Is this a decent knife?

I've had this for 30+ years, but my dad is the one who bought it and dyed the sheath and handle black. I have no idea how to tell if it's junk or reasonable quality.

I'm putting together a little car emergency bag and I need a knife to put in it. If this is Chinese crap, I don't want it.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psa8eee383.jpg

Looks like a pilots survival knife. I imagine if it is decent quality it should have some sort of markings on the blade somewhere near the tang (hilt). As far as I know, all of the military contractors marked their stuff. The last one I had was made by Camillus in New York.

Also, it probably doesn't really matter too much for your intended use even if it is a Chinese copy. I mean, it is just a sharp piece of metal, right?

I'm thinking because of the age it's Camillus. Like Ray said it should be decent quality.

The brass tip on the sheath is leading me to think it might be the real deal. I can't imagine the reproduction stuff putting that kind of detail into the sheath. Especially that long ago.

If it's authentic it could easily be worth a couple hundred bucks. Might be worth finding out and maybe putting a quality new knife in the kit that's worth a lot less if it gets beat up.

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Originally Posted by th3w01f

If it's authentic it could easily be worth a couple hundred bucks. Might be worth finding out and maybe putting a quality new knife in the kit that's worth a lot less if it gets beat up.

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Excellent point. I am partial to knives from Tops, ESEE, and DPX myself.

http://www.topsknives.com/index.php

http://www.eseeknives.com/

http://www.dpxgear.com/

looks like one i had during my cub & boy scout years. Nice little whet stone in the small pouch.

Ah the days of carrying a knife as a child and no cops, CPS ,or teachers getting involved.

Any stamps on the blade?

+ 1 on a Tops and ESEE. Have both, love both. But for a car knife, you could consider a Becker BK 2. All brands mentioned use 1095 steel primarily. High carbon, very tough and easier to field sharpen in a pinch than other steels. You'll find the Beckers to be a bit cheaper than Tops and ESEE, but just as good functionally. I'd rather beat the shit out of a BK 2 than a cool old blade like yours. Just my $.02.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps42c6a2d7.jpg

If this is valuable, I'll sell it. How should I go about that? I'm not a knife guy...