When your favorite movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you know you are an adventurous individual. Meet Jerry Saunders of CORVUS Survival and CORVUS Knife & Tool.
What are CORVUS Survival and CORVUS Knife & Tool?
In January 2018, Jerry Saunders established CORVUS Survival. Saunders had extensive experience serving as the former US Marine Corps Chief Survival Instructor at the Mountain Warfare Training Center located in Bridgeport, California. He led a team of experts to completely overhaul and revamp the survival program of instruction.
The end result was creating an all-encompassing and comprehensive survival training program. It has since been implemented throughout the United States Marine Corps.
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Jerry Saunders’ Experience
Throughout Saunders’ career, he also provided expert consulting services to various TV and film projects. He even served as a medic for cast and crew members, working in some of the most challenging and harsh environments imaginable. Before establishing CORVUS Survival, Saunders had dedicated many years to lending his services to numerous survival schools, law enforcement departments, and the US military.
After careful consideration and much reflection, Saunders ultimately decided to slow down and focus on his true passion: knifemaking. He now proudly resides on a small homestead in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. From there, he continues to craft knives specifically designed to meet the unique needs of outdoorsmen and women.
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In 2022, Saunders decided to expand the CORVUS brand by establishing CORVUS Knife & Tool LLC. This move was made to avoid confusion about selling knives under the name “CORVUS Survival.”
Today, Saunders lives as a Yooper, constantly striving to create the best knives possible. He is always on the lookout for historical designs and techniques that can be combined with modern materials to create functional and beautiful knives.
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With each knife he makes, Saunders is dedicated to pushing himself to new heights. Likewise, he always strives to outdo his previous work and create something extraordinary.
The Scout Sniper
Jerry’s military experience includes serving as a Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Leader in Cuba, Bahrain, and Lebanon. He also served as a QRF Team Leader for the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines in Iraq and as a Scout Sniper Team Leader and Platoon Sgt.
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Additionally, Jerry was a USMC Chief Instructor of Survival at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport. He was also an Honorary Estonian SERE Instructor and Lead Survival Instructor for the Warsaw Initiative Fund information exchange.
The Knife Maker
Jerry got interested in making knives at the age of nine after stumbling onto a book in the library. Throughout his life, he always made sure to carry a knife.
Jerry’s passion for crafting high-quality knives was sparked during his time spent in the rugged Sierra Nevada of California. He spent four years honing his skills and crafting hundreds of knives while embracing his love for outdoor living and scavenging. Despite overcoming challenges such as wildfires and a pandemic, Jerry remained steadfast in pursuing his craft.
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In 2022, he decided to relocate to the Boreal forest of the Northwoods, where he continues to create knives daily. Additionally, he is working on restoring and rebuilding an old homestead in the snowy environment of the Michigan Northwoods.
Jerry’s inspiration comes from his extensive knowledge, experience, and world travels. He believes in the importance of always having a knife at hand. For this reason, he is dedicated to crafting knives that match the needs and lifestyles of his clients.
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The CORVUS Tool & Knife Style, According to Jerry
“Ever hear a song, and it instantly transports you to a place or a memory? Knives have the same ability to provide a transformative experience. Don’t believe me? What does the guy at the knife show say when he picks up a big chopper? ‘I could take on the world with this!’ And at that moment, he truly feels that way.
“So, I developed my knife designs by reverse engineering that process. The burnt jute-wrapped Carrion was designed from the lessons I learned as the chief instructor for survival in the Marine Corps. That burnt jute wrap alone is one of my proudest contributions to the knife community. It connects people to the past. As Bob Loveless put it, ‘It takes them back to the cave.’
“The Lion Tamer was designed after losing my freshly killed buck to four adult mountain lions and barely escaping with my life. The SISU was designed after the knife I carried while training for winter survival in Norway.
“My designs are put together from my very personal experiences, but as I start to age, they are taking on a more outdoorsman role. More of my knives in the future will be hunt, fish, camp, and cook style knives.
“I draw my inspiration from my knowledge and experience, world travel, and an undying discipline to never be without a knife.”-J. Saunders
The CORVUS SISU
Jerry has a habit of modifying knives that have significant meaning in his life. One of his latest designs, the SISU, was inspired by the Leuku knife he used during his training in the Norwegian Allied Officers Winter Warfare Course.
During this intense course, he learned how to survive and fight in harsh Arctic conditions. This included skiing while wearing his gear, plunging into icy water, starting fires with birch bark, building shelters with just his knife, and skiing through never-ending snow.
The SISU boasts a long, wide, and sturdy blade. It is perfect for light chopping tasks such as cutting small trees for shelter poles, de-limbing, brush clearing, and butchering. With a full tang and a 90-degree spine, Jerry made the knife more portable than the traditional Leukus. However, it has enough weight to chop effectively.
