Ka-bar Mk1 vs Short Ka-bar

[pastormarty]

I would love to hear a comparison of the feel of the handle in the hand and the pros/cons of the blade geometry of each.

 

[lonewolf_94]

can someone post a side by side of the short kabar and the mk1?

 

[Garandimal]

Well...

Mk1 Navy

Short KA-BAR


The Mk1 is balanced at about the second (2nd) finger from the guard, and the handle is a good medium diameter and shape for a fist grip and slicing/whittling work. The leather handle is slick, but that can be fixed. The blade is broad and thin.

The Short KA-BAR is balanced at the first (1st) finger from the guard, and the handle is of a small diameter and shape for a flat grip, like a double-edge knife, or a reverse grip for stabbing. The leather handle is slick, but that can be fixed. The blade is narrow and fairly thick. Good for field-dressing small to medium game and as a light utility knife.


I carry the Short KA-BAR as my field belt knife because it is light, tough, and has perfectly balanced.

The Mk1 is my camp knife and goes into the day-pack as a second knife for slicing/bushcraft chores.


Really like both, buy they are not interchangeable.

 

[The Warrior]

I would love to hear a comparison of the feel of the handle in the hand and the pros/cons of the blade geometry of each.

KA-BAR forum: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/874-Ka-Bar-Knives

 

[Garandimal]

can someone post a side by side of the short kabar and the mk1?

Why, yes... yes we can.

 

[Dr Rez]

Will a Kabar Short leather sheath hold the Mark 1?

 

[Garandimal]

Will a Kabar Short leather sheath hold the Mark 1?

Yes... but it won't like it.

The Mk1's thicker handle will probably cause the top-leather to stretch out pretty bad. The Mk1's sheath has a double-thick spacer in the seam to accommodate it.

The Mk1's blade is also broader, so it would probably have a tendency to cut the "Short" sheath until it was formed to the new size.

 

[Dr Rez]

That sucks I have been looking around on ebay and such for a sheath from the leather handled Mk1 with no luck. I really didnt feel like shelling out the big bucks for a custom leather one. And I doubt any customs are going to be under 30 bucks likes the original.

Just cant justify spending more on a sheath than the actual knife is worth you know?

 

[Garandimal]

That sucks I have been looking around on ebay and such for a sheath from the leather handled Mk1 with no luck. I really didnt feel like shelling out the big bucks for a custom leather one. And I doubt any customs are going to be under 30 bucks likes the original.

Just cant justify spending more on a sheath than the actual knife is worth you know?

Well...

I put my Mk1 in my 1250 sheath...

...fit fine except for wanting to come back out because of the thicker handle.


Me...?

I'd get that $12.00 1250 sheath, heat-n-treat it w/ all the Sno-seal it will take, jam the Mk1 all the way in it and stretch the retaining snap closed...

...then bag it up and put it under the mattress for a week or so.

Then work the leather around the knife by hand to finish the fitting. (or over a steam kettle)


Should work out fine...



GR

 

[Dr Rez]

Thanks for advice Ill do that. I actually already have a big thing of snow seal I bought from waterproofing my USMC. I didnt realize how big the jar was and now I will have enough snoseal for the rest of my natural born life.