First Ka-Bar, report.

H

Houlahound

Joined
Aug 2, 2017
Messages
3,121
Crossed the threshold of buying cheap mass produced to my first expensive mass produced.

Got the 1217.....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet as.

Edge looks hella nice and sharpest out of the box fixed blade I have had. Sheath fits perfect, will store original sheath and use a cheap nylon one. Am torn to just leave this knife as a collector and buy another one to use.

I have a bamboo garden I test knives with;

slashes real nice.

The hand guard really smashes into your hand when stabbing a harder object like a tree stump. Different feel to a spear point, you have to think more how knife meets surface.

Cuts real nice.

Decent balance for its purpose

Nice grip.

Disappointed the clip is not sharp, not sure if I will pay a pro to put an edge on it or just buy a Bowie with a sharp clip edge.

Very happy with purchase, will prolly use as collection piece and buy another to use.....highly recommend.

Next knife prolly be a smaller production company more expensive knife with high spec steel and handle material etc.
 
Ahh, gotcha self a ka-bar.. huh.
A well tried and tested knife.
Some folks move up the ladder
with pretty expensive takes
of the old standby...
No matter, just enjoy what you got now :)
 
Congrats on your new knife. You can't go wrong with a Kabar and the 1217 is a classic that has served the US military well for decades.
 
Houlahound said:
Crossed the threshold of buying cheap mass produced to my first expensive mass produced.

...

Edge looks hella nice and sharpest out of the box fixed blade I have had. Sheath fits perfect, will store original sheath and use a cheap nylon one. Am torn to just leave this knife as a collector and buy another one to use.

....

The hand guard really smashes into your hand when stabbing a harder object like a tree stump. Different feel to a spear point, you have to think more how knife meets surface.

...

Decent balance for its purpose
Click to expand...

Congrats and enjoy.

The knife is mass produced. Mass, mass, mass produced. It's not a "collector." I mean, you can "safe queen" it, but it holds no collectibility.

Yes, a guard will smash into your hand when you stab a tree stump...that is what a guard is supposed to do. Stop you hand from sliding onto a blade.

What do you feel is its purpose and how is it balanced for it?
 
I've used a Ka-Bar for digging up dandelion roots in rocky ground and for skinning deer. As a utility knife it is superb, but for a skinner it works well, but is a bit too long. However it did cut right through the rib cage better than any other hunting knife I've owned. If the blade were one inch shorter, everything else remaining the same, I think it would be an ideal utility/hunting knife. The "Short Ka-Bar" is too small in the other dimensions.
 
It's not really a knife you need to keep as a collector piece, there are a ton of them out there so it's not likely to appreciate in value so go ahead and use it. Save the money you would have spent on a duplicate for your next blade!
 
My current obsession with knives took off when Conchita gave me a USMC KaBar for Christmas one year. My previous exposure came during years of motorcycle touring and rallygoing. I spent a lot of time in campgrounds, where someone always seemed to be putting a Kabar to good use, from slicing steaks, to opening beans, to carving tent pegs, to splitting kindling. I didn’t know much about knives, but the Kabar struck me as the definitive camping utility knife.

These days, I have more knives, but get to spend less time camping, so other knives usually get the call. The Kabar is iconic, but mine is not so special that it would pain me if I had to give it up to placate a Mexican cop, for example.
 
DrHenley said:
I've used a Ka-Bar for digging up dandelion roots in rocky ground and for skinning deer. As a utility knife it is superb, but for a skinner it works well, but is a bit too long. However it did cut right through the rib cage better than any other hunting knife I've owned. If the blade were one inch shorter, everything else remaining the same, I think it would be an ideal utility/hunting knife. The "Short Ka-Bar" is too small in the other dimensions.
Click to expand...

PAL made a 6 inch version the RH36. They are not hard to find.
 
Congratulations!!!! Ka-Bar makes really nice knives that are meant to be used. If taken care of, that thing will last you a lifetime.
 
No need to buy a duplicate. The one you have will outlast you. Use it with wild abandon and wipe it down once in a while.

Make sure you treat the handle with something. I use Johnson’s paste wax. You can get a huge tub for $6 or so at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

You made a good choice going with the Kabar over the Ontario. We like pics, so post some up if you can.
 
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