The handle measures four inches long and does not have a finger guard like the traditional Leukus. Still, it provides enough space to grip even when wearing mittens. The knife includes a dark brown leather dangler sheath with a firesteel loop and is finished with a Caswell coating. The knife’s overall length is 9.75 inches, and the blade is made of Scandi 80CrV2 steel.
The CORVUS Carrion
Jerry, a rural resident, developed the Carrion knife to create a tool that would complement his scavenger mindset. He required a knife for various tasks throughout the day. So, he designed the handle to be comfortable for a forward grip with three and a half fingers and a reverse grip with four fingers. He also provided ample pommel for the thumb to wrap over.
The knife is constructed from 80CrV2 steel and features a purple SureTouch handle and a black carbon fiber Kydex sheath equipped with an Ulti-Clip 2.2 Slim. The manufacturer utilized a Caswell stonewashed finish.
With a 6-inch overall length and a 2.6-inch blade, this knife is both compact and highly functional. Additionally, the manufacturer offers a revolutionary new patent-pending process called SureTouch. It combines G-10 layers with rubber to provide improved grip and comfort.
CORVUS Topo Wax
Surviving in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan can be quite challenging, especially with the harsh weather conditions. However, thanks to Corvus Knife & Tool, the Topo Wax has been created as a versatile wax that protects and nourishes your gear and hands.
The unique blend of natural ingredients used in the wax is both safe and highly effective on various materials. Even better, it also has a pleasant outdoor scent that adds charm.
Topo Wax is a unique blend of beeswax, food-grade mineral oil, and Siberian fir oil. It can be used to clean, protect, and polish various tools, such as knife blades, axes, folding saws, and veg clippers. It can also enhance the natural beauty of finished and unfinished wood by restoring oils and forming a water-resistant finish.
For leather items, Topo Wax can be used to protect, soften, and restore them for long-term use. However, we recommend testing Topo Wax in an inconspicuous spot before use to ensure desired results. Additionally, it can be applied topically to the skin to help soothe minor skin irritations.
The Survival Guru
The CORVUS Mission is “To empower individuals to confidently explore their world through survival training based on real-world experience. Accomplished through professional education paired with tactics, techniques, and procedures adapted to help you endure dire situations.”
Jerry is the most trained individual I have come across. Likewise, he has impressive skills and qualifications that make him stand out from the crowd. He has served as a USMC Scout Sniper, a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, an EMT, a Firefighter, and a SAR Technician. He is also a devoted knife maker who crafts tough-as-nails knives.
Jerry is a jack of all trades and a master of many. Naturally, he would take all of that knowledge and share it.
What Do You Love About Teaching These Skills?
“Being helpless sucks. I’m not a fan, and I assume other people feel the same way. When teaching someone survival skills or really any skill in general, there is a moment when it clicks, and you can physically see that person becoming empowered. It’s a cool feeling to watch. By empowering those around you, you are building a stronger community.”
Why Do You Like Walter Mitty?
“Seems vanilla, I know. But to be fair, the inaccuracies in most Hollywood action/survival flicks are just too polarizing to me to be nominated as a fav.
“Travel was one of my biggest goals when I left home at 18. To date, I’ve worked and played in 48 countries. When experiencing a new place, whether in peace or conflict, there is a feeling of awe for the landscape itself. I felt like this movie captured a few key moments of that feeling.”
Jerry Saunders at a Glance
- 11 Years Active-Duty United States Marine Corps
- Former Chief Survival Instructor, USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center
- Force Protection and Security Specialist
- USMC Scout Sniper
- Scout Sniper Instructor
- Tracker
- Use Of Force Instructor
- Special Response Team Sniper Section Leader
- USMC Summer/Winter Mountain Leader
- Lead Survival Instructor for the Warsaw Initiative Fund 2013
- USMC Combatives Instructor
- Foreign Weapons Instructor
- Range Safety Officer (Specializing in Reactive Steel Targets)
- AAIRE 1 (Avalanche Assessment)
- Allied Officer’s Winter Warfare Instructor Course Grad (Norway)
- Swat, SRT, & CQB Tactics Instructor
- Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique Master
- Rappel Master
- Honorary Estonian Sere Instructor
- EMT / Medic / TCCC / Combat Lifesaver / NOLS Wfr
- Trained To the ICS 400 Level
- Nims Disaster Management Systems
- Animal Packer
- Combat Veteran, Iraq / Afghanistan
- Lead Humanitarian Operations: Lebanon & Haiti
- Search & Rescue Technician
- NPS Park Ranger
- Firefighter 2
- Federal Law Enforcement Officer
