Ka-bar Replacement?

[SALTY]

KaBar makes some good knives and they stand behind their products. The KaBar manufacturered Becker BK-7 has been mentioned by others in this thread - and for good reason. I've got got a bunch of Becker knives and they work quite well for me. I also have, and like, the Cold Steel SRK knives, especially in 3V but the full tang coupled witht he handles on the Beckers woudl hold up much netter to military use and abuse. For your stated budget you could throw in a quality multi-tool as well; it'll prbably get used more than the knife.

In fact, for >$250 you could get a Becker BK-7, a good multi-tool and a Cold Steel Recon 1 folder and be very well kitted out!

 

[luethge]

Full tang, durable, fair price, good warranty - Esee 4 is probably perfect - the CM6 would be my vote though ( second from last on right )

 

[Riz!]

I have what I am sure will be an unpopular choice: Gerber Strongarm.
420HC is tougher than 1095 CroVan. And it's stainless. And it's Cerakoted.
The 4.8" blade is long enough to reach vitals, but not so long that it gets in the way when moving around. And it weighs in at 7 oz.
stupid strong with a 3/16" full tang blade with a flat ground sabe grind to maximize the strength of the blade. That's where it outshines the SK5 SRK
The knife is perfectly ballanced directly under the forward finger. (That's where it outshines the Cold Steel SRK in 3V)
Excellent grip. Easily retained in the hand.
It's been thoroughly tested as an outdoors knife. Same knife passed around to multiple reviewers. Every reviewer gave it a thumbs up.

I second this. Dont forget its got a great sheath. i have a strongarm and its a great choice. It makes a great fixed blade for the masses. if it was my only general purpose fixed blade Ide be totally fine with that.

 

[oldmanwilly]

Wait, this is the obvious answer. Just a smidgen over budget.

 

[Ruari]

In fact, for >$250 you could get a Becker BK-7, a good multi-tool and a Cold Steel Recon 1 folder and be very well kitted out!

Nice choices, but where are you getting them for these prices?!

 

[w]

View attachment 2434069

Full tang, durable, fair price, good warranty - Esee 4 is probably perfect - the CM6 would be my vote though ( send to last from right )

Gotta love the CM6View attachment 2434197

 

[SALTY]

Nice choices, but where are you getting them for these prices?!

The BK-7 is readily available at just over $100 but can be found for $100 or a tad less when a NIB private deal comes along. My stable of BK-9s (vack ups for the back ups) believe it or not was about $100 each.

The Recon 1 is $100 or less - although some are advertised at just over $100.

That leaves $50 for a multi-tool. No, you're not getting a LM Surge or Charge for $50, but the Sidekick - same as Wingman but substitutes a wood saw blade in lieu of the scissors can be had for about $50. Admittedly they have crept up in price but you can catch a sale now and again or a NIB private deal.

Most of my stash was acquired pre-scamdemic and pre-B1denomics - that's where my $250 came from. In a quick search that $250 very well might be a little more now.

 

[Terry M.]

Anything by William Harsey or Ethan Becker in the range of price.

 

[Toomanyquestions]

When they asked Ethan Becker to re-imagine the Marine Corps "Ka-Bar" in a "modern" design, he gave 'em the BK-7...



View attachment 2433665

I had forgotten about that nice clip on the BK 7!

 

[Toomanyquestions]

Tasks for a knife for a soldier would be way more important than being used as a close quarters weapons. I dont know what kind of fantasies some people have about soldiers getting into hand hand combat knife fights but it just doesnt happen as often as people think. give em something that can take abuse and don't worry about the tactical side of the blade. Esee 4. Cheap, strong and can take abuse like crazy and best warranty in the biz.

Of course you are correct. Yet as you noted, tactical knife use does happen - see Bennett, Edward A., Medal of Honor recipient. Land of the Free because of the Brave.

​

 

[Toomanyquestions]

I gather the Cold Steel SRK is pretty popular and effective, even better when paired with an SAK, Leatherman, and/or a decent pocket knife. So something like that.

That is about what I would expect: I can really see the utility of a multi-tool, but cannot imagine not having a significant edged blade of some sort (stout folder, SRK, etc.).

 

[coolbreezy37]

I think the Becker BK7 or Spartan Harsey Kabar are awesome choices!

 

[Toomanyquestions]

Gotta love the CM6View attachment 2434197

Do you have any idea why they opted to forgo the lanyard hole on this one (my best guess is that maybe the colab guy doesn't like 'em)? In my limited experience a lanyard can occasionally be helpful.

 

[coolbreezy37]

I have no experience with the CM6 (or any 6 of the Esee line), but I have other Esees and you cannot go wrong with them. The quality, durability, and warranty are all excellent.

 

[Chuck_Nunface]

Rhk or Medford if you want to stay in the kabar style. Full tang construction makes them sturdier

 

[CVamberbonehead]

I would just keep the KaBar, it has been working fine since WW2. Lol

It fits the bill just fine, it completes ordinary tasks and it can be a fighting weapon. Just like you asked. And it isnt that expensive. Especially the Camillus version that is actually military issue.

 

[Pirate63]

Got that pattern covered

 

[texpat]

Tasks for a knife for a soldier would be way more important than being used as a close quarters weapons. I dont know what kind of fantasies some people have about soldiers getting into hand hand combat knife fights but it just doesnt happen as often as people think. give em something that can take abuse and don't worry about the tactical side of the blade. Esee 4. Cheap, strong and can take abuse like crazy and best warranty in the biz.

A tool for a soldiers ordinary tasks?
SAK or a MT.

Close quarters weapon?
First of all never get in this situation.
Use your rifle. Even when dry its a nice club.

Forget Hollywood.
The regular grund doesnt need a fixed blade on daily basis.

Go ask a company what they need for a tool on their person they want to carry day in day out.

I never served myself, but have a bunch of friends who have and have talked with them about this very subject and they seemed to agree with the above quotes basically. Based on their input, I would think that maybe the Becker BK-2 would be a great choice, not overly long, short 1/4" thick full tang blade that seems near indestructible.

 

[Velitrius]

I have what I am sure will be an unpopular choice: Gerber Strongarm.
420HC is tougher than 1095 CroVan. And it's stainless. And it's Cerakoted.
The 4.8" blade is long enough to reach vitals, but not so long that it gets in the way when moving around. And it weighs in at 7 oz.
stupid strong with a 3/16" full tang blade with a flat ground sabe grind to maximize the strength of the blade. That's where it outshines the SK5 SRK
The knife is perfectly ballanced directly under the forward finger. (That's where it outshines the Cold Steel SRK in 3V)
Excellent grip. Easily retained in the hand.
It's been thoroughly tested as an outdoors knife. Same knife passed around to multiple reviewers. Every reviewer gave it a thumbs up.

Thought of the Strongarm immediately myself

Tough, stainless, good ergos, affordable and Made in USA.

The Coyote Brown one with the black blade of course.

 

[eveled]

I would just keep the KaBar, it has been working fine since WW2. Lol

It fits the bill just fine, it completes ordinary tasks and it can be a fighting weapon. Just like you asked. And it isnt that expensive. Especially the Camillus version that is actually military issue.

Camillus went out of business in 2007. They make garbage now and put Camillus name on it.