Buck or Ka-bar?

A

adfprpusn

Joined
Oct 27, 2005
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19
I'm new at this so I hope I am doing this right.

I was wondering if anyone had some insight into some knives I am interested in purchasing. I want a sheath knife with about a 7 inch blade for normal camp chores, mostly cutting wood and some fiberous materials. I would also like this knife to do double duty as a wilderness survival tool. This second job (in its most extreme situations) may subject this knife to uses like that of a machette, shovel, hatchet,spear head, and bear stabber.

I don't want to spend too much money so I thought that I should get a Buck General (from Cabelas) or a Ka-bar next generation. I don't mind drilling a lanyard hole in the buck. The Ka-bar looks like it could double as a hammer but I'm not sure if thats worth the extra 10 dollars or so.

I am more concerned about blade temper and tang strength. I like knives that can hold an edge if I'm not asking for too much.

Any opinions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.
 
I have an older General that I have beaten the snot out of from my boyscout days. its got some dings but its still goin, it holds a good for 420 and sharpens up very well and its handles and guard will take alot of abuse. I like the sheath that they have for it(at least with the old one). My experiece with kabar only goes as far as the old leather handle style so I cannot comment on the new generation.
 
I've been much happier with the cheap Ka-Bar folder I bought than the several Buck folders I bought.

Sorry I can't comment on the specific knives.

One more point....Buck knives come with a surprisingly strong religous message in their included instructions. Some find this an advantage, I don't...
 
I have a kabar 6 inch reproduction marine fighting knife, a Buck folder and Buck 3 inch fixed.

I'm very happy with the toughness and edge holding capabilities of the Bucks.
I use these knives, unlike others I have.

I have found my Kabar to be well made, but harder to sharpen.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, but I would lean Buck for a hard working inexpensive knife.

Brummbar.

I haven't even gotten into steels.
For a survival knife you might take a look at some of the Swamp Rat line
by Busse. hard working, well made with good steel.
 
Just in overall toughness the Kabar should outperform the Buck by a wide margin - 1095 carbon will just be far 'tougher' than 420 stainless.
 
I think it just depends if knife maintenance is an issue for you, as the Ka-bar 1095 carbon steel will require a bit more care regarding rust, compared to the Buck stainless steel. IMO both are good users whatever the one you will choose ;)
 
I would have to go with Ka-Bar 100%. I have used their standard short and their black fighter, both are great knives that can take a beating. They do look ugly as hell after you resharpen it a bunch of times after years of use though. Other than that, no complaints.
 
I can't help myself - I've complained before about people offering suggestions for knives rather than commenting on the knives in question.
It just sounds like a job for the Becker BK7. Or the new Ka-bar Heavy Bowie short model.
 
You can get some Kabars in D2 steel, which is still really tough steel, but more stain resistant than most. It's still not stainless, though.
 
Definately go with the Ka-Bar. You will not be disappointed. A Ka-Bar is tougher, more easily sharpened in the field, and holds a better edge than a Buck.

I have used my Ka-Bar as a shovel, a machette, a hatchet, a spear, a weapon, a can-opener, an anchor, a hammer, an ice pick, an eating utensil, a probe, a pointer, a "conflict prevention" tool, a prybar, and maybe some other stuff I don't remember.


Originally posted by adfprpusn:
This second job (in its most extreme situations) may subject this knife to uses like that of a machette, shovel, hatchet,spear head, and bear stabber.
Click to expand...

I have never, however, used my Ka-Bar as a "bear stabber," and therefore I am unsure as to how it would perform in that role. In my opinion, if you are close enough to stab a bear with a Ka-Bar, then the bear is similarly close enough to take off your head with a single swipe of it's powerful arm (unless it is a really small baby bear, in which case you might be able to stab it without consequence. If, though, you are the kind of person that would be capable of stabbing a cute, cuddley baby bear without any feeling of remorse, then maybe you should not be allowed to have a knife in the first place. In any event, I would not stab even the baby bear, simply because the mother can't be too far away). Just try not to stab bears unless you really, really have to. That probably voids the warranty on most knives.

Anyway, after all the abuse, my Ka-Bar still performs well. Point being, a Ka-Bar is a very versatile tool, and can take a lot of abuse. And it is cheap.

Get a Ka-Bar. Don't stab bears.

