KA BAR Fighter Knife (Black blade)?

its a classic but what are you using it for and what do you expect it to do.
 
It's a good knife for field purposes. It has also been known to open up canned food, dig a hole under fire, and on occasion used like a Marine is trained to use a knife. It has been field tested by the military for decades. What more can you describe about this particular knife. It has a history of being an economical and excellent user. It can perform just as well as much higher dollar knives.

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Specification:

Weight: 0.68 lbs.
Length: Blade length 7", Overall length 11 7/8"
Grind: Flat
Shape: Clip
Handle Material: Leather
Stamp: USMC
HRC: 56-58
Edge Angle: 20 Degrees
Butt Cap /Guard: Pwdrd Metal/1095 Carbon
Steel: 1095 Carbon
Country Mft'd: Knife Made in USA, Leather Sheath Made in Mexico
 
They are very high in quality and functional value. The 1095 Carbon Steel is great stuff that has been around almost since they first put carbon in iron. It will be as durable as just about any hard use knife out there. It is a classic as well, time tested.
 
I have the Camilus version. A solid knife but the sharpened clip can hinder battoning. Also the short version may be a better all around camp knife. These knives are big. Don't take me wrong, it is a must have in my book just like a fullsize 1911.
 
They're pretty tough and can take a lot of abuse... but I find the blade is just too thick for most chores, it's very heavy & the sheath is very basic.

If you needed to supply a whole army who would be deployed in jungle, or where planning on fighting zombies it would probably be a good choice; but for camping/fishing etc. I'd prefer a smaller, lighter, thinner fixed-blade for working with wood & food prep, and a larger "chopper". If you could only have one bladed tool, I suppose, for its price, the KA-BAR isn't a bad choice.
 
I would say it's only weakness is the hand guard. It can bend with little force. Just take a hammer and tap it back a few times. It'll move. But this isn't a camp knife. It's a fighting knife that can used as a tool for other things one might encounter in a harsh environment. For example, slicing through wire and "killing the bear that killed me". I'll tell you what an awesome Ka-Bar is. It's their D2 fighting knife. Best bang for the buck.

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Specification:

Weight: 0.78 lbs.
Length: Blade length 7",
Overall length 11 7/8"
Grind: Flat
Shape: Clip Handle
Material: Kraton G
Stamp: USA
HRC: 59-60 CR
Edge Angle: 20 Degrees
Butt Cap /Guard: Pwdrd Metal/1095 Carbon
Steel: D2
Country Mft'd: Knife Made in USA
 
I have learned by research that what many people call a "blood grove" is actually a "fuller". It's been used on swords for hundreds of years to significantly reduce the weight without risking the strength of the blade. On knives it's almost always used for aesthetic purposes. It has nothing to do with "causing internal bleeding" or making it easier to pull out of your victim.

If anyone has extensive knowledge about fullers and this topic, please let me know.
 
The groove on a knife like a Ka-Bar is tactical in nature but also serves to lighten the blade without any undesired weakness. It creates a space for air and blood to escape in both directions. Thus, preventing plugging up the stab with the blade in place while also making it easier to extract the blade.

Actually that is nonsense. Here is a definition from AG Russell.


Blood Groove

I hate to tell you this, because this term really sells knives, there is no such thing as a blood groove and there is no sucking action that will hang up a knife in a victims body. The term is "Fuller"; this is a groove that lightens and stiffens the blade.
 
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