Couteau des Commandos de l'Air Vintage

The Couteau des Commandos de l'Air (Air Commando Knife) is a legendary piece of French military cutlery developed in the late 1950s. It is essentially a multi-purpose tactical or survival folding knife featuring a lever-actuated locking system (*palme* or *levier*). History and Origin / Creation (1957–1958): It was designed in Thiers, France, by craftsman M. Simonet—a *Meilleur Ouvrier de France* (Best Craftsman of France)—while he was working for the firm Arthur Sauzède / Sauzède-Biat. It was officially adopted by the French Air Force (*Armée de l'Air*) to equip its air-commando and paratrooper units, becoming part of the survival kits (*paquetages de secours*) for aircrews. Key manufacturers: Arthur Sauzède / Sauzède-Biat (1st Model, 1958–1970); S.C.O.F. (*Société Couperet Orfèvrerie Française*, 2nd Model, from 1970 onwards).

Carbon steel blade. Handle material: Lightweight Duralinox alloy (military-grade aluminum) scales with a "corne de cerf" (faux stag horn) texture to improve grip.

Tool configuration

Main blade: Stainless steel

Wood/aluminum saw

Leather awl

Can opener

Corkscrew

Flat-head screwdriver.

The two generations of the model: 1st Model (1958–1970): Produced by Lecoeur & Rouquier and Sauzède-Biat. Features a smooth locking lever and handle markings reading "Biat... Déposé... France" alongside an image of a Roberval-style balance scale. 2nd Model (1970 onwards): Produced by S.C.O.F. It features a highly visible improvement: a hole in the release lever itself. This allowed a lanyard to be attached to secure the safety catch or prevent the knife from dropping if the airman was wearing heavy gloves during flight or a parachute jump. Despite not being a pure combat knife—due to its thickness and weight—it earned the respect of military personnel as a formidable field and rescue tool. Upon leaving active duty, soldiers were required to return the knife to the armory, meaning very few units ever reached the civilian market. Today, this makes it one of the most sought-after European military knives of the Cold War era, and one of the hardest to find in original condition.

Materials:
Blade: carbon steel.
Handle: duralinox (aluminium)
Lock System: lever.

Measurements:
Blade: 107 mm.
Overall: 245 mm.
Closed: 138 mm.
Tickness: 3.5 mm.
Weight: 252 grs.

Made in France.