Model 17

Description

Model 17 “Astro”

5 1/2″ stainless steel blade
stainless steel oblong hilt
black Micarta handle, removable and hollow
black leather sheath

4 3/8” black Micarta handle, fastened with removable stainless steel bolts. A slot in the heavy tang and matching hollow inside the handle may be used to carry matches, fishhooks, line and other survival items. Large stainless steel hilt, silver-soldered. Wrist thong. This model was especially designed for the seven Mercury astronauts, who carried them on America’s first manned space flights. Astronaut Gordon Cooper did the final design, and two of these historically valuable knives are on display in the Smithsonian Institution.