KA-BAR Tech Talk

Mr. Tooj,

While looking at my Beckers and my War Sword , the following question came to my mind. Who decides where each line of knives is made? Is that something that the designer of the knife requests or is it done in the most cost effective way? Anyway, I apologize if this has been asked before. Thanks for your time, have a good day!
 
blazerman,

There is no set process. Sometimes it's the designer, most times it's us at KA-BAR trying to balance the manufacturing capacity of all of our contractors. Cost plays factor as well as capabilities, timing, scheduling; etc.
What we try to do is get the consumer the best products at the best price we can.
Some designers don't need or want to be involved with any of that kind of discussion. Other designers have non-negotiables when it comes to country of origin, cost, materials and manufacturing processes.
We are like the plate spinners at the circus trying to keep 10 plates all spinning on the end of poles.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj said:
Other designers have non-negotiables when it comes to country of origin, cost, materials and manufacturing processes.
We are like the plate spinners at the circus trying to keep 10 plates all spinning on the end of poles.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
Click to expand...

There's a word for that.

Divas. :D

Toooj, from the bottom of my heart, from all the guys here, and the Beckerheads, thank you and all of Kabar, your work is most appreciated, even if its not always showing.

Moose
 
Moosez45 said:
Toooj, from the bottom of my heart, from all the guys here, and the Beckerheads, thank you and all of Kabar, your work is most appreciated, even if its not always showing.

Moose
Click to expand...
What Moose said. You guys rock.
 
Toooj said:
blazerman,

There is no set process. Sometimes it's the designer, most times it's us at KA-BAR trying to balance the manufacturing capacity of all of our contractors. Cost plays factor as well as capabilities, timing, scheduling; etc.
What we try to do is get the consumer the best products at the best price we can.
Some designers don't need or want to be involved with any of that kind of discussion. Other designers have non-negotiables when it comes to country of origin, cost, materials and manufacturing processes.
We are like the plate spinners at the circus trying to keep 10 plates all spinning on the end of poles.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response I really appreciate it. I'd also like to echo what Moose said, there are plenty of threads out there bashing Kabar for a crappy sheath or a scratch on the blade but you need to look far and in between to find one that thanks you for everything you do. Thank you for everything you've done, are doing, and will do; you've got a lifelong customer in me! It's an exciting time to be a Kabar fan :thumbup:
 
All,

Thanks for the support. We are really trying to do our best for not only for the Becker fans but also for TDI, Dozier, Johnson and KA-BAR fans. We have grown tremendously in the past three years so it sometimes seems that we aren't quite as responsive as in the past. However, we understand that our growth has come because of great customers like all of you guys (And Gals) So, we, at KA-BAR would like to say "Thanks" to all of you for your support.

Blazerman: It is an exciting time. Hang on:The ride is just starting.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
good to know you recycle all that stuff! you guys put out great products, absolutely love all my KBs.

Another question: the tweeners coating - it kinda feels like truck bed coating spray. What is it?
 
zuluninja,

The new coating is a Hybrid Epoxy/Polyester powdercoat that textures when going through the oven. Sort of does look like truck bed coating. People have mentioned that it is more wear resistant than the smooth coating. The epoxy should be more wear resistant but I think what people are seeing is the raised peaks of the texture taking the brunt of the initial wear. When the peaks wear down, the coating will start to wear evenly.....But I suspect a lot of people will never see that as they tend to strip the p-coating off immediately after purchase. :)
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Ev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
yeah, I thought about stripping my 17, but I'm gonna give it a chance and see how this coat fares against whatever. Thanks!
 
Mr Tsujimoto,
If you dont mind me asking, how big is the Ka-Bar factory and what kind of machines do you have there? Also, how are the knives ground? I'm talking about the bevels and edge not the actual shape...Guessing you need more than a $40 1"x30" belt sander :D.

Also, can you tell us anything more about this material change?

Toooj said:
BRL, Yes. we plan on having a small material change to one of the Beckers. We had a lot more but time ran out.
Click to expand...

PS: What happened to this Lazer engraved saber ground BK-16 :eek:? (Seems like one hell of a collectors item) seen here.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Hey tooj, I.was looking at a old 50's folder on the bay. I can't seem to find any additional info on it on the web and was wondering I'd you had any info... On the listing it says its a 31130 Navy knife salesman sample, rosewood handles 1950's stamping. If you could tell me how rare, sizes etc that would be great
 
CamH,

The Cutco/KA-BAR Factory is the largest in the US. I don't know where that ranks in the world but I suspect we are maybe #3-5. There are 3 campuses in the Olean area; East State St: 5 Buildings; Seneca Street: 1 Building and Homer St: 1 Building.(The KA-BAR Building), plus sales offices and stores across the US.
The factory is highly automated with CNC and Robotics. (When I started 16 years ago, that was not the case) The grinders are CNC Siepmann Grinders. A few old anolog grinders. Most of the factroy workers are now more "Technicians" than hand laborers. However, they are still pretty skilled. Occasionally they have to touchup or perform on the wheels and belts and it is great to see them use those old skills.

Sorry, but You'll have to come to Blade and see what the new product is.


KabarCamper,

I'll look it up. If you can, please post some pictures.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
here ya go tooj, sorry but the computer was down yesterday. Thanks for the help
kabar.jpg

kabar3.jpg

kabar2.jpg
 
Thanks for the insight Toooj! I knew Ka-Bar was big but not THAT big. As for blade show...Under 18's and knives dont go well together in my experience :D.
 
Tooj,

I was wondering if you could help me. I am trying to determine the approximate date of a Ka-Bar 1207 a friend of mine has. He was given a whole box of very respectable knives and the Ka-Bar was one of the ones that stood out. If you could please offer up some of your assistance, thank you.

20120517065408.jpg


Regards,
Ron
 
kabarcamper,

Sorry for the late response....I have to do some work once in a while.

You got most of the info correct. Model is #1133 Rope knife. Handle material is rosewood. Can't talk value on the forum but it is not particulary rare. That stamp was used from the 1950-1970s. I am guessing that model ws produced in the mid to late 60s.

ron_m,

Hard to place an exact date as the 1207 was produced over a 40 year span.
I'm guessing 50-70s maybe even up to 1980. If it has a stainless blade most likely 1970-80. It is in very good shape.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
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