KA-BAR Tech Talk

Too lazy to read through the thread to see if this has been asked, but, are there any plans in the near future to offer colored versions of the full size Becker scales? I know orange is a popular choice, but, as an olive drab freak, I would love to get some OD scales. Have always wanted this option, but since the orange scales came out for the 14, it's been making me think about them even more. Thanks.
 
Since we're talking about coloured handles and just to confirm (saw something about this somewhere at some time), will the rest of the BK line start getting a set of those coyote brown handles and not just the tweeners? I kinda like them...

Oh and by the way Toooj (how many "Os" is it :D), I really really appricate all the tips, info and advice you've given me and the others...Sorry I cant say more than that man, I'm terrible with thank yous and compliments :p.
 
Warrior/Cam,

That is something that will have to be brought up in our Prod Dev meetings and also with Ethan. Occasionally our mold shop or mold contractor will send over a sample to us....desert tan, foliage green, doughboy brown, etc. So far only the doughboy brown has made it; mostly because Ethan wanted to separate the Bk-15,16,17 from the large Becker line.
So far the answer is no but we keep our ear to the railroad track so if there is enough talk, we can make a short run and sell them as accessories.

Cam, "Toooj" started with two "O"s but then accidently moved to three.

A big "Thanks" to you and everyone that frequents the KA-BAR and Becker sub forums. We appreciate your participation. They have grown far more than we ever anticipated.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Thanks Tooj, much appreciated. I sure hope some OD ones come out one of these days.
 
Psyop/ Warrior,

The Micarta Becker handles are green. But if you are talking about the "Toxic Green" color on the Zombie knives, that won't be happening on the Beckers. We have looked at other Military green colors (OD and others)for the Beckers but haven't found one that
all of us agree on. (All of us meaning: Ethan and the KA-BAR Prod Dev team.)
The good thing is that the Prod Dev Team is quite open minded (AKA: ADHD) so the color decision may change. :D

PS: Psyops: Love the Honey Badger Avatar

Best Regards,

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

The Micarta Becker handles are green. But if you are talking about the "Toxic Green" color on the Zombie knives, that won't be happening on the Beckers. We have looked at other Military green colors (OD and others)for the Beckers but haven't found one that
all of us agree on. (All of us meaning: Ethan and the KA-BAR Prod Dev team.)
The good thing is that the Prod Dev Team is quite open minded (AKA: ADHD) so the color decision may change. :D

PS: Psyops: Love the Honey Badger Avatar

Best Regards,

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

I was meaning some sort of military green grivory, OD, Coyote, Tan as for the micarta unless it has changed all mine have been tan or brown?

IMG_0864_zpse09115c6.jpg


DSCN0050_zpsfe7e0530.jpg


This one has darkened up with use.
IMG_1562_zps7a6fdc39.jpg


Probably wont matter but Im very disappointed that the BK6 has been canceled. I would have no problem with a $200 MSRP now the Brute I wouldnt pay that much for.
 
Visuals are always good:

Before:

BK2_h_lg.png


After:

BK2_h_lg2.png
 
Last edited:
DJG097 said:
What ever happened to the BH micarta idea? I would have bought those in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I ran outta money.

The plan was to get micarta from Kabar, then have them etched by a 3rd party.

I just.................ran outta money.

Moose
 
Toooj;

I was thinking recently that KA-BAR uses hollow grinds on a lot of knives, seemingly more than other manufacturers. Some of these knives are marketed as (and perform as) very hard-use tools... but it seems like a hollow grind would be risky for chipping. Do you see a slight uptick in the number of hollow ground knives that fail somehow? Or is it a generally dependable grind and not much different than saber, ffg, etc?
 
BRL,

Hollow grinds can be fragile but there are things that can be done to make a hollow grind stronger. For example: The JAB Pot belly is hollow ground and it is a chopping beast...along with being a pretty fair skinner and slicer. All good axes have a hollow ground geometry. So hollow grinds can be strong. Do we use more hollow grinds than other companies? Maybe...but it is because we actually have hollow grinders while other companies may not.
What determines hollow vs flat grinds? We, in conjunction with our designers, determine a set of design parameters: purpose of knife, material, thickness, grind, etc, etc. This is what determines what the knife becomes.
Which grind is more fraglie? We have long determined that the user is more of a factor than the type of grind. Do we see more broken hollow ground vs flat ground blades? No. Broken blades are a very, very small percentage of defect...less than a third of one percent. (0.03%)
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
Thanks Toooj, very interesting stuff.