TheSurvivalist
 
The Ka-Bars are a good value in either D2 or 1095, however I would avoid using D2 in a larger blade if used in a chopping application because of its brittle tendencies. The Bucks are a passable choice in a camp knife but because of their hollow grinds and stainless blades, I think there are better choices out there for this use, and for the money...such as the Becker line of knives mentioned in this thread already. Check out Knifeworks, Knife Outlet, etc., for some better prices.:)
 
Thank you all for your help. This was my first thread ever and I am afraid if I sounded too knowlegable no one would help. In this "dumbing down" process I feel that I may have left out some critical information, or at least clarity in my question. Also, in my feeble attemps to be "folksy" I may have offended "pooh" and his marry gang of "care bears". Thank you Survivalist for your lesson on political correctness.

In an effort to clairify my question, please let me explain a little of my history. I have owned and used a Ka-bar (which is short for "Kill a Bear" by the way) and an original Navy MK-1. In doing so I know all too well how to care for 1095 and appreciate its edge retention and ease of sharpening. I have also had and used several Buck knives and like thier edge retention as well. I am personally unaware of either of thier toughness though. I have never chopped or pounded with my knives. Call me old school but all the knives I have are in great shape.

It would seem that the Ka-Bar Next Generation is made in 440a sub- zero quenched. Normaly I would dismiss a knife of such poor grade of steel. However, after hearing great things about the SOG heat treatments and that a lot of Cold Steel products are switching over to this steel I thought I should reconsider. I really like the lay out and blade shape of this Ka-Bar. And my years of experiance with Buck has shown me that the heat treatment is more important than the steel in some cases.

What I would like to know is if anyone who has a stainless Ka-Bar Next Generation and is also aquanted with Buck knives would let me know if I would be disapointed with this knife. Lets just focus on edge retention for now if we could.

Thank you all once again for all of your help.
 
I've used both extensively. Before I got my Kabar (birthday present in 1988), I primarliy used the Buck Special. It was tough, sharpened easy and was affordable. Since then I've been using the same USMC Kabar. It's tough, holds it's edge, the epoxy coating is worn but still protects it and I never had any problems with rust.

The big difference between these knives is their chopping ability. The Special is not a chopper, it's too light at the tip plus the handle is slippery. The Kabar on the other hand is a decent chopper and has a very good gripping handle. I recommend hacking off the top portion of the guard to make the knife as versatile as can be.

I had the first production of the "Next Generation" Kabars in 12C27 and they were nice but I didn't like the rubber handle. It left blisters. Their newer ones in 440A seem to be rougher and therefore don't like them.

My preference is the standard USMC Kabar with plain edge.

Collecter
 
Originally posted by adfprpusn
Also, in my feeble attemps to be "folksy" I may have offended "pooh" and his marry gang of "care bears". Thank you Survivalist for your lesson on political correctness.
Click to expand...

Sorry about the "stabbing bears" comment. I wasn't serious; it was just a joke, and I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, I have a bad sense of humor. I am well aware of the history behind the name "Ka-Bar." Even so, stabbing a bear is generally not a good idea.

Anyway, you want to know more about the Next Generation. I have not used one, but I know that 440A is not the best steel out there. The Next Generation is most likely made from 440A for two reasons. First, to keep costs down, because better stainless is more expensive. Second, to make the knife more appropriate for use in wet environments. 440A will not take and hold a great edge, but it will not rust like 1095 when exposed to salt water. Hence, the Next Generation is more of a diving knife than an outdoors knife.

If you want a knife like the Next Generation, but you want it to hold a good edge, look at the Ka-Bar D2 "Extreme Fighting/Utility Knife." It is the same design as the Next Generation, but made of D2 tool steel.

As for the Buck, I have a Buck Special which seems to cut well. However, the Buck is not made for rough use, and will not chop. The blade is hollow ground, and it will chip if used to chop or split wood. The handle is very slick when wet, and the upper guard prevents choking up on the handle for better control. The Buck is made of "420HC" stainless, which has a lower carbon content than 440A. The Buck won't rust, but it also doesn't cut as well as the Ka-Bar Next Generation will.
 
I'm not in a habbit of stabbing bears, I just thought a 7 " blade was a better backup for my .454 than a 5 or 6 inch. Anything more, I might not want to carry all the time.

I hear that d2 has great edge retention. I share concerns with many others that d2 is too brittle for this aplication, in spite of the great review by "The General". He might not of hit a knot or had to twist it out of something just right(wrong). The d2 version is not availible without serrations. I might not have access to a diomand stone in a survival situation. And for just a few dollars more I could get a Camp Tramp and be happy ever more. But thank you for the suggestion anyway. If anyone can "set me straight" about the d2 Ka-bar, I am all ears.
 
All i can say is that both names are great, u can go woring with either one. just pick one out and try it your self, u will be happy with wat ever choice u make. just dont go out and buy the most expensive knife thinking its the best. 95% of the time they have a knife 4 less build with the same quality.

I love both the USMC ka-bar and the Buck Model 888 Strider™ Solution
 
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