VO7 with Ring

This is a variant of the knife with a metal oval ring in the upper part of the wooden handle. The handle has a milled seat into which the ring fits and reinforces the handle. The ring has two grooves by which it fits onto the knife's crosspiece — this holds the handle on the blade more securely and prevents it from cracking under excessive torsion.

The variant was issued in small numbers to airborne units in the period 1965–1972. The 4th Company of Deep Reconnaissance had approximately 15 knives of this variant out of a total of 90 knives. Over time they were preferentially withdrawn from service. The cylindrical nut is made from bronze material instead of the commonly used steel.

We thank the chairman of the Jan Kubiš Airborne Veterans Club Brno, Mr. Jaroslav Foršt, for the information and for donating this unique piece.