Any word on EK Ka Bars?

H

HotRodColt

Joined
Feb 28, 2007
Messages
330
I have been waiting for Ka Bar to come out with some EK variants. Has anyone heard if/when this will happen?
 
No recent word. The thing is that when starting up a new line, a lot of processes/steps need to be developed/implemented to do it right.

Some, but not all, include:
- finalizing any paperwork/licenses/releases. Must remember, lawyers go slow because most of them get paid by the billable minute.
- design/manufacturing/heat-treating/testing new die stamps. Kabar had none of these at the beginning
- implementation of the manufacturing steps. You just don't start stamping out blanks and grind.
- large quantities of a particular steel sometime have a significant lead time to acquire. Even if (and probably so) Kabar uses its venerable 1095, every thing they had in the pipeline was already allocated to existing production.
- sheath design/production contract development are bottle necks - re: lawyers
- even things like box design take time.

It's just now coming up on a year since the announcement of Kabar acquiring Ek (May 13, 2014).

I wasn't around here then, but a good feel for how long it will take would be to look at how long it was between when an agreement to produce Beckers was signed with Ethan and when the first Kabar BKs rolled on the line.
 
I can't wait for these to come out. I would really dig them if ka bar used 1095. Ill bet they're going to use a steel that they are already using. So that means: 1095CV AUS-8 or maybe even D2. Who knows though. I'll be happy with anything. I'm really curious as to what the price point will be?
 
I can't wait either.

Ek are some of my favs.

Hopefully this year sometime....

Moose
 
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Not very familiar with Ek at all. I did a bit of research and most the models looked pretty similar...what are the staple Eks that are most likely to be reproduced?
 
I'm excited to see these too. I had an Ek once, stupidly gave it away. I think Ek used 440C originally. Wondering what Kabar will use. Wish they would put some news on their site, throw us a bone.
 
CelticCross74 said:
Not very familiar with Ek at all. I did a bit of research and most the models looked pretty similar...what are the staple Eks that are most likely to be reproduced?
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Same here CC. I'm interested as well. Boot knives, daggers, throwers?
 
CelticCross74 said:
Not very familiar with Ek at all. I did a bit of research and most the models looked pretty similar...what are the staple Eks that are most likely to be reproduced?
Click to expand...
Hoping it would be keeping intact the last philosophy of the old ek knives.
http://web.archive.org/web/20130904022413/http://ekknife.com/philosophy.html
Yeah, narrow spear points are not practical for anything but...
So what?! This is what an ek is all about.
There are Numerous practical field knife patterns for bush survivalist and hunters.
But far fewer generic brands which are touted as dedicated military fighting knives.
This is the allure of an ek knife, IMHO.
 
It's about preserving the legacy.

Few knives come to mind when folks talk about old military knives......Randall Made, KA-BAR, Gerber MK2 and Ek......

If KA-BAR hadn't of scooped up the rights to Ek knives, who knows who might have wound up with them......Acme perhaps? Marbles made in Pakistan? Maybe China made with some 420J2?

At least we know they will be Made in America and will stay true to form.

My personal fav is the #5 Bowie....



Moose
 
Thanks Moose. That gives a whole new perspective. Look what happened to Schrade...
I do like that bowie.
 
Yea, I'm predicting mid 2016. Debut at Blade. The #5 looks like a good place to start. I hope they produce some users first. I don't really want a collectables/commemorative to come around until the line has been established.
 
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Weeell!! Those are pretty hot! Dedicated fighting knives I like it! Seem quite SOG like which is a good thing in my opinion. Dont see myself stockpiling them like I do Ka Bars but can easily see myself picking a pair up!
 
CelticCross74 said:
Weeell!! Those are pretty hot! Dedicated fighting knives I like it! Seem quite SOG like which is a good thing in my opinion. Dont see myself stockpiling them like I do Ka Bars but can easily see myself picking a pair up!
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SOG knives are to Ek what a Nissan Cube is to a Yenko Camaro.

Ek Commando Knives started in 1941, long before SOG was founded. They employed lots of folks with disabilities, and gave them a chance to help the war effort, which is pretty damn awesome.

These knives were singular in their purpose but carved out (pun intended) a place in history, due to their efficient designs, inherent value and personal touches of signed blades, serial numbers and pedigree paperwork. Ek only sold to service men AND WOMEN during the war.

Their focus was on the prize of supporting our troops and supplying our soldiers tools of the trade. And now they got a new home in Olean.....

Thats pretty damn cool if you ask me......

Ek's will never be confused with bushcrafters.......but its the hand that wields the knife not the knife itself that makes it versitile......

Moose
 
GIRLYmann said:
hmmm...
http://web.archive.org/web/20130904025948/http://ekknife.com/lastthought.html
and they can't be all wrong...
http://web.archive.org/web/20130904020344/http://ekknife.com/testimonials.html
so it would be a travesty to stick "a gut hook" on anything that resembles an Ek.
though I imagine someone might actually have come up with a franken ka-bar f/u blade with an ek handle.
oops! wouldn't that be sorta Ek Bowie #5?
Click to expand...

Naw......no fuller. Gotta have a fuller to be a franken-bar.....

Moose
 
soooo lusting after a single edge 5. Had to put my mind on snooze to forget about this, but it's impossible. Besides steel, what intrigues me the most is handle configuration - will it be the same? what materials? gonna try and put my mind back on snooze mode.
 
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