Ka-bar or Ontario?

[AnonymousUser]

I am looking at "classic" survival knives like the Ka-Bar USMC or Ontario 499, any suggestions for a tough, usable knife with some history?

 

[TheUSMC2017]

Both are really nice, what's your price point, and what are you using it for?

 

[TwinStick]

Its all personal opinion i guess, but i would buy an Ontario Spec-Plus series over a traditional stacked leather KaBar anyday. IMHO, they are more of a hard use knife. They have thicker tangs. Beckers & many others are full width & full tang, which are the best for hard use. Traditional KaBars w/stacked leather handles have a rat tail tang. Google the differences & you will see.

I currently have the Ontario Spec-Plus SP8, SP10, SP17, SP47, SP Kukri. I have beat the snot out of em. Chopped through hardwood, batoned them through hardwood & then made feathersticks with em. Most would still shave paper when done, ALL only took a few swipes on the ceramic sticks to return to thier original hair shaving/paper shaving sharpness. The SP8 is one of my favorite.

 

[BushOgre]

As an OKC man and newly minted Ka-Bar man, I say buy both and let me borrow them.

 

[AnonymousUser]

I would like to pay at most $80. It would be used for chopping wood (kindling to medium sized), as well as general camp work like cutting saplings, making feathersticks, etc.

 

[TheUSMC2017]

If you want history behind it, I would go with the Ka Bar, though in all honesty there are better knives out there if history isn't important. Also, I forgot to mention in my first post; welcome to Bladeforums.

 

[AnonymousUser]

Thanks ^ Ka-bar was my original favorite, but I heard some complaints about the rat tang. Would the original Ontario 499 be more durable than the Ka-bar? ( I believe it's also rat tang)

 

[TheUSMC2017]

Also, keep in mind that most knives with history are going to be fighting knives; not the best for chopping wood and making feather sticks. The Ontario 499 is smaller, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with using it to chop wood. You shouldn't have any trouble with the rat tang; it's not going to break unless you abuse it.

 

[AnonymousUser]

Okay. Any suggestions for a full-tang knife, with a butt-cap you can hammer with, and a blade strong enough for battoning/prying? I would be willing to buy a modern design knife.

 

[TheUSMC2017]

You might try the Becker BK2, but a lot of the more modern knives don't have a pommel you can hammer with. I'll keep looking for you though.

 

[AnonymousUser]

Thanks so much for all the help USMC2017, I appreciate that I'm being pretty demanding.

 

[abrasion]

+1 on the BK2. Brute of a knife 1/4 inch thick and the newer generation models have an extened pommel, not meant for hammering per say but can in a pinch, more meant for hammering the point into something else. They are a great utility knife and chop and baton wood like butter. If you go to youtube Adam from Euiptment 2 Endure has some great videos on them, sold me for sure.

 

[TheUSMC2017]

You're welcome; if you're just doing light woodcutting then a ka bar should do fine, but honestly, I've never really hammered with it. I would go with a BK2 or another Becker if possible, they are very popular on this forum, and if you have questions about it, there are plenty of nice folk around here that would be happy to help.

 

[TwinStick]

Including the Master himself, "Uncle E".

 

[GingivitisKahn]

Kabar any day any model over Ontario - that's my opinion anyway. I wouldn't call the Kabar USMC a classic survival knife - rather a classic fighting knife. Its fine in the woods - I've used the heck out of mine and it's not broken yet - but if you want a really hard use outdoors knife that is comfortable and offers the highest performance with a very reasonable price tag then look no farther than the Kabar Becker BK2.

Wait - here's my new standard BK2 commercial. You want one.


It whittles tiny spoons and forks and things...

It chops seasoned oak for no good reason...

It cleans fish...

It batons...

It poses majestically...

It survives nuclear blasts...

What's not to love?

---

Beckerhead #42

 

[jmsodpc]

Check out fallkniven a1

 

[TheUSMC2017]

Keep in mind you can always use a rock or large piece of wood to hammer in tent stakes and those kinds of tasks.

 

[Sulaco]

Okay. Any suggestions for a full-tang knife, with a butt-cap you can hammer with, and a blade strong enough for battoning/prying? I would be willing to buy a modern design knife.

This fits your requirements perfectly:

 

[1066vik]

Kabar Navy Mk1 (5" blade) or OKC FF17 (6" blade)
both have "classic" combat knife pattern handles, steel butt caps for hammering, and a thin metal guard.
both have full length hidden tangs, so no cold spots during winter use.

BK2 is good, too.

 

[bryant R]

kabar