Images(5)

Commemorative

Object number2018.86.1 a-c

Manufacturer W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company

Date1966

MediumSteel; Brass; Polypropylene; Wood; Glass; Paint

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

DescriptionAstronaut's knife with display case and product booklet.DimensionsLength x Width x Depth (a): 17 × 2.125 × 0.875 in. (43.2 × 5.4 × 2.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 20.375 × 8 × 3 in. (51.8 × 20.3 × 7.6 cm)
Height x Width (c): 5.5 × 2.875 in. (14 × 7.3 cm)
Width (c (unfolded)): 8.438 in. (21.4 cm)
Inscriptions(b) Metal plate across bottom of box reads "ASTRONAUT'S KNIFE -- M-1 / This knife manufactured by / W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company Bradford, Pennsylvania / in conjunction with NASA for the Manned Spacecraft Projects , / Gemini and Apollo".

(c) Across front of book let reads "Astronaut's Knife".

First page reads: "The Case [company logo] Astronaut's Knife is The Culmination / of The World's / Finest Quality / Cutlery / Crafted to Specifications / Developed In Conjunction With / NASA, Manned Spacecraft / Center, Houston, Texas".

When fully opened, top section of text reads "Case is deeply honored to contribute / this unique knife to the Gemini / and Apollo Survival Kits.". Below this is longer text of product information.

Back of booklet reads "CASE offers six Pocket / Knives and as many Hunting / Knives of the same steel and / with the identical polished edge / as distinguish the CASE Astronaut's Knife. The CASE / dealer in your area would be / delighted to show and demonstrate / them to you. / Cheap cutlery is false economy. / We don't make it. If you're looking / for the best in a blade, in balance, / in a hand-fitted handle, in all - / around safer, more satisfying / performance, look no further than / CASE Knives, Scissors, and Shears." Company logo and manufacturer's information below this.
Marks" W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. / Bradford, PA. / U. S. A. / ASTRONAUT KNIFE - M--1 / S/N - 526 / MODEL 1966".
Historical NotesW. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company astronaut knife developed for NASA and purchased for the Destination Moon exhibition and Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation. Case of Bradford, PA had the NASA contract to develop the knife/saw for the astronaut survival kit aboard the spacecraft for the Gemini and Apollo programs of the 1960s. The knife featured a cutting side and a sawing side and was intended to help the astronauts survive if they missed their intended water landing and had to wait to be rescued.

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