Ka-bar knives quality?

[Orthos]

Are ka-bar knives good, how well do they preform, are they sharp, etc.

I like their design allot and i am considering to buy one so i would appreciate any kind of information.

Thanks in advance.

 

[knarfeng]

Which model?
Good for what?
Sharp how? Out of the box? Retain an edge? Do they sharpen easily?

 

[ssunfish]

Orthos, you are starting a collection now..first your CS Taipan and now you want a Ka-Bar. I have heard some good about them and for the price you won't be out alot of money if they fail or dissapoint you a little or alot. If more knifenuts lived near each other we could carry our knives more openly and easily and get chances to try new brands and models...good for us not good for factories. I guess you wil have to get the one you like and put it through tests. Or you might find a review of the knife. People are always posting reviews of thier knives.

 

[popcornpicker]

I have a few older U.S made ones and they're OK. Factory support isn't much. They'll steer you to local people to do repair work. Buck is better quality and any work is done at their factory. Also guaranteed for life.

 

[ironraven]

By Ka-bar, do you mean the brand? Or do you mean k-bar, as in the common and misapplied knickname for the MkII combat/utility knife that was issued to all branches of the US military during WWII and the to this day by certain units of the Marine Corps?

If the later, MkIIs vary widely on who made them, just like any pattern.

If you mean Ka-bar the brand, I have, do, and will continue to trust my life, safety and comfort to one of thier MkIIs when I'm off the pavement and sometimes on it. It takes a shaving edge, holds it well. It's no trickier to maintain than any other quality carbon steel blade, and while I'd never be so stupid as to baton with it or try to fillete a rock or a car the way some "testers" would, it will take a lot of abuse. Why do you think the Marines have used it for 60 years?

I can't comment on most of thier imported folders or some of their newer fixed blades, but the Mule is impressive and sometimes gets carried when I can't carry it's big brother.

Keep in mind I have spydercos, benchmades, sogs, bucks and gerbers in my drawers at home. And I'm someone who uses a knife pretty much every day for one thing or another. The only other knives I bother to carry are my Leatherman, sometimes a SAK, and a cheapie folding kerambit for cutting cardboard and strapping.

 

[johnny reb]

The only good K-Bar knife that I have, is the Marine corps combat knife. I bought this knife over fifteen years ago, and it has seen a lot of heavy duty use. I have newer K-Bar knives, but the blade steel is inferior.

 

[Danno4017]

I have several Ka-Bars and for the money they are good value.
I have a Short black that I found too short but is well made and stands up ok in the Bush ( I gave it to my Son).
I have the KBD1 which is a fantastic knife for $40 bucks.
I also have a Ka-Bar Dozier spearpoint folder that cost $18 bucks and is one of my favourite knives.
The two fixed blades are USA made and the folder is Taiwan.
The old saying about you get what you pay for?
Nowadays it seems it applies less and less but in the case of Ka-Bars if you shop around you get more than you pay for.

 

[el fre]

a little baby girs is starting a collection...I can say only one thing ...WOW
good luck baby girl and try not to cut yourself, knifes tend to be sharp...