A Sharp Knife ?

quote:
Originally posted by yzer

Just for some historical interest this is a Navy MK I made by PAL. It was issued to my Dad (a destroyer guy) during WW2 as a utility knife. 5 1/4" Parkerized carbon steel blade. The sheath has a flat spring inside so the knife makes a nice sound when you take it out.

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I have one that looks just like that, it was my dad's but he was army.

Niles
 
The knives are definitely keepers. There were more than 1/2 dozen manufacturers of the MK I during WW2 and each is slightly different. Due to material shortages during the the war the PAL knife came closest to the military specifications (including the colored plastic washers on either end of the leather washer grip).
 
I started this thread knowing that I should keep knives handy for emergencies.
When I volunteered on a paddle wheeler in 05-06 I always kept one in my pocket. And a small flashlight.
Do as I say not as I do.

I have flashlights handy on board my own boat. But knives ? Not so much. So I guess I started this thread looking for how others did things. And what kind.
One of the best ideas I saw here was keeping a knife near the anchor windlass.

When I locked last fall bringing the boat from Ky Lake back upstream to the Ohio River I had made a mental note where a knife was, but wasn't too concerned since I manned the line looped around the bollard and once around my cleat. things happen. . Never say never.

I'm still looking for some suggestions for a fresh water, safe, cool looking knife.

yzer, what is Parkerized Carbon Steel ?

Nice looking knife. Good that you have some history with a story.
 
Parkerizing is a chemical finish that prevents rust. The WW2 era military 1911 .45 pistols were parkerized as well. It's still a common finish used on guns.

Carbon steel is also used to manufacture guns. Very hard and takes a sharper edge than stainless steel but needs to be blued, parkerized or otherwise finished to prevent rust.

I don't use the MK I a lot. It's mainly an heirloom.

We do fresh to brackish water boating so the Ontario 499 is the workhorse knife on the boat. I think the Navy was right about a 5" blade for an all-purpose utility knife. It will cut line in a hurry. The 499 also has a sharpening stone so there is no excuse for a dull knife, the saw blade was designed to cut aircraft sheet metal, the hilt was intended to double as a hammer and the blade is forged so that a second edge can be easily ground if you want.
 
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