ka-bar mark 1 vs traditional

frankenfish · Sep 27, 2011

im heading down to cabelas on thursday to pick out my birthday present from my parents. i'm torn between the mark 1 and the tradition ka-bar fighting/utility you-know-the-one knife. anybody have any reasons why one or the other is better or should i just make a spur of the moment decision when i get there?

Vicarious Reality · Sep 27, 2011

Flat ground Mk.1 seems more useful, especially without back guard

blademaster01 · Sep 27, 2011

mark 1
blade is 5 inches ,
its a nice knfe

stabman · Sep 27, 2011

Vicarious Reality said:
Flat ground Mk.1 seems more useful, especially without back guard

Bingo.

I ground the back guard off my original Kabar.
The MK1 has it already not there, plus the flat gind is nice.
Also, the handle is shaped wonderfully. It will prevent hand fatigue from extended use.
(I'm talking about the stacked leather handled one)

Dorito Monk · Sep 27, 2011

Vicarious Reality said:
Flat ground Mk.1 seems more useful, especially without back guard

+1.

I've owned several traditional kabar knives but I've ended up selling or getting rid of each one. Although I love the look of them and the history behind the design, I just don't find them too practical. The smaller size, the flat grind, the sharpening choil, and the lack of rear guard on the Mk. 1 make it a much more useful knife for my purposes.

FAL'ER · Sep 28, 2011

I'd say get the mark I, preferably with the leather handles.

frankenfish · Sep 28, 2011

thanks for the info guys. mark 1 it is

puukkoman · Sep 28, 2011

Good choice. I think if you had two knives, one with a 5" blade and one with a 7" blade, you'd probably use the 5" blade way more.
But... Get the stacked leather handle! True American classic style.

BillWolfel · Sep 28, 2011

If you want a fighting knife, get the 7" Ka-Bar. If you want a more useful knife, get the Mark 1.

frankenfish · Sep 29, 2011

So, i didnt end up getting the mark 1, they were sold out. Instead of getting the traditional ka-bar which looks cool but i couldn't see myself using it all that much i got an SOG NW Ranger. From what i've read around it seems like a solid knife. what do you guys think?

blademaster01 · Oct 2, 2011

well,i think next time around get the mark1

Gadfly22 · Oct 2, 2011

I prefer the Mark 1 for its plainer flat ground blade. But it's also "traditional". It's just traditional US Navy versus traditional US Marine Corps. My dad had a knife like the Mark 1 in WW2.