KA-BAR Tech Talk

davis297,

The 1221 has been discontinued from the K-BAR Line and is now in the Cutco sporting line. However, there may still be some KA-BAR 1221s in the pipeline so you can still probably find some available.

DJG,

No plans currently but one never knows.

Twinstick,

It's always good to see you guys. even though I don't have a lot of time to spend. You are a very loyal bunch of KA-BAR/Becker users so it's worth the trip up so you can buy swag at good prices.
I notice Ethan posted over on the Becker Forum so maybe his interest is sparked and he'll make it one day.

Best Regards,

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

Hello, new member here. I have several kabars with the kydex sheaths. Does kabar sell the accessory that attaches to the belt and to the strap extender on the sheath? Am I thinking of this setup right? I can't find a drop leg system that looks like it would work.

Thanks
 
RyanMac,

If I'm reading you correctly; all you need is a length of cordura strapping(Hopefully the same width as the sheath strap). It should be slightly longer than twice the length of your drop distance. Thread one end of the cordura strap through the extender; loop it up around your belt and then back down to the extender. Adjust for the correct distance; Weave the second end through the extender, double back through the extender as you would on a climbing harness buckle and you should be good to go.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

Just got the combat kukri, and I luuuurrves it. Congrats on an awesome design. Bought 2, had faith in you and your design. One thing:

20120904_171224.jpg


Missed a spot :P

I don't mind, just trying to find some fault in this thing, it's too damn perfect.
 
Qeth said:
Tooj,

Just got the combat kukri, and I luuuurrves it. Congrats on an awesome design. Bought 2, had faith in you and your design. One thing:

...

Missed a spot :P

I don't mind, just trying to find some fault in this thing, it's too damn perfect.
Click to expand...
Mine arrived yesterday also and I couldn't be happier! I've been on the lookout for a smaller khukri for a few years now.

Good job!
 
Qeth,

Glad you like the ComKhuk. Sorry about the p-coat chip. If you need a replacement, please send it in to KA-BAR, my attention and I'll replace it for you.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj said:
Qeth,

Glad you like the ComKhuk. Sorry about the p-coat chip. If you need a replacement, please send it in to KA-BAR, my attention and I'll replace it for you.

Best Regards,

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

The offer is appreciated, but I am satisfied with the ComKhuk, blemish and all. I do not think the missed spot in coating will change performance. Besides, I was planning on stripping one of the ComKhuks anyway, looks like I have a volunteer.
 
I read through this thread a few days ago and don't recall seeing a similar question being asked.

I recently purchased a 1217 and love it. I'm now considering one of the black kraton handled ones. I noticed that the piece directly under the cross guard, and the piece just above the pommel on the 1217, are absent on the kraton handled knives, which extend all the way from the guard to the pommel. Do those pieces offer some kind of support that is only necessary with the leather handles? Can you offer some insight into their omission on the kraton handled knives?
 
SpencerCE89 said:
I read through this thread a few days ago and don't recall seeing a similar question being asked.

I recently purchased a 1217 and love it. I'm now considering one of the black kraton handled ones. I noticed that the piece directly under the cross guard, and the piece just above the pommel on the 1217, are absent on the kraton handled knives, which extend all the way from the guard to the pommel. Do those pieces offer some kind of support that is only necessary with the leather handles? Can you offer some insight into their omission on the kraton handled knives?
Click to expand...


The full size and short version of the leather F/U knife, along with the Mk1 leather handle knife, all have the spacers between the leather and guard/pommel; none of the kraton models have them. As for why, I would make an educated guess of it having to do with using leather. I'm sure Toooj can easily enlighten us. I've noticed the current ontario 498 F/U and case proto version of the F/U both do not use spacers and the entire handle is leather...I'm fairly certain Ontario makes them both. Makes me think using spacers is somehow more expensive and gives better integrity to the handle if kabar is doing it :D punch punch :p

A rubberized fiber spacer was used up until recently. Kabar has since switched over to an injection molded plastic spacer. I have a kabar commando from the 40s, and the spacers are whats known as bakelite or an early phenolic resin plastic created by Leo Baekeland around 1905-07. To note, the leather handle/bakelite spacers on that commando are still tight as ever and holding up great 70 years later!! :thumbup:
 
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Spencer,

There are several reasons for the spacers. Originally they were made of rubberized fiber. In addition to dressing up a knife handle, the spacers acted as a processing barrier for the stacked leather washers. Turning down the leather to shape on the lathes, the cutters would more often than not, hit the guard and pommel. (Especially with the bent guard) The spacers, which were easily blanked to shape and allowed the cutters to be separated from the metal pieces. Now, in war time, fancy visuals went out the door.(Notice the red fiber washers on the first gen of the WWII F/U knives went away in the subsequent gens.) Also notice that not too much finishing went into blending the spacers and guards/pommels on those old knives.
These days, we switched over to molded plastic pieces as the rubberized fiber was increasingly more expensive and difficult to get. Our CNC leather lathe is much more accurate than the old lathes and we do a better job of finishing the interfaces of the spacers/leather/guard/pommel. Each maker of the F/U knife had some leeway to make the knife to their processes so variations are/were noticable and part of the game for collectors.
On the Kraton handled knives, the handle is lengthened to compensate for the spacers.

