Ka-Bar upper swedge.

[scottyj]

Gmorning guys. I have a couple USMC Ka-Bars, and noticed that the upper swedge is sharpened on two of them, but one is unsharpened. I have seen some in stores, and online that are offered either way. Random google photos on line confirm this. What's the deal with the upper swedge? Does it depend on who is grinding them that day? Is it standard to not sharpen it? What is the story? Thanks in advance.

Edit: I just found an old thread on here from 2009 that kinda answers my question. If anyone has anything else to add that's cool. Thanks.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

IN a nutshell, if the swedge is sharpened on a model 1217 or variant, it was made before 2003/2004 time frame, or it was sharpened post-purchase by the buyer. Prior to this time, Kabar sent them out sharpened. I have some of each.

Kabar quit sharpening it so that the knife would not be illegal in states that prohibit possession of daggers, as a sharpened swedge (which makes it a false edge) makes the knife "double-edged" in the eyes of many laws.

 

[scottyj]

Thanks brother. :thumbup: