EK Commando Knife

lagarto

lagarto

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
1,438
So, I went into a shop today, because someone told me I might be able to sell a couple knives, and while I was there the fellow showed me an EK Commando Knife. While I couldn't afford to buy it I was curious about the company. From what I can tell they were bought out in 1993 by Blackjack, and then the whole deal folded. Does anyone out there know anything about them? The one I saw had a desert camo pattern cord wrapped handled, with a wasp waisted blade shape and an applegate fairbairn style cross guard. I have seen one other for sale at Cutler's corner which had micarta scales held on with X head screws. What's the deal?
Thanks in advance
Lagarto
 
My Brother had one cord wrapped about 12 years ago. Nice knife, I would like to know what happened to it. :)
 
Thanks for the replies fellas, theolddawg that was a great link. Do you know if Ek knives are still being produced, I got the feeling that they were out of production when I was talking with the dealer today?

Lagarto
 
I have an EK bowie with about a 7 inch blade. Single edged. Micarta handles, with the three brass screws. Made by Ek, not Blackjack. Blackjack's quality went sour toward the end. I got it in 1990. It has been on a number of hikes, etc. Very good blade. It will cut open a can of beans with ease. Also, if you put a penny on a wooden table, you can use the fine sharp point to pick the penny up, it will spear right through the penny. I love that knife.

Is it for sale? Not a chance in hell.

Chris
 
long before I was in any position to buy anything more expensive than an icecream and some socks.

I've been looking for my particular favorite since... a Bowie, with simple steel guard and walnut grips...

No luck yet.
 
Melancholy Mutt,
Get yo'sef over to ebay right quick, they have a commorative version of what you are looking for on sale right now. There is a buy it now option for $150 I believe. Just do a search for Ek Knife and it should come up. 18 hours left, comes up as the second one from the top if you do the search.
Lagarto
 
lagarto - The history on Ek Knives is very convoluted. At present, I believe there are two companies producing Ek knives. One is the company in Richmond, with the WWW.ekknifeco.com web site, Ek Commando Knives.

A separate company in Michigan has the legal rights to the original Ek Knife Co. trademark, and is producing a line of knives with that trade mark, however, they are of a different design.

The last time I checked with the Richmond company, they were only interested in dealing directly with public/consumer; and not through a dealer.

Probably really confused the issue now; and stand ready to be corrected, as is usually the case when I get on this subject.........

John
SharpShin' Blades
 
MelancholyMutt,
Best of Luck, if you do wind up with the knife please post or email me a review. I'm currently not in the financial position to be picking up one myself, but I hope to be able to come spring. Theolddawg, thanks for the clarification, I had seen the company page for the knives made in Michigan, and you're right, they look nothing like the few Ek's that I've seen. Didn't know the folks in Richmond were still going though, that's good to hear.
Lagarto
 
perhaps we can have a few Bowie blanks made, heat treated, and then sold as kits with wood or Micarta handles you finish yourself...

Of course, I'd rather just buy the bowie from Ek, but I can't see to see any for sale on their site or anywhere else for that matter.
 
For those interested they are still in business. They are owned by Bob Buerlin, a really nice guy that lends himself to the job. Their customer service is second to none. I just sent my Model #4 to him for sharpening and a general clean up. He returned it to me razor sharp wrapped in wax paper in a cloth bag with a new box for storing it in. Their website is:ekknife.com.They have a very interesting story and a lot of nice testimonials to read about. They also list their current models and a list of prices and sheath choices. Lead time is 4-6 weeks unless you're military, in which case you get bumped to the head of the line. I hope this helps.
 
I have one of their bowie blades that I picked up around March 1990 at a show. It's labeled as an EK Commando Bowie G-5 with about a 6.75" blade, guard, and walnut handles. I cost over $100 back then as I recall which was a HUGE financial plunge for me with a knife, any knife. It is one of the early blades I purchased that got me rolling into knives. I really like the blade and would not sell it. I have no idea of the value. My first custom was purchased a year earlier and I picked up a few Randalls around the same time as the EK. At that time, you could usually pick up Randall's at about factory price at shows unless it was an old model.

Blackjack knives has a booth beside Dozier Knives at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta or at least they have the last few years. It is one of my favorite hang outs there. He kicked me out of his booth because I was filling out paper work to buy a Dozier. :)
 
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