- Joined
- Jul 14, 2010
- Messages
- 15,417
I recently got a couple of "new" F/U knives, a 1217 (hell yeah!!) and one of the 5011's (OD, my fav color) for some, um, er, tests I wanna conduct, involving lateral force. Plus, I just love these knives. One cannot, repeat, cannot have too many of them. 
So, the usual stuff, good grinds, sharp outta the box, F&F are on par with just about every knife I have recieved with a KA-BAR stamp. I will say, I love the stacked leather, and it has been my "first love" in knives for over 20yrs, but this whole Kraton thing is pretty kick ass. I just got a new (and my first) kayak, a Wilderness Tarpon 120 (Yeah, you love it Biscuit, don't hate), so, wet friendly knives have been on my mind quite a bit. So, when I was ordering my new blades, I thought, "Eh, Kraton, lets see".
While I was at it, I been dying to check out the new Extreme Sheath for the 7" blades, so I threw one of those bad boys in, as well. Here we go.
The 1217 comes with a Hecho En Mexico Leather sheath, the 5011 comes with some IMP (injection molded plastic) of matching color. And yes, my boat is dirty.
These are some great knives, and look real damn awesome when they are brand new. I know, I know, I like the used look too, but c'mon, nothing like that new blade smell. Seriously, smell'em when they're new.
The New Extreme Sheath is loosely based on the old Eagle Industries sheath, made a few years ago, but is no longer around. If you can find them, there is no better example of American Made sheath around. These are pretty close. Real close.
Nylon insert, to secure you blade, and a good snug fit. And no, it doesn't dull the knife.
Drain holes, lashing holes, and a thick, solid back plate, make this a pretty well rounded sheath.
The back comes setup for molle attachment. With a belt loop, top lashing rivets, a top loop for lowering extensions, this is one well thought out sheath.
The pocket on the front, is just right for a double stack mag, of just about any make and model. I don't think you would want to put your Glock 30 rounders in there, but I know some of them would fit. As for Altoids tins, or any other similar sized containers, nope, nada, nein, non, nyet, ain't gonna happen. But the "half" size Altoids tins, yup, fit like a dream. With some room for paracord to boot.
The 5011 fit fine, but I was noticing I was having a time closing the top snap, it seemed that the buttplate, was right in line with the top of the top strap, so, I adjust the blade up a bit, and it closed just fine. It did leave a little of the blade exposed, but, so what.
The 1217 fit fine as well, but I didn't have the same problem with the top snap. None at all, and the blade rested tightly agains the insert. This require some more scientific investigation.
By scientific, I mean anything but. I just put the buttplates against the edge of my picnic table, and measure. Ah ha. There we have it. There is a 3/16" plastic spacer that the 1217 has, that the 5011 doesn't. There is the difference in length, and the reason for the sheath difference. The sheath still works just fine with either, just a slight difference in knife position.
The Extreme sheath also comes with a "jump strap", or at least that's what I call them. I been seening these alot more and I have to say, I like them. It gives those guys and gals that plan on carrying these knives in a "stand up, hook up, and shuffle to the door" scenario, aways to make sure their blade arrives when they do, not before. Plus, it can be moved around to secure items in the pouch as well. Good idea KA-BAR, well thought out.
So, I have to say, I miss the Eagle sheaths. They were badass on a level that only Eagle can bring, but honestly, you won't find a better sheath for your KA-BAR 7" F/U Knife than the current Extreme sheath. Its well made, well thought out, and doesn't have anything extra on it that you don't need. Minimal, but covers all your needs in a very compact package. I love mine, just need to get out and use it some, to see how the material holds up, but the stitching looks good, the only thing I would want to see more of, is some extra bar stitches on the more load prone points.
I gots me a review of the 5011 comin' soon, gotta go get the kids right now, so, I'll show you my new 5011 and some swine, a little later on.
Moose
So, the usual stuff, good grinds, sharp outta the box, F&F are on par with just about every knife I have recieved with a KA-BAR stamp. I will say, I love the stacked leather, and it has been my "first love" in knives for over 20yrs, but this whole Kraton thing is pretty kick ass. I just got a new (and my first) kayak, a Wilderness Tarpon 120 (Yeah, you love it Biscuit, don't hate
), so, wet friendly knives have been on my mind quite a bit. So, when I was ordering my new blades, I thought, "Eh, Kraton, lets see". While I was at it, I been dying to check out the new Extreme Sheath for the 7" blades, so I threw one of those bad boys in, as well. Here we go.
The 1217 comes with a Hecho En Mexico Leather sheath, the 5011 comes with some IMP (injection molded plastic) of matching color. And yes, my boat is dirty.
These are some great knives, and look real damn awesome when they are brand new. I know, I know, I like the used look too, but c'mon, nothing like that new blade smell. Seriously, smell'em when they're new.
The New Extreme Sheath is loosely based on the old Eagle Industries sheath, made a few years ago, but is no longer around. If you can find them, there is no better example of American Made sheath around. These are pretty close. Real close.
Nylon insert, to secure you blade, and a good snug fit. And no, it doesn't dull the knife.
Drain holes, lashing holes, and a thick, solid back plate, make this a pretty well rounded sheath.
The back comes setup for molle attachment. With a belt loop, top lashing rivets, a top loop for lowering extensions, this is one well thought out sheath.
The pocket on the front, is just right for a double stack mag, of just about any make and model. I don't think you would want to put your Glock 30 rounders in there, but I know some of them would fit. As for Altoids tins, or any other similar sized containers, nope, nada, nein, non, nyet, ain't gonna happen. But the "half" size Altoids tins, yup, fit like a dream. With some room for paracord to boot.
The 5011 fit fine, but I was noticing I was having a time closing the top snap, it seemed that the buttplate, was right in line with the top of the top strap, so, I adjust the blade up a bit, and it closed just fine. It did leave a little of the blade exposed, but, so what.
The 1217 fit fine as well, but I didn't have the same problem with the top snap. None at all, and the blade rested tightly agains the insert. This require some more scientific investigation.
By scientific, I mean anything but. I just put the buttplates against the edge of my picnic table, and measure. Ah ha. There we have it. There is a 3/16" plastic spacer that the 1217 has, that the 5011 doesn't. There is the difference in length, and the reason for the sheath difference. The sheath still works just fine with either, just a slight difference in knife position.
The Extreme sheath also comes with a "jump strap", or at least that's what I call them. I been seening these alot more and I have to say, I like them. It gives those guys and gals that plan on carrying these knives in a "stand up, hook up, and shuffle to the door" scenario, aways to make sure their blade arrives when they do, not before. Plus, it can be moved around to secure items in the pouch as well. Good idea KA-BAR, well thought out.
So, I have to say, I miss the Eagle sheaths. They were badass on a level that only Eagle can bring, but honestly, you won't find a better sheath for your KA-BAR 7" F/U Knife than the current Extreme sheath. Its well made, well thought out, and doesn't have anything extra on it that you don't need. Minimal, but covers all your needs in a very compact package. I love mine, just need to get out and use it some, to see how the material holds up, but the stitching looks good, the only thing I would want to see more of, is some extra bar stitches on the more load prone points.
I gots me a review of the 5011 comin' soon, gotta go get the kids right now, so, I'll show you my new 5011 and some swine, a little later on.
Moose
.
