Classic Ka-Bar or something similar?

T

TFin04

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Aug 21, 2005
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Well I dont really have a good large sixed fixed blade knife in my collection. Something to take with me in the woods and camping in the summer.

Of course the Ka-Bar comes to my mind first, just simply for it's history. However, thanks to Bladeforums, I've learned that there are generally better and less expensive knives that serve the same purpose.

I want a no frills, cheap (eh...$30-40ish? If possible) fixed blade thats about the same size as the USMC Ka-Bar.

Recommendations? Or should I just go for the tried and true USMC knife?
 
If you are will ing to pay $10-$30 more you could get a becker BK7 or a ontario RAT7 which are in this size bracket and worth the extra$. If not the kabar is still apretty good knife.
 
Don't see any problem there with a KA-Bar. Maybe check the Benchmade Rant DPT. Not as big as a Ka-Bar but I find it a handy knife in the woods. Price is within your range.
 
a short ka bar (5") is about $40 (about $55 with kydex) on ebay from reputable sellers. i have one and it is a workhorse. you're not going to find anything cheaper that is as good.:thumbup:

stay with ka bar brand...not ontario or camillus.

try to get one with the kydex sheath. the leather sheaths are pretty cheesy:jerkit:
 
I dont think you could go far wrong with a Kabar. I alternate mine as my sorta everyday field knife with my BK7, but the Kabar is a little easier to handle for whittling, etc.
 
bill_G,
Out of honest curiosity, why not Camillus?
I have an old beater from 1968 that I found under the seat of a 1981 Chevy Pick-Up I bought years ago. It was really pitted up but after a good cleaning it was up to just about any task.

For as bad as the sheath and steel were, the stacked leather was still tight and in good condition.

Again, just curious as to what makes a KA-Bar better than a Camillus whe it comes to camp chores.
 
I have an Ontario-made Pilot Survival Knife. It's very nice, extremely sturdy, and comfortable for extended use. The only problem is its weight.
When I go into the woods for an extended period, I take my Cold Steel Bushman. It's made of decent steel, is a great size for rugged camp tasks (chopping wood to build fires, etc.), and is very inexpensive. It's also much lighter than the smaller Ka-Bars and Pilot Survival knives.
I also bring a puukko (Järvenpää) for most other camp chores (cooking, and all other cutting that's not chopping). It's very useful, and also very lightweight. I could rely on this one alone, really, since I can baton it through whatever size wood I need to cut, negating the need for a chopping blade.

A Ka-Bar will do just fine, but if you're looking for something less expensive but just as reliable, check out the Cold Steel Bushman (also available in a smaller size, while the big one I have is a little over a foot long if I remember correctly). It's one of the most rugged and underrated fixed blades out there.
 
i have no personal experience w/ camillus. but i did a lot of research on this forum before buying my ka bar. there was a LARGE group of people who said get the real ka bar.

one guy got a camillus USMC and the edge of the blade still had the black epoxy coating on it....in other words, they had never bothered sharpening the knife at all!!!:grumpy:

others said that the cuda line was much better than the "USMC" line.

a number of people said that ontario has heat treat issues.:thumbdn:

after all my research, i could not find a single person who said anything bad about ka bar (at least as far as the usmc line goes).
 
and like it a lot. It might not have quite the fit and finish the Ka-Bar has but seeing as I use it for the grunt jobs I don't really care. If you're after a user/beater the Cam is just fine.

Frank
 
Try the KaBar short bowie. Will balance and handle better than the U.S.M.C, has a 1/4' spine, stronger and more useful point and a kraton grip. All for around 35- if you look a bit. 1095 steel takes a beating and keeps an edge well. Easy to sharpen in the field, can be used to clear brush,dig,pry or slice. Blade allows detail work like skinning despite overall size.Heavy duty sheath that hangs without entangling in your gear. Your price range indicates you work for a living and understand the need for a good companion knife that doesn't cost a fortune. My EDC is a Frost Swedish army 4" which is probably the best knife I've ever used. And I use it. Everyday in some of the toughest terrain of the Pacific Northwest.If a knife fails here, I'm done. No drama, just a fact.
 
I love my Kabars! So far Iv got me an 8" Black Tanto, and a Little Finn skinning knife. They are bolth great!

Sheaths however...

The Black Ka-Bar has a kydex style sheath. The stupi things is as long and wide as a kayak paddle. I would make a drop-leg rig for it, but it would hand down below my knee. I also have a CS fixed blade with a kydex sheath. The sheath for the 1" wide knife is almost 3". Its rediculous. Iv come to the conclusion that, due to their clumsy size and shapes, I dont like kydex. The folded styles that custom makers do are nice, but the mass produced ones are just too bulky.

And then we have leather...It freezes in cold weather, it cracks and splits in dry heat unless its oiled, and unless you fork over the $$ for a nice custom one it will inevitably be a cheasy sloppy POS made in Mexico.

For me, its Cordura sheaths from now on.
 
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