Ka Bar Question?

J

janne

Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
30
I think i want to buy some ka bar bowie next. maybe that traditional USMC model. I was wondering how the blade is connected to the handle? Is it durable connection even if it isnt full tang? Ive heard only good things about that knife but still i want to know that.. Thanx
 
Incidentally, I just recently bought one myself... Anyhow, to answer your question;

Ka-Bar's famous oval-shaped leather handle construction is accomplished by compressing leather washers on to the tang, shaping and coloring them, and then fastening them on with a pinned-on butt cap. The butt cap or pommel is attached to the handle of a knife with a steel pin. The pin is inserted into the butt cap, driven part way though the tang, then ground off and painted
Click to expand...
(some site from a Google search)

The tang is the full length of the handle, just not the full width. I haven't done too much hard work with mine yet, but it feels very solid.

Hope this helps. :)

Kyp
 
I have a k-bar here and it's just like Kyp Degal said. Full length, but not full width all the way through. The first third of the tang is pretty much full width, and the rest is thinner. This just lightens the knife without altering toughness by much.

It's a rock solid knife. One shoudn't be afraid to use it hard... though a 1/4" stock could be better. The ka-bars are 3/8" thick.

Cheers,

David
 
If you need a heavier blade profile than the stock Kabar, you could consider the Kabar fighter (wider blade), or the Kabar heavy bowie, which with a sharpened false edge and at almost 1/4" thick is equally a devastating defensive tool, and a better chopper.

I've had many Kabars in and out of the Marines, and have never seen one break, and for a strict fighter or combo knife of light weight, hard to do much better than the standard USMC kabar or next generation.

For heavier work my current project is lightly modifying a $39.95 1085 hi carbon 9" Kabar large heavy bowie which I've used my random orbital sander w/hi alumina pads to sharpen the false edge. Take my word for it, it is one fearsome and razor sharp piece of steel (extremely tough). The grind is excellent, and is razor sharp out of the box. And at 9" blade length and with a kraton G grip very capable of almost any task I can imagine.

I would post some pictures, but currently have no convenient place to host (anyone desiring a digital picture can PM me their email and I will send it to you).

The other day I was cleaning the blade with a little lighter fluid, and accidentally cut completely through the rag I was using an into my finger. It was thankfully a small cut that bled profusely and didn't want to stop, but one that was absolutely convincing that a serious cut with this knife would be a devastating event indeed.

The sharpened false edge makes this thing seemingly handle like a cross between a roman short sword, a pirates cutlass, but with an edge that resembles something the barber uses on your neck.

I can honestly recommend the Kraton G handles on these knives. They improve the grip dramatically and make any task much easier (the leather is slippery by comparison).

No doubt the Kabar sheath knives are excellent in every respect, especially price wise.
 
For the price it is the strongest knife you can find.Knives twice the price aren't as strong,tough or as durable.
 
Thank you all! Just those things I wanted to hear. I wondered if kraton handles are as tough as leather ones and now i know.. I think I go for USMC model with kraton handle. As soon as i get my next paycheck:)
 
Let me tell you, the kraton G handle is tough.

I used a next generation model (w/kraton handle) to clear almost 5 acres of hardwood saplings, and stickers off my property before we built our log house. It was also used extensively to cut trails.

The handle still looks like new.

The grip made me a believer in such grippy handles and made the work infinitely easier. Before this I had only had leather handles on my Kabars. No comparison.

I'm sure the kraton G handle can be cut, torn or abraded with enough abuse or the right tool, but I can't imagine a situation where it could be done without intending to do so.
 
Well, if I had gotten here sooner, I would have posted something similar to what inthewoods and leatherbird said. If I had to give you a recommendation get the fighter (wider blade). I have taken this one on three hunting trips/camping trips to Virginia and it still looks almost brand new. I only tore a little bit off of a couple of serrations, but other than that it is still flawless. Like leatherbird said, they are dollar for dollar the best knives in the world hands down. I have compared them to knives that are twice to triple the price and they still will usually come out ahead by a descent margin of functional and practical performance.

In regards to the black fighter, $ for $ it is the best knife i own.

Go with the ka-bar buddy, you won’t regret it.

Cutlass
 
I will buy a Ka-Bar:thumbup: but is it USMC model with kraton handle or Black fighter?
Tough one:) How about Ka Bar KBD1? Well i still like USMC more. Well My paychek
comes 15th of feb. so i got time to think about that:D
 
Ihave a next generation in d2 with graton handle the d2 has black coating one tough knife
 
Those Kraton handled,D2,Next Generation KA-BAR's are just incredibly tough and strong,I've had one for about two years and given it some extreme workouts and it just asks for more.Sharpened it about 4 times,a few touch ups and cleanings.My 2 cents.
Doug
 
I finally got the chance to use my USMC a bit, and I will say I'm impressed. It's not so great for heavy chopping, what with the neutral balance, but it's still hair-flinging sharp, and it cuts like nobody's business. For small saplings and the like, and just general use, it doesn't seem like it can be beat. Until I can afford a Swamp Rat, that is... :-P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top