spydie,
Our testing shows that the stacked leather handles resist tang bending better than the Kraton handled knives. Yes, Ontario makes the Case versions of the F/U knife.
We also believe that the molded plastic spacers will shrink less and provide less leather "rattle" over time than the fiber spacers. So, good call.

Hope all of this helps.

Best Regards,

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

Are there plans to bring back the Becker BK-10 anytime soon? IMO, I think with the 10 being made of a thinner stock (well, that’s if you decide to keep it that way :)) than the 2 it'd nicely fill a gap between the 2 and tweeners.
 
CamH_16,

Yes. Stay tuned. The The small BeckerHead run of special 10s went well enough that KA-BAR will be putting it in the line. Sooner rather than later.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Ptod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
This thread is a perfect example of why I continue to buy Kabars, whether beckers/Mk's or even folders. Wish more companies for other types of products gave this much of a crap about how the customers were treated.
 
Dr. Rez,

Thanks for the compliments. It's nice to hear those once in a while.

While our parent company(Cutco) is fairly large, the size of the KA-BAR staff is small so we can give fairly personalized service. Also most of our staff enjoys outdoor activities so we actually test and use our product. No a bad gig when you get paid to do what you like.
Even as we grow, our main concern will be to continue giving great customer service.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Toooj said:
Dr. Rez,

Thanks for the compliments. It's nice to hear those once in a while.

While our parent company(Cutco) is fairly large, the size of the KA-BAR staff is small so we can give fairly personalized service. Also most of our staff enjoys outdoor activities so we actually test and use our product. No a bad gig when you get paid to do what you like.
Even as we grow, our main concern will be to continue giving great customer service.

Best Regards,

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

Well, from me and the others, Toooj, John, Joe, and everyone else, we are glad to have you guys. And lucky to boot.

Moose
 
Toooj,

I have a question about my 2 ka bars. I bought my mule folder about a week ago, and today i was carving up some wood, and it went great, i love this folder. but after going through a tough spot i saw that my blade had notched badly. Im so upset! is this covered under warranty? Ive also had my 1214 for a few weeks and used it twice carving and splitting a 2x4, ~7in in length, and im curious about the coating. Its worn and chipped off so easily. Is this common? Is it not as tough as i thought it would be? I fully expected wear and tear on the finish eventually. But through such light work, used twice? On another note, I love ka bar, and plan on buying a few more knives from you guys, so many great choices haha.

mule
IMG_20120920_154005_zps61f2ce44.jpg


1214
IMG_20120920_155159_zpse2e06a2e.jpg


IMG_20120920_155234_zps52e4f036.jpg
 
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Hey Toooj,

I just picked this up here on the exchange, what can you tell me about it?
Date, steel, and what do the numbers mean?
DSC02805_zps16ebad7b.jpg


DSC02796_zpsfff0d9c1.jpg


DSC02802_zps02837b4b.jpg


It's a handsome little knife! :D

Thank you kindly.
 
dylans,

What was your "tough spot" in the wood? a nail :) Seriously, knots are pretty hard and can deform, roll and chip out edges. Bladite has a whole archived section over in the Becker forum on the discussion of wood knots and their destructive nature on knife edges. Even the best knife steels wear, chip, and roll. It is not a matter of only using the knife twice. It is more a matter of how the knife was used during those two times. The black coating on the MULE is teflon and will wear off fairly easily.
The black coating on the 1214 is epoxy powder coat and is much more durable, but again, it is a matter of how the blade was used.
If you are unhappy with the knives, you can: 1) send them back to the dealer where you bought them for exchange or refund or 2) send them back to KA-BAR for exchange. (We won't refund if you didn't purchase from us) If you take route #2, please send to my attention.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

Your knife is the KA-BAR Club knife for 1991.
There were two knives that year:
PTP91 called the "First Mate"
PTP91/DL called the "Captain"
You have the "Captain" which was the more expensive model
The "First Mate" had Maize handles, brass Hinge Bolsters/Cap and no etching on the blade
The "Captain" Model had "Black Eye Patch" Handles, Nickel-Silver Hinge Bolsters?Cap and the Gold etching on the blade

The Stamp stands for : (PTP) Pirate Tooth Pick, (91) 1991, (DL) Deluxe. The #362 is the serial number. There were 500 "Captains" and 800 "First Mates" produced.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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