just got the short KA-BAR

C

chabla

Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
159
Sounds like a good score. I've got the full size one, but it's just not a size that I find useful. I considered getting the smaller one for a while, looked like a great little woods companion.

Be sure and post pics when you get a chance to take it out!
 
I got a fullsized with leather handle, would have preferred a short. I think you'll be very pleased.
 
I have the short Kabar and have had it more many years. You picked a good one for sure.
 
yeah i got to get a feel on the long one and it was way to big for me the small is just right for my hand
 
never owned one, how ould one hold up as a gen purpose woods knife?? easy to sharpen on a stone?? how do they slice??? and what's the edge retention like?? I might grind off the rear guard..How's it compare to the camillus pilot survival knife..
 
i have it also... kind of disappointed. the handle is way to narrow. i like the beefier handle on the full size....fits my hand better.

i wish they had taken the full size and just shortened the blade and left the handle alone. :grumpy:
 
i say the KA-BAR is a great all purpose woods and general use knife since the marines and army used it in WWII i know i can trust it. it sharpens pretty nice but im not a sharpener nut so i wouldnt know that much about how its sharpens and the edge but it does slice great
if it came down to it i think this knife could save my butt in many situations
 
RescueRiley said:
never owned one, how ould one hold up as a gen purpose woods knife?? easy to sharpen on a stone?? how do they slice??? and what's the edge retention like?? I might grind off the rear guard..How's it compare to the camillus pilot survival knife..
Click to expand...

Well, its 1095, and kabar gives it a quality heat treat and Ive never heard anything but praise for their quality control, even Jeff Randal of RAT knives raves about kabar and will be one of the first people to recommend them.

I find 1095 easy to sharpen (no need for diamond sharpeners), it can take a very sharp shaving edge without a problem, but (and this has probably a lot to do with edge geometry) it'll loose the razor edge quickly but at the same time it doesnt really get *dull* I suspect that with a convex grind it would preform better.

As for a general bush knife it wouldnt be the first knife I reach for. I prefer a drop point style, something with a lanyard hole and no rear guard.

Havent used a camillus pilot knife, but from all accounts Ive read the camillus doesnt have anything on the kabar.
 
how's it handle light wood working.. like rough carving, fuzz sticks, and notching?? leather or kraton handles???
 
It's just fine for all the wood working tasks you mentioned, though I prefer a shorter blade. You'd definitely want to do something to the rear guard though.

As for the handle material it mostly comes down to personal preference, the stacked leather is very durable (check out the destruction at knifetest.com), my only concern would be water damage. If I remember correctly the kraton has a light texture too it, but the handle design with spacers and the swell give excellent grip.
 
I like Ka-Bar's stuff a lot. Although the USMC models aren't exactly the greatest woods knives due to having double guards and sabre grinds, they're still quality knives, and have a good warranty. There are far tougher knives than the USMC models, like the heavy bowies for example, with a much beefier tang. But I can certainly agree about the high quality control Ka-Bar has, which is quite amazing at their price point. None of the many Ka-Bars that I have has even the slightest bit uneven grinds or blades attached to the handle so that they're "off-center", or flaking coatings or scratches and dents on the blade or anything like it - even though you can find cosmetic flaws like this pretty often in much more expensive knives.
 
What are the cons to a sabre grind...the kabar homepage lists it as a flat grind?? why is a sabre grind a disadvantage in the woods??
 
rescueriley if your thinking about the knife i say go and get it its not very expensive and its a great companion to have with you. it does work in the woods and also at home. i havent got much use from it but what i have used it for i can tell its great
 
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