The W. R. Case and Sons NASA Astronaut Knife M-1

NASA has often reached out to different organizations during projects to help create and invent custom-made tools for unique tasks and environments. Case is extremely honored to have been a part of NASA’s history. When military knives did not meet NASA’s criteria, the organization commissioned Case to create a knife to their exact specifications.

This Astronaut Knife was lightweight with a sharp cutting edge and saw teeth on the back side. The knife’s blunt base of the blade had the abilities to pry and gather specimens (such as moon rocks) from the Celestial terrains. The handle was made of polypropylene, the lightest known plastic at the time. This material was able to withstand an impact similar to being struck by a forty-five caliber bullet without shattering it. Another vital component of this synthetic material was that it did not emit any fumes, which was necessary in trying to ensure the purity of the air in the spacecraft.

This M-1 Survival Knife has been carried on every manned Gemini and Apollo space flight since the “Molly Brown” with astronauts Grissom and Young in 1965. One accompanied Neil Armstrong to the moon. Armstrong is pictured with one of these knives on the Case company historical timeline. One of these knives is in the Smithsonian Institute Museum.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of man’s first steps on the Moon, Case proudly presents this Case® Astronaut M-1 Knife. The M-1 model knife is a survival knife and actually resembles a machete. It is 17″ long overall and has an 11 3/4″ blade and weighs only 7.5 ounces. This commemorative carries a Smooth White Synthetic handle, an Embellished As-Ground High Carbon Machete Blade, and Consecutive Serialization. Comes packaged in a two-piece presentation box and proudly made in Bradford, Pennsylvania, USA.