Ka-Bar K2 line- $19.00 Knife

J

jlouis976

Joined
Feb 25, 2008
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396
https://www.kabar.com/product_detail.jsp?productNumber=6000&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Have any of you messed around with these? I picked one up a few months ago because it was so cheap and I wanted something to bang around and not worry about.......and I've gotta be honest- I've been really surprised by the knife. Has anyone else carried one of these before? I have a handful of spyderco's, kershaw's, buck's, case and other main manufacturers. Most of which I spent at least $50 on. I've noticed that since this knife is so cheap, I actually use it more because I'm not worried about damaging it. Do you all have any feelings about Ka-Bar in general? I've been thinking about picking up one of their new models. Looking forward to hearing from ya.
 
jlouis976 said:
https://www.kabar.com/product_detai...ryId=1,2,3,7,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical

Have any of you messed around with these? I picked one up a few months ago because it was so cheap and I wanted something to bang around and not worry about.......and I've gotta be honest- I've been really surprised by the knife. Has anyone else carried one of these before? I have a handful of spyderco's, kershaw's, buck's, case and other main manufacturers. Most of which I spent at least $50 on. I've noticed that since this knife is so cheap, I actually use it more because I'm not worried about damaging it. Do you all have any feelings about Ka-Bar in general? I've been thinking about picking up one of their new models. Looking forward to hearing from ya.
Click to expand...

I have not handled anything from their K2 line.

I have a KaBar Large Dozier and have handled several regular KaBar Doziers. I think they give excellent value for the money.

The Kabar Marine knives in 1095 are still considered a very good deal as a good tough general use knife. I do not have one myself. but have read posts from gents I trust.
 
For that particular model, the steel is on the low end, as is the hardness. HRC 50-52 is the kind of hardness you'd expect to find in a machete or Douk Douk. I think the Kabar Warthog folder in 4116 would probably be a better performer in edge holding. It even seems less expensive.
 
I have a Kabar dozier (about 5 inches long) and it had one of the sharpest factory edges of any knife I have ever owned. I've used it consistently now for about a year and I have been surprised and pleased as to how well it has held up. I've used it for about everything from apples to wood. I like the fact that its lightweight and doesn't pull on your your pants. It's lost its keen factory edge but it's still maintains a good sharpness. I have never sharpened it so I wouldn't know how it would do with sharpening. I've been pleased and it appears to me to be a good value for the money ($17.00-20.00). I would buy another one.
Larry
 
I have a K2-Folder with the Warthog blade, and boy, do I hate this knife!! Lock doesn't work, pivot loosens easily and the steel is just a joke. Make it sharp, look at it and it's dull again in an blink of an eye. Ok, that's exaggerated, but I really don't like the steel. And it is so soft, cause you simply just can't make it harder, there is not enough carbon in it. I wouldn't trade if I had the chance...
Thus being said, one of favorite knives is the Heavy Bowie from Ka-Bar, I really love that knife, and it's a bargain. I can get it pretty sharp and it does all kinds of chores with ease.
 
Out of curiosity I handled a few of the different models at Big5 and was not impressed in the least.
IMO , country of origin is not the issue as there are some pretty decent knives comin out of China these days , those knives are just not very well made.
 
I' ve inspected, handled and worked the actions on a few of these. They just felt cheap. Blades wiggled at their pivots, rubbed their liners, and could actually move their respective locking liners with ample force. Pivot pin adjustments did not help. It is actually more dangerous to use these type folders if you' re going to use them on a regular basis. Something is going to give at some point. So use your other $50 knives. That' s what they were made for.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
3cr13 is like 420 stainless. 50-52 rc is very, very low for a knife blade. Compare this with the similarly priced Byrd line with better steel by a longshot, and RC's people have measured up to RC 60-61. The steel in a Byrd, while still being easy to sharpen, holds it's edge much longer. There are Byrd lockbacks and framelocks too, for those with a preference. Joe
 
I love my Byrds! Hard to believe they also come from China, when you have a K2 folder in your hands. And you're absolutely right: Byrds are way better. It's pretty difficult to find a good knife with the F&F of a Byrd, of not impossible...
 
shecky said:
For that particular model, the steel is on the low end, as is the hardness. HRC 50-52 is the kind of hardness you'd expect to find in a machete or Douk Douk. I think the Kabar Warthog folder in 4116 would probably be a better performer in edge holding. It even seems less expensive.
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I agree. Probably a better knife. The fixed blade Warthog is darn good too.
 
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