Description
Case – Astronaut’s Knife – Smooth White Synthetic Handle – Limited Edition – 50th Anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing – With Wooden Box – 22019
From its inception in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was devoted to research, educating and enhancing life here on earth. NASA has impacted the lives of millions, not just by providing research about space, but also sharing their pioneering inventions in which we use and see in our everyday lives.
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 that would equip every manned US space flight of the Gemini and Apollo missions.
This Astronaut’s 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 year marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon with the Case Astronaut Knife on board. Case is commemorating this stride in NASA history with a reproduction of the M-1 that has been carefully placed in a black shadow box, featuring a 11 ¾ inch taper ground, high carbon stainless steel machete blade and a smooth white synthetic handle. The Case Astronaut Knife M-1 spans a total of 17 inches from base to blade tip and weighs 10.8 ounces. This out of the world collectible is limited to 250 pieces.
