Great news, getting my first kabar.

AntDog said:
Kinda does. Why does it matter to you?
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I can't take your question in good faith because it seems like a no brainer on a blade forum.

The answer would require an explanation of a collector's mind set...good luck with that.

TLDR; I don't know why it's important to me, it just is.
 
So, you can’t explain why something matters to you?

Good luck with that.

Enjoy your new Kabar, if you can ever figure out which one to buy. Even though I posted a direct link to a supporting dealer selling the exact knife.
 
AntDog said:
You started the thread expressing your joy over getting a kabar, then went on to ask a bunch of stuff about it. If you don’t know what a kabar is (THE kabar Marine fighting knife, the one, the only, not to be confused with any other freaking model) then...
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My first collectible was an "authentic" M1 bayo, I was super excited I got a piece of WWII history and the legacy it carried...I showed it off to some serious blade guys and found out it it was a cheap Chinese copy ie junk.

That's why I'm here asking stupid questions, hope that's ok.
 

Both had at one time or another been contracted to manufacture and supply the said knife.

Most "Ka-Bar marked" marine issued knives are presumed to have been left overs from WW2 contracts.
Ontario Knives was said to have been first awarded the contract sometime in 1980.
http://www.nuga.ee/products/ontario/docs/2009_Product_Catalog.pdf
As for currently manufactured USMC Ka-Bars (or at least until 2003)
where it was reported that
"..Ka-bar Knives has not had any government contracts on the 1219C2 knife since World War Two. "
read entry under the sub heading "Black Ka-Bar"...
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm
However, it would take something no less than an official statement from Ka-Bar Knives
to nail this as a fact for the many who want to believe in what they believe ... :)

Anyway look for the (National Stock Number)
NSN: 1095-00-392-4102 and see if you can procure any current
Ka-Bar made knives which have that NSN listed alongside.
 
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Houlahound said:
My first collectible was an "authentic" M1 bayo, I was super excited I got a piece of WWII history and the legacy it carried...I showed it off to some serious blade guys and found out it it was a cheap Chinese copy ie junk.

That's why I'm here asking stupid questions, hope that's ok.
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Perfectly fine. However, there is no confusion about what model of knife you’re talking about.

If you click on that link I posted, you will be purchasing a grade A, genuine, made in the USA, official Kabar Marine combat utility knife. The same one you’d be using as a Marine.
 
GIRLYmann said:
Both had at one time or another been contracted to manufacture and supply the said knife.

Most "Ka-Bar marked" marine issued knives are presumed to have been left overs from WW2 contracts.
Ontario Knives was said to have been first awarded the contract sometime in 1980.

As for currently manufactured USMC Ka-Bars (or at least until 2003)
where it was reported that
"..Ka-bar Knives has not had any government contracts on the 1219C2 knife since World War Two. "
read entry under the sub heading "Black Ka-Bar"...
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm
However, it would take something no less than an official statement from Ka-Bar Knives
to nail this as a fact for the many who want to believe in what they believe ... :)
Click to expand...

Printing this post and link.

Thumbs up G GIRLYmann
 
GIRLYmann said:
Both had at one time or another been contracted to manufacture and supply the said knife.

Most "Ka-Bar marked" marine issued knives are presumed to have been left overs from WW2 contracts.
Ontario Knives was said to have been first awarded the contract sometime in 1980.

As for currently manufactured USMC Ka-Bars (or at least until 2003)
where it was reported that
"..Ka-bar Knives has not had any government contracts on the 1219C2 knife since World War Two. "
read entry under the sub heading "Black Ka-Bar"...
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm
However, it would take something no less than an official statement from Ka-Bar Knives
to nail this as a fact for the many who want to believe in what they believe ... :)

Anyway look for the (National Stock Number)
NSN: 1095-00-392-4102 and see if you can procure any current
Ka-Bar made USMC's which have that NSN listed alongside.
Click to expand...

So whatcha sayin’? Marines don’t use the Kabar? You can believe what you want to believe as well, but I can assure you they do being that I know quite a few of them.
 
Yes! We are all fully in agreement that Ka-Bar brand USMC knives are in the hands of Marines
No matter if they are government property or personal purchase. be it in the past, present or future...
Could we all please tell it to the Marines already ?!
 
H Houlahound
Toooj said:
The 498 is Ontario's version of the USMC F/U knife. Ontario was/is the last/current contract builder of this knife for the USMC.
It has stacked leather washers but it is hard to see as there is a black coating painted on the handle due to the Mil-Spec. (Anti reflective and Fungicide coating)
The KA-BAR version, while prettier and better finished, does not completely follow the Mil Spec.
The KA-BAR version is finished nicely. The Ontario has a more purpose driven finish. Both are good knives that will perform well for you.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Director of Engineering
Ontario Knife Company
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Holy sheeeeeeeeeet, did the Director of Engineering at Ontario Knife Co. just post on my thread??

Thanks info, appreciate it. Do you guys have tours of the workshop???

Boru13 Boru13
 
And if that wasn't clear enough
then let it be known that the tooj
was formerly with ka-bar before
his present position at ontario knives.
Thus his post is probably the most valid
till date in regards to the current situation
regarding the mil spec. Marine knife.
 
I think the dog's head utility knife/edition is pretty great looking, and nearly the same, at a slightly reduced price. Different stamp, different guard and but cap. I like the smaller top guard, though they're pretty easy to cut off too. Bent the guard around a little as well, though that's partly because it came to me bent. I got it well used as a gift. Should be pretty easy to find a used one to save a few bucks, but they're very affordable new and a great value.

8rPpVLrl.jpg
 
Houlahound said:
Confusing me here with Ontario V Kabar.

Same spec, different company or???

Which actually supplied DOD?
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They all did at some point. Case is another company that makes them I believe. Ontario is the current manufacturer according to 2 people. Tooj, the person quoted by Boru, is the man with answers and as he's already answered, there you go.

However, soldiers can buy other knives as well so plenty will buy knives from the depot, thus how the kabar is all over the place still.

Just get the kabar, it's better. 1095 cro-van is better than 1095 in pretty much every way. They are NOT the same steel, though somewhat similar.

Edited out my mis-information after seeing Boru's post, clearly stating I was wrong about all of them being current suppliers/USGI. I'm sure they're all available for purchase, though, and carried.
 
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There is more than one mil-spec "USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife." But there is only one authentic "USMC KA-BAR": USMC KA-BAR®, Model 1217, Straight Edge, 7" blade, leather sheath, stacked leather handle.
WUkCV3d.png
 
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Boru13 said:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Ontario actually makes the Case version.
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That's interesting, I had no idea. With the other leather handled fixed blades case offers (maybe they don't make those either?), I assumed the USMC would be right within their wheelhouse.
 
H Houlahound You've already been linked to BladeHQ for the kabar, for slightly better prices on ONLY kabar, tomar's kabar is a solid dealer as well.

Dog's head utility, because I'm biased.
https://www.tomarskabars.com/1317_INFO.html

1217 USMC
https://www.tomarskabars.com/1217_INFO.html

If you want a black handled one, kraton (rubber) handle
https://www.tomarskabars.com/1211_INFO.html

I think if you're looking to collect one, I would go for one that is used and has a story to go with it, or at least one that you can imagine up. Just my opinion, but I'm a bad collector as I have a hard time not using cool knives.
 
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