Can You Tell Me About This Ka-Bar?

Joshua M. Smith

Joshua M. Smith

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
30
Hello,

I had a couple KillaBear knives when I was a kid. They were solid but I didn't like how easily the handguard bent. I moved on.

Recently a customer gave me some knives, partially as payment and partially, I suspect, because we're long-time correspondents now.

In it was his old Marine knife:

Ka-Bar.jpg


Ka-Bar1.jpg


Ka-Bar2.jpg


I really like it. It's solid and I can tell I'm holding something substantial! Been carrying it as a backup to my 1911.

The story behind it is that he got a new one and wanted to pass this one on. As a young Marine, he was on one of the boarding parties formed during the Missile Crisis and this was his issue knife.

Been thinking about finding one on eBay to carry s I can put this one up, but I hate the idea of knives laying around doing nothing!

Prior to this, I carried an M3 Trench Knife repro by Ontario, and I use the same leather scabbard for the Ka-Bar as I did for the M3. I could not find a lefty leather scabbard for the Ka-Bar and really hate the M8 military scabbards.

Anything you can tell me about this knife would be very interesting to me.

Regards,

Josh
 
Your knife is from 1976 or 1977 judging from the markings and the finish on the blade material. At the end of WW2 the government had such a large stock of Mark 2 combat knives that they didn't contract any new orders before 1960. Utica cutlery was the first maker with a new contract in 1960. KaBar wasn't contracted to make new Mark 2 knives during this time and the reintroduction of the knife by them was in 1976 on the commercial market. You do have an example of one of those knives produced before they changed the finish on the blade.
 
Hello,

Thank you.

Just to be clear, I do not have an issue weapon here?

That's been a concern of mine. If it's loaded with history or if it's a true WWII model, I'd hesitate to carry it. In fact, if the gent got his knives mixed up, I'd view it as a positive thing. Less to get lost/broken as I tend to use my knives as intended, and run the ridges a lot.

Regards,

Josh
 
Issue knives had no Emblems or markings on the sheath. handles on the knife were slightly rougher and coated with a dark lacquer with a parkerized finish on the blade
 
Also the KaBar MK 2 knives made from 76 on have a tell. The pommel is held to the knife's tang by a pin that only shows on one side, (blind pin). This method wasn't used on KaBars made earlier. Some were threaded some were peened and those with a pin holding them on, the pin shows on both sides of the pommel.
The knife IMHO is well made and similar in quality to the knives made for the G.I.'s in WW2. I have my own from the same time period I carry as a user and I'm quite fond of it.
 
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