Well, I had worked on the Space Shuttle for over 10 years when we were told of our demise in 2010, so I decided to leave the company for a job that is closer to the house and will be around for a while. When I was leaving they were averaging about 13 people per week quiting. Before I had left I had procured 3 knives into the shuttle endeavor (1 Dog father,1 dog mutt and one swamp rat knife)just to know in my mind I can say these were actually aboard a live shuttle and the newest and fastest one at that. The bad part about the cape was there is no photography in the bay except during open houses and if a QC had a camera. Unfortunately getting pictures was next to imposable. I was allowed to use the dog mutt for normal work around and on the exterior of the shuttle but only approved tools were allowed inside. So on a day to day routine I would cut rope and various material with it (quartz, Kevlar, kapton, lumiloy, etc.. So technically it was used ON the shuttle and has been in there once but very few knives can claim that. There were a few knives by astronauts carried on orbit but not a lot, all in all it was a good job and I hate to see the program go down like that but sometimes you have to move on. My current job is a little more secure and keeps me really busy a lot so I don't get the time I like to do things.
I try to come here as much as I can but usually don't have the time I like to post or experiment. Looking back at the days, I had wished I could have got a picture of them in the ship but the risk was not worth it. Dan and Jerrys knives has worked for me in some harsh environments working around a lot of hazards around and on (key word on) the shuttle. I'll try to dig up some open house pictures if your interested in seeing the working area.