KA-BAR Tech Talk

NB40, there's been discussion in the last 6-8 months on these boards about that line of KA-BAR knives at one point having some rattling issues. I had a Warthog that had the same problem. I don't think there's the slightest chance of the blade loosening even further. I drilled out my lanyard tube and took the blade out, but my suggestion would be to just pump as much epoxy as you can into the gaps in the handle on the guard end and call it good.
 
NB40,

BRL is correct. The first run of machetes had a slight looseness in the handles. Don't worry no chance of the blade coming out but it is a distraction. You can squeeze epoxy or cyanoacrylate into the blade/handle gap and it should tighten up the looseness....or you can send it in and we will replace. Are working with our contractor to fix the problem.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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


The leather MK1 is a Blue Ridge Cutlery exclusive. I don't think you can order a replacement sheath. However, try our Customer Service dept. They are pretty good and they might have one you can buy.
Sorry for all of the late responses. It is getting very hard to respond as quickly as I was able a while back.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Thank you Toooj & BRL, appreciate you replying so promptly. I will give it some cyanoacrylate and see how it goes.
Regards.
 
Just read this whole thread. What an awesome Q&A. Highly enjoyable.
 
Toooj,
Any chance you could get your hands on a sabre ground BK16 (not a fpr) & bring it to the gathering ? I'd gladly take it off your hands. Just wondering.

Thanks
Mike
 
Twinstick,

Can't promise anything but let me see what I can find in inventory.

Best Regards,

Paul Tujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj,
I know the topic of customers being able to purchase the Grivory handles for the BK&T knives has been brought up often. However, I have a custom kydex sheath coming for a BK7 and the maker says these will only fit with the grivory handles unless otherwise specified. I am not into micarta for a real user knife. How can I get my hands on extra sets of these grivory scales? If purchasing them still isn't possible, why hasn't Ka-Bar made them available even though quite a few (just from my observation) customers are interested in these? I think it could be a win-win thing, maybe I am wrong. Ka-bar could make a little extra money selling these and customers can get what they want and Ka-Bar doesn't have any extra manufacturing costs to produce these since they are something which are already being produced, correct?

Thank you
EO
 
I'm not sure if this is a technical question or not. My USMC KA-BAR came with a sheathe that had staples instead of rivets. Was this a common construction method at one point or is it a counterfeit?
 
EODM,
Sorry for the wait. Your handle question was important enough that we discussed it in our PD meeting.
For the time being the answer is: No.
There are a lot of things to consider when we do any product. In addition to the large amount of work involved with getting the handle product to market, there are legal ramifications, contracts, right of usage..blah, blah, blah that must be looked at.
That may or may not change in the future.

Charlie_K,

There have been multiple sheath makers through the years and the rivets versus the staples have varied depending on the maker. Both methods are legit. Right now they are rivets. Way back in 1942, they were staples. From 1976 to present, there have been a mix.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

I just got a 1217. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality at this price point. Thanks for making this iconic knife. I was curious why 1219 now refers to the Army model instead of the USMC and was wondering if you know the hardness range on the original WWII 1219C2's? Thanks.
 
btrous,

On behalf of the entire KA-BAR gang, thanks for your kind words.
1217 vs. 1219? That change happened before my time. A question that has crossed my mind also.
The original hardness was 55-57HRc...today it is 56-58 HRc.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
I have a sheath question. How would I go about getting a glass free sheath for a USMC? I love the overall feeling of the sheath that I have (w/glass) but it dulls my knife, and makes me sad.
 
ursamajor,

The USMC F/U knife comes with a glass free sheath...it's called leather. :)
Seriously, if you aren't happy with the sheath options available through KA-BAR, there are many custom sheath makers on Blade Forums and elsewhere that will be more than happy to make you one.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul TSujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj said:
ursamajor,

The USMC F/U knife comes with a glass free sheath...it's called leather. :)
Seriously, if you aren't happy with the sheath options available through KA-BAR, there are many custom sheath makers on Blade Forums and elsewhere that will be more than happy to make you one.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

Sorry, I saw that they were doing something for the BK2, was wondering if they were doing something similar for the 5017.
 
Whitethrone,

I think the small tanto had a flat grind. The 1245 tanto had the hollow ground primary. I'm on vacay right now but I'll check the drawings tomorrow.

Edit: Whitethrone: You are correct. They changed to a flat grind last year. The reason was a new CNC flat grinder and an overload at the hollow grinders

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
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Are the D2 Extreme Fighting Knives (1281) still going to be discontinued? In February you said they were, but they are still on Kabar's and Tomar's website.

If they are not going to be discontinued, please suggest they be offered in full plain edge.

I'm sad to see the Next Generation discontinued. I bought the last plain edge one I could find.
 
Toooj,
Is KaBar/becker ever going to release a knife similer to the 11/14 but with a clip point. Also what are the odds of a wharncliff style blade?
Thanks
 
Toooj,

We REALLY appreciate you taking the time to attend the WNY GATHERING. It means a lot to us. From all who attended, thank you.

Bring Ethan sometime ! LOL :D

Mike
 
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