Ka-Bar combat knife and Gerber LMF II

H

Herr_Noobien

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May 20, 2009
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Just wondering what your opinions are about these two knives. Up untill now I have been collecting folding knives and I wanted to try a fixed blade. I won't be doing anything ridiculous with them such as prying or cutting through a tank with them. Can they take a beating? How well do they hold an edge? Also which of the two would you prefer? I don't want to spend too much since this is just a starter knife of sorts, but if you have any other suggestions, do tell me please.

Thanks

EDIT: the ka bar I'm refering to is the USMC one.
 
Here they are with a RAT Cutlery RC-5 and a Buck 650 Nighthawk, for scale. Clearly, the RC-5 is the best of the lot - at twice or more the other's cost. Shop around, if you want an LMFII - they were as low as $60 closeout for some models (Similar to the KaBar & Nighthawk.).

IMG_3518.jpg


I used my late Dad's old KaBar for years - great camping knife - but I was not informed that it wasn't intended for that. Now, post enlightenment, I still recall it's utility nature - it was fine. Probably the only poor choice, in my mind's eye, is the Gerber - I don't like serrations... I like plain edges. I likely won't need to cut anyone from a fuselage. The Gerber is made of a Finnish SS - a plus in wet conditions. The CS of the KaBar and RC-5 is excellent - and coated for protection, as is the 420HC of the second thickest spine - the Nighthawk's. All should be serviceable. I would not buy the Gerber - it was a Pappy Day's gift from last year from my son.

Stainz
 
Erm, what do you mean by CS? Huh, thanks for the pic, I've seen the ka bar in person before but never the gerber. When you put it next to the ka bar it seems a bit too small for my liking. I suppose it's nighthawk vs ka bar now...
 
I have fairly extensive experience with the Ka-Bar (like 50 years, on and off), and I have to say that it's a great knife: very well made, and tougher than dragon snot. It wouldn't be my first choice for an outdoor user though, mostly because of the blade shape.

If I were you, I would take a close look at either the Becker BK-2 or BK-7 (both also made by Ka-Bar). They're truly great all around knives at a very good price point. Also, as Stainz mentioned, the RAT RC-5 is also a great knife (it's very similar to the Becker BK-2, but costs more. On the other hand, it has a pretty good sheath).
 
I won't actually be using them for camping or anything. I just want a decent fixed blade knife that's not too expensive and can be used for general cutting purposes (cardboard boxes mainly).

Since the ka bar and the nighthawk are both combat knives, let's compare them in that sense. If you were deploying to Iraq in a few days, which knife you want strapped to your vest (or side)?
 
I believe www.knifetests.com has extensive destruction test videos of both the 1095 and D2 Ka-Bar, and the Nighthawk.

Check it out. There's also a lot of good videos on youtube.

I'd recommend a Rat Cutlery RC-6 myself.
 
I'm don't want to spend too much on my first fixed blade. The RC-6 is $100 on newgraham while the nighthawk is $50. I am sure that the RC-6 is worth the extra $50, but I'm not willing to spend that extra $50 right now. As far as I know (from watching the knifetests videos) the nighthawk is much stronger. Still, would you rather get the kabar or the nighthawk?
 
Can't go wrong with the Kabar. Close to 70 years of service it's a classic. As far as not being designed as a camping knife, all it is is a modified 7'' Marbles Ideal hunting knife. If you want to make it a little more versatile ,just remove the top portion of the guard. Kabars and 1911's have been around a long time for a reason, they work.
 
if your getting a kabar id go for the impact series. ive handled the gerber lmf alot and it cant hold a candle to the kabar.
 
Herr_Noobien said:
As far as I know (from watching the knifetests videos) the nighthawk is much stronger. Still, would you rather get the kabar or the nighthawk?
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It's a toss up. They're both nice knives. You should go on your personal preference at this point. Whichever looks or feels better to you. The KaBar 1213 has a powder coated blade and kraton handle instead of leather but keeps the basic USMC design, if you like those features in the Nighthawk.
 
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It's really all comming down to the edge retaination at this point. I know the nighthawk is tougher and will take more abuse. I also like the look of the nighthawk and it seems much more ergonomic than the ka bar just from looking at it. Will the nighthawk hold an edge longer than the ka bar (the 1095 one)?

Edit: hooray for lack of research! I didn't know that the swedge on the ka bar was sharp. This means I can't buy it from the USA (since Australian customs restricts imports on double edged knives). I suppose the nighthawk wins be default :S
 
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Herr_Noobien said:
Edit: hooray for lack of research! I didn't know that the swedge on the ka bar was sharp. This means I can't buy it from the USA (since Australian customs restricts imports on double edged knives). I suppose the nighthawk wins be default :S
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I didn't realise that either. looks like I'm back to searching for a nice bowie bladed camp knife......ahh well.
actualy, the nighthawk looks quite nice (kind of like an amped up mora in a way) might have to look at that one.
 
phaserrifle said:
I didn't realise that either. looks like I'm back to searching for a nice bowie bladed camp knife......ahh well.
actualy, the nighthawk looks quite nice (kind of like an amped up mora in a way) might have to look at that one.
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I like this bowie. Would work well for camp and butchering.

CH09_Black_Linen1.jpg
 
AR fan said:
DRE, what's the name of that model?
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Custom Hunter Bowie
Overall Length: 10.65"
Blade Length: 6"
Steel: 50-100B @ 58rc
Blade Thickness: .175"
Weight: 7.8"

I don't have one :( But wouldnt turn it down if someone gave me one :)
 
Herr_Noobien said:
Edit: hooray for lack of research! I didn't know that the swedge on the ka bar was sharp. This means I can't buy it from the USA (since Australian customs restricts imports on double edged knives). I suppose the nighthawk wins be default :S
Click to expand...

It seems to be hit or miss on whether the swedge is sharpened. I bought mine a few months ago and mine did not come sharpened. I have heard several different people either say that it comes sharpened or it comes dull. So I do not know if it is a recent thing or not. Even those who say that it comes dull have said that it has been like that for as long as they can remember. And the same goes for those who say theirs came sharpened. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will pitch in.
 
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