Didn’t the prototype lancaster (or a test Lanc) go down when the life raft popped out and fouled the tail?
Halifax PN305 was lost shortly after take-off from Davidstow Moor, killing all 21 on board. The cause seems to be the inadvertant release of the liferaft, fouling the empennage.
The issue knife is designed without a point, (as it seems Aircrew can’t be trusted), but it’s chief purpose is to enable one to cut through one’s seat straps. On the rare occasions I had an inflatable dinghy strapped to me I carried one of the old pattern knives with a much more purposeful blade.