Ka-bar for wilderness survival

Why do so many people think it's no good for field use?

Growing up, it was one of the Holy Grails for kids.
First, you HAD to have a jack knife of some kind (SAK, BSA, etc)
Next, you were really one of The Boys when you got a Buck 110.
You were a real Scout when you earned the right to carry a hatchet.

But you had finally graduated to Manhood when dad bought you your Ka-Bar.
It went camping, hunting, fishing and everything else outdoors with you. It helped you conquer the wild in your mind. Most of us had one through out military tenure, and did just about everything BUT fight with it.

Only on the internet do you find out it was never any good for that stuff.

Is there better? Yes.
Does the USMC Ka-Bar (or Army) suck? NO.
 
I really think that the Kabar is an excellent knife. It will perform well and lst a lifetime.

I did kind of reprofile mine to thin out the edge a bit, using a coarse Norton stone.

I also cut off the top guard and trimmed the bottom guard in half and rounded it. These were both ideas I got here a couple years ago on the forums.

I got mine in 1988 and think it's great. I'll pass it on to one of my sons. I did the same mods to a USAF pilots knife that was built in 1987 accoring to the stamp on the sheath.

Go for it and ignore the naysayers. It's a classic knife that will serve you well.
 
I have the Kabar USMC knife with a kraton handle/plastic sheath. It is a great multi-purpose knife in the bush. I prefer smaller blades in the 4-5" range in the bush now , like the Esee 4 ,but the 6-7" blades like the Kabars, Beckers , SRK's, SOG's,and such are all great knives as well.
The Kabar is a pretty reasonably priced knife I think. Pick out a handle and sheath combo you like , and get it ! It's a time-tested design and a classic blade :thumbup:
 
mistwalker said:
I like the BK 7 a lot don't get me wrong, but I'd take the new 2 over the 7

Yeah, I know. Got the A1 in a trade though so can't complain.

As for Andy I've been drooling over his work for two years. Handling his knives at Blade was nearly more than I could bear not having the money at the time. In the end I'm glad I didn't as this one just suits me perfectly. Using it completely took the sting out of the price, definitely worth the expense!
Click to expand...

Actually, I agree (don't tell Ethan). The BK-2 is my favorite, but then I'd jump to the BK-9. The BK-2 and the BK-7 are just too close together in length for me.

I like Andy's knives, and a number of other makers here on the forums (Ray Laconico did one awhile back that I would have killed for), but I just can't afford them right now. I'm living on an absurdly small pension, so a lot of things are just out of reach, at the moment. I'm hoping to change that, but until I can, well, . . .
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Why do so many people think it's no good for field use?

Growing up, it was one of the Holy Grails for kids.
First, you HAD to have a jack knife of some kind (SAK, BSA, etc)
Next, you were really one of The Boys when you got a Buck 110.
You were a real Scout when you earned the right to carry a hatchet.

But you had finally graduated to Manhood when dad bought you your Ka-Bar.
It went camping, hunting, fishing and everything else outdoors with you. It helped you conquer the wild in your mind. Most of us had one through out military tenure, and did just about everything BUT fight with it.

Only on the internet do you find out it was never any good for that stuff.

Is there better? Yes.
Does the USMC Ka-Bar (or Army) suck? NO.
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Ever since I first watched "Hell in the Pacific", I've always thought having a Kabar would be cool :) I don't see why it would not perform admirably in a bushcraft role
 
A good buddy of mine has caried a Ka-bar for almost 5 years on every hike/camping trip we've been on without any complaints.
use it reasonably and it'll last you years.
 
Long before ever getting serious about knives, I bought a cheap, beat up knife that I later realized was a WWII USN MK2 Camillus made 'KaBar' that served me as a general camping, prying, chopping, cutting, etc. knife. It did, and still does, all of the above tasks briliantly. I laugh that I do all of the stuff others buy $300+ knives to do, and I paid $5. Even new, the Kabar is sub $50. If the military guys put it through all they have for nearly a century, I'm pretty sure it will continue to fit the bill for me!
 