Would be very interesting in you expanding on your comment about the user being more of a factor... might help us all become better KA-BAR owners.
 
Toooj said:
BRL,

Hollow grinds can be fragile but there are things that can be done to make a hollow grind stronger. For example: The JAB Pot belly is hollow ground and it is a chopping beast...along with being a pretty fair skinner and slicer. All good axes have a hollow ground geometry. So hollow grinds can be strong. Do we use more hollow grinds than other companies? Maybe...but it is because we actually have hollow grinders while other companies may not.
What determines hollow vs flat grinds? We, in conjunction with our designers, determine a set of design parameters: purpose of knife, material, thickness, grind, etc, etc. This is what determines what the knife becomes.
Which grind is more fraglie? We have long determined that the user is more of a factor than the type of grind. Do we see more broken hollow ground vs flat ground blades? No. Broken blades are a very, very small percentage of defect...less than a third of one percent. (0.03%)
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

I smell some statistical process control / 6 sigma nina-ry going on here :).

Are you talking about the blades that are broken during manufacturing, or is this total number of broke blades once they have been released to the "wild"?

Thanks man :).
 
ocnLogan said:
I smell some statistical process control / 6 sigma nina-ry going on here :).

Are you talking about the blades that are broken during manufacturing, or is this total number of broke blades once they have been released to the "wild"?

Thanks man :).
Click to expand...

I would guess, those released to the wilds. There is not very much test to destruction that goes on at Kabar, mostly, because of me. :D

I keed, I keed. Most new production knives that Kabar makes, are lab tested, then beta tested with guys like me, and others that get some first grabs, then, there are passarounds and so on.

The real testing starts when guys buy the knives. Real world testing is always the best, and I have to say, some of the most brutal. Not because of abuse, but simply p ut, guys that use their knives, use their knives. Over an extended period of time.

Lab test are short, brutal and to the point. You need to know how much lateral stress a knife can take, put it in the vice, grab the torque wrench, and pull until you get the snap/tink.

But some guy that uses a knife for 4 seasons duck hunting, cutting reeds, boat lines, game, cloth, rope, and so on, can tell you so much more about how well that knife is gonna do.

I've only had one issue with a hollow ground folder, it didn't like being batoned. At all.

Other than that, hollow grinds are OK in my book, but I prefer flat grinds over all.

Moose
 
BRL,

There is nothing in particular except that people are either inexperienced, get careless, are tired. One quick moment and a blade is broken. If it is a true survival scenario...bam! Life just became a lot worse. Part of the problem is of our own making; our knives are supposed to be hard use items. However, the term "Hard Use" has a differnt connotation for each individual user as does the term "abuse". But at 0.03%, we figure it is best for all involved to offer replacement or repair when possible. Our biggest bugaboos are the occasional people that abuse the system, or are less than truthful, or have a special agenda. It is usually fairly evident from the offset. They get the same couretous Cust Ser but usually not what they are after.

ocnLogan,

I've been involved with SPC, TQM and 6 Sigma for most all of my working life. (36 years so far) Fun stuff if you like numbers....but remember the saying: "Figures lie and liars figure". Moose has it pretty much correct. We do a lot of development and testing but there are many variables on even seemingly simple things such as fixed blade knives. We try our best to think designs through, then test out issues, but even with that, $][ !+ happens.

the 710,

We have several folder protos out for testing (Moose?) but so far there have been issues. Cost and price points seem to be the biggest road blocks right now. The folders are well designed, well built, USA made but sourced. When we start to add all of the pricing layers, the end user will end up with an excellent but EXTREMELY expensive folder. That is not the KA-BAR nor the Becker way. So we continue to work.

Hope all of this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top