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Is Ka-Bar USMC really that good?
- Thread starter Petar
- Start date
I can't speak to using a Kabar for batoning but I can speak to throwing. When the earth was new and I was young my brother-in-law had a Kabar. On one occasion we stuck a 2x4 in the ground and were throwing the Kabar at it. On one of my throws it stuck in the 2x4 and the handle snapped right off. Kabars are definitely not made for throwing.
As to stabbing it into a tree as hard as you can, why-oh-why would you want to do that? That's not asking for a serious injury--it's begging for one. There's no legitimate reason for doing so, it's abusing the knife, and it's incredibly dangerous. Remember, there aren't very many old fools.
As to stabbing it into a tree as hard as you can, why-oh-why would you want to do that? That's not asking for a serious injury--it's begging for one. There's no legitimate reason for doing so, it's abusing the knife, and it's incredibly dangerous. Remember, there aren't very many old fools.
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I can't speak to using a Kabar for batoning but I can speak to throwing. When the earth was new and I was young my brother-in-law had a Kabar. On one occasion we stuck a 2x4 in the ground and were throwing the Kabar at it. On one of my throws it stuck in the 2x4 and the handle snapped right off. Kabars are definitely not made for throwing.
As to stabbing it into a tree as hard as you can, why-oh-why would you want to do that? That's not asking for a serious injury--it's begging for one. There's no legitimate reason for doing so, it's abusing the knife, and it's incredibly dangerous. Remember, there aren't very many old fools.
So. Throwing a knife is safe and sane but Stabbing it into wood is foolish and reckless, eh.
I stab into wood all the time, I stabbed a whole bunch of chunks out of 2x4s that I had drilled into a tree putting up a tree stand so I could make the back part of frame settle in perfect, knife didn't break and no injury, was a thin bladed Leatherman and was up on a ladder also. Was all I had on me to do it and worked great. Throwing a knife has no purpose besides entertainment, or murder if your rambo.
As far as NO Kabars being up to the task of heavy duty work, some of you guys have to be kidding me. BK20, 9,7, other Bks. I have a Kabar zomstro on the way that I plan on beating the holy hell out of. It's 9"- .25" thick blade. If manage to break will be quite surprised, considering the things I have done with BK9/7 at .18" thickness.
I like the usmc, but definitely not my favorite. Only purpose I have for it is lightweight hunting knife. And really doesnt have that great of grind for that, but useable.
I'd look at other Kabar products or if got more dough to spend check out SYKCO/Swamp Rat/Busse.
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I take it you are one of those people that think large choppers are good for nothing knives? I'll tell you this, I was driving down a hill the other day, there was a heavy storm about 3 months ago, knocked down an unbelievable amount of trees everywhere, so there was plenty of trees on this downhill (more trail than road) road, no where turn around screwed, was in a hurry as had to be at work soon so thought a hacksaw I had was best choice, nope, wrong, my BK9 cleared those trees so much quicker than that saw it was crazy. Axe would have been ideal, but takes up more real estate in truck. Hatchet too but any knife is much more multipurpose-ful
to me. So no matter what the negative Nancys say about choppers(heavy duty knives in general) KNOW many of them are great and just as used as a smaller knife to CUT what have you.
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By the sounds of it you just want something for dicking around the woods with. Nothing wrong with that. The Kar Bar isn't a bad choice, nor are the other recommendations here. All knives have some luck built in, if they run out of luck because you have done something beyond their limitations they will break. To protect themselves from the "dicking about in the woods brigade" some manufacturers have produces blades just for such antics. These blades tend to be overbuilt and not very efficient at being a knife; there is a lot of steel there to take the abuse.
Throwing knives into wood will find any fault in a blade due to the forces and the shock waves of hitting the target, and miss hitting. Better to have a blade that is tempered soft to take it all. Buy a Cold Steel True Flight thrower, or something from Flying Steel.
The Kar Bar is a utility/combat knife so an all rounder. Too small and light weight to really chop. On the big side to cut. The Kar bar has been produced for sometime and during this long history different steels have been tried. How much luck in any Kar Bar is anyones guess as they are not indestructible. Not a bad choice for this style of knife though.
Many of this style aren't that great due to the compromises that had to be made. Some of the grinds to keep robustness make them poor cutters. Of this ilk I like what Survive Knives GSO's are doing.
Go bigger still. The really big chopping style blades can't compete with a real axe. They are also a bit of a brick to carry and way too bulky for finer tasks. Most have grinds that don't allow for good cutting either. Their weight forwardness makes them difficult to control the chop once committed. Frankly, I'm not a fan at all and prefer a smaller knife and a good saw. The one I do like which is a bit more specialised is the Skrama due to its handle and that its a cutter formost.
Far too many modern blades are designed on a computer and detached from actual users. Products made to fit the marketing hype which the followers buy into. Put to real work many really aren't much cop. There must be piles of under used blades out there that once played with don't see the light of day again. All because they really aren't much use. Buy what you fancy, and as you develop your own likings then you will find what works for you. Once into knives you will buy more than one.
Throwing knives into wood will find any fault in a blade due to the forces and the shock waves of hitting the target, and miss hitting. Better to have a blade that is tempered soft to take it all. Buy a Cold Steel True Flight thrower, or something from Flying Steel.
The Kar Bar is a utility/combat knife so an all rounder. Too small and light weight to really chop. On the big side to cut. The Kar bar has been produced for sometime and during this long history different steels have been tried. How much luck in any Kar Bar is anyones guess as they are not indestructible. Not a bad choice for this style of knife though.
Many of this style aren't that great due to the compromises that had to be made. Some of the grinds to keep robustness make them poor cutters. Of this ilk I like what Survive Knives GSO's are doing.
Go bigger still. The really big chopping style blades can't compete with a real axe. They are also a bit of a brick to carry and way too bulky for finer tasks. Most have grinds that don't allow for good cutting either. Their weight forwardness makes them difficult to control the chop once committed. Frankly, I'm not a fan at all and prefer a smaller knife and a good saw. The one I do like which is a bit more specialised is the Skrama due to its handle and that its a cutter formost.
Far too many modern blades are designed on a computer and detached from actual users. Products made to fit the marketing hype which the followers buy into. Put to real work many really aren't much cop. There must be piles of under used blades out there that once played with don't see the light of day again. All because they really aren't much use. Buy what you fancy, and as you develop your own likings then you will find what works for you. Once into knives you will buy more than one.
So. Throwing a knife is safe and sane but Stabbing it into wood is foolish and reckless, eh.
In reviewing my post I don't see where I said anything about throwing a knife being "safe and sane." I noted that I did it once when I was young (and stupid.) I learned from that experience and never did it again. And I agree--the only purpose for throwing a knife is for entertainment. If you're going to throw a knife, get one specifically made for the purpose.
As for stabbing, well if you want to stand on a ladder and stab wood with a thin bladed Leatherman be my guest and good luck with that.
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As for stabbing, well if you want to stand on a ladder and stab wood with a thin bladed Leatherman be my guest and good luck with that.
Not exactly safe, but didnt really have a choice, and yes, i should have threw the knife at the boards instead of stabbing into them, that would have been much safer espeaically since there was people around it could have flown into.
I think maybe the cold steel gi tanto might be perfect for you. It's cheap, tough as nails (its 1055 steel run soft enough to throw). Its got enough mass to do some chopping, can baton, dig, and has a full guard for rampant tree stabbing.
That said, I agree with the "tree stabbing is ridiculous" group. And throwing any normal knife is an awful idea (edge holding is benefitted by high hardness. High hardness makes a knife less tough though, and throwing it causes it to vibrate like a tuning fork, and crack over time). So if you really want to throw, find something built for it.
And greenjacket, I don't think the chopper knives were ever supposed to compete with an axe. Then again, they're also a fraction of the size and weight. A normal axe head is in the 2-5lb range, and has a 28-36in long handle. A "BK9 type" blade is 1lb, and ~16in long. So, they compete much more with small hatchets. For me, that's why I bring one car camping. I find the chopping power to be roughly similar to a hatchet, while much more useable for other tasks. They're not for every situation of course, but they do offer real utility, and haven't all just been designed on a computer (meaning, no thought for how it be to use).
Good luck to the op, hopefully they can find something that suits their needs
.
That said, I agree with the "tree stabbing is ridiculous" group. And throwing any normal knife is an awful idea (edge holding is benefitted by high hardness. High hardness makes a knife less tough though, and throwing it causes it to vibrate like a tuning fork, and crack over time). So if you really want to throw, find something built for it.
And greenjacket, I don't think the chopper knives were ever supposed to compete with an axe. Then again, they're also a fraction of the size and weight. A normal axe head is in the 2-5lb range, and has a 28-36in long handle. A "BK9 type" blade is 1lb, and ~16in long. So, they compete much more with small hatchets. For me, that's why I bring one car camping. I find the chopping power to be roughly similar to a hatchet, while much more useable for other tasks. They're not for every situation of course, but they do offer real utility, and haven't all just been designed on a computer (meaning, no thought for how it be to use).
Good luck to the op, hopefully they can find something that suits their needs
.
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+1 to this. Real nice for price, espeaically doing the things op plans to, haven't got it yet, but bought a Kabar famine rescently for $40 from their site. Would be similar. The kabars steel should hold better edge though and comes with an extra knife. GI Tantos sheath may be better though.:foot: At least slimmer.
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It's an awesome knife and a great value, but I don't think it's for you if you want to throw / baton. You'll be better served by some of the other suggestions here.
For general use and bushcraft, check out what lostviking did with his dogshead. Same knife with a different handle.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1300572
Sent from my Galaxy S5 using Tapatalk
For general use and bushcraft, check out what lostviking did with his dogshead. Same knife with a different handle.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1300572
Sent from my Galaxy S5 using Tapatalk
I agree with above-stabbing a tree full force was what the OP asked? Is OP going to run around the woods at trees minding their own business, stabbing them? And if someone "stabs" chunks out of two x fours up on a ladder, because there was no choice, yeah, you could fit it on the ground, without "stabbing." And a hacksaw didn't cut wood very well? Aren't they primarily configured for metal or plastic-no surprise it didn't cut wood well. No room in truck for an axe? Really?
But, on point...the knife has a lot of appeal, but more as an icon. Lots better options out there, especially if you want to use knives to do hatchet or axe work.
But, on point...the knife has a lot of appeal, but more as an icon. Lots better options out there, especially if you want to use knives to do hatchet or axe work.
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How big of ax3 or saw would you recommend chief? Have a single cab that's filled too brim. Excuse me, BOW SAW and its 2' long. Why the hell would I want that or a 3' long axe instead of a knife that can do the same AND OTHER THINGS with and take up less space??? I have too much crap in there already. I live at an apartment building and I'm not leaving valuables in the box espeaically when topper doesn't lock cause it would be too easy for someone to kipe it then.
The 2x4s were already drilled into tree and didn't want to f$!/ the tree up anymore. Went two separate days, and didn't bring any other tools this last time cause its a descent walk and went on a whim, ill prepared.
Knives shouldnt be used for anything besides cutting marshmallows and sit in cases. This is fun
but I aint got time fo dis. PS all my knives are better than your knives and any other tools you have.
Nobody should buy or use any knives CAUSE THEY ALL SUCK AND ARE DANGEROUS! Cept for Moras and opinels.
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"Is the Kabar USMC really that good?"
YES. Within the scope of its intended design and usage parameters, it is one if the best, least expensive knives available.
There are other, stronger Kabar designs that can handle the type of activities you are going to do. The Becker knife & Tool BK-7 (one of my all-time favorite knives) is Ethan Becker's answer to the Kabar #1217 C/U. And the Becker BK-9 is a chopping monster.
~Chris
YES. Within the scope of its intended design and usage parameters, it is one if the best, least expensive knives available.
There are other, stronger Kabar designs that can handle the type of activities you are going to do. The Becker knife & Tool BK-7 (one of my all-time favorite knives) is Ethan Becker's answer to the Kabar #1217 C/U. And the Becker BK-9 is a chopping monster.
~Chris
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USMC 1219C2, Knife, Fighting - later USMC Mark 2 Knife, Fighting Utility
United States Navy, Utility Knife, Mark 2
Primary use: opening ration cans.
United States Navy, Utility Knife, Mark 2
Primary use: opening ration cans.