KA-BAR Tech Talk

Toooj said:
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
Click to expand...

thanks for getting back to me, are there any images of these protos? I wouldn't mind testing a proto out, I love the becker fixed blades but I live in a big city and carrying a fix blade around town wouldnt be a great idea, so I would like to carry something like a bk 17 folder
 
The 710 said:
thanks for getting back to me, are there any images of these protos? I wouldn't mind testing a proto out, I love the becker fixed blades but I live in a big city and carrying a fix blade around town wouldnt be a great idea, so I would like to carry something like a bk 17 folder
Click to expand...

We've had no shortage of folks wanting to test the folders out. This is the super secret knife that we have been working on for the last 2 years.

So far, there are 3 proto's created, a drop, clip and tanto. And like Toooj says, price is the problem. We want a USA made folder, tough, reliable, and affordable. We got USA made, tough, reliable, but that whole affordable thing just flew out the window.

Here is a photo I was never supposed to show, but since you know, you might as well see.

2012-01-18133851.jpg


Moose
 
Moosez45 said:
We've had no shortage of folks wanting to test the folders out. This is the super secret knife that we have been working on for the last 2 years.

So far, there are 3 proto's created, a drop, clip and tanto. And like Toooj says, price is the problem. We want a USA made folder, tough, reliable, and affordable. We got USA made, tough, reliable, but that whole affordable thing just flew out the window.

Here is a photo I was never supposed to show, but since you know, you might as well see.

2012-01-18133851.jpg


Moose
Click to expand...

wow, I like that!! one more question moose, will it be left handed friendly? I see the thumb flip looks to be for a right handed carry..
 
The 710 said:
wow, I like that!! one more question moose, will it be left handed friendly? I see the thumb flip looks to be for a right handed carry..
Click to expand...



They probably won't anything. These are prototypes, with no futher move forward at the moment. Like Toooj says, price......

Moose
 
Oh damn.... wow.
throw it up on kickstarter and take pre-orders. :-)
 
Agreed, it looks sweet.

And the way I see it is kind of how I look at buying a computer.

You can choose two of the three following choices at a time.

1) Price
2) Performance
3) Size

Its tough to get all three in a single package, especially on something new.

It does look like a sweet blade, but I'm betting it will be out of my price range if it ever reaches production.

And toooj, thanks for the response. Its nice to be sitting in a class (I'm in grad school finishing up a business degree), and know that that the stuff actually exists in the "real" world.
 
That's a nice looking folder. What price point were they hoping to get it down to? I really wonder what ballpark its in now. Very cool regardless.
 
Nsvens89 said:
That's a nice looking folder. What price point were they hoping to get it down to? I really wonder what ballpark its in now. Very cool regardless.
Click to expand...

The way I see it, it needs to be MSRP around $175, on the street, around $150 to he successful. The MSRP as it sits now, is about double that, or a little less.

Too much for a carbon steel folder, IMO. Some may not agree, but when you can get a ZT or Spyderco for less with some high end steel, it kinda becomes moot at that point.

Moose
 
Moosez45 said:
The way I see it, it needs to be MSRP around $175, on the street, around $150 to he successful. The MSRP as it sits now, is about double that, or a little less.

Too much for a carbon steel folder, IMO. Some may not agree, but when you can get a ZT or Spyderco for less with some high end steel, it kinda becomes moot at that point.

Moose
Click to expand...

All sounds completely logical to me. It would be cool to see that hit the market, It's a really nice looking knife. Being a broke college kid I don't mind sitting back for a few years and seeing what comes of it haha. Thanks.
 
Holy shnikes, a photo of a Becker folder prototype. Hell, photos of Bigfoot and UFOs are less rare.

Also, I got all kinds of money for a beauty like that. Just look at that dreamy handle. Crank up the factories!
 
Toooj said:
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
Click to expand...

Toooj,

You have SO much great stuff in this thread but I am not going to lie, this is some of the most exciting stuff I have heard in awhile! That's awesome! Is there any word on this process/development? Any changes being made or feature added? Thanks a million for keeping us all in the loop!
 
flipaldinho,

The BK-10s are moving through the factory. It is scheduled for release at SHOT Show 2013. It will be powder coated and have the pommel.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr Eng
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives
 
CamH_16 said:
Hey Toooj,

Saw this in the Ka-Bar fans group:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/group.php?do=picture&groupid=66&attachmentid=227933

Would you mind explaining anything more about the design? I googled it and didnt find much appart from that its a discontinued 8" 1085 camp knife...I've never seen a Ka-Bar like this before. Looks like a Combat Khukri and Cutlass Machete ahhh...Did stuff together :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

Kabar Camp Knife, precursor to the Cutlass Machete. Cutlass blade style, with a Kabar standard oval handle in Kraton.

8" instead of the 10" blade of the Cutlass, a real work of art, and one of my favorite blades until I started using the BK9 heavily.

Just didn't sell very well.

Moose
 
Toooj said:
flipaldinho,

The BK-10s are moving through the factory. It is scheduled for release at SHOT Show 2013. It will be powder coated and have the pommel.
Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

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

sheldon-squee.jpg


I think I peed a little...



Moosez45 said:
Kabar Camp Knife, precursor to the Cutlass Machete. Cutlass blade style, with a Kabar standard oval handle in Kraton.

8" instead of the 10" blade of the Cutlass, a real work of art, and one of my favorite blades until I started using the BK9 heavily.

Just didn't sell very well.

Moose
Click to expand...

I wish I had got one of those back when I had the chance. Oh well, at least I have one of these.
22630_10151253470825219_803167888_n.jpg


And a new Heavy Warthog on the way.
 
Wow, that folder looks awesome! Can't wait till you guys get it all worked out & on the market! I agree $300 is a bit high, but I think at $150-200ish, you would have a winner! Hmmmm, that handle looks really familiar/ similar to something I've seen before, but I can't quite place it. Anyone? Also, great thread, thanks so much, Toooj for making yourself available and answering so many questions. I will always buy Ka-bars and Beckers, for as long as I live. Your customer service is unparalleled, & you guys are just awesome.
 
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