Christmas gift help

T

Tjstampa

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2019
Messages
554
Both of my kids want fixed blades this year. My son after looking at the $20 hollow handle knife now wants a ka-bar style knife. I am debating between the ka-bar marine fighting knife or the Ontario 498. Son is 12 and daughter is 15. Are there any other similar yet decent knives out there. I am also wondering if either company will have black Friday deals.

I should mention I have a ka-bar 5 inch black, dog head and bk22. They both like the stacked leather handles and 7 inch blades
 
The 498 is a better value, but from what I've seen the F&F on the Ka-Bar is a little better.
The Ontario 498 being more of a no frills combat / utility knife.
The grip on the Ontario 498 is very fat and might be something you want to thin down, plus it's black handle doesn't exactly have that iconic look that the classic Ka-Bar does.
At 12 and 15 a 7" blade is probably a bit too much, I'd show them a Ka-Bar short , Ka-Bar MK1 , or Ontario 499 pilot survival knife.

If you do go with the Ontario 498 you may want to thin the handle down and give the leather some mink oil.

Here's my 498 with a thinned the handle and stripped blade coating.
 
that is a perfect mod for a 498, nice

I agree 7" seems a bit much unless you're up in alaska or something ; )

the kabar 5" dogs head is nice, but they do have a much more budget friendly 4" stacked leather blade with 4116 stainless steel - the 1232 hunter

timthumb.php


If they're going to be using these to field dress anything, stacked leather may not be ideal, you may want to look at something easier to clean up, in which case buck 118 hunter or even smaller 101 fixed blade based on the legendary 110 folder is hard to beat for value & utility
 
I 2nd the Kabar's made in Taiwan with the 4116 steel. I got one of the 4" ones that i love taking out as a fishing knife, and it's more then enough knife for most edc chores, but there is also a few different models in different sizes, incl. a 7" model;

a) they're easier on the wallet.
b) they still get that look and brand recognition the kids are looking for.
c) while not quite as tough as the U.S. cro-van models, still a quality, very basic stainless steel used in many decent kitchen knives, but run a bit softer then when typically used in kitchen knives, so still tough enough. (Very similar to Buck's 420hc, but the German version)
d) basic leather sheath's are also pretty well made.

Pair them both up with a 4116 Kabar and a Smith's 3-in-1 sharpener, and it's a pretty great basic starter kit to practice properly handling and maintaining knives of that size and caliber, without breaking the bank or shedding a tear if they do abuse and break the knife trying to chop down trees or pry up rocks. Shoot, even throw in a Kabar Dozier in their favorite color and make it an affordable trifecta, for still just about what a 7" fighting knife would've cost.
 
Tjstampa said:
Both of my kids want fixed blades this year. My son after looking at the $20 hollow handle knife now wants a ka-bar style knife. I am debating between the ka-bar marine fighting knife or the Ontario 498. Son is 12 and daughter is 15. Are there any other similar yet decent knives out there. I am also wondering if either company will have black Friday deals.

I should mention I have a ka-bar 5 inch black, dog head and bk22. They both like the stacked leather handles and 7 inch blades
Click to expand...

Will they use the knives? Get them a knife they'd use. Around me in the city and my friends in the country, kids 12& 15 might want a KaBar, but they'd be more likely to carry and use a Buck 112 LT lightweght knife. For $30 they beat on it, lend it, & hide it in their pocket.
 
I bought my kids mora companions in different colors. I liked the hard plastic sheaths. They seem a lot safer than the leather sheaths. My kids never wear belts but the mora plastic sheath will clip to a pocket or waist band.
If your son is set on a military style knife I’d go with the pilot survival knife. Smaller blade than the KA-BAR saw teeth on spine. Great sheath with sharpening stone pouch. Plus the sheath has a metal reinforcement for safety.
 
Last edited:
brownshoe said:
Will they use the knives? Get them a knife they'd use. Around me in the city and my friends in the country, kids 12& 15 might want a KaBar, but they'd be more likely to carry and use a Buck 112 LT lightweght knife. For $30 they beat on it, lend it, & hide it in their pocket.
Click to expand...

They both have plenty of folders and my dad is giving them both Buck 110s. My sone wants a quality fixed blade much like we all wanted the Rambo knives. Except he wants one he can grow into. My daughter just started with the BSA and wants something bigger for at home and out with the family
 
BK14 with the zytel handles is a great piece for smaller hands. It's technically a Kabar, as they make the Becker blades and it also has an ESEE handle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top