I say get the Kabar if you don`t like it sell if for almost what you paid and find something you like better .I had one that survived me in my teens and it was in good shape when I gave it to a friend it opened many cans chopped plenty of wood pried open a door or two cut everything I needed and wanted to and never did I have any problem with it .I did sand the handle to a more pleasing shape and buffed it so it looked like new just a more comfortable shape for me. Nice knife always think about getting another when I see one on the exchange.
 
10 years ago I saved up my money, bought a Short Kabar (5" blade) and some other knives. Years later I sold or traded it to a friend and he still has it. It was my main camping blade for a year till I got my SOG Government.

Got a black Kabar with Kraton handle and Kydex sheath a few years ago that has only seen a little use. Thinking I'll bring it on a backpacking trip next month along with a folder and hawk or light Khukri. I also have a modified Camillus version (convex edge, choil, and removed the top guard). Both slice meat really well, open packages, cut rope and sticks really well. So I say, if you like the looks of the knife, get it.

Heber
 
I have a Camilus Marine fighting knife that I got as a kid. That thing's taken tons of use and abuse in the field and it's still going strong with no sign of any sort of problem yet. If you have one, by all means use it outdoors - it's a super blade. If you don't already have one, I second the notion of a Becker (BK-2) as an alternative.

If you like the fighting knife though - I can't imagine being disappointed with that purchase.
 
Here's one I modded to use as a general purpose all-around woods/camp knife:

Ka-Barre-do003.jpg


Ka-Barre-do002.jpg
 
good job rayban you toof a work truck & made a sports car dennis.i never saw a ka-bar destroyed in 4 years in the marine corps . from deserts to jungles they never failed. given a choice today i would probably opt for the d2 version but would never have any problem jumping off with the ole timer. probably the beat all purpose knife ever made.
 
Any knife can be used in the woods - the only thing that will change is what it can do good, and maybe how you would use it. It wouldn't be my first choice, but it is definitely capable :thumbup:
 
i appreciate all the replies guys:) i'll probably end up picking one up, seeing how they are affordable.
 
Is the blade to tang connection a severe right angle?:confused:
If so, a stress could cause it to fail at that line. :eek:

I never liked the butt/cap or pommel to be so heavy.
It just adds weight, and it would be dangerous to use as a expedient-hammer,
as some would suggest. The knife itself, with the leather handle, is very light.

I think the fuller (and fullers in general) can be quite effective. (IMO ;) )

A few years ago, some Scandi and other foreign knives might have been a
better choice, but they have gone up in price. I like Leuku with 8 inch blade: light knife.

I could easily live with a K-bar; one of mine was Camilus; easy to sharpen,
with a 1" by 3/4" survival whet stone.

For any knife, I would prefer a lanyard hole:
1) can secure in sheath 2) can secure while cutting.

Beckers can be disassembled and cleaned of rust-gathering or toxic crap.
Think about that one, you One-knife fans. An honorary bow to Mr Becker.
In philosophy and execution, Beckers are just as military-utilitary as a Kbar, IMO.
Becker tangs are skeletonized, to make them lighter but the knives are heavy,
work-horse knives (heavier than advertised, in fact, i.e.Bk7).
A BK7, with hand-secured lanyard, and held at the pommel-area, would be
a very good chopper. Though I use an big axe or machete for chopping.
 
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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I used and carried either a Ka-Bar or a Randall Model 1-6". I interchanged them as I felt necessary, and I trusted my life to both. That I never felt "short-changed" or under-knifed using either the Ka-Bar or the Randall should tell you something.

I spent several weeks out in the high desert in the Winter of 1987, sleeping out under the stars in the Pahranagat Mountains and in the vicinity of Texas Dry Lake. I carried a Ka-Bar (Camillus manufacture) that I'd rehandled with black micarta. With it, I chipped ice from depressions in the rocks and melted it for my drinking water every day. It stood up to that "abuse" with no problem whatsoever.

Great knife!

Just my opinion,
Ron
 
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