Cutco making KBAR?

A

aktrekker

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Feb 12, 2014
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I don't usually come into this forum but I thought it would be the best place for this.
I'm job searching and came across a job posting (company didn't identify itself). After research I found out who it is and came across this YT video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=683-9XM34OU

When did Cutco start making KBAR? How do I know if my KBAR USMC was made by Cutco? Does it matter (ie - is Cutco actually a decent knife company)?

I thought KBAR made their own knives.
 
I'm pretty sure Kabar still makes Kabar knives. They just happen to be owned by Cutco.
 
And pretty junk knives. My mother swears by them though, no matter how many times I demonstrate better...

Cutco owns KaBar, but KaBar is essentially an independent division, as far as I can tell. With their own manufacturing/distribution/service.
 
Cutco knives aren't junk by a long shot. From the factory a sharpened cutco blade will bite you in an instant. I would separate their marketing and sales which some might find unsavory.

If I had to choose between a good condition set of cutco from eBay for $150 or a new damascus vg10 set from China at a big box store I would take the cutco without blinking.
 
spydercobenchmadekai said:
Cutco --> KaBar --> Becker Knife and Tool
Click to expand...
Well, now I feel stupid.:stupid:
I had no idea. But it's good that they operate independently.
As for Cutco quality, I hear they're made of 440A, not really the best steel, used mainly for low-end knives.
But it was really the marketing methods I was concerned about, less than ethical. Years ago I went to an orientation and got their sales pitch. They took me aside and told me they feel I'm exactly what they're looking for. I have no sales experience, and couldn't sell cold water to someone dying of thirst in the middle of the desert. I could only think "WTF are you talking about!?" and left.
So I was concerned when I thought they were making Kabar. But I believe I got mine before Cutco bought them.
 
cchu518 said:
Cutco knives aren't junk by a long shot. From the factory a sharpened cutco blade will bite you in an instant. I would separate their marketing and sales which some might find unsavory.

If I had to choose between a good condition set of cutco from eBay for $150 or a new damascus vg10 set from China at a big box store I would take the cutco without blinking.
Click to expand...

They come sharp, but the steel is pretty poor. 440A, iirc, and why do they serrate damn near everything? Makes it impossible to maintain the set effectively without sending it in. That's a big strike against in any knife I own.

The dearth of cutco knives in professional kitchens is telling.
 
liamstrain said:
They come sharp, but the steel is pretty poor. 440A, iirc, and why do they serrate damn near everything? Makes it impossible to maintain the set effectively without sending it in. That's a big strike against in any knife I own.
Click to expand...

The heat treat on the 440a is very very good. Its not like China 440a. But like all chef sets there is a specialized knife for everything. I've used the serrated carvers for ten years and they are still razor sharp. Have never had to send it back yet. I also have/had single chef knives from global, henckels and global in the $99-$175 range and cutco is more or less the same.

My parents were trained chefs and my best friend and old roommate out of college was a chef and did the test recipes for Tribeca grill and it never bothered him when we would have cookoffs for friends instead of his own personal set.
 
My parents bought a set of Cutco knives shortly after getting married and my Mom is still using them 40 years later. The only knives that are serrated are the steak knives and bread knife and they both still work great and have never been sharpened.
 
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