USAF Pararescue "Paraeagle" Tactical CSAR Knife after 15 years

It is rare that I get to revisit some of my older and earlier works, and here is a pleasant exception. This is one of my early United States Air Force Pararescue Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) knives, the "Paraeagle." The original design was created with input from a PJ that is now the commander of the 342nd Training Squadron. Together, back in the mid 1990's, we designed the Paraeagle pattern for a knife that has been one of my popular CSAR knives as well as civilian knife designs.

This particular Paraeagle is owned by an active duty United States Air Force Pararescueman (Mr. S.) who has used and carried the knife for about 15 years. He contacted me because he wanted an additional sheath to carry the knife, in a more traditional fashion, made in leather. I thought it would be nice to see just what one of these knives looks like after 15 years of service, so I took these photos, and the PJ was kind enough to allow me to post them.

The blade on this CSAR Paraeagle is O1 high carbon tungsten-vanadium tool steel, bead blasted and hot blued, engraved with the Pararescue Angel, and the Pararescue creed. This early Paraeagle has no bolsters, for light weight, and the handle is polished maroon linen-reinforced Micarta phenolic bedded and secured with nickel silver pins. The sheath is double-thickness kydex build on a 5052H32 corrosion-resistant high strength aluminum welt frame, secured with nickel plated steel Chicago screws. The sheath has an engraved flat black lacquered brass flashplate with the Pararescue emblem and creed.

Mr. S. took good care of this knife, and in the first photographs, I did nothing to the knife, just laid it on the table and photographed it. The tough piece of O1 has weathered well, with just a bit of scuffing on the blade, and some light staining on the cutting edge and serrations. The handle is still solidly mounted to the tang, and the Micarta shows almost no wear. The sheath is used and still very stable and stout, and shows my early massive belt loop plate that was common on these early Pararescue knives.

In the next photos, the knife is shown with the new leather sheath. I cleaned, sharpened, and waxed the blade, and that was all it needed! The leather sheath is simple and clean, in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, died medium brown, border hand-stamped and hand-stitched with double rows of polyester sinew, lacquered and sealed.

A classic CSAR knife, ready for the next 15 years!

Thanks, Mr. S.!