multi Function Tool. I had this knife and used it in the field a lot. I loved it and it was extremely durable and well made. I wish I had never gotten rid of it. Gerber would do well to start manufacturing it again.

Chris Reeves One Piece Knife – When I first saw this knife I thought – “rugged!!!”. The entire knife is made from a single block of steel. Hollow handle design allows a few items to be stored. Probably one of the strongest hollow-handled knifes ever made.

Gutmann Survivor Explorer II – Back in 1986 I was given one of these knives by the owner of a gun shop who I had helped move (I was in 10th grade). I ended up giving the knife to my brother and he still has it today. Obviously designed after the First Blood knife – it is rarely available today. No longer manufactured - it is still highly sought after on eBay.

Funny the things we remember sometimes. Back in my teenage years – I remember seeing pictures of these knives in catalogs and dreamed of survival adventures. Today – I like my Gerber Multi-Tool and Buck Hoodlum.

Rourke