I have the Mark 1 and it is the best knife (for the money) you can buy!

C

Captain O

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I said it all in one sentence! shaving sharp, manuverable, easy to manilulate. It carries light, stays sharp, and has impressed me a great deal. I would rather carry this knife that other knives costing between two and three times as much. The 1095 Chromium/Vanadium steel tempered to between 56-58 Rockwell hardness sharpens easily and holds the edge tenaciously. This is a KaBar sheath knife of the first magnitude. Never sell this blade short.

Every KaBar owner should have one of these, It would be a mistake not to have one of these on every hunting trip, no matter the quarry.
 
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Cody:

I have the recent offering from Colonial. It is "functional" but not as refined as the KaBar. The Colonial is a good knife, but the KaBar is an excellent knife! The Colonial is akin to a decently built Chevrolet, but the KaBar can be likened to a Rolls-Royce.

That's the best analogy I can draw,
 
How does the MK1 compare to the BK17? Appears to be the same knife, but of course you can get the leather handle version of the Kabar. Off the top of my head, I would say the handle/ergos and the tang are the two separating factors. Kabar also has a 3/4" longer blade. Any comparison between the two?
 
I have no experience with the BK17, so I can't comment on the differences. I can't say that I care for leather stacked handles. it's just my opinion, but they're simply too vulnerable to mold, mildew and deterioration. In a humid environs, (such as Oregon or Washington) I would rather have the Kraton handle.

The reasons I bought the Mark 1 were:

a) Basic, functional, proven design. The knife's design has been around for about 85 years (1930). The Navy and War Department pressed the design into military service in 1943. The "fires of war" proved the design worthy and durable. So durable, in fact, that despite the Mark 2's introduction in 1945, the Navy kept the Mark 1 in it's inventory and on hand until 1975. That, friends and nighbors, says a great deal!

b) KaBar's steel and hardening. It's been said before (but it is worth repeating) the 1095 Cro-Van steel, tempered and hardened to 56-58 Rc hardness makes for a very seviceable knife that will provide a lifetime of service.

c) The modern Kraton handle is virtually indestructable!

d) The Mark 1 is light, and above all, manuverable. This knife has the ability to provide great service under a wide variety of circumstances. This is why this design hasn't just survived, but thrived for more than 8 1/2 decades. This KaBar is a great general-purpose knife. It isn't a "pry bar" nor is it either a hatchet or meat cleaver. But as a sheath knife, it's darned hard to beat!
 
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"c) The modern Kraton handle is virtually indestructible."
Actually KA-BAR's own testing gave the stacked leather handle the slight edge to the Kraton material when it came to destructive testing.
 
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sac troop said:
"c) The modern Kraton handle is virtually indestructible."
Actually KA-BAR's own testing gave the stacked leather handle the slight edge to the Kraton material when it came to destructive testing.
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This may be so, but moisture is a great enemy of leather. Humidity, mildew, rot and spores destroy leather. I'm pretty sure that the Kraton will hold up better in a moist, humid environment. Such as in the Pacific Northwest.

I served at USNAS Whidbey Island, WA (right on Puget Sound). Take it from an old sailor. Moisture, on land as well as on the deck of a ship, is NOT your friend! :eek: The liberal use of oils and lubricants prevents corrosion from the constant exposure to salt air. Kraton helps alleviate this part of the problem.

It works for me.
 
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Brother O,

Put down thy keyboard, and make thy way to the woods,


Makith big sticks small,



Goeth unto the edge of the wilderness, and acquire for thyself twigs, twine and bark,



Set forth thy bounty. Make it such, that the great spirit may breathe life unto it,



Striketh steel unto steel,



Marvel at that which ye hast achieved,



Build unto it until thee be satisfied. Revel in the true beauty of the Mark l.




Say thanks to the great spirit, and ask that ye may continue to seek his wisdom!
 
LostViking said:
Brother O,

Put down thy keyboard, and make thy way to the woods,


Makith big sticks small,



Goeth unto the edge of the wilderness, and acquire for thyself twigs, twine and bark,



Set forth thy bounty. Make it such, that the great spirit may breathe life unto it,



Striketh steel unto steel,



Marvel at that which ye hast achieved,



Build unto it until thee be satisfied. Revel in the true beauty of the Mark l.




Say thanks to the great spirit, and ask that ye may continue to seek his wisdom!
Click to expand...

AMEN! ;) (You just have to love that fire)! :)
 
Have to admit that the Mark 1 has been in my sights for a while... I already have a 1218 FK so I haven't been in a hurry to get a Mark 1 but it will happen, some day.
 
orezona said:
Have to admit that the Mark 1 has been in my sights for a while... I already have a 1218 FK so I haven't been in a hurry to get a Mark 1 but it will happen, some day.
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The Mark 1 is such a great knife, because it's a sleeper! It reminds me of Chevrolet's (Holden of Australia) SS. The knife looks as if it's a "common sheath knife", but when pressed into service, the KaBar steps out like a well-trained sailor always does... smartly, and with consummate purpose! If you want the job done right, ask the Navy. (The original 'get it done' service)!

Thanks, KaBar! This is the knife the Navy really needs... once more. (Too bad they won't reissue it again)!
 
Captain, you are so right about them not issuing them again.

Shortly before I was commissioned in 1977, being the AR individual that I am, I started researching/asking Qs about what non-billet tasks I could be assigned. Learned about boat officers (especially as I was headed to a gator). Looked up every regulation/book I could find. One of the regs stated what equipment the crew of a small craft was to be issued/have. The reg stated that boat crew members should carry either a MK1 or a MK2, with the MK1 being the preferred tool. (Actually, it stated that a MK1 was the prescribed equipment, but a MK2 was an acceptable substitute in the event MK1s were unavailable).

Being the diligent future commissioned officer I was, I went down to the local surplus store and bought a fair condition PAL RH-35 in a NORD sheath for the whopping price of $6. (I already had a MK2, so OBVIOUSLY a MK1 was required purchase.:rolleyes::D). Slow forward to October 1977. I was on my first deployment to the WESTPAC and we were conducting a joint USN/RPN amphibous exercise off Mindoro Island. I was assigned as the boat officer for the medical evacuation small boat (an LCVP). When it was time to start boring holes in the ocean, I showed up at the boat davits with my helmet and kapok sporting the venerable WW2 vintage MK1. As it was 0-dark-thirty, no one noticed it. I also failed to notice that none of my boat crew had MK1s. ( come to find out, all they had were Buck 110s in leather belt sheaths because that what was being sold in the ship's store).

8 hours later, when debarking, the 1st LT saw it and asked "What the hell is that thing?" (He literally did not know what a MK1 was.) When I told him it was my boat crew knife and asked why all my boat crew members didn't have them issued per regs? OOOOPPSS. (You know, out of the mouths of babes and dumb Ensigns come all kinds of questions.)

Apparently the regulation specifying the required boat crew member equipment list had not been modified at the same time that the requirement to issue MK1s had been deleted. I got a lot of ribbing in the wardroom for a while until I asked "If a crewman is caught in a bight, how fast can you get a folding knife out of a sheath and unfolded?" I then said "I can get a sheath knife out "this fast"" and had it out before I finished saying it. No more ribbing about my MK1.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Captain, you are so right about them not issuing them again.

Shortly before I was commissioned in 1977, being the AR individual that I am, I started researching/asking Qs about what non-billet tasks I could be assigned. Learned about boat officers (especially as I was headed to a gator). Looked up every regulation/book I could find. One of the regs stated what equipment the crew of a small craft was to be issued/have. The reg stated that boat crew members should carry either a MK1 or a MK2, with the MK1 being the preferred tool. (Actually, it stated that a MK1 was the prescribed equipment, but a MK2 was an acceptable substitute in the event MK1s were unavailable).

Being the diligent future commissioned officer I was, I went down to the local surplus store and bought a fair condition PAL RH-35 in a NORD sheath for the whopping price of $6. (I already had a MK2, so OBVIOUSLY a MK1 was required purchase.:rolleyes::D). Slow forward to October 1977. I was on my first deployment to the WESTPAC and we were conducting a joint USN/RPN amphibous exercise off Mindoro Island. I was assigned as the boat officer for the medical evacuation small boat (an LCVP). When it was time to start boring holes in the ocean, I showed up at the boat davits with my helmet and kapok sporting the venerable WW2 vintage MK1. As it was 0-dark-thirty, no one noticed it. I also failed to notice that none of my boat crew had MK1s. ( come to find out, all they had were Buck 110s in leather belt sheaths because that what was being sold in the ship's store).

8 hours later, when debarking, the 1st LT saw it and asked "What the hell is that thing?" (He literally did not know what a MK1 was.) When I told him it was my boat crew knife and asked why all my boat crew members didn't have them issued per regs? OOOOPPSS. (You know, out of the mouths of babes and dumb Ensigns come all kinds of questions.)

Apparently the regulation specifying the required boat crew member equipment list had not been modified at the same time that the requirement to issue MK1s had been deleted. I got a lot of ribbing in the wardroom for a while until I asked "If a crewman is caught in a bight, how fast can you get a folding knife out of a sheath and unfolded?" I then said "I can get a sheath knife out "this fast"" and had it out before I finished saying it. No more ribbing about my MK1.
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Very good, sir. There's nothing quite like a rapid deployment demonstration to offer some smart mouth a brimming bowlful full of "shut your mouth".

Yes sir, a Mark 2 is fine, but a Mark 1 will "accomplish the mission" with consummate aplomb, thank you very much. Not all Ensigns were "shave tails". Some were "ninety day wonders" while others learned something at their daddy's knee.
 
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Captain O said:
Cody:

I have the recent offering from Colonial. It is "functional" but not as refined as the KaBar. The Colonial is a good knife, but the KaBar is an excellent knife! The Colonial is akin to a decently built Chevrolet, but the KaBar can be likened to a Rolls-Royce.

That's the best analogy I can draw,
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Have you seen the Boker rendition? I may grab one, it looks very well done. The Colonial is on my list but I'm hunting something used in great shape on the bay.
 
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Perusing my soon to be "local" general store (yes, I'm moving) I noticed this store has the Mark 1 in stock. That along with some other cool brands; Case, Buck, Ontario and some Tramontina machetes. So, given the availability, I will be picking up a Mark 1 at some point. I'm gonna be in heaven.....and in debt.
 
The "Best Knife"... made Better.

1. Wire-brush and Sno-seal the handle.

2. Ka-Bar Mk1-1...

unsheathed.jpg


pommelsmajor.jpg


pommelsminor.jpg


What I did was establish the bevel angle at the major axis on the handle side (in), rolled the knife both ways to reproduce that angle around to the minor axis along the inner plastic spacer, and then did the same for the outside bevel, except that I used the re-establishment of the pommel waist (equator) line as the control. When the waistline was straight around the pommel, the outside was done. Then I just buffed it up a little w/ some emory-cloth and green scotch-brite pad.

Easy.




GR
 
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