Any one have a KA-BAR?

Culpeper said:
There is only one Ka-Bar and that is those knives based on the original design. The rest is just "production knife company" junk to stay in the market. Might as well take $70 cash and set it on fire.
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Please clue us in to the experiences you have had that have brought you to this conclusion.....many find that Kabar's make great knives in many models. Why do you believe this?
 
Liam Ryan said:
Return of the JD, I thought of doing the same actually, and removing the black coating.
I looked at the destruction test noss4 did of the kabar to see what kind of tang it had, its a pretty short stick tang, about 1/2 to 3/4 the handle length I believe.
How would you put a new handle on it?
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Liam
I have my original Marine Corp issue Camillus USMC also versions made by Ka-Bar Case & Ontario plus the Wart Hog all have full length tang butt plate/washer is pinned to tang
 
Hey, if you want to depend on survival with a tool made in Taiwan than knock yourself out. Ka-Bar is no different than most other USA production knife companies. These companies have their original quality design and also a bunch of junk farmed out to China and Taiwan. Personally, I'm glad people buy this junk because it is what keeps companies like Ka-Bar a going concern. The last thing I want to see is a USA company going out business. As for Ka-Bar? They can barely keep their website running properly in this day and age. You really want to take one of their Taiwan knives into the wilderness or in harm's way? Ka-Bar's bread and butter these days are their Taiwan tools and presentation knives.
 
MIKE MACINTOSH said:
Liam
I have my original Marine Corp issue Camillus USMC also versions made by Ka-Bar Case & Ontario plus the Wart Hog all have full length tang butt plate/washer is pinned to tang
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My issued USAF Ontario was the worse knife. It could never be sharpened beyond the edge of a butter knife. Well, maybe a little better. I bought a Randall on my own initiative.
 
Culpeper said:
Hey, if you want to depend on survival with a tool made in Taiwan than knock yourself out. Ka-Bar is no different than most other USA production knife companies. These companies have their original quality design and also a bunch of junk farmed out to China and Taiwan. Personally, I'm glad people buy this junk because it is what keeps companies like Ka-Bar a going concern. The last thing I want to see is a USA company going out business. As for Ka-Bar? They can barely keep their website running properly in this day and age. You really want to take one of their Taiwan knives into the wilderness or in harm's way? Ka-Bar's bread and butter these days are their Taiwan tools and presentation knives.
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Ok, thanks, I just wanted to know why you disliked them so. I thought about getting a Heavy Bowie so its interesting to hear the negative side of things.
 
barrabas74 said:
Ok, thanks, I just wanted to know why you disliked them so. I thought about getting a Heavy Bowie so its interesting to hear the negative side of things.
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No problem. I like the Ka-Bars' based on their original fighting design. Most of these are made in the USA and not a bad risk in an emergency. Chances are they won't fail and the price is reasonable. Mainly because they rightly diversified a lion share of their production overseas so they can still supply the good ones.
 
Culpeper said:
Hey, if you want to depend on survival with a tool made in Taiwan than knock yourself out. Ka-Bar is no different than most other USA production knife companies. These companies have their original quality design and also a bunch of junk farmed out to China and Taiwan. Personally, I'm glad people buy this junk because it is what keeps companies like Ka-Bar a going concern. The last thing I want to see is a USA company going out business. As for Ka-Bar? They can barely keep their website running properly in this day and age. You really want to take one of their Taiwan knives into the wilderness or in harm's way? Ka-Bar's bread and butter these days are their Taiwan tools and presentation knives.
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You mean like this piece of trash?

100_1198.jpg


Funny....say Olean N.Y. when i read it...

As for the other models like the TDI... They seem solid to my hand. Sure the steel wont hold an edge as long, but its not like they are going to crumple up like tin foil.

Americans arn't the only ones who know how to make knives. Im fairly certain every other culture in the world knows how to do it just as well. I like supporting American business too, but saying that all Taiwanese knives are crap is like saying all mexicans are lazy. :rolleyes:

America produces its fair share of garbage consumer products as well. ;)
 
mr.trooper said:
You mean like this piece of trash?

100_1198.jpg


Funny....say Olean N.Y. when i read it...

As for the other models like the TDI... They seem solid to my hand. Sure the steel wont hold an edge as long, but its not like they are going to crumple up like tin foil.

Americans arn't the only ones who know how to make knives. Im fairly certain every other culture in the world knows how to do it just as well. I like supporting American business too, but saying that all Taiwanese knives are crap is like saying all mexicans are lazy. :rolleyes:

America produces its fair share of garbage consumer products as well. ;)
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Culpeper said:
No problem. I like the Ka-Bars' based on their original fighting design. Most of these are made in the USA and not a bad risk in an emergency. Chances are they won't fail and the price is reasonable. Mainly because they rightly diversified a lion share of their production overseas so they can still supply the good ones.
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Like I stated earlier, if you want to base your survival on something made in Taiwan than that is your business. For example, the KA1276 KABAR SHORT HEAVY BOWIE wholesale value is about $32 and sold for up to $69. It's made of 1085 steel. Taiwan 1085 steel. Like China 440A that rusts after being put in a dishwasher. Can you imagine how much it actually cost to make that knife in Taiwan? I would be afraid at the very least it would break in sub-zero weather under normal use. The knife is marketed as a tactical knife. Again, Ka-Bar has to farm out their exotic junk to Taiwan just to make a profit. They can't make a profit just selling their good fighting knives based on their original tried and true design like you pictured above. And I will reiterate that I don't really have a problem with people buying these knives because it keeps Ka-Bar a going concern but I'm not going to recommend the cheap stuff to anyone. BTW, have you seen the factory edge of any Ka-Bar knife. It isn't exactly the greatest edge in the world. Oh, it is sharp but you can definitely see the spurs and dents in the edge. Not exactly finishing out the edge equals a discount knife. Discount lines normally equate to poor quality. Like the Remington "Express" Model 870 line of shotguns. This line was originally created especially for Walmart. I suspect a lot of people that have earned the Darwin Award are a part of Walmart's target group. I wouldn't risk my life on an "Express" 870 because the risk factor goes up that when you need it most the most you might get is a "click" sound. Ka-Bar makes their profit from their discount Taiwan products and their presentation knives. That's fine with me because it allows the company to still manufacture the good knives based on the original tactical design. I'm just recommending to stay away from their Taiwan line if you're going into the wilderness or a tactical environment because you can't put a discount on your well being. I consider their Taiwan products junk no different than I think Frost and Schrade knives made in China are junk. But I can still see your point. I have an SOG Gov-Tac made in Taiwan and the quality is good. I contribute that to SOG making quality control an extra priority to overcome the Taiwan bug-a-boo since they started out with quality control a priority. But even SOG now has a "Fusion" line made in China that is junk. The sad fact is that a lot of knife manufacturers feel they have to grow and to do that in today's market you have to go overseas to places like China, Taiwan, Pakistan, India, and so forth. Most production knives I have seen from these countries are worthless junk that I would only recommend to my enemies.
 
Culpeper said:
Like I stated earlier, if you want to base your survival on something made in Taiwan than that is your business. For example, the KA1276 KABAR SHORT HEAVY BOWIE wholesale value is about $32 and sold for up to $69. It's made of 1085 steel. Taiwan 1085 steel. Like China 440A that rusts after being put in a dishwasher. Can you imagine how much it actually cost to make that knife in Taiwan? I would be afraid at the very least it would break in sub-zero weather under normal use. The knife is marketed as a tactical knife. Again, Ka-Bar has to farm out their exotic junk to Taiwan just to make a profit. They can't make a profit just selling their good fighting knives based on their original tried and true design like you pictured above. And I will reiterate that I don't really have a problem with people buying these knives because it keeps Ka-Bar a going concern but I'm not going to recommend the cheap stuff to anyone. BTW, have you seen the factory edge of any Ka-Bar knife. It isn't exactly the greatest edge in the world. Oh, it is sharp but you can definitely see the spurs and dents in the edge. Not exactly finishing out the edge equals a discount knife. Discount lines normally equate to poor quality. Like the Remington "Express" Model 870 line of shotguns. This line was originally created especially for Walmart. Ka-Bar makes their profit from their discount Taiwan products and their presentation knives. That's fine with me because it allows the company to still manufacture the good knives based on the original tactical design. I'm just recommending to stay away from their Taiwan line if you're going into the wilderness or a tactical environment because you can't put a discount on your well being. I consider their Taiwan products junk no different than I think Frost and Schrade knives made in China are junk. But I can still see your point. I have an SOG Gov-Tac made in Taiwan and the quality is good. I contribute that to SOG making quality control an extra priority to overcome the Taiwan bug-a-boo since they started out with quality control a priority. But even SOG now has a "Fusion" line made in China that is junk.
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And everyone knows the Remington Express is junk that'll fail you at any moment :rolleyes: Oh wait...

I've had the full size heavy bowie for a good while now and have had the chance to beat the snot out of it. I've batoned and chopped and pried and sliced, and it's held up more than fine. It was easy to make shaving sharp before those tasks, and literally a few swipes with a ceramic rod made it that sharp again. It works and that's what I bought it to do. Of course it's not a custom blade, cuz I got it for $40 at a Sportsmans Warehouse, and therefore it must be a junker.:confused:
 
SpookyPistolero said:
And everyone knows the Remington Express is junk that'll fail you at any moment :rolleyes: Oh wait...

I've had the full size heavy bowie for a good while now and have had the chance to beat the snot out of it. I've batoned and chopped and pried and sliced, and it's held up more than fine. It was easy to make shaving sharp before those tasks, and literally a few swipes with a ceramic rod made it that sharp again. It works and that's what I bought it to do. Of course it's not a custom blade, cuz I got it for $40 at a Sportsmans Warehouse, and therefore it must be a junker.:confused:
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Like I stated its your prerogative. Recommend that bowie all you want and get people to keep an "Express" 7 shot tactical shotgun by their bed. But I would recommend adding a legal disclaimer along with it.:)
 
The knives definitly arent crap but they arent all that expensive either. I was under the impression that they were MADE IN THE USA. So you are saying the the steel is outsourced from taiwan? I hope not, that is some serious bs.

I had a black tanto kabar like the one pictured above and it served me well until the blade started chipping. I think I sharpened it too thin. I used it to baton wood and limb branches. Thats pretty much it.

I also broke the tail cap off the end. IMO the tang isint thick enough at the end of the knife for this kind of use.

This was one of my first knives. I learned alot from it about proper knife use. Its failures taught me lessons.
 
Ottoshot said:
The knives definitly arent crap but they arent all that expensive either. I was under the impression that they were MADE IN THE USA. So you are saying the the steel is outsourced from taiwan? I hope not, that is some serious bs.

I had a black tanto kabar like the one pictured above and it served me well until the blade started chipping. I think I sharpened it too thin. I used it to baton wood and limb branches. Thats pretty much it.

I also broke the tail cap off the end. IMO the tang isint thick enough at the end of the knife for this kind of use.

This was one of my first knives. I learned alot from it about proper knife use. Its failures taught me lessons.
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Good post! Actually, the entire tool or knife is made in Taiwan. Most of the traditional Ka-Bars are still manufactured in the USA.

I apologize if I offended any owners of Ka-Bars.

BTW, I've torn up my share of Ka-Bars, Camullis, Barlows, and so forth. Learned a lot about a knife in the process.
 
I admire your Patriotism. One of the great things about the USA is freedom of choice and the right to say what you want, or use what implements you want. Good for you!

:)
 
My kukri was an excellent chopper, and I am from Canada so
no worries about it not being made in the good ol' US of A from me.
Watching the destruction test on the large bowie from knifetests.com I would not hesitate to reccomend this crap to anybody.
 
Post a link to the knifetests.com. I'm always willing to stand corrected. With the tax rates as high as they are in Canada I don't blame anyone wanting to find a bargain on a Ka-Bar.:) I really shouldn't have posted that.:confused:
 
country scene, old man walking down the road with his grandson:

See that Jimmy, the old man says to the boy, thats good ol pride in ones country. That what its it all about, having pride in ones country and its fine products. But granpa, why is that man picking on his feller Americans? I thought we had freedom of choice? Well Jimmy, says the old man, spitting a plug of tobacco into the dirt, there is having pride in ones country and products made in that country and respect for your fellow countrymen. Its all right to love your country, and to say it like you mean it, but its never all right to infringe on your other countrymen's freedom of choice. Thats jest plain old Communist thinking.

;)


just a little humor to bring some reality back into the thread.


Scenario for Culpepper:

you are in a plane, heading to your favorite wilderness hunting ground, when the plane crashes. Your bruised up, few bleeders here and there, but alive. But all you could salavge was a made in tawian Kabar heavy bowie. Nothing else but the clothes on your back and you boots.

what do you do? do you use that knife? or scorn it?

just asking! :)
 
I can see his point, if grohmann started producing knives in asia somewhere I would be skeptical, but I would at least try them before writing them off.
(for the record I highly doubt Grohmann would ever do that;))
 
Culpeper said:
Like I stated earlier, if you want to base your survival on something made in Taiwan than that is your business. For example, the KA1276 KABAR SHORT HEAVY BOWIE wholesale value is about $32 and sold for up to $69. It's made of 1085 steel. Taiwan 1085 steel. Like China 440A that rusts after being put in a dishwasher. Can you imagine how much it actually cost to make that knife in Taiwan? I would be afraid at the very least it would break in sub-zero weather under normal use. The knife is marketed as a tactical knife. Again, Ka-Bar has to farm out their exotic junk to Taiwan just to make a profit. They can't make a profit just selling their good fighting knives based on their original tried and true design like you pictured above. And I will reiterate that I don't really have a problem with people buying these knives because it keeps Ka-Bar a going concern but I'm not going to recommend the cheap stuff to anyone. BTW, have you seen the factory edge of any Ka-Bar knife. It isn't exactly the greatest edge in the world. Oh, it is sharp but you can definitely see the spurs and dents in the edge. Not exactly finishing out the edge equals a discount knife. Discount lines normally equate to poor quality. Like the Remington "Express" Model 870 line of shotguns. This line was originally created especially for Walmart. I suspect a lot of people that have earned the Darwin Award are a part of Walmart's target group. I wouldn't risk my life on an "Express" 870 because the risk factor goes up that when you need it most the most you might get is a "click" sound. Ka-Bar makes their profit from their discount Taiwan products and their presentation knives. That's fine with me because it allows the company to still manufacture the good knives based on the original tactical design. I'm just recommending to stay away from their Taiwan line if you're going into the wilderness or a tactical environment because you can't put a discount on your well being. I consider their Taiwan products junk no different than I think Frost and Schrade knives made in China are junk. But I can still see your point. I have an SOG Gov-Tac made in Taiwan and the quality is good. I contribute that to SOG making quality control an extra priority to overcome the Taiwan bug-a-boo since they started out with quality control a priority. But even SOG now has a "Fusion" line made in China that is junk. The sad fact is that a lot of knife manufacturers feel they have to grow and to do that in today's market you have to go overseas to places like China, Taiwan, Pakistan, India, and so forth. Most production knives I have seen from these countries are worthless junk that I would only recommend to my enemies.
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There are other exceptions to your generalization. Check the test site:

phpMPmBau_550-75x550_144050.jpg


and the proof is in the using:

SANY0008.jpg
 
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