Alternative to ka bar

J

jaysfordays

Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Messages
2
Hi all, this is my first post and after some digging i have found myself in need of suggestions...
Im looking for an alternative to the Ka bar usmc knife. I love the design of the blade but the hidden/rat tail tang has left me wary. I would be using it as a camping/utility knife primarily and secondarily as a combat knife when need be.

I understand that there are makes and styles of blades that would be better suited for my primary use (Bk 7,9, ESEE...) but the clip point design has left me smitten. so far I have found Ontario SP 1, at the $40 range and from there a huge leap to the Busse/swamp rat for $300 and up... is there anything in the mid range or am i going to have to pay the extra $$$ or pay when my Ka bar breaks...

your suggestions are appreciated
 
I don't think that your Ka-Bar USMC will break but the knives between 40 USD and 300 USD that come to my mind are the BK 7, ESEE 6, Bark River Bravo 2, Survive! GSO 7/7, Scrapyard 711, Swamprat Rodent 6.
 
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The KaBar USMC is tougher than nails. I've batonned mine through huge knotty logs without so much as a chip or bend in the blade. People seriously overestimate the need for a wide tang. The only time I could imagine breaking it is if you threw your whole body against it while using it as a pry bar.

In short, don't worry about it. Get a KaBar or Becker, you really can't beat them for the money.
 
Take a look at the Ontario TAK 1 . You might like the blade shape more than some of the others mentioned .


...............................................
HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
I agree with many above. The Kabar is not some weak-ass knife that's gonna fail you.
Get a KAbar. Everyone really should have one anyhow.
 
I've beaten the crap out of mine... and the damned thing just won't break!



Besides that, KA-BAR offers a Lifetime Warranty - they will repair or replace your knife if it breaks under normal use. Go to their website and check out the Customer Service page (click the "Knife Care, Repair, and Warranty" link). It's all good.
 
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My first fixed blade was a full sized kabar. I also have an ESEE 6, and I find it a little more comfortable, but the Kabar will do everything my ESEE will do...
 
I've put mine through some abuse as well. It hasn't broken, but if you don't care for the leather handle it can loosen through wet/dry cycles. Granted it may take a while but as long as you take care of it, you shouldn't have issues.
 
I would get the BK7. It's a beast of a combat/utility knife--you would be hard-pressed to break it. The Fallkniven A1 also comes to mind, but it's more than double the price.
 
The BK7 is a clip point so I don't understand the problem there. Becker and ESEE are great options if you want something that will take more hard use than the stick tang Kabar. But you already know that. So..what are we helping you with again?
 
Swamp Rat's ratmandu is going to be your best bet IMO. When someone says combat/utility knife, that's the only one I picture for both roles.
 
How about the Condor Bushlore? It is one chunk of metal and sufficiently pointy for anything you might want to use it for. There are lots of Bushcraft knives around now. I like the Blackjack Companion and Bark River makes some really appealing knives that should fit your needs.

I prefer the regular Kabar Beckers to the combat utility knife. But everyone has their own tastes in such things. The BK-10 or BK-7 would work for you.
 
My KABAR was made in the 40s. I carried it through Vietnam in the 60/70s. It's still going strong now.

Silvanus: Good night Chesty, wherever you are.

SF

Scarface
 
Thank you for you kind words, Link2Derek. Regrettably, I do not seem to be able to post pictures. I wish I had two, as both our boys want it when my time comes. I also have a 2012 model, a Christmas gift from youngest Son.

BTW, Scarface was the Marine Cobra Squadron, HML-367, from Marble Mountain. I was Scarface 48.
 
Cold Steel makes a Ka-Bar USMC clone. Damned if I can remember the name of it. Try the CS website. You cant miss it.
 
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