Crutchtip, Couldn't Big Jims knife on ebay also be dated by the "original" gold paracords. I have heard that they were only used for a few years in the early 70s still Viet Nam era but later. This would dovetail with the 5 spacer comments by Tune earlier.

I think when the Capt. made the comment you quoted the original knife in question was thought to be mid 60s.

By the way Big Jim I have looked at your knife on ebay numerious times even came real close to "pushing the key" on that one. It would really complete a set of gold cords that I have with rivited JRBs (a crutchtip, astro, #15 and #14)