Recommendation? Best Ka-Bar On the Market ATM?

[Mk-211]

Blue Ridge Knives bought OKC, don't think they bought anything but the name.

Pretty sure the new ones will be made in China.

 

[jbmonkey]

A good question to which I have no answer. I'd be kind of funny if Ka-Bar was making them!

they're different enough I wouldn't think so. maybe case do it themselves nowadays...or bought so many they got lots of old stock to keep selling? all guesses....

 

[SharpBits]

Ka-Bar makes some knives for Spartan Knives, so I can see them possibly being the OEM for Case's knife. I have no inside knowledge, however.

Edited to be more clear.

 

[jbmonkey]

Ka-Bar makes knives for Spartan Knives, so I can see them possibly being the OEM for Case's knife. I have no inside knowledge, however.

yeah true.....maybe, who knows.....

 

[The True North]

Looks like the Case USMC knife is made in Bradford. So it sounds like Case is making them right at home.


Both it and the Ka-Bar version seem like good authentic options.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Go with the original.

 

[SharpBits]

The original was made by Camillus Cutlery Co. from what I read.

 

[G8R8U2]

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/KA9226/ka-bar-9226-commemorative-fighting-knife-125th-anniversary-usmc-1095-black-clip-point-blade-leather-handles-leather-sheath

Or you can pick... https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...ortType=priceDe&max_blade=&min_blade=7&page=2

 

[knarfeng]

The original was made by Camillus Cutlery Co. from what I read.

The design came from Union Cutlery (KaBar). The submitted design was tested and approved by the military., then put up for contract production. Camillus had the first production run. But it was a KaBar design.

 

[AntDog]

I thought the Ontario 498 was what was actually issued?

 

[tltt]

I thought the Ontario 498 was what was actually issued?

Depends, depending on the era, these were the main contractors -

WWII - Union/KABAR, Camillus, Robeson, and Pal.

Korea and Vietnam - Utica, Conetta, Camillus.

Post Vietnam - MSI(small batches), Ontario (starting 1980), Camillus.

There are a few COTS type purchases, and there were always old stock left in the system, so there will be overlap.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the original question -

Traditional? I'd spring for the Red Spacer version - https://www.kabar.com/p/6417DH .

Modern, but of the lineage? The Spartan KA-BAR.

Different, but similar? - The Spartan Harsey Fighter.

 

[snow and steel]

Maybe consider a standard kabar and get it engraved... his name, unit, years served maybe?

 

[Mick Boardman]

This is a nice looking kabar.

 

[Deino]

This is a nice looking kabar.View attachment 2782865

No sheath, that would leaves some nice mark on nice place.

On a more on subject note Fox and Extreme ratio have some models.
Fox Defender old model FX689 in 440A (which is also some of the US made Ka-bar are made of):

*Do not get the current production of the FX689, it is in N690, but it looks nothing the same.

Fox Military model Fx691/18 in C70 (1070, similar to what OKC used to offer):

Extrema Ratio Mk2.1 in N690. A more modern take, It is very expensive though:

 

[Triton]

Blue Ridge Knives bought OKC, don't think they bought anything but the name.

Pretty sure the new ones will be made in China.

Wait does that mean the Rat folders might start being made in China?

 

[Unicorn161]

Ka-Bar makes some knives for Spartan Knives, so I can see them possibly being the OEM for Case's knife. I have no inside knowledge, however.

Edited to be more clear.

Ka-Bar owns Spartan Blades.

"MEGER WITH KA-BAR KNIVES

In 2019, we merged with the world renowned U.S. Knife Manufacturer KA-BAR Knives, to form Pineland Cutlery, Inc doing business as Spartan Blades. This merger allowed us to expand our production capabilities and reach a broader audience. Leaning on these new capabilities we introduced three distinct grades of knives:"

 

[SharpBits]

Ka-Bar owns Spartan Blades.

"MEGER WITH KA-BAR KNIVES

In 2019, we merged with the world renowned U.S. Knife Manufacturer KA-BAR Knives, to form Pineland Cutlery, Inc doing business as Spartan Blades. This merger allowed us to expand our production capabilities and reach a broader audience. Leaning on these new capabilities we introduced three distinct grades of knives:"

Thanks, I had not seen that before.

 

[Unicorn161]

If you want the closest to the older issues knives the only option new is a Ka-Bar or Ontario. Both made them under military contract and I think are the only two still making them (none are for military issue anymore though).
Camillus, one of the other companies making the MK2 Knife, fighting and utility, stopped making them a few years ago unfortunately.

Remember that Ka-Bar is not the type of knife, it's the name of one of the companies who made and still makes them. They were the most well known because I think they made the most, and had their name very easy to see so people started calling every MK2 a "kabar," regardless of who made it.

 

[Unicorn161]

Thanks, I had not seen that before.

Spartan is one of my favorite companies... once I discovered them last year. I also had to laugh as their "meger," with Ka-Bar.

 

[Pirate63]

Wanted to pick one up for a USMC vet relative as a gift, but first wanted to find the best/ most reliably made version on the market.

Is there anything out there atm appreciably better than this?

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Ka-Bar-Full-Size-USMC--55106

Shop around you can get a much better price than blade HQ price.