ka-bar as a camp knife

[Pete1977]

I have an old (vietnam era I believe) Kabar USN MK2, and I am looking for input on its use as a knife for hiking/camping/hunting, as a general utility knife. any stories, field tests, etc. would be appreciated. thanks

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Marble’s 8" Ideal Camp Knife

One of the most popular and enduring knife designs of all time is the Marble’s Ideal. This is the knife that, with only minor modification, became the World Famous U.S.N. Mark II, also known as the Ka-Bar U.S.M.C. of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam which was made by many known and unknown makers for the U.S. Government.

(( Considering its origins, I'd guess the Ka-Bar would make a great camp knife! ))

 

[fudo]

They have been pretty good camp knives for the last 50 odd years. Most military knives get more camp use than use as weapons.

 

[King Grinch]

I would do just fine. Some would say that the edge is a little thick and needed to be thinned.....

 

[Mongrel]

I use one all the time-my Vietnam era Camillus 'KA-BAR' pattern is my chosen camp knife. It does anything I ask it to without complaint. I use the Camillus because my other 'real' WWII KA-BAR is an heirloom that belonged to my grandfather. I picked the Camillus up for $10 with no sheath at a flea market 20 years ago, so thats the one I carry.

I was able to pick up a discounted Kydex sheath for mine some years back for aroung $20. While I would not want to use this theath in combat (too noisy imho), it is a great sheath and not prone to the necessary care of leather. You may consider looking for one.

Mongrel

 

[truck]

I'd be tempted to try and find out any of the history of the knife. If you can't, enjoy!