KA-BAR USMC Full Size -- Love or Hate?

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FMJ Hunter

Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
104
What is your experience and/or opinion on them? I own one, I am not trying to gather information for a buy, just wondering what you all think about them, as it seems to be either you love 'em or hate 'em. Is it a strong enough tang for you? do you like the leather or synthetic?

I own a Becker BK7 as well, and it does obviously have a stronger tang, and is much heavier and maybe better for chopping, blah blah, but i'm asking about THIS knife.

Mine has served me well, as I have only used it for tasks that I believe it can perform - batoning is not one of them. I used it to open MANY cans, cut rope, even wire, and lots of other chores. Still holding up great. :thumbup:
 
i don't own one. yet. it's high on my purchase priority list.

there are very few blades that have the kind of military service pedigree the Ka Bar USMC has.
 
For some who don't know about the USMC, I'll posts some pics of it and it's tang, that some seem to have a problem with:

kabarbowiewoodblack.jpg


Kbar01.gif
 
Love. For the price, it's still one of the best buys in the knife world today. Don't believe all the hooey about the tang - it's worked just fine under some pretty extreme conditions for about 70 years now.

Mine's got a leather handle, by the way. Wouldn't consider anything else.
 
I love them. I have the KaBar that my father carried in Corps from 1941-1961. Worked fine for him throughout the Pacific theatre and Korea. I also have a modern production model that resides under the seat in my truck.

The stick tang may be weaker than a full tang, but it's strong enough for any purpose I'll ever require from that knife.
 
I've been wanting to get a couple of these for heavy use... are there more highly recommended fixed blades with full tangs or is the stick tang a non-issue?
 
Carried one in the Corps.Served me well for every task I ever asked of it. Passed it on to another Marine when he graduated boot camp.


Mike
 
GlockLobster said:
.. are there more highly recommended fixed blades with full tangs or is the stick tang a non-issue?
Click to expand...

Non-issue, unless you're planning on using the thing as a crowbar. Even then, it would most likely get the job done. It might bend a bit, though.
 
@Glock Lobster, you might want to consider a Becker BK7. The stick tang is not the strongest design.... but like I said, mines been through hell and back. I'll upload a picture later if I feel up to it. Been with me for many years, the handle is turning dark from use.

The BK7's full tang, however, is nearly indestructible. You won't meet anyone on this forum who will dis a BK7.
 
Samael said:
Love. For the price, it's still one of the best buys in the knife world today. Don't believe all the hooey about the tang - it's worked just fine under some pretty extreme conditions for about 70 years now.
Mine's got a leather handle, by the way. Wouldn't consider anything else.
Click to expand...

Great post.

Tostig
 
Here's mine, by the way. It's about seven years old now, and the handle is coloring up nicely, but it'll be a while yet before it hits that deep chocolate brown.

Ka-Bar1217-1.jpg
 
I love the full size models. The regular military and the Next Generation. If they'd make a Next Gen. with a 1095 blade I'd be in heaven.
 
There's actually an old thread here about the 1217 where a guy bitched about the handle being too small for his hands. My first thought on reading that was "wow, remind me to never get in a fight with that guy."
 
Carried one also in the Corp for 8 years. It was a workhorse and the thing never let me down. I would never question the ability of the stick tang. If you break it you are a better man than me. I was never able to destroy mine and I still get to see it every once and a while since my son serves in the corp now and carries mine. Only complaint is the sheath. I went through 2 and he is on the 3rd now.
 
I love mine. Black kraton, and serrations. I love it so much, that I'm having a hard time not justifying the purchase of another, leather plain edge USMC. There's a history behind these blades, and I have complete trust in its design.
 
Had a Camillius version for a short time in the Army. Needed something out of a medical crate real fast & used the knife to pry it open. Broke the tip. If I'd been industrious I could of reground it & made it functional again. Instead I replaced it with a Pilot's Knife as I really needed something a bit smaller in length. Regardless, the knife did the job I asked of it.

A month back I noticed I still had the Eagle webbing sheath for a Ka Bar so I ordered one of the Black Kraton handled ones. Honestly I think about every knife nut needs a Ka Bar.
 
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