ČSLA Knife
VO-7
VO-7 — parachute knife of the ČSLA. Wooden and aluminum variants, sheaths, VLTAVA gift version, Red Berets memorial knives and anniversary editions.
VO-7 with wooden handle
VO-7 with aluminum handle
VO-7 Sheaths
VO7 – VLTAVA 1966 gift version
VO7 – Gift variant PZU chief of staff
VO7 with ring
VO7 – 65th Anniversary Airborne
VO7 – 70th Anniversary Airborne
VO7 – Red Berets Memorial Knives
VO-7 Parachute Knife
It was in service from the early 1950s until 1975, when it was replaced by the UTON vz.75. It was produced according to the Soviet assault knife vz. 1940. Contrary to widespread belief, the knife was not manufactured by Mikov but by the Slovak company SANDRIK.
VO-7 was produced in three variants: with a wooden handle, with an aluminum handle painted green (for chemical troops), and in a gift version with an organic glass handle. The most famous gift version is a specimen with a sheath bearing the emblem of the VLTAVA 1966 exercise.
The blade is single-edged, near the tip the spine is deeply ground into a bowie shape with a false edge.
Sheaths are full leather, stitched around the perimeter and secured with five rivets. There are two types — smooth leather and rough scaly leather. They also differ in the number of rivets on the strap (two or three) and rivet color (brown on older, green on newer).
Technical Specifications
- Knife length
- 270 mm
- Blade length
- 151 mm
- Blade width
- 21 mm
- Spine width
- 3.5 mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VO-7 knife?
VO-7 is a parachute knife of the Czechoslovak People's Army, in service from the early 1950s until 1975. It was produced according to the Soviet assault knife vz. 1940 and served as a personal weapon of parachute soldiers.
Who manufactured the VO-7?
Contrary to widespread belief, the VO-7 was not manufactured by Mikov but by the Slovak company SANDRIK.
What variants of the VO-7 exist?
The VO-7 was produced in three variants: with a wooden handle, with an aluminum handle painted green (for chemical troops), and in a gift version with an organic glass handle. The most famous gift version is the VLTAVA 1966 exercise specimen.
What replaced the VO-7?
The VO-7 was replaced in 1975 by the UTON vz.75 assault knife, which was more modern and better suited to the needs of parachute and reconnaissance